Things to Do in Belmont

Paddles churn the crystal waters as a rainbow of boards slips silently across the surface of Mountain Island Lake. The shoreline, dappled with trees that shiver with cavorting wildlife, falls away behind the board's passengers as they stand in the middle of the aquatic expanse. Though the view is much different from the rugged coastlines of California, where Ramsay Mead first encountered the sport on a surfing trip, the meditative calm and athletic challenge that immediately appealed to him are still present.

Today, Ramsay, the owner of Paddle Core Fitness, works with head instructor Pat McFeely, an experienced triathlete, to introduce others to the activity that has so enthralled them. With roots in Hawaiian culture, the unique method of riding a board takes advantage of the surfer's panoramic viewpoint and ability to avoid far-off swells and bossy tugboats. The act of constantly balancing and paddling, while simple, tones core muscles and enables participants to silently observe surrounding wildlife. Paddle Core Fitness keeps adventurers afloat on Riviera boards, which they sell and use in lessons to keep riders of all experience levels gliding more gracefully than swans looking for parking.

Each day, students on horseback gallop alongside attentive instructors on Creekwood Farm’s 30 acres of undulating terrain, learning the subtleties of English saddle-seat riding during private and group lessons. In addition to helping everyone from beginners to advanced riders improve their technique, instructors also take time to teach the essential non-saddle skills of grooming and tacking horses. They encourage each fledgling jockey to learn at his or her own pace, whether riding goals include competing in American Saddlebred Association of the Carolinas shows or simple pleasure riding. The farm’s indoor and outdoor facilities ensure that lessons take place throughout the year, unaffected by winter cold, summer heat, and horse spring break.

At Megart Pottery Painting Studio, visitors of all ages bring plain white clay to life with kaleidoscopic splashes of color. Upon entering the shop, guests can peruse the selection of more than 1,000 pieces of decorative pottery that owners Sherry and Scott George have hand selected, including cookie jars, ornaments, child and pet handprints, and piggy banks. Adult and kiddie visitors embarking on new painting projects can look to the gregarious proprietors for guidance, and Sherry and Scott gladly will help them with each step of the painting process, from penciling in their patterns onto the bare clay, to turning their clay pieces into shiny new vases or uncontrollable living golems. Visitors can make their painting sessions even more relaxing with tasty drinks and desserts from the in-house espresso bar, which serves tea, milk shakes, and java from Counter Culture Coffee. After guests are done putting the finishing touches on their pottery, the helpful staff will fire pieces in a kiln for no extra charge, and each item is available for pickup in 7 - 8 days.

Haunted rides amble through picturesque stretches of the Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, surrounding guests in the season's spine-tingling chills and frightful sights on select October evenings. Rolling through the dark shadows of the haunted forest, the ride activates guests' latent scream sensors while it creeps past eerie haunts and awkward zombie family reunions. After hopping off the macabre vehicle, groups are free to peruse the premises' plethora of fall activities, such as a jaunt through the twists and turns of the straw maze ($3), a ride on the cow train ($2), or malicious marshmallow roastings over an open flame ($1) (additional activities are not included with this offer).

Marc and Oana Graveline grew up on the water—he along the coast of Virginia, and she in Romania, near the Black Sea. When they moved to North Carolina, their mutual love for the water drew them to Lake Norman's calm waters, tree-lined shores, and wildlife. They envisioned themselves teaching their two children how to drive a boat, and they bought one—a 21-foot Sea Ray. As the cost of their boat's upkeep began to mount, they searched for alternatives to ownership and started their own chapter of the Carefree Boat Club. Today, their children can regularly be seen cleaning their fleet of eight bow riders, sun-deck boats, and pontoon boats or organizing for member socials.

The independent owners and their team of captains and instructors join those of 24 other locations throughout the East Coast and the South in helping members share vessels and learn that it takes a village to wax a hull in less than 10 seconds. Instructors train new members in an extensive boating course, during which they learn water safety, steering procedures, nautical terminology, and navigation. Once each member is deemed seaworthy, they let him or her reserve boats up to six months in advance.

As the sun melts into the horizon, the opening chords of an ebullient country song rip through the evening air, coaxing stomps from even the most stoic of feet. Energetic audience members dust off their dance moves and sing along with the music between sipping lagers. The third-annual North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival is coming to an end, and its guests are determined to celebrate under the unfurling night sky until the notes of the last encore fade away.

Presented by Rural Hill, the rollicking festival takes over the historic farmlands of Huntersville, delighting guests with live music, eats, and brew-centric activities. Throughout the day, festival booths bustle as more than 20 of North Carolina’s top brewers showcase their libations via tastings and educational sessions, and chefs flood the air with the aromas of sizzling fare including vegetarian options. Young festival-goers enjoy family-friendly music and keep busy by wishing they were old enough to sample the festival's sudsy wares. As the clock strikes noon, the festival stage comes alive with a lineup of bands and musicians performing all manner of music, from country to prog-rock to bluegrass.

Guests are also welcome to continue the celebrations into Sunday morning by spending the night at the festival campsite in tents, RVs, or the branches of surrounding trees. All festival proceeds go toward Historic Rural Hill, a nonprofit historical site that presents educational field trips and cultural events throughout the year.