Plus, the location of The Big Chill has changed.
 
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6AM City Christmas in July

Today’s Forecast

83º | 40% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:18 a.m. | Sunset 8:35 p.m.
 

🪨 This place rocks

How The Quarry at Grant Park transformed into one of Winston-Salem’s most unique spots
WStoday_Cityscape from Quarry at Grant Park_Sarah H.
“Cityscape from Quarry at Grant Park” | Photo by Sarah H. (one of our 2023 Picture of the Year finalists)
If you were one of the ~4,000 people at this year’s Rock Out the Quarry event, you know The Quarry at Grant Park is a not-so-hidden gem in Winston-Salem. But you might not know how the park came to be. We did some digging with the help of the City of Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks.

Operations at the then-Piedmont Quarry began in the 1930s. Vulcan Materials Company purchased the property in the 1960s and mined it until 1975, though it continued pulling deposits into the 1980s.

Looking down on blue water surrounded by multicolor leaves. You can see the Winston-Salem skyline in the background. There are blue skies with light clouds.

The Quarry

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Photo submitted by Elena G. (winner of our 2023 Picture of the Year contest)

City Council accepted Vulcan’s donation of the land in 1998. The city used the space for a vegetation landfill for nearly two decades. In 2014, voters approved $5 million in bonds to turn it into a park.

Crews cleared the land and a new was added. Quarry Park opened to the public in Aug. 2017.

In Sept. 2023, it was renamed The Quarry at Grant Park to honor Tim Grant, the city’s longtime Recreation and Parks Director. Grant retired in 2016, before planning on the park began, but the naming was a celebration of his many achievements + contributions.

Today, parkgoers can take advantage of a walking trail, playground, and multiple overlooks. The main observation deck is ~150 ft from the water.

Residents only have two opportunities a year to get on the water. Kayak the Quarry is held in the spring and the fall, usually in April and October.

WStoday_Quarry Park

You can’t swim in the quarry but Recreation and Parks does hold Kayak the Quarry events twice a year.

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Photo via City of Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks via @ws_recreationparks

Speaking of the water, it’s actually crystal clear. Because it’s around 175 ft deep, the absence of sunlight makes it appear darker. A natural spring fills the quarry and rainwater tops it off. Water levels have risen at least 15 ft in the past two decades. It isn’t drained and no chemicals or wildlife are added.

Ready to see it for yourself? The Quarry at Grant Park is located at 1700 Quarry Rd. off Reynolds Park Road.
Asked

Which item cannot be found in the waters of the quarry?
A. Cars
B. Jellyfish
C. Mining machinery
D. A shipwreck
Bubble up the right answer
 
Events
Friday, July 19
  • Winston-Salem Dash vs. Asheville Tourists | Friday, July 19 | 7 p.m. | Truist Stadium, 951 Ballpark Way, Winston-Salem | $13-$53 | End your week with a bang stick around after the game for a fireworks show.*
Saturday, July 20
  • Cook Medical Beat the Heat 5K | Saturday, July 20 | 6-9 p.m. | Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, 421 W. 27th St., Winston-Salem | $10-$45 | Run, walk, or just cheer on the athletes at this evening charity event.
  • First Birthday Celebration | Saturday, July 20 | 9 a.m.-8 p.m. | The Bookhouse, 120-A Reynolda Village, Winston-Salem | Cost of purchase | Score deals, enter raffle drawings, and enjoy live music to celebrate the bookstore’s one-year anniversary.
  • Winston-Salem Dash vs. Asheville Tourists | Saturday, July 20 | 7 p.m. | Truist Stadium, 951 Ballpark Way, Winston-Salem | $13-$53 | The Dash will sport their new black + gold Golden Age jerseys exclusively on Saturdays when they are at home as part of Golden Age Saturday.*
Sunday, July 21
  • Drink and Draw | Sunday, July 21 | 3-4 p.m. | Wise Man Brewing, 826 Angelo Bros. Ave., Winston-Salem | Free entry | Bring your own materials and get creative while sipping cold drinks and mingling with others.
  • Pets and Vets Fundraising Event | Sunday, July 21 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | Smokin’ Harley-Davidson, 3441 Myer Lee Dr., Winston-Salem | Free entry | Poker, food + craft vendors, a kid zone, and live music will be set up to raise money for Animal Adoption and Rescue Foundation (AARF).
  • Winston-Salem Dash vs. Asheville Tourists | Sunday, July 21 | 7 p.m. | Truist Stadium, 951 Ballpark Way, Winston-Salem | $13-$53 | It’s Sunday Funday — purchase this special ticket package (includes a game ticket + drink voucher to any of the bars at Truist Stadium) for only $20.*
Monday, July 22
  • HOPera | Monday, July 22 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Joymongers Barrel Hall, 480 W. End Blvd., Winston-Salem | Free entry | Piedmont Opera singers Logan Webber and Caroline Hayes bring opera music to you with performances.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Announced
  • Due to potential rain this Saturday, July 20, The Big Chill will move from Bailey Park to Summit School’s athletic center (2100 Reynolda Rd.). The ice cream fundraiser for The Shalom Project is still happening from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Award
  • Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. has been named the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives’ 2024 Chamber of the Year. The organization that promotes business in Winston-Salem + Forsyth County was one of three national finalists for the award.
Environment
  • Learn the benefits of solar energy + how to save money on solar panels at the Solarize the Triad launch party on Tuesday, July 23. The event is happening from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC (3330 Shorefair Dr.) — RSVP to attend.
Sports
  • Nsubuga Godfrey is the first player on the Winston-Salem State University golf team to qualify for the US Amateur. Godfrey, who is from Uganda, will play in Minnesota Aug. 12 through Aug. 18. (Winston-Salem Journal)
Drink Up
  • Clink, clink — we’d like to make a toast. Drink Up Week is coming Monday, July 22 through Friday, July 26. To celebrate Winston-Salem’s buzzy beverage culture, local businesses are offering fun drink deals throughout the week. Map your route and raise a glass.
Older Adults
  • Help older adults remain in their homes by donating to Senior Services’ Christmas in July campaign. Make a monetary donation or drop off wish list items at any Forsyth County branch of Piedmont Federal Bank or at Senior Services (2895 Shorefair Dr.).
Outdoors
  • The 2024 Farm Bill is now law, which specifies Great Trails State Day be held every third Saturday in October. The celebration is happening Saturday, Oct. 19 this year, but you don’t have to wait to get moving — check out our guide to local hiking trails.
Feel Good
  • A dog that was rescued after being dumped in a Winston-Salem church parking lot is close to becoming a licensed therapy dog. The hound mix named Molly spends time at the SECU Family House and visiting medical students at Wake Forest University. (FOX8 WGHP)
Health
 
Biz

S’more to love on Trade Street

Camp Trade will make Winston-Salem shoppers happy campers this July
Street with row of brick storefronts. A tree is in the center of the sidewalk.
Participating businesses will also serve snacks. | Photo by WStoday
Summer camp isn’t just for kids — at least, not in Winston-Salem’s Arts District. Camp Trade is happening rain or shine the next two weekends + during ART Crush tonight, July 19.

Campers (that’s you) can shop, socialize, and support small businesses. These seven spots on Trade Street are your “camp counselors":
  • Kin & Cottage
  • Major Tomms
  • CasaShanti
  • DOSE Artist Collective
  • Happy Hour Vintage
  • Off the Rack
  • Eyes on Trade
When you make a purchase or do activities at each location, you’ll earn a merit badge. Earning one from all seven, and you’ll get a Community Supporter badge, which will get you special discounts.

To keep up your energy, stop by the Canteen aka Silver Moon Saloon to buy a Bug Juice and snacks.

Peak hours are 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Keep up with camp announcements on Instagram.
The Buy

The Buy 7.19.24 (Affiliate)
These men’s lightweight cotton-blend undershirts, which are moisture-wicking, tag-free, and on sale in color white.
More worth The Buy
6AM City In-house
 
The Wrap
 
Cambridge Wrege.jpg

Today’s edition by:
Cambridge
From the editor
The City of Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks doesn’t track attendance at city parks, but staff told me they estimate the most-visited park in the city is Salem Lake. If you’re looking for public parks with unique perks, check out our parks guide.
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