The 80th annual McDowell Junior Livestock Show is set for Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1, and it will highlight the hard work and dedication of local youth in agriculture. Held in McDowell County, this event brings together families, students and community members to celebrate the importance of livestock, responsibility and rural traditions. Whether you’re showing an animal, cheering on a neighbor, or supporting as a sponsor, this is a great opportunity to connect with the agricultural roots of our county and support the next generation of farmers and leaders. For questions, call N.C. Cooperative Extension, McDowell County Center, at 652-8104.
Let’s be honest: our smartphones have amazing cameras, but most of us are only using a fraction of what they can do. If your photos are mostly accidental pictures of your pocket, blurry grandkid photos, or a “storage full” warning, you are definitely not alone. You can change that. Registration is now open for a five-week Smartphone photography course designed to help you master the camera in your pocket, skip the tech frustration, and actually have fun doing it. In this beginner-friendly course, you’ll learn how to master the basics, level up your skills and think like a pro. The free classes will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 1 p.m. The class will run for five weeks and end on Thursday, Sept. 3. The class will be in the Extension Conference Room, second floor, 60 E. Court St., Marion. This course is intended for older adults. Space is limited so that everyone gets help and practice. Call 828-652-8104 to register.
Canning season is here and whether you are new to canning or just want to brush up on the latest information, hands-on classes can be fun. They offer you a chance to learn more about canning or just get the latest information in a relaxed way while practicing the steps needed to safely preserve your food for later in the year. Recommendations can change over time and some of our older recipes or ways to preserve foods may not be considered as safe anymore. The N.C. Cooperative Extension, McDowell County Center, will offer some classes coming up in July and August. Space is limited so register now. All classes will be at the Glenwood Baptist Church, 155 Glenwood Baptist Church Road, Marion. Cost for each class is $10. To register for classes, call 652-8104.
Do you know of a teenager age 13 to 18 who might want to write, act or direct their own short play? Sign them up for MACA’s one-week summer theater intensive, Page-to-Stage course Monday, July 27, through Sunday, Aug. 2. Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuuw-2cyxIz1uBv0PXJ6ig6WC996y- HOatovJ99Qj5T0ylKOCw/viewform.
The McDowell County Democratic Party will have its monthly meeting & potluck at 6 p.m. Monday, July 27, at the Marion Community Building.
The N.C. Cooperative Extension, McDowell County Center, will offer a course in making salsa. The course will be held Tuesday, July 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Salsas come in many varieties.Come learn a simple salsa recipe where you can vary the amounts of peppers and onions while still having a safe product to preserve in a boiling water bath to have throughout the year. We will also cover fresh salsas and share different salsa recipes to try at home. Cost $10. Register to secure your spot since spaces are limited.
The Arrowhead Art Gallery and Studios in Old Fort will offer a new class called Skill Building Studio with Lorelle Bacon as the instructor. The purpose for this class is to help students go to the next level in their artistic pursuit. The classes will be held on Aug. 6 and Aug. 13. The class will be held from 1:30-4:30 p.m. The cost is $50 for each class. In this studio setting, students will bring supplies and pieces of art they are working on, start new paintings or learn how to use a new medium. It is open to all levels from beginners to advanced. Students will work at their own pace on their own projects. All mediums — including oils, acrylics, watercolors, colored pencils, pastels, drawings and scratchboard. For more information, go to www.arrowheadart.org.
MACA is partnering with Bigfoot Books & Brews and McDowell SAGE to host a screening of the indie film “Bigfoot Woods,” with a live in-person Q&A with writer/producer Bruce Pavalon and writer Abel Pavalon (on Bigfoot Day). The screening will be in the Greenlee Theatre at MACA at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29. Tickets are $12 per person. This film was made for LGBTQ+ youth and their loved ones.
Effective Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, the tipping fees for residential and commercial waste at the McDowell County Transfer Station will increase from $72 per ton to $80 per ton. Additionally, the minimum charge will increase from $5 to $10.
The McDowell County Democratic Party will hold a “Hootenanny with all the Fixins” on Saturday, Sept. 26, from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Black Bear Pavilion, 6196 Lake James Road, Marion.
The McDowell County Center for the N.C. Cooperative Extension is looking to hold a food drive for the local Foothills Food Hub.Organizers are taking unexpired canned goods, rice, pasta, dry beans and any other nonperishable food you may want to share with people in our community. Donations can be dropped off at the Cooperative Extension’s office, 60 E. Court St., Marion, or to the Foothills Food Hub located in the former Badcock Furniture Building at 1930 U.S. 70 East, Marion.
The Lions Club of Marion meets at 6 p.m. at the Hook & Anchor on Rutherford Road in Marion on the first and third Thursdays of each month.
The Foothills Community Band rehearses every Tuesday from 7-8:30 p.m. at the MACA Center in downtown Marion. The band welcomes players of all ages and experience levels from high school students to those with decades of experience. For more information, send an email to foothillscommunityband@gmail.com.
Loving Hearts, BEAR Closet is asking for donations of blankets, charcoal, batteries (all sizes), flashlights and cleaning supplies. Contact them at 828-767-2385 or 828-803-8790 and at 337 Garden Creek Road, Marion.
The Arrowhead Art Gallery and Studios in Old Fort will offer private parties with instructor and artist Catherine Bruggeman. Select a project you have seen or pick from a number of fun two-to three-hour stained glass or wire sculpture workshops. All you need are three friends. Call Bruggeman at 910915-9104 to schedule or get a list of possibilities. Day, evening or weekend times available.
The Arrowhead Art Gallery and Studios in Old Fort will have a series of free art classes for kids. The classes are for ages 5 to 12 years old. Adult participation is optional. The classes are from 2-4 p.m. on the first Sunday of every month. Capacity is 10 students. The free classes use different media and are often taught by different volunteer artists. All supplies will be provided.
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