MINT HILL, NC – The 38th annual Mint Hill Madness festival kicked off on Thursday, October 20, with All You Can Ride Night. Thanks to Sponsor Mint Hill Orthodontics, carnival-goers enjoyed as many rides as they could manage all night long with the purchase of a $25 wristband.
“We love All You Can Ride Night!” says mom of two Erica Larter.. “A friend told us the secret is to go when they open on the first day. It isn’t as crowded, and there are barely any lines. I started to add up the cost if we didn’t have the All You Can Ride bands, and we were at $48 in under an hour! It is a fabulous deal if you have kids who want to go in every bounce house and ride every ride several times.”
A highlight of the weekend was live music on the Novant Health Main Stage. Thirsty Horses kicked it off on Thursday with hits from the 60s through today. Live entertainment also included award-winning five-piece pop/rock band New Local on Friday evening and five-piece all-veteran band Camel City Yacht Club on Saturday afternoon. Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band Landslide closed out the weekend on Saturday evening.
There were a wide variety of food vendors to please all tastes with everything from traditional fair food to vegan fare. There were even a few Mint Hill staples at the park for the weekend, like Sammy’s So Good, Sunflower Cafe and Mama K’s Kettle Corn. Diners were able to beat the midday heat thanks to Food Tent Sponsor Waste Pro!
On Friday and Saturday, Novant Health administered COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots on site. In its second year, the clinic continues to be a great way for busy Mint Hill residents to fit in basic preventative care. “So seamless!” said Lauren Williams, who received her flu shot at the event. “Two minutes and done!”
At 1:00 pm on Saturday, young women from ages 1-20 competed in the Miss Mint Hill Scholarship Pageant on the Novant Health Main Stage. 18-year-old Piedmont High School graduate Shelby Marie Semones was crowned Miss Mint Hill 2022; she also received the Robinson Orthodontics Best Smile trophy. “I am just so happy for her!” said Shelby’s mom. “She has wanted this for years!”
The following young women comprise the remainder of the 2022 Miss Mint Hill Court: Baby Miss Rylee Louise Polk, Tiny Miss Carlyn Batten, Little Miss Elin Reese Kloepping, Young Miss Emma Reece Warwick, Junior Miss Jasmin Garryn Victoria Menis, Community Service Queen Kaylee Diebold, and Teen Miss Cambria Cherry.
As the festival drew to a close on Saturday night, Mayor Simmons took the stage with Commissioners Tony Long and Patrick Holton to announce the Winners of Mint Hill’s Scarecrow Decorating Contest. Third place in the “Business” category went to the State Employees Credit Union, and second place went to Mint Hill Eye. Queen’s Grant Community School took home first palace for “The Night of the Living Scarecrow.” Third place in the residential category went to Nancy Morgan, and second went to Mary Beth Foster. Jessica Burns took home first for “Queen of Hearts.”
Mint Hill Madness closed with the spectacular “Fireworks Extravaganza” that Madness has become know for! “Thank you to the town of Mint Hill for the phenomenal fireworks show!” said Lexi Chaney. “That was the coolest grand finale in a fireworks show I’ve ever seen!”
