CHINA GROVE — Extended business hours, face painting and a movie are all on tap today in China Grove.

In partnership with local businesses, the town’s Board of Trade organized a Grove Night Out Saturday. The event includes extended business hours, said Lisa Deal, who owns Embelish Boutique and is on China Grove Board of Trade. The China Grove Roller Mill will also be open.  The fall-themed movie “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” will be shown in Hannah Park at 7:30 p.m. But, just before the movie, pumpkin painting, a pumpkin patch and face painting will be a part of festivities.

The pumpkin patch will be a fundraiser for the Carson High School Theatre Department. Deal said face and pumpkin painting would be going on all day at Hannah Park in conjunction with Carson’s fundraiser. 

Deal said the event is part of an effort by the board of trade to attract more people and businesses to the downtown area.

“We’re all working together trying to build up downtown,” Deal said. “For China Grove, it’s seen as just a small town. It’s kind of like a hidden goldmine because it’s such a unique town.”

China Grove Mayor Pro-tempore Lee Withers, who is also on the board of trade, described Grove Night Out as the culmination of Carson’s fundraiser.

“It’s been a partnership between the China Grove Board of Trade, Miller Davis and Patterson Farms to benefit Carson High School’s Drama Department,” Withers said. “It’s something we’re pretty excited about and we’re hoping to do more events.”

Withers encouraged Rowan County residents to explore local businesses in China Grove during the night out because of the bounty of options available.

“Sometimes we forget about that in the hustle and bustle we live in,” he said about the number of stores in China Grove. “We just have to open our eyes and look at what we have to offer.”

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.