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Hickory Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Monthly e-Newsletter | February 2025

Baseball and Softball Registration

Registration is now underway for the City of Hickory's Youth Baseball and Softball programs. Participation is free to all City of Hickory residents, and nonresidents can also participate by paying a $40 nonresident fee. Each participant will also purchase their team jersey and hat/visor at the time of registration.

Baseball

• T-Ball – Ages 4-6 (boys and girls) 
• 8U – Ages 7 and 8 
• 10U – Ages 9 and 10
• 12U – Ages 11 and 12
• 15U – Ages 13-15

 Girls Softball  

• 8U – Ages 7 and 8
• 10U – Ages 9 and 10
• 12U – Ages 11 and 12
• 16U – Ages 13-16

The deadline to register for T-Ball, 8U, and 10U is Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 5 p.m. The deadline to register for 12U, 15U, and 16U is Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 5 p.m.

For additional information or questions about Hickory Baseball or Softball programs, please contact sports programmers Brandon Harper, Chris Johnson, or Robbie Link at 828-322-7046, Ext. 2. 

Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day with Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism begins on Feb. 7 with the annual Mother-Son and Father-Daughter Dance. Spend an evening at Ridgeview Recreation Center from 6-8 p.m. The price per couple is $10, purchased at the door. For more information, contact John Smith at jsmith@hickorync.gov.

On Feb. 8, widows and widowers are invited to a Celebration of the Heart luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brown Penn Recreation Center. Contact Jane Sims at jsims@hickorync.gov for more information.

Teacher Workday Camp

Registration is officially open for this month’s Teacher Workday Camp on Friday, Feb. 14. Kids ages 8-12 will spend a morning making arts and crafts at Lowe’s Home Improvement, then head to Bo’s Family Entertainment. For more information, contact Caleb Brown at cjbrown@hickorync.gov.

Seed Starting Workshop

Master Gardener Fran Whitener is coming to Highland Recreation Center on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to host a special Seed Starting Gardening Workshop. Learn all about growing plants from seeds and leave this workshop with everything you need to start your home garden. Registration is required. Contact Lisa Miller at ammiller@hickorync.gov to learn more.

Snowball Classic Co-Ed Volleyball Tournament

Registration has begun for the annual Snowball Classic Co-Ed Volleyball Tournament at Highland Recreation Center! Teams of six players will compete in a round robin followed by a single elimination tournament with prizes for the top two teams overall. The tournament kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 10 a.m.

Living Wax Museum

Mark your calendars for a captivating journey through history at the Living Wax Museum, on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Ridgeview Recreation Center (115 7th Ave SW, Hickory). This free event welcomes everyone to witness living embodiments of historical figures, each portraying their characters with precision and passion. Step into a world where the past animates before your eyes and engage with these "wax figures" as they share their stories. For more information, contact Todder Clark at nclark@hickorync.gov or 828-324-8007. 

Questions, Answers, and a Movie with Cynthia Scott

The late Elizabeth Barker Johnson was a Hickory resident who served in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the first and only all-Black, all-female unit in the Women's Army Corps during World War II. Her daughter, Cynthia Scott, will be at Ridgeview Recreation Center to answer questions about her mother’s incredible life on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 4:30 p.m. Then, stay for a special screening of the 2024 Netflix movie, The Six Triple Eight.

Jigsaw Jamboree Speed Puzzling Competition

Puzzle fans of all ability levels are invited to the Jigsaw Jamboree, a speed puzzling competition at Highland Recreation Center on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 10 a.m. Register two-person or four-person teams by Feb. 16 to participate. In addition to the speed puzzle competitions, we will also have a puzzle swap and free puzzling stations for casual puzzlers. For more information, contact Lance Riddile at lriddile@hickorync.gov or Lisa Miller at ammiller@hickorync.gov.

Mark Your Calendars

• Chalk Our Walk – March 28 & 29
• Abilities Tennis Clinics – March 29

Park Highlight

Stanford Park features three softball and baseball fields, an outdoor basketball court, and a skate park. It is equipped with restrooms, a concession stand, and two playgrounds. Stanford Park is home to Highland Recreation Center and the Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Administrative Office. The park is located at 1451 8th Street Drive NE in Hickory.

Free Play Activities & Group Exercise Classes

Our recreation centers offer free play pickleball, basketball, volleyball, and group exercise classes for all skill levels!

Monthly Event Sponsors

To see how you can get involved and become a sponsor, click here: www.hickorync.gov/sponsorship-opportunities