The new guidebook, “Homegrown Handmade: Art Roads and Farm Trails,” is getting rave reviews.

The book, produced the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources and N.C. Cooperative Extension, features 16 self-directed driving trails in 76 mostly rural North Carolina counties. Each multi-county section has listings for festivals, crafts shops, museums, produce stands, restaurants, bed-and-breakfast sites, farm experiences and activities.

The Triad Business Journal writes in its June 13-19 edition, “Whether it be for a short weekend day-trip or a quest to discover some of the hidden beauties North Carolina has to offer, ‘Homegrown Handmade’ is a valuable tool that showcases the state’s rich history, vast culture and beautiful landscape.” 

The guidebook features locations and events that are easy on the fuel bill and high on the family fun factor. A sampling of upcoming events around the Piedmont includes:

• The Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, which can be found on the “Crossroads PatriArts, and Native Ways” trail, will host “National Airborne Day” on Aug. 9.  The date marks the 68th anniversary of the Parachute Test Platoon's first jump, as well as the museum’s 8th anniversary.

• Down along the “Scenes of the Sandhills” trail, peaches are coming into season, and places like Bynum Farm and Nursery in Ellerbe and Pee Dee Orchards in Lilesville will have the succulent fruit ready for use in pies, preserves, or just as a snack by the side of the fruit stand. 

• Antique autos will hit the road to a couple of destinations later this summer and this fall. In August, the North Carolina Transportation Museum, which is on the Burning Rubber and Riding the Rails trail, will celebrate 100 years of the Model T, and will host an “All Ford” show on Aug. 2.

Along the “Hushpuppies, Pimento Cheese, and Sweet Tea” trail that includes Vance County, the town of Henderson will be the site of the "Show, Shine, Shag & Dine" antique/classic car show and "The East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame" Oct. 17-19.

• The “Hushpuppies” trail also features the Brightleaf Hoedown in Yanceyville, on Sept. 27.  Activities include crafts, a mock tobacco auction, children’s games, local musicians, and a street dance.

 Each of the 16 trails in the guidebook tell a story of its unique place  Recreational farms, artist studios, organic foods, museums, festivals, and restaurants that serve local produce or serve up indigenous recipes with a dash of art, music or history are included.  Sales of the book are brisk, as one woman in Charlotte found out when she went to her local bookstore to purchase a copy.  When she arrived she was told that the owners were placing their third order for the sold-out book.

 For more information about “Homegrown Handmade: Art Roads and Farm Trails,” or to order a copy, go to www.homegrownhandmade.com.