NORWOOD — The town of Norwood will host its annual Arbor Day Festival on April 24-25, featuring numerous events, live entertainment and the unveiling of a new mural commemorating a key Revolutionary War battle.
The celebration will begin Friday evening with a gospel music kickoff on the main stage, followed by a full slate of activities throughout the day Saturday, including a car show, performances and a fireworks finale.
The focal point of this year’s festival will be the dedication of the Battle of Colson’s Mill mural, scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at 122 N. Main St. The mural honors a Patriot victory on July 21, 1780, when militia forces led by William Lee Davidson defeated Loyalist troops near the junction of the Rocky and Pee Dee rivers in present-day Norwood.
“This battle is Stanly County’s significant contribution to the Revolutionary War,” Bain Jones, chair of the America 250 N.C. Stanly County Committee and president of the Stanly County Historical Society, wrote in a letter to the Stanly County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It is of the same importance as the Battle of Guilford Courthouse and Ramsour’s Mill. This battle severely diminished the active Loyalist support and greatly contributed to the loss of 3,000 as a key moment in the Southern Campaign.”
The mural project is part of the county’s broader America 250 initiative, which is organizing local events and historical recognitions during the nation’s 250th anniversary this year.
Saturday’s schedule will begin at 7 a.m. with the 30th annual Arbor Day Car Show at VFW Post 6183 on College Street. Additional activities include fishing at Darrell Almond Park, a tree dedication ceremony at Town Hall and a series of performances on the main stage.
Local dance and cheer groups, including Tammy’s Tumblers, Mini Maulers and Cheer Explosion, will perform in the late morning, followed by additional ceremonies and presentations tied to the mural dedication.
Live music will continue throughout the afternoon and evening, featuring acts such as A Bunch of Misfits, Coleridge and Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot. The festival will conclude with a fireworks display at 9 p.m.
Festivalgoers can also expect a variety of attractions, including food trucks, artisan vendors, a brewery, helicopter rides, inflatables and other family-friendly activities.
Norwood’s 2026 Arbor Day Festival is sponsored by Uwharrie Bank, Michelin, Truss, and Olympic Construction, among others.