National Trails Day Events
Kings Mountain Gateway Trail Celebrates National Trails Day
Saturday, June 4, 2022, 10 am – 2 pm
The Kings Mountain Gateway Trail will celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday June 4th with Art on the Trail from 10 am until 2 pm. Festivities will include a Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest for Children sponsored by Southern Arts Society, along with local artists demonstrating and selling art inspired by nature and the Trail. There will be a Gateway Trail Bike Ride sponsored by Carolina Thread Trail to explore a 10-mile section of the Trail. Trail volunteers will have hotdogs, snacks, and beverages available onsite to purchase.
Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest for Children
Age levels: Children, ages 10 to 16, are invited to paint with chalk one of the concrete sidewalk squares in front of the Trail Office. One or two children can work together to design artwork.
Cost: FREE! – There is no entry fee and chalk will be provided. The squares will be judged, and prizes given. Southern Arts Society is sponsoring the awards.
Registration: Squares are limited, so register by June 1st to save your space. You may register on the day of the event if spaces are available. Sign In begins at 9:30 AM, June 4th and drawing begins at 10 AM. Judging takes place at 1 PM, with awarding of prizes to follow. Judges will be from Gateway Trail and Southern Arts Society.
Prizes: Cash Prizes totaling $100 and an Art Gift Bag will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. Three merit awards will be given Art Gift Bags. We look forward to seeing what our creative children will be inspired to draw!
Details and Forms: Details and Registration Forms are available for download here and in person at Southern Arts Society, 301 N. Piedmont Ave., Kings Mountain, NC. Questions: call 704-739-9663 or email sbrutko@att.net.
En Plein Air Participation for Adults
Who/Activity: Adults ages 16 and older are invited to paint En Plein Air, sketch, photograph, demonstrate and sell their art at the Trail. All Media are welcome to participate. Artists are encouraged to paint, draw, or photograph scenery/people on the Trail prior to the event to exhibit and sell for this event. Nature themed art preferred.
Cost/Prizes: There is no entry fee, and no prizes. The public is invited to view the artwork being produced and may purchase art directly from the artists.
Details and Forms: Details and Registration Forms are available for download here and in person at Southern Arts Society.
Questions?: Email Southern Arts Society (SASi) or call 704-739-5585 or 803-448-4578.
Guided Bike Tour
Tour: If you are more adventurous and athletic, you can join Carolina Thread Trail for a guided bike tour of the Kings Mountain Gateway Trail. As part of the National Trails Day celebration, you can enjoy the Gateway Trail’s own features, including boardwalks, scenic overlooks thanks to a nearby quarry, and a butterfly garden.
Guide: A staff guide will lead you down the mostly-gravel trail and point out all the highlights while talking about the complicated process of building a trail system in this area.
Difficulty Level: The bike ride will be of moderate difficulty and will be around 10 miles out-and-back with stops along the way. Please be sure you are able to bike the entire distance listed before registering.
Time: The bike ride takes place from 9:30 – 11:30 am.
Registration: For Details and to register in advance go to https://www.carolinathreadtrail.org/ntd/. Spaces are limited.
General Information
Location: All events will take place at the Kings Mountain Gateway Trail, 807 S. Battleground Ave. Kings Mountain, NC 28086.
Date and Time: Celebrate National Trails Day, Saturday June 4th from 10 am to 2 pm. The Gateway Trail is open each day from dawn until dusk. There is no admission fee. Details: call 704-739-9663 or email sbrutko@att.net.
Registration: Email Southern Arts Society (SASi) or call 704-739-5585 or call 704-739-5585.