Fall Fun for Everyone: What’s Happening at Statesville Recreation & Economic Vitality | REV It Up

Fall in Statesville is packed with ways to get outside, meet neighbors, and keep kids busy without overcomplicating your calendar.

On Rev It Up, Kali and H sit down to talk with Emily Diehl, Facility Supervisor at the Statesville Recreation Center (The Rec), about a full slate of fall programs and community events designed for families, homeschool groups, teens, and anyone looking for simple local fun. This lineup hits the sweet spot: low-cost registration, clear age ranges, and activities that feel like real community rather than one-off entertainment.

Homeschool families have two strong options:

The standard homeschool program is $5 per child for ages 5 to 12, with themed sessions that make learning feel hands-on and social. September brings a Nature Day at Mac Anderson Park, with the kind of messy, memorable projects kids love. October adds pickleball lessons, leaning into one of the fastest-growing recreational sports in the country. November finishes with rock wall sessions at the rec center, and the hosts stress an important planning tip: popular sessions fill fast and a waitlist does not guarantee a spot. For older students, new homeschool field trips expand the reach, priced at $25 per child for ages 12 to 17, departing from The Rec with staff supervision.

Those teen-focused field trips are built around classic fall experiences and practical exposure. September visits Kerrigan Farms for apples, hay rides, and outdoor farm life. October heads to Serenity Alpacas, a unique local experience that feels both fun and oddly calming. November shifts from seasonal to forward-looking with college exposure trips to Lenoir-Rhyne University and CVCC, giving homeschool teens a low-pressure way to see nearby options and imagine next steps. Together, these trips support social connection for local homeschool co-ops while offering enrichment that is hard to replicate at home.

Learn more on our website at recreation.statesvillenc.net/homeschool.

Community programs round out the calendar. Family Craft Night in mid-September pairs The Rec with a local artist for a guided project, and family bingo offers prizes with a wide age range in mind. October’s family pumpkin carving is a standout because it removes the biggest barrier for many parents: cleanup. You register based on how many pumpkin and carving kits you want, carve on-site, watch a family-friendly spooky movie, and head home with the finished pumpkin while the rec center handles the mess. November brings glow-in-the-dark pickleball under black lights for ages 10 and up, plus a three-point basketball competition for those chasing prizes and bragging rights. Learn more at recreation.statesvillenc.net/community-programs.

Accessibility and inclusion stay central through the AIR Program, which stands for adaptive, inclusive recreation. The AIR Halloween dance is free and welcomes people of all abilities for costumes, music, snacks, and a low-stakes “first school dance” vibe. A December holiday spectacular continues the theme with cookie decorating, ornaments, and festive music. Learn more at recreation.statesvillenc.net/air-program.

The episode also highlights our Teacher Workday Programs for grades K through 5th, including Funpalooza at the rec center, a Howard Family Farm trip, and a Spooky Science day at Iredell Museums. Learn more at recreation.statesvillenc.net/teacher-workday.

Finally, Dog Day at the Pool returns as a beloved event with safety-first rules: proof of current rabies vaccination, limits on dogs per person, no aggressive dogs, no toys, no prong or choke collars, and no people in the water, plus staff cleaning protocols before and after. Learn more at recreation.statesvillenc.net/dog-day-at-the-pool.

Learn more about all Statesville Recreation & Economic Vitality programming on our website at recreation.statesvillenc.net.

Watch the Full Episode:

Listen to the Full Episode:

REV It Up: A podcast from Statesville Recreation & Economic Vitality

Welcome to REV It Up, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the programs, events, partnerships, and initiatives that enrich life in the City of Statesville.

Each episode explores the people, places, and opportunities that make Statesville stronger - from recreation programs and community events to parks, partnerships, and the initiatives that help our community grow. Whether you've called Statesville home for years or are just getting to know our city, REV It Up gives you an inside look at the stories shaping our community.

The show is hosted by Kali Bailey, Facilities & Events Manager, and H Patton, Assistant Facilities & Events Manager, here at Statesville Recreation & Economic Vitality. Together, they welcome guests from across the community to share their experiences, highlight upcoming opportunities, and give listeners a closer look at the people and projects shaping recreation and economic vitality in Statesville.

New episodes are released monthly. Browse the latest episodes below to stay connected with everything happening at Statesville Recreation & Economic Vitality.

WATCH Previous Episodes Here