September 11
9/11 Memorial Ceremony
When: September 11; 10am
Where: POPS; 153 Park Square, Forest City
September 12
Free Movie Friday
When: September 12; 8pm
Where: POPS- 153 Park Square, Forest City
More Info: Join us at dusk for Mufasa: The Lion King on the big screen.
September 12 & 13
Sampling of the Bard", Shakespeare's greatest scenes, monologues
When: September 12 & 13; 7pm Friday; 3pm Saturday
Where: The Foundation, Isothermal Community College; 286 ICC Loop Rd., Spindale
More Info: Tickets available at the Foundation box office or online at foundationshows.org. $12/students & seniors, $15/adults.
September 13
Breakfast
When: September 13; 7am
Where: Gilkey School Community Center; 217 Gilkey School Rd., Rutherfordton
More Info: $10.00
Golf Tournament
When: September 13; 6pm
Where: Dogwood Valley Golf Course; 328 Dogwood Valley Rd., Forest City
More Info: Fundraiser for Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue
Diaper Run charity motorcycle ride collecting diapers for local foster care families and other families facing hardships
When: September 13; 3-7pm
Where: Starts at 616 S. Morgan St., Shelby; ends at Shelby Mission Camp; 302 Sharpton Dr., Shelby
More Info: At the finish line there will be live music by the Justin Corbett Band, free food, & door prizes. A collaborative event with The One More One Less Project. Registration is require- on site registration as well.
September 15
Register competitive exhibits at Colfax Free Fair, Ellenboro School Carnival
When: September 15; 10am-6pm
Where: Old Ellenboro School Fairground; 813 Piney Mountain Church Rd, Ellenboro
September 16
American Red Cross Blood Drive
When: September 16; 1:30-6pm
Where: Gilkey School Community Center Cafeteria; 217 Gilkey School, Rutherfordton
More Info: 1-800-733-2767 or RedCrossBlood.org and enter cold "Gilkey"
September 16-20
Colfax Free Fair; Ellenboro School Carnival
When: September 16-20; 1:30-6pm
Where: Old Ellenboro School Fairgrounds; 171 Cherry Mtn. St., Ellenboro
More Info: "Celebrating out local heritage"Carnival info: 828-453-8185. Exhibitor info: 828-429-1237 (text).
September 18
R-S Central High School 100th Birthday Celebration Documentary
When: September 18; reception/social 5:30-7pm, Centennial Documentary Film 7pm
Where: R-S Central High School; 641 US-221 Hwy., Rutherfordton
More Info: Centennial history books, DVDs, Christmas ornaments, etc. will be sold during the event.
September 20
Rutherford County Firefighters Burned Children Fund Benefit Concert
When: September 20; 8-10pm, doors open at 7pm
Where: One 13; 113 W. Court St., Rutherfordton
More Info: Featuring The Clark Road Band. Donations accepted at the door. Proceeds go to Rutherford County Firefighters Burned Children Fund.
Fall Fest at Tryon International
When: September 20; 10am-6pm
Where: Tryon International; 25 International Blvd., Mill Spring
More Info: Free family fun, live entertainment, vendors, food trucks, a car show, and more!
Litter clean up on the Thermal Belt Rail Trail
When: September 20; 9am-noon
Where: Volunteers meet in McDonald's parking lot; 810 W. Main St., Spindale
More Info: Work gloves, garbage bags, litter grabbing tools and water will be provided. Please respond to tvarnold3200@gmail.com with questions and to let us know how many will be attending.
September 26
Free Concert
When: September 26; 7-10pm
Where: POPS- 153 Park Square, Forest City
More Info: Featuring Continental Divide, delivering a fun and energetic show full of classic oldies and beach music.
Blood Drive
When: September 26; 12-5pm
Where: Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church; 252 N. Washington St., Rutherfordton
More Info: RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-733-2767
September 27
Old Mall Marketplace Vendor Fair and Car Show
When: September 27; 10am-4pm
Where: Tri City Mall; 2270 College Ave., Forest City
More Info: Rain or shine; vendors, local merchants, food trucks, games. 828-429-1226.
10th annual End of Summer Bash for Rutherford County Veterans
When: September 27; noon-2pm
Where: Rutherford County Veterans Services; 145 College Ave., Rutherfordton
More Info: Door prizes and t-shirts for our county veterans! Pizza and drinks will be served.
Commemoration Ceremony
When: September 27; 11am
Where: Gazebo in Morse Park; 2948 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure
More Info: In honor of the enduring resilience and strength of the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock communities.
October 2
Cancer Survivor Celebration
When: October 2; 5-7:30pm
Where: Isothermal Community College, Performing Arts & Conference Center; ICC Loop Rd., Spindale
More Info: RSVP: 828-245-4596, Option 2. Presented by the Community Health Council of Rutherford County.
October 4
2025 Celebration of the Arts Art Show
When: October 4; 10am-5pm
Where: Hilltop Fall Festival; 160 N Main St., Downtown Rutherfordton
More Info: Juried Art Show for 2D & 3D work. Prizes for Best in Show, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and merit awards in both categories. Wood work demonstrations. Reception in Rutherford County Visual Artist Guild. event.rcartguild@gmail.com for more info.
October 4
Hilltop Fall Festival
When: October 4; 10am-5pm
Where: Downtown Rutherfordton
More Info: Food, crafts, live music, car show, dog costume & more. Vendors register at: secure.rec1.com/NC/rutherfordton-nc-/catalog
October 6
Salvation Army Angel Tree
When: October 6; 9am to 11:30am; 1pm to 3pm
Where: 256 West Main St., Forest City
More Info: One applicant per family; bring photo ID; proof of income, expenses, ID for all household members. Kids birth-12 years. 828-287-0855.
October 6-9
Salvation Army Christmas Cheer registration
When: October 6-9; 9am-11:30am; 1pm-3pm
Where: 256 W. Main St., Forest City
More Info: One applicant per family; bring: picture ID, proof of income, expenses; ID for all household members, birth certificate or other government ID; legal guardians bring proof of custody; kids birth to 12 years of age.
October 11
Bills Creek Music Festival
When: October 11; 12-5pm
Where: Bills Creek Community Center; 198 Club House Road, Lake Lure
More Info: Bring lawn chairs. Featuring Paper Crowns, Chris Wayne and Andrew Wakefield. Food available. A pre-festival show by John Hampton Friday, October 10 at 6pm. Reservations are required for Friday show. billscreekcommunitycenter@gmail.com
October 25
A Night to Restore Benefit
When: October 25; 6pm
Where: Fly Girls; 214 Fashion Circle, Rutherfordton
More Info: Fundraising event for Rutherford Housing Partnership. Costume contests, live & silent auctions, hors d'oeuvres, DJ, more. Proceeds go toward providing urgently needed home repairs. Tickets: paypal.com/ncp/payment/9HMLWH5FC85NE
Every Tuesday
Open Arms Substance Abuse
When: Tuesdays 6-7pm
Where: Highland Apartments Activity Center; 171 Butler Rd., Forest City
More Info: Open to those with substance abuse, parents or guardians of children with substance abuse addictions. Rena: 828-305-1280.
First Tuesday
Cancer Support Group
When: First Tuesday each month 5-6:30pm
Where: Rutherford County Senior Center
More Info: For cancer patients & survivors; informative topics, friendship and refreshments. RSVP 828-245-4596, option 1.
Third Tuesday
Rutherfordton Kiwanis Club Meeting
When: 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:00 PM
Where: Rutherford Regional Medical Center, 288 S Ridgecrest Ave, Rutherfordton
More Info: Come join us and volunteer to serve your community.
Rutherford Beekeepers Monthly Club Meeting
When: Third Tuesday; 6pm
Where: Cooperative Extension Center; 193 Callahan-Koon Rd., beside Senior Center
More Info: Open to anyone interested in beekeeping.
Fourth Tuesday
Rutherford County Woodworkers Club
When: Every Fourth Tuesday
Where: Rutherford County Annex, Rutherfordton
More Info: 919-696-6064 .
Second Thursday
Coffee for Veterans
When: Second Thursday of the month at 10am
Where: Fairfield Mountains Chapel; 1384 Buffalo Creek Rd., Lake Lure
More Info: All veterans welcome for free coffee, refreshments, and camaraderie.
Thursdays
BINGO - Disable American Veterans Chapter 25
When: Thursdays 7-10pm
Where: Old Green Hill School; 2501 US 64/74A Hwy, Rutherfordton
More Info: Doors open 5:30pm. Early Bird 7pm; Regular Program 7:30pm
Narcotics Anonymous meeting
When: Thursdays; 12:30-1:30pm
Where: Community Healing Recovery & Thriving Center; 648 Withrow Rd., Forest City
Rutherfordton Kiwanis Club Meeting
When: 6:30-7:30pm (except 5th Thursdays)
Where: Woodrow Jones Building, Rutherfordton
More Info: See "Kiwanis of Rutherfordton" on FaceBook. New members welcome and light dinner served. ruffkiwanis@gmail.com
Learn more about the history of the Confederacy
Contact teddybear93_890@yahoo.com. We need new members interested in the history & will help preserve this history. Show your support by contacting me about joining the LT William Corbitt SCV camp. Meetings will begin again soon on the 2nd Thurs night at the Annex in Rutherfordton
Saturdays
Stitch by Stitch
When: First Saturday monthly, 12pm
Where: Rutherford County Library, Callahan Rd., Spindale
More Info: Ages 10 and up; cross-stitch, needle point and slow stitching
Volunteer Opportunities
More Info: Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity's affordable homes are making a positive impact on many families in need. Come volunteer today and lay the foundation for a brighter tomorrow. Volunteers needed for construction, ReStore, Clothing Center, and more. 828-245-0716, www.rutherfordhfh.org, habitat.org
More Info: NC Guardian ad Litem Program trains & supervises child advocate volunteers to represent best interests of kids in court system. www.volunteerforgal.org, 828-288-6121.
More Info: CarePartners Hospice & Palliative Care is seeking volunteers. Variety of opportunities, including specialized respite support, socialization-companionship, assistance with errands, Veterans program & more. Volunteer roles are designed to support staff. 828-274-9567.
Miscellaneous
What: American Legion member of Post 74 Forest City, Post 423 Henrietta or Post 437 Chimney Rock: pay membership dues at www.legion.org. Join the American Legion, contact Jimmy 704-819-5862.