SPENCER ó The N.C. Transportation Museum’s 2009 Family Rail Days Festival, June 13 and 14, celebrates the golden age of railroading. Featuring historic locomotives and rail cars displayed alongside the most modern rail equipment, the event will give visitors a chance to enjoy train rides, music, and a model train show.
Dedications for several recent additions to the N.C. Transportation Museum will also be held.
In addition, the seventh annual CASI Chili Cook-Off will have cooks competing for awards. Held in accordance with Chili Appreciation Society of America standards, the cook-off will take place Saturday only. Visitors can cast their vote for “People’s Choice” by purchasing a $3 taster’s kit. Other awards, including “Best In Show,” will be determined. Judging takes place at noon.
Tickets are $12 each, with discounts available for museum members. Visitors can save $2 on each ticket by ordering in advance on-line through June 11 at www.nctrans.org.
Tickets entitle visitors to unlimited train rides and all the sights and sounds around the museum.
For information, call 704-636-2889.
Jazzy Art and Poetry
The Rowan Arts Council will present Jazzy Art and Poetry Night this evening, 5-7 p.m. in the Gallery at Rail Walk Studios and Gallery, 413 N. Lee St. in downtown Salisbury.
Jazz musicians Jimmy and Lesley Alston will perform original music and Tyeisha Campbell will read from her recent poetry work. Artists are invited to bring sketchbooks.
Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the group exhibit by Rail Walk artists Carol Dunkley, Sharon Forthofer, Annette Hall, Patt Legg, Marietta Smith and Jason Williams.
Poets interested in reading their work should contact the Rowan Arts Council at 704-638-9887 or rac@rowanarts.org, or call Lesley Alston at 704-232-1467.
Antique car show
The Hornets Nest Region of the Antique Car Club of America will host an antique car show Saturday, June 13, in the Salisbury Post parking lot on the corner of South Church and West Innes streets.
The cars will be on display from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will be live music by Sounds of Praise and accordionist Lorna Brown.
For more information, contact Downtown Salisbury Inc. at 704-637-7814 or betz@downtowsalisburync.com.
Faith deadlines
The deadline to enter the Faith Idol competition to be held during the Faith 4th celebration, is June 15. Registration is $10.
The deadline for entries in the Faith 4th of July parade is June 19.
Information is at www.faith4thnc.com, or by calling 704-279-2256.
Bost Grist Mill
CONCORD ó The Civil War reenactment, the “Battle of Bost Grist Mill” takes place 2 p.m. June 13 and 1:30 p.m. June 14. It is hosted by the 30th North Carolina Troops and Bost Grist Mill, located at 4701 Highway 200, Concord.
There will be hundreds of re-enactors, artillery, Civil War medicine, and military camps.
On Saturday, there will be a presentation by two local authors, a Ladies’ Tea and a special appearance by Anna Jackson, wife of General Stonewall Jackson, and General Lee and his staff, at the Museum of Artifacts.
Ages 13 and over are $10, Ages 6 to 12, $5, and under 6, free. Gates open at 10 a.m.
For more information, visit www.bostgristmill.com or call 704-782-1600.
Hands on History
STATESVILLE ó Fort Dobbs State Historic Site is offering “Hands on History,” a new three-part interactive history program. it begins June 20, at the Statesville site.
At 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., visitors will have a chance to learn about how an 18th-century musket was loaded with ammunition and fired, plus craft a real cartridge similar to the ammunition used by the soldiers stationed at Fort Dobbs in the mid-1700s.
Every third Saturday in June, July and August, Fort Dobbs is presenting 30-minute interactive, hands-on learning experiences tied to the history of the fort. Each session will allow visitors to gain deeper insights into what life was like for the provincial soldiers garrisoned at Fort Dobbs during the French and Indian War. In July, the program will highlight how these soldiers drilled on the colonial frontier. The August segment will detail what soldiers ate while on duty.
The series is free, and participants of all ages are encouraged to attend.
For more information, visit www.fortdobbs.org or call 704- 873-5882.
Millionaire auditions
“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” is looking for Carolinians who want to try their luck in the Millionaire hot seat, for the opportunity to win $1 million! Those who audition may be considered at producer’s sole discretion, for either the syndicated version of the show, hosted by Meredith Vieira, or the 10th Anniversary Edition of Millionaire which will air on ABC this August and will be hosted by Regis Philbin.
Auditions will be held Monday, June 15, from 7 to 11 a.m at the McGlohon Theatre, 345 N. College Street, Charlotte, NC 28208. For information about the McGlohon Theatre, go to www.blumenthalcenter.org