Dedication of new Pavilion at Valdese Lakeside set for Sunday, April 27

For many months now, visitors to Valdese Lakeside Park have watched the new pavilion and open green being constructed on a rise just a short stroll down the park’s greenway from the parking lot.

The impressive structure and the open green will be opened to the public for the first time at an afternoon of celebration planned for Sunday, April 27.

“It’s going to be an afternoon of music, food, fellowship, and cake,” said Beth Heile, president of the Friends of the Valdese Rec organization and the driving force behind the establishment of the park.

The celebration actually has a dual purpose:

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the founding of Friends of the Valdese Rec.

And, to celebrate the dedication of the new pavilion and open green which the Friends group designed, raised the funding for, and managed.

“We want this to be a day of celebration,” said Heile, “but we also want it to be a day for thanking the Valdese community for the tremendous support they have given this park, both in terms of monetary contributions. But also, in all of the volunteer hours that have gone into the development and maintenance of this park.”

Here’s the schedule for the afternoon:

• 2-3:30 p.m. A performance by Strung Up (Sherrill Keever and Jon Dana)
• 3-4 p.m. A barbecue supper with all the fixings prepared by Highlands Butchery. “We’ll be serving until we run out of food,” Heile said.
• 4-4:10 p.m. Welcome and comments by Heile and Valdese Mayor Charlie Watts.
• 4:10-6 p.m. A performance by the Shelby Rae Moore Band.

According to promotional material on the band’s website, The Shelby Rae Moore Band features Shelby Rae Moore along with her uncles Brent and Chet Palmer on guitars, and Devon Burch playing drums.

“Having grown up in a musical family, Shelby has the uncommon ability to move effortlessly between genres including blues, soul, and Americana,” the text said.

“She has an undeniable connection with every song she performs,” the text continued. “Brent Palmer creates most of the harmonic texture with his acoustic guitar arrangements while Chet colors the ensemble with tasteful fills and brilliant lead guitar playing. Devon drives the rhythm on drums, always playing with just the right feel for each style of music.”

“Folks are invited to come for some of the program or to stay for the entire afternoon,” Heile said. “There is plenty to explore at Valdese Lakeside Park, located at 1149 Lake Rhodhiss Drive.”

Friends of the Valdese Rec raised more than $400,000 for the cost of the project, including design, engineering, permitting, grading, construction, power installation, picnic tables, and amphitheater seating.

David Harmon Architecture created the pavilion design. Table Rock Custom Builders served as the general contractor. Jeff McGee’s Custom Stone Work did the rock work and donated $3,000 of materials and services.

Foothills Broadband is providing fiber internet service to the site at no charge.