If you’re in the market for a small-town vibe with Southern charm, the City of Statesville is right up your alley. With just under 30,000 residents, the city boasts historic architecture, public art, and vast greenways with proximity to larger metropolitan areas, such as Charlotte and Winston-Salem.
Best known as the Hot Air Balloon Capital of the East, Statesville attracts thousands of visitors each year to its popular Carolina BalloonFest, the second oldest hot air balloon festival in the country. The annual October festival features hot air balloon competitions, as well as live entertainment, a kids’ zone, wine and beer garden, and more. Other family-friendly events in the area include the free Fridays after Five concert series, Pumpkin Fest, Fall Art Crawl, and the Christmas Parade. –LTP">