May 10, 2024

Today’s Weather

81º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:22 a.m. | Sunset 8:17 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

🚗 Keep your hands in the vehicle

A man's hand is stretch out from his car, hovering above a Swamp Water Buffalo's nose as food pellets sprinkle down.

Lazy 5 Ranch is known for providing a drive-thru exotic animal feeding experience in Mooresville. | Photo by CLTtoday

There’s something nostalgic about feeding alpacas and llamas from a giant feed bucket. Lazy 5 Ranch provides chances to recreate those memories. But your next visit might feel different.

Lazy 5 Ranch no longer permits car feedings on its three-mile drive trail. The exotic animal drive-thru attraction provided the update, citing changes to US Department of Agriculture guidelines. The new policy requires a staff member be present during animal feedings.

“The hardest part is we don’t have a resolution for being able to drive your own car through and feed the animals from the comfort of your own car like you have in the past,” says Jennifer Smith, Lazy 5’s Barn Manager.

Black pot-bellied pigs and deer sniff the ground searching for food dropped from feed buckets. — Among the exotic animals at Lazy 5 Ranch, you’ll encounter several Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pigs that love feeding time.
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Photo by CLTtoday

Don’t fret, you can still feed the animals on the trail. The family-owned attraction offers horse-drawn wagon rides. The cost of admission includes the price for a feed bucket + reservations for wagon rides on Saturdays and Sundays are not required.

Adult admission + wagon ride: $21
Child admission + wagon ride: $15
Senior admission + wagon ride: $15

A portion of the walk-through area will be reopening the weekend of Saturday, May 11 with feedings provided for pygmy goats, zebu, cattle, and miniature donkeys.

Driving through the park is still possible without feeding the antelopes, cattle, and zebras.

Adult admission: $15
Child admission: $11
Senior admission: $11

Pro tip: Lazy 5 only accepts cash or check.

A large Grevy zebra stares in the direction of the camera with trees and grass in the background. — Drive-thru tours offer possible up-close encounters with Grevy’s zebra — the world’s largest zebra species.
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Photo by CLTtoday

What can you do to help? Lazy 5 is working with the USDA to reach an agreement. Smith recommends emailing the USDA, saying, “people will need to really contact their legislators, their senators, their representatives, particularly if you live in this area and let them know how much Lazy 5 has meant to you.”

Asked

What’s your favorite activity at Lazy 5 Ranch?

A. Feeding the animals
B. Petting zoo
C. Seasonal events (ex: Fall Festival)
D. Wagon rides
E. Other

Feed our curiousity

Events

Friday, May 10

Car Cruise-In @ The Courthouse Self-Pour Beer & Wine | Friday, May 10 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Monroe Downtown Historic District, 222 N. Main St., Monroe | Free | Marvel at classic hot rods and wheels lining the streets in this monthly spectacle.
Tea With A Twist - A Mother’s Day Mystery | Friday, May 10 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Spirit of Liberty Church — Soldier’s Summer Enrichment Camp, 9201 Southern Pine Blvd. #A, Charlotte | $20 | Embark on a humorous journey celebrating women’s love and faith.
“The Wizard of Oz” | Friday, May 10 | 7:30 p.m. | Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte | $20 | The Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center bring the whimsical world of Oz to life in this new, circus-style production.

Saturday, May 11

Nature Photography Walks | Saturday, May 11 | 8-10 a.m. | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Rd., Belmont | Free | Capture nature through your camera lens during a walk led by photographer Nelson Stegall.
Race City Festival | Saturday, May 11 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Downtown Mooresville, 149 E. Iredell Ave., Mooresville | Cost of purchase | Celebrate the arts, culture, and community with live music, food trucks, NASCAR displays, and more.
Charlotte Dragon Boat & Asian Festival | Saturday, May 11 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Ramsey Creek Park on Lake Norman, 18441 Nantz Rd., Cornelius | Free | The annual Charlotte Asian Festival highlights Asian culture, diversity, ethnicity, and history + provides music, food, and family fun.
Vendor Market with Maker’s Market CLT | Saturday, May 11 | 5-9 p.m. | Pilot Brewing, 1331 Central Ave., Ste. 104, Charlotte | Cost of purchase | Shop local vendors while enjoying small batch brews + food trucks.
HEART | Saturday, May 11 | 8 p.m. | Spectrum Center, 333 E. Trade St., Charlotte | $35-$399 | “These Dreams” will come true as the legendary band performs in the Queen City with Cheap Trick.

Sunday, May 12

Balanced Brunch | Sunday, May 12 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. | US National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte | $36 | Begin the day with yoga followed by a catered brunch.
Mother’s Day at L’Ostrica | Sunday, May 12 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | L’Ostrica, 4701 Park Rd., Unit D, Charlotte | Cost of purchase | Pamper mom with a specialty menu + reservations are recommended.
Wells Fargo Championship - Sunday | Sunday, May 12 | Quail Hollow Club, 3700 Gleneagles Rd., Charlotte | $80-$425 | Watch top golfers compete for the title + the $3.6 million purse.

Monday, May 13

SkillPop: Interior Design 101 | Monday, May 13 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | 201 CAMP, 201 Camp Rd., Charlotte | $35 | Learn the interior design basics needed to make a more comfortable home.
Kizomba Dance Class | Monday, May 13 | 7-8 p.m. | Jazzercise, 4213 South Blvd., Charlotte | Free | Groove to Afro-Caribbean beats in this class perfect for beginners.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

Damage from two EF-1 tornadoes prompted a state of emergency in Gaston County. Major damage during Wednesday’s storms caused the Belmont Drive-In to close indefinitely. The American Red Cross opened an emergency shelter at 519 W. Franklin Blvd. (WBTV)

Announced

Welcome to Buzz City. Charles Lee was named the new head coach of the Hornets. Lee is a veteran assistant coach — serving with the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. He’ll arrive in Charlotte after the NBA Playoffs.

Civic

The City of Charlotte is requesting 30+ million additional gallons of water from the Catawba County Interbasin. Hickory residents are opposed, with the mayor insisting the water should stay where it is. A public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 16 at Charlotte Water HQ, 4100 W. Tyvola Rd. (WCNC)

Edu

UNC Charlotte will join an elite group of top-tier research schools in 2025. The R1 status is the top designation reserved for schools with high research activity. There are currently only three R1 schools in North Carolina: UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke, and NC State. (The Charlotte Observer)

Open

Belmont has a new Italian eatery. Marrelli’s is now open at 33 Glenway St. The menu is an ode to owner Linda Marrelli Murphy’s family. It features classic dishes like lasagna, eggplant parmigiana, and tiramisu.

Feel Good

“Can I hug your neck?” A Charlotte man offered a hug to CMPD Detective Jacquelyn Clyburn while she prepared for an on-camera interview. The moment comes a week after four law enforcement officers died on duty. (WBTV)

Travel

Toronto was the most popular travel destination out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Nearly 2,100 flights were bound for Toronto’s Pearson International Airport in 2023. That’s up from 1,762 departures in 2022. Cancun and Jamaica round out the top three. (Charlotte Business Journal)

Sports

The Canes are fighting to stay in the playoffs against the Rangers. Follow the Carolina Hurricanes with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Health

Just in time for Mother’s Day, two Novant Health hospitals were one of only 26 hospitals nationwide to be recognized by the U.S. News & World Report for success in supporting Black mothers and their babies. See which hospitals received the recognition (and why).*

Try This

🎨 Art at the Plaza

A colorful and retro line moves through the words Plaza Midwood in a tropical setting with a painted Calle Sol sign on the right.

Plaza Midwood is rich with colorful murals, an assortment of dining options, and businesses proud to call the neighborhood “home.” | Photo by CLTtoday

For one day only, Plaza Midwood will transform into a vibrant hub. The neighborhood is launching its Experience Midwood Market + Art Crawl.

Businesses along Central Avenue and Thomas Street will host 40+ vendors and artists during the first-of-its kind event on Saturday, May 11, from 12 to 5 p.m. Vendors will be selling hand-painted birdhouses, candles, jewelry, glass art, kombucha, clay art, and more + live music.

Participating businesses:

Buriel Beer, 1214 Thomas Ave.
Dish, 1220 Thomas Ave.
Emmy Squared, 1508 Central Ave.
Moxie Mercantile, 2008 Commonwealth Ave.
Play Church, 1600 Fulton Ave., Ste. 140
The Pizza Peel, 1600 Central Ave.

Editor’s note: This is also the last day of operation for The Pizza Peel Plaza Midwood.

8 more spots

Answered

On Wednesday, we asked “When is the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season?”

aerial-view-atmosphere-clouds-cold-front-76969 — The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 - Nov. 30, and some forecasts predict a potentially active season.
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Photo via Pexels

Many of you know when the season officially starts.

84%—June 1-November 30
7%—June 1-August 31
7%—September 1-December 31
2%—January 1-May 31

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Maria

From the editor

Last night, my partner and I attended the Foo Fighters concert at PNC Music Pavilion. It was my first time seeing them live and they did not disappoint. I’ll be singing “Best of You” throughout the weekend.

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