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🏇🏻 Off to the races
The Carolina Cup comprises of six horse races held at the Springdale Race Course in Camden, SC. | Photo by CLTtoday
Get your derby hats and sunglasses ready. The echo of thundering hooves will soon return to Camden, SC — just a short drive from Charlotte —for the 90th annual Carolina Cup.
When: Saturday, March 29
Where: Springdale Race Course, Camden SC — only a 90 min. drive from Charlotte
Important times: Gates open at 9 a.m. + races begin at 1 p.m.
Horse racing holds a longstanding culture in the Carolinas.
Photo by CLTtoday
The annual races mark a keystone event for horse-racing culture in the Carolinas, matched with a casual and lively atmosphere. Unlike other high-profile horse races like The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY (hey, LOUtoday), Springdale Race Course offers 1,600+ tailgate spaces, providing ample room for tents, cookouts, brunch, games, and personal photo shoots.
“We’ve got families who have been coming for generations and they have had the same tailgate space,” Toby Edwards, Carolina Cup’s executive director, shared exclusively with CLTtoday.
A. Thirty-One Jane for a colorful staple piece B. Boris and Natasha for an eclectic flair C. Tabor for a casual fit D. Alexander Hats for a custom cap with color
Wednesday Pickleball Mix N Match| 6:30-9:30 p.m. |Labcity Sports & Events Center | $26+ | Sharpen your game with fellow picklers in this fun round-robin setup.
Elijah Craig Bourbon Tasting | 7-9 p.m. | Eighty Eights Coffee & Cocktails | $64+ | Prepare for a sultry evening while sipping signature cocktails and small bites.
Thursday, March 27
Behind the Scenes Farm Tour | 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. | McLawland Farms LLC | $11+ | Walk the fields and tour the greenhouses to learn how a functioning farm operates.
Charlotte Spring Fair | 5-10 p.m. | Route 29 Pavilion, Concord | $7+ | Everything you loved about your childhood trip to the fair is here — rides, food, live shows, games, and prizes.
Art in Motion: Art Crawl | 6-10 p.m. | VAPA Center | $30+ | Explore unique works of art + hear live music from local musicians.
Lovin’ Life Presents: Battle of the Bands | 6-11 p.m. | The Music Yard at SouthBound | Free | See these local bands perform before they take the stage for Lovin’ Life Music Fest + have the chance to win free festival tickets.
Brooks & Dunn: Neon Moon Tour| 7 p.m. | Spectrum Center | $47+ | Travel down the “Red Dirt Road” to see the iconic country duo live.
The RiverRun International Film Festival returns to Winston-Salem, NC, April 11-19. Named one of the “10 Amazing Film Festivals Worth Traveling For” by USA Today’s 10 Best, this festival brings together filmmakers from across the globe for nine days of screenings + movie magic.
RiverRun will showcase a variety of narrative, documentary, student, animated, and short films from all genres.
It’s groundbreaking day for the Charlotte Hornets’ new practice facility across from the Spectrum Center in Uptown. The Novant Health Performance Center will include an orthopedic and sports medicine clinic and is expected to open during the 2026-27 NBA season. (Sports Business Journal)
Opening
Sol’Delish is opening a second location this April at the University City boardwalk, serving Southern comfort food with elegance. The new spot will have a dress code + offer more seating space, live music, and two bars.
Community
The City of Chester approved plans for an upcoming social district — the first of its kind on the South Carolina side of the Charlotte area. Patrons will be allowed to purchase and carry alcohol between participating downtown businesses. A launch date is TBA. (WCNC)
Sports
The Carolina Panthers are raising ticket prices for the third straight season — by an average of 6%. The increase affects all non-premium season tickets + excludes upper-level seats. The deadline for season ticket holders to renew their packages is May 1. (WCNC)
Biz
Morrison Smith Jewelers in Myers Park has been acquired by Raleigh-based Bailey’s Fine Jewelry; ending a 70-year business run. Bailey’s confirmed it will continue to offer Morrison Smith’s repair and custom design services. (The Charlotte Observer)
Announced
A new exhibit is taking flight at Sullenberger Aviation Museum. “Aviation City - Explore Charlotte’s Aviation Legacy” will open to the public on May 31. Before you go — get to know the Charlotte team preserving aviation history.
Coming Soon
The Little Gym and Club Pilates are coming toBerewick Town Center. Groundbreaking is scheduled for this May with a tentative opening by summer 2026. This will be the Little Gym’s fourth location in Charlotte and Club Pilate’s 14th.
Ranked
Tega Cay is considered the best place to live in South Carolina, according to Niche’s Best Places to Live. The city near Lake Wylie was recognized for its public schools, housing, and jobs to support growing families. (Charlotte Business Journal)
State
Massive wildfires blazing in Western North Carolina remain largely uncontained. Emergency responders fear the fires in Polk County, NC — about a 90 min. drive from Charlotte — could spread to neighboring Henderson County. (WCNC)
Listen
What can the Hornets do to find a winning momentum? Go beyond the court for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Trending
Eyeing some Hoka shoes for spring hiking, running, and walking adventures? Brad’s Deals rounded up which stores are offering the best prices.*
Category
Arts
🎨 Charlotte’s going “beige”
“Beige” looks to strike the dramatic contrast if Charlotte’s arts culture were to vanish. | Images via @illestavenger + George Communications
Imagine Charlotte without its color. And we’re not being rhetorical.
The Queen City’s art organizations are calling for help. Without critical funding, nonprofit ArtPop Street Gallery will likely close by the end of the year, ending a 12-year mission of empowering local artists and providing accessible arts experiences to the community.
That’s why a colorful idea (without the actual color) has come about to boost momentum for Charlotte’s art scene.
Get ready for “Beige,” an initiative happening Thursday, April 3 at TAOH Outdoor Gallery from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors will see colorful, creative, local spaces blanked out with a shade of beige— a stark reminder of what this group brings to the city’s vibrancy.
“It’s Hail Mary time for ArtPop and other nonprofit arts programs,” Wendy Hickey, founder of ArtPop Street Gallery, shared with CLTtoday. “Beige is a visual reminder of what could happen to Charlotte’s art scene if we don’t act now.”
The Buy
The Buy
A really good Wi-Fi extender, because you deserve reliable internet access (yes, even in that corner of the house). Bonus: It’s 52% off until midnight thanks to Amazon’s Big Spring Sale.
Being a Louisville native, love for horse racing is naturally in my blood. Last year was my first experience attending the Carolina Cup and I couldn’t have had more fun. All my friends got together for this photo at the end of what turned out to be a wonderful day at the races.
