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September 4
Free Movie Friday
When: September 4; 8pm
Where: Forest City Pavilion On Park Square - POPS; 153 Park Square, Forest City
More Info: Featuring: A Minecraft Movie. The event is free and open to the public. To view the FULL event lineup and details, visit forestcitypops.com.
September 5
Tri-City Toy and Collectible Show
When: September 5; 9am-3pm
Where: Tri-City Mall; 2270 College Ave., Forest City
More Info: Free admission! Rain Date: September 12.
September 10
Educator Open House Drop In
When: September 10; 3:30-5pm
Where: Boys and Girls Clubs of Rutherford; 376 Hudlow Rd., Forest City
More Info: Tour the club, Meet the staff, Learn about programs, Discover the Club's impact on local youth. Light refreshments will be served. bgcrutherfordnc.org or 828.202.7171.
September 11
Town of Forest City 9/11 Memorial Ceremony
When: September 11; 10am-noon
Where: POPS; 153 Park Square, Forest City
More Info: Hosted by Forest City Fire Rescue and the Town of Forest City. Remembering the injured and those who lost their lives in the line of duty during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Emergency vehicle display, music, posting of colors, National Anthem, prayer and more.
September 15
American Red Cross Flood Preparedness
When: September 15; 6pm
Where: Isothermal Community College Business Science Building; 286 ICC Loop Rd., Spindale
More Info: Ready to learn what to do in the event of a flood? Join the Red Cross & long-term recovery partners at Rutherford Long Term Recovery Group for a community workshop focused on flood preparedness. Learn steps you can take to prepare, to protect yourself & your family in the event of flooding. Receive a preparedness backpack with essential items & flood safety tips. Call 828-716-9662 ext 102 to sign up or visit www.RutherfordLTRG.org.
Blood Drive
When: September 15; 1:30-6pm
Where: Gilkey School Community Center; 217 Gilkey School Rd., Rutherfordton
September 18-19-20
What: Greek Festival
When: Sept. 18 & 19; 11am-9pm, Sept. 20; 11am-6pm
Where: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church; 697 Asheville Hwy, Spartanburg
More Info: Greek food & pastries, live Greek band, dance performances, vendors. Indoor & outdoor dining. Limited onsite parking; free parking & shuttle at Gibbs Stadium, Wofford College. SpartanburgGreekFestival.com
September 21 through October 7, 2026
Operation Carolina
When: September 21 through October 7
More Info: Operation Carolina is a 700-mile solo run across North Carolina, Murphy to the Outer Banks. It is roughly 40 miles a day for 17 straight days. Jonathan Milkovich, an Army veteran and the Executive Director of Operation WarriorFit, a 501(c)(3) in Fletcher is running it alone. The route comes through Rutherford County on Day 5, Friday, September 25. That day crosses over from Polk County into Rutherford County and runs through Rutherfordton, Spindale, and Forest City, then through Ellenboro. Day 6 picks up in Rutherford County the next morning, September 26, heading toward Cleveland County. Operation WarriorFit places donated race entries with vetted veterans, service members, and first responders for a flat $9.95 commitment fee. Anyone can come out and run, ruck, or walk a stretch of the route alongside Jonathan as he passes through the community. For more information email Contact.Us@Operationwarriorfit.org.
September 19
Tri-City Mall Fall Festival
When: September 19; 9am-3pm
Where: Tri-City Mall; 2270 College Ave., Forest City
More Info: Free admission! Vendors, food & fun! Rain Date: September 26.
Greenway Gauntlet Adventure Race
When: September 19; check-in begins at 9am
Where: Broad River Greenway Ranger Station; 126 Broad River Dr., Shelby
More Info: Choose between the Full Gauntlet (combines paddling & land navigation), and a Land Navigation Challenge. There is no marked course, instead, participants will receive a map and coordinates and will use own navigation skills to determine the best route between checkpoints. Compete solo or as a team. Solo competitors must be at least 18. Younger racers may participate on a team beginning at age 12, and must be partnered with an adult 18 or older. The Full Gauntlet adds a paddling component to the adventure. Participants may bring a canoe or kayak. A limited number of canoes are available on a 1st-come, 1st-served basis. Racers who need a canoe should complete registration and payment and email kduren@broadrivergreenway.com to reserve one while supplies last. $35 for solo competitors, $45 for teams.
September 26
11th annual End of Summer Bash, hosted by Rutherford County Veterans Services
When: September 26; noon-2pm
Where: Rutherford County Library; 145 College Ave., Rutherfordton
More Info: The event will include food, drawings, prizes and all veterans will receive a T-shirt. The Veterans Services staff is hosting the event to thank Rutherford County veterans and 2025-2026 donation partners.
Car Show
When: September 26; 8am: sign-in, show 9am-3pm
Where: Cedar Grove Fellowship Church; 160 Toney Rd., Bostic
More Info: $30 per entry. Each entry gets a free t-shirt. 26 Trophies. Vendors wanted-$25- bring your own table. Also selling BBQ plates & Hot Dog plates, crafts, Christmas, fall, etc. Benefits the building fund. Sponsors needed for t-shirts. 828-245-7878 before August 31 to be a sponsor.
September 30
Celebrating 100 Years of the Lake Lure Dam
When: September 30; 11am
Where: Lake Lure Gazebo at Morse Park
More Info: Join the Town of Lake Lure as they commemorate the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Lake Lure Dam- a remarkable engineering achievement that has stood strong for a century, including its resilience through Hurricane Helene.
September 30-October 3
Celebration of the Arts
When: September 30-October 3
Where: The Guild; 160 North Main St., Ruthefordton
More Info: Includes: People's Choice Voting, Artists Reception (Oct. 2, 5-7pm), Awards (Oct. 3, 4-5pm). info@rcartguild.com
October 3
Chase Corner Ministries 50th Anniversary Celebration
When: October 3; 11am-5pm
Where: Chase Corner Ministries; 1604 Chase High Rd., Forest City
More Info: Singing, bouncy houses, food trucks, games and give away prizes. Bring a lawn chair. All of the community is invited to help celebrate!
October 3
2026 Fall Hilltop Festival
When: October 3; 10am-5pm
Where: Historic Downtown Rutherfordton
More Info: Artisans, local businesses, non-profits, and community organizations, the Hilltop Fall Festival wants you! Don't miss this chance to showcase your products and connect with thousands of festival-goers in Rutherfordton (Food Vendor spots are full)! Registration: https://secure.rec1.com/NC/rutherfordton-nc-/catalog. Deadline: Registration closes Sept. 4 (or as soon as spaces fill up). Questions? Call: 828-287-3520, ext. 5 or email: events@rutherfordton.net
October 9 & 10
5th Annual Bill's Creek Music Festival
When: October 9; 6pm, October 10; 12-5pm
Where: Bill's Creek Community Center; 198 Club House Rd., Lake Lure
More Info: Free! Food and drinks available with donation. Featuring Andrew Wakefield, John Friday, Ron Sphere and Chris Wayne.
SPONSORS NEEDED • October 15
Mosaic Hope's 2nd Annual Blue Jean Ball
When: October 15; 5:30-8:30pm
Where: Second Baptist Church; 191 Green St, Rutherfordton
More Info: An evening dedicated to supporting children, caregivers, and helping professionals impacted by foster care in Rutherford County. Featuring dinner, stories of impact, a silent auction, and opportunities to learn more about how Mosaic Hope is equipping and mobilizing our community to wrap around vulnerable children and families. Tickets & sponsorship packets available at www.mosaichope.org
October 17
She Build
When: October 17; 9am-2:30pm
Where: Isothermal Community College; Isothermal Community College; 286 ICC Loop Rd., Spindale
More Info: a fun, hands-on workshop where you'll learn practical home improvement skills, build confidence, and connect with other amazing women in our community. https://www.cognitoforms.com/RutherfordCountyHabitatForHumanity/SheBuildRegistration
October 17
Rutherford Housing Partnership's 2nd Annual A Night to Restore: Spookeasy
When: October 17; 6pm
Where: Slim's Bar & Grill; 184 E. Main St., Forest City
More Info: Dress in your best 20s attire! Silent auction, music, costume contest. https://www.rutherfordhousingpartnership.org/anighttorestore.
November 10
The Wall That Heals Motorcycle Escort
When: November 10; Motorcycle riders are asked to meet at High Voltage Harley; 365 Sha Ln., Spartanburg at 11:30am to escort the wall to Isothermal Community College Soccer Fields in Spindale
More Info: The Wall That Heals is a 3/4 scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., bringing remembrance, education and healing to communities across America. If you would like to support this mission as a sponsor, volunteer, or community partner, or if you have questions about how to get involved, call or text 828-351-4955. https://thewallthathealsspindalenc2026.org/
November 12-15
The Wall That Heals on Display
When: November 12-15' open 24 hours
Where: Isothermal Community College Soccer Fields, Spindale
More Info: The Wall That Heals is a 3/4 scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., bringing remembrance, education and healing to communities across America. Free and open to the public. https://thewallthathealsspindalenc2026.org/
