How to both celebrate the season and support the local community.
By Gabriela Griggs
AC&T Editor
Arts, Culture & Technology
As the leaves on campus begin to turn from green to orange, it’s obvious that summer is finally at its end. The best way to celebrate is by participating in local, fun autumnal activities. There are plenty of events to participate in the York County area, ranging from classic pumpkin patches and farmstands to even campus events.
Peak foliage for both the Rock Hill and Charlotte area is estimated to be from early to mid November, with November 14 as a rough estimate. That makes this month the perfect time to explore various parks, lookouts and other outdoor spaces to see some of the fall colors and season take shape.
Allison Creek Park, located in Lake Wylie, is a major local campground with many walking trails. Located at 2499 Viesta Road, York, this park is known for its breathtaking views of the changing leaves and is just a 25 minute drive from campus.
Anna Springs Close Greenway, a local nature preserve, has much to offer this fall season. While these trails are more optimal for biking and hiking, they provide beautiful views of local nature and fall colors. The Greenway is located at 250 Dairy Barn Lane in Fort Mill.
Besides trails, there are other ways to get up close to autumnal scenery.
In York, Windy Hill Orchard and Cidery hosts weekend hayrides. These rides go through the orchard and typically run from noon to 4 in the afternoon. The orchard also hosts fire pits, apple celebrations and serves pumpkin donuts all throughout the month of November.
Windy Hill also has live music from local artists throughout the weekend. Visitors can swing by the cider bar and try seasonal drinks, purchase seasonal food and drinks from the farm stand and listen to live performances.
Windy Hill Orchard and Cidery is located at 1860 Black Highway in York. Various routes to the location can also be found on their website, but averages about a 30 minute drive from campus.
Although November might be a sparse season for produce, there are still plenty of upcoming annual events on and off campus to celebrate the changing season.
Farther from campus, however, in the “North End” area of Charlotte, Goodyear Arts will be hosting their Fall Residency Showcase. This opens the gallery to all to witness the art being created by the current resident artists of the gallery.
This showcase will feature works by local artists Simon Lane, Destiny Turner, Asha Iman and Jodi Mattiaccy. The reception will be hosted on November 6, from 6 to 9pm. The gallery will be hosting the exhibition throughout the month of November, officially concluding on the 28.
Goodyear Arts is located 301 Camp Road #200 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
On November 13 and 14, the Dance program will be performing a series of dances choreographed by both faculty and guest choreographers. This event is a great opportunity to see what the department has been working on this far into the semester.
Around mid- November, the annual Fall-One Acts will be hosted in Johnson Theatre. These productions are directed and put on by performing arts students and are a favorite of the fall season. This festival has been hosted annually since the 1999-2000 academic year.
Both events will be hosted in Johnson Theatre and offer discounted ticket prices for students, alongside cultural event credit for attendance.
There are many ways to celebrate the changing season, both on and off campus, while also supporting local farmers, vendors, and artists. Whether you’d rather go on a trail, listen to live music, or visit an exhibit there are plenty of activities and events to engage with.
