From Pumpkins To Trolleys, Here’s How Downtown Comes Alive For The Holidays

Planning your perfect downtown holiday starts here. We sit down with Downtown Business & Development Manager, Matthew Pierce, to map the full arc of Statesville’s fall-to-winter calendar - what’s happening, why it’s scheduled that way, and how each decision supports families, small businesses, and the Main Street vibe we all love.

Pumpkin Fest anchors the season with more than seven thousand visitors, two stages, community performances, STEM experiences, pumpkin smashing, and a classic car cruise-in looping Court and South Meeting. Sponsors like Flow Automotive and Happy Teeth power the scale, while the team squeezes vendor rows into every workable nook without losing flow. Downtown Trick-or-Treat moves to Thursday by design, easing restaurant operations and setting up Saturday’s festival, and the Statesville Police Department’s “Fill the Trailer” toy drive brings curbside drop-offs and big smiles. If you want spine-tingles, Haunted Statesville Ghost Tours deliver a blend of lore and history with 45–60 minute walks hosted by The Sharp House Historic Players across two weekends.

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Front & Center: A podcast from the City of Statesville

Welcome to "Front & Center," the podcast that pulls back the curtain on government operations, offering you an exclusive glimpse into the inner workings of one of North Carolina's bustling cities. This show is hosted by April Nesbit, Public Information Officer, with co-host Nakayla Griffin, Community Resource Officer. We invite you to join us as we navigate the corridors of government in Statesville, revealing the processes, policies, and people that drive the city forward. Expect exclusive interviews with key officials, in-depth analyses of public initiatives and city development projects. "Front & Center" is designed to connect you directly to the heart of our city's governance. Prepare to be engaged, informed, and empowered with each episode.

WATCH Previous Episodes Here