For the last 18 years, the Matthews Alive Festival has been a regular event in the Charlotte area. Since we moved here in 1997, we have been regular attendees. The Matthews Alive event is one of the most family-friendly events in the entire Metro area all year. There is so much to do in such a small area.

I could tell you many stories of how our family has enjoyed this event since we moved to town. A couple years back, the now 11 year old had eaten a hot dog and a bunch of other "fair food" and then went to ride the amusement rides. Let's just say, it was a short afternoon. I remember my husband telling him that he should apply the 10 minute pool rule to fair rides.  Our now 6 year old daughter was so excited last year when she was tall enough to ride ANYTHING other than the baby rides. That is her with me and our best friend riding the strawberry.

My family enjoys the Parade on Saturday morning (which starts at 10 am by the way) the most. A close second is all of the Fair Food. There is no other time of year that you can get so much fattening food all in one place.

Here is a schedule of events for the Matthews Alive Festival. 

Friday September 3: 6:00PM - 10:30PM

 

Activities
Windstream presents: "All you can ride arm band night" $15 (some restrictions apply) - Games Food, Amusements, Interactive Exhibits and more!
Entertainment
Goody's Headache Powder Main Stage at Stumptown Park
Time	Artist	Description
6pm - 6:45pm	The Stranger	Billy Joel Tribute
7pm - 8:30pm	Billy Scott & The Prophets	Beach/party band
9pm - 10:30pm	Jim Quick & Coastline	Beach/party band

 

Saturday, September 4: 9AM - 9PM

Activities
+ Matthews Alive Labor Day Parade: 10:00am - 12:00pm (along Trade street)
+ Arts & Crafts Pavilion: 9am - 7:30pm
+ Matthews Fire & EMS Dept. Open House (12:00pm - 6:00pm)
+ Vehicle extrication demonstration at 3:00pm
Woodforest Bank Cultural Center
(Located in the air conditioned entertainment & events area at The Matthews Community Center)
+ Quilt Show & Basket Show 12:00PM - 6:00pm
+ Matthews Artist Guild Art Show 12:00PM - 6:00pm
WJZY/WMYT Kids Connection
(Located beside and behind The Community Center - Arts & Craft area)
+ Activities for Kids 10 and under
+ Pony rides ($4) - Choo Choo Train Rides ($2 per person)
+ Town of Matthews Parks and Recreation Creation Station
+ Discovery Place - Hands on Activities
Entertainment
Goody's Headache Powder Main Stage at Stumptown Park
Time	Artist	Description
12:30pm - 1:30pm	Caribbean Cowboys	Beach, reggae, Jimmy Buffet tribute
2pm - 3pm	Rick Hubbard - Kazoobie	The Kzoo Guy
3:30pm - 5pm	Cameron Marion	Pop/Country Artist
5:30pm - 7pm	Livehouse	Funk, Rock ,Disco, Country, Motown, R&B
7:30pm - 9pm	Midnight Special	Classic Rock Tribute
Children's Stage
11am - 11:45am	Corky The Magic Clown	Magic and balloon folding
12noon - 12:45pm	Rick Hubbard - Kazoobie	The Kzoo Guy
1pm - 1:30pm	Steve Brogan	Ventriloquist
2pm - 2:45pm	Craig Stone	Comedian/magician
3pm - 3:30pm	Jolly Roger the Pirate	Pirate stories
4pm - 4:30pm	Hannibal	Illusionist
5pm - 5:45pm	Rick Hubbard Kazoo Guy
Our State Magazine Indoor Cultural Stage
12:30pm - 1:15pm	Wright Clarkson - Story Guy	Story Teller
1:30pm - 2pm	Matthews Playhouse	- -
2:15pm - 2:45pm	Hannibal	Illusionist
3pm - 3:30pm	Mid-East Magic Dance Ensemble	Belly dancing showcase
3:45pm - 4:30pm	Steve Brogan	Ventriloquist
4:30pm - 5:15pm	Craig Stone	Comedian/Magician
5:30pm - 6pm	Butler Middle Eastern Dance Club	- -

 

Sunday, September 5: 12:00PM - 9:00PM

Activities
+ Arts & Crafts Pavilion: 12:00pm - 7:30pm
+ Matthews Fire & EMS Dept. Open House (12:00pm - 6:00pm)
Woodforest Bank Cultural Center
(Located in the air conditioned entertainment & events area at The Matthews Community Center)
+ Quilt Show & Basket Show 12:00PM - 6:00pm
+ Matthews Artist Guild Art Show 12:00PM - 6:00pm
WJZY/WMYT Kids Connection
(Located beside and behind The Community Center - Arts & Craft area)
+ Activities for Kids 10 and under
+ Pony rides ($4) - Choo Choo Train Rides ($2 per person)
+ Town of Matthews Parks and Recreation Creation Station
+ Discovery Place - Hands on Activities
Entertainment
Goody's Headache Powder Main Stage at Stumptown Park
Time	Artist	Description
12:30pm - 1:30pm	GB & ME	Acoustic Duo
2:00pm - 3:00pm	Caroline Keller	Christian Recording Artist
4:00pm - 5:00pm	Union Chorale	- -
5:30pm - 6:30pm	Marc Hoffman Band	Christian recording artist
7:00pm - 9:00pm	Matthews Alive Praise!	Local Community Choirs perform
Children's Stage
12:30pm - 1:15pm	Corky The Magic Clown	Magic and balloon folding Duo
1:30pm - 2:15pm	Steve Langley	Juggler/Comedian
2:30pm - 3:15pm	Rick Hubbard Kazoo Guy	- -
3:30pm - 4pm	Craig Stone	Comedian/Magician
4:15pm - 5pm	Steve Brogan	Ventriloquist
5:15pm - 6pm	Hannibal	Illusionist
Our State Magazine Indoor Cultural Stage
1:30pm - 2pm	Steve Brogan	Ventriloquist
2:15pm - 3pm	Hannibal	Illusionist
3:15pm - 4pm	Wright Clarkson - Story Guy	Story Teller
4pm - 4:30pm	Mid-East Magic Dance Ensemble	Belly dancing showcase
4:45pm - 5:15pm	Matthews Playhouse	- -
5:30pm - 6pm	Steve Langley	Juggler/Comedian

 

Monday, September 6: 9:00AM to 5:00PM

Activities
Kiwanis Labor Day Run 8:00am
+ Entry forms, information, and online registration can all be found at www.matthewskiwanis.com + The race starts 8:00am sharp - Stumptown Park + Sign up starting at 7:00am. + Advance entry fee is $20.00 and $25.00 the day of the race. + Family Fun Run at 8:45am with a $10.00 entry fee. + Awards given for all age groups including medals for the kids; Start line at Stumptown Park. + T-Shirts given to the first 200 to register!!
Matthews Chamber of Commerce presents: The 2010 Matthews Auto & Motorcycle Classic
+ Labor Day Monday, September 6th, 2010 9:00am to 4:00pm + Car registration from 8:00am to 11:00am + Open and free to the public
Entertainment
Goody's Headache Powder Main Stage at Stumptown Park
Time	Artist	Description
11:30am - 1pm	Dixieland Express	New Orleans Style Jazz
1:30pm - 3pm	First Call Kings	Funk, R&B, Rock
3:30pm - 5pm	Tropic Culture	Latin, Rock, Jazz, Reggae, and Soul
Children's Stage
11am - 11:45am	Corky The Magic Clown	Magic and balloon folding Duo
12noon - 12:30pm	Steve Langley	Juggler/Comedian
1pm - 1:45pm	Jolly Roger the Pirate	Pirate Stories
2pm - 2:45pm	Craig Stone	Comedian/Magician
3pm - 3:30pm	Steve Brogan	Ventriloquist
4pm - 4:45pm	Hannibal	Illusionist
Our State Magazine Indoor Cultural Stage
11am - 11:45am	Matthews Twirlers w/ Sports & Fine Arts Center	- -
12noon - 12:45pm	Wright Clarkson - Story Guy	Story Teller
1pm - 1:45pm	Hannibal	Illusionist
2pm - 2:45pm	Steve Langley	Juggler/Comedian

 

If you get to go to Matthews Alive this weekend, please visit ourFacebook Page and post a couple of pictures and tell us what you liked most. The best picture is going to win a gift certificate to a great Union County restaurant.

Are you looking to buy, sell, rent or know someone who is in the Charlotte, NC or surrounding areas? Contact us atTeam Ludlow Realty.