Art Walks, Festivals & May Kickoff Fun: This Week in CLT🍓🎨

Christen Ripoli - REALTOR
Apr 28
8 min read

🌟Five To Try in the Greater Charlotte Area🌟

🍓 Art Walks, Festivals & May Kickoff Fun 🎨🎶

May is here, and Charlotte is showing off! This week is packed with outdoor festivals, live entertainment, and community celebrations that make it the perfect time to get out and explore. Whether you’re strolling through art, celebrating Cinco de Mayo, or grabbing a free comic book, there’s something here for everyone.

This week’s Five to Try is all about sunshine, creativity, and starting the month off strong. 💛

And as always, THANK YOU for the support, referrals, and love. Your trust keeps my business growing through relationships, and I’m forever grateful!

Let’s dive in!

1️⃣ Magic Rocks! with Leon Etienne ✨🎩

Get ready to be amazed! Illusionist Leon Etienne brings a high-energy magic show full of mind-blowing tricks, humor, and audience interaction. It’s a fun night out for families or anyone who loves a little mystery.

🗓️ May 1 | Doors at 6:30 PM | Show at 7:30 PM

📍 Dowd Center Theatre

🔗 More information

2️⃣ South Carolina Strawberry Festival 🍓🎡

Just a short drive away, this festival is a full-on celebration of strawberry season! Enjoy rides, live music, vendors, and all the strawberry treats you can imagine. It’s a great family day trip with classic festival vibes.

🗓️ May 1 from 5-10 PM | May 2 from 10 AM-10 PM

📍 Fort Mill, SC

🔗 More information

3️⃣ Free Comic Book Day 🦸‍♂️📚

Comic fans, this is your day! Local comic shops across the Charlotte area are giving away free comic books, plus hosting special events, signings, and activities. It’s fun for collectors, kids, and anyone who loves a good story.

🗓️ Saturday, May 2

📍 Participating comic shops

🔗 More information

4️⃣ Cinco de Mayo Party at Camp North End 🌮🎉

Celebrate early with a vibrant Cinco de Mayo party featuring food, music, and festive energy at one of Charlotte’s coolest spots. Expect great eats, drinks, and plenty of reasons to stay awhile.

🗓️ Saturday, May 2 | Starts at 3 PM

📍 Camp North End

🔗 More information

5️⃣ Kings Drive Art Walk 🎨🌿

Take a scenic stroll along Little Sugar Creek Greenway while browsing incredible work from local and regional artists. The Kings Drive Art Walk blends art, nature, and community for a relaxed, inspiring weekend outing.

🗓️ May 2 from 11 AM-6 PM | May 3 from 11 AM-5 PM

📍 Little Sugar Creek Greenway

🔗 More information

NOTE: There's much more happening around Charlotte this week, so check out this Facebook group for tons of family-friendly events happening all over the Charlotte area. Family Fun in Charlotte and Union County I'm also trying to build up another group What's Up Charlotte. If you haven't already joined, I'd love your support!

Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and I wanted to do something a little extra special this year… I’m giving away a FREE house cleaning service! 💗✨

Because let’s be honest, what mom really wants is a break (and maybe a spotless house she didn’t have to clean herself 😉). Whether it’s for you, your mom, or someone who just deserves a little extra love, this is such a fun way to give the gift of time. It only takes a minute to enter, and you could seriously make someone’s whole week!

🧼 Enter here: bit.ly/cr-mom2026

📅 Deadline: May 9th

If someone popped into your head while reading this, go ahead and send it their way 💕

Mortgage News

📈 Mortgage Rates Edge Up Slightly This Week

Mortgage rates saw a modest increase across most loan types this week, continuing to move within a relatively tight range. The 30-year fixed rose to 6.38%, up 0.06%, while the 15-year fixed climbed slightly to 5.94%. Jumbo loans held steady at 6.52%, offering consistency for higher-priced purchases. The 7/6 SOFR ARM increased to 6.00%, and government-backed loans followed suit, with FHA at 5.93% and VA at 5.95%, each up just 0.02%.

While this week shows a bit of upward pressure, rates are still relatively stable overall, giving buyers and sellers a predictable window to plan during the spring market.

*Most recent mortgage rates according to https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/

Featured Homes

📍4823 Manchineel Lane, Monroe📍

Welcome to 4823 Manchineel Lane: a charming, storybook home tucked into a welcoming Monroe community where everyday living feels just a little more magical. This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers 1,745 square feet of warm, inviting space designed for both comfort and connection. Step inside and you’re greeted by a cozy great room with a gas fireplace and rich LVP flooring, the perfect place to gather and unwind. The kitchen is truly the heart of the home, featuring a large island, two pantries, and beautiful finishes that make cooking and entertaining a joy.

Upstairs, you’ll find three peaceful bedrooms, including a spacious primary suite with vaulted ceilings, a large walk-in closet, and a spa-like bath with a garden tub, separate shower, and dual sinks. Out back, your private retreat awaits - a fully fenced yard surrounded by mature trees, complete with a fire pit for evenings under the stars. And just steps away, enjoy community amenities like a pool, playground, and recreation area.

🔑 Highlights:

3 bedrooms | 2.5 bathrooms
1,745 sq ft of comfortable living
Cozy great room with gas fireplace
Kitchen with oversized island + two pantries
Vaulted primary suite with spa-like bath
Fenced backyard with fire pit
Community pool, playground & recreation area
Zoned for Rocky River Elementary, Sun Valley Middle & High

📍422 Bougainvillea Court, Monroe📍

Welcome to 422 Bougainvillea Court: a spacious and thoughtfully designed 1.5-story home in one of Monroe’s most loved communities. With 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and nearly 3,000 square feet, this home offers the kind of flexible layout that just makes life easier.

The main level features a private primary suite, giving you the comfort of main-floor living, while the open great room and large dining area create the perfect space to gather, relax, and entertain. The kitchen is a standout with a center island, tile backsplash, and a full suite of appliances, including a double oven and cooktop.

Upstairs, you’ll find even more room to spread out with a generous loft and a large bonus room with its own full bath - ideal for guests, a home office, or a playroom.

🔑 Highlights:

4 bedrooms | 3 full bathrooms
2,919 sq ft of living space
Primary suite on the main level
Open great room + spacious dining area
Upgraded kitchen with island + full appliance package
Loft + bonus room with full bath upstairs
Fenced backyard for entertaining or pets
Located in St. John’s Forest (NO city taxes!)
Zoned for Rocky River Elementary, Sun Valley Middle & High

Under Contract Homes

📍2237 Balting Glass Drive, Indian Trail📍

Welcome to 2237 Balting Glass Drive - a home that truly feels like it was designed for the way life is meant to be lived. Nestled in the heart of the Glendalough community, this 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers 2,644 square feet of light-filled, inviting living space.

Step inside and you’re greeted by a layout that flows effortlessly, perfect for both quiet mornings and lively evenings. The kitchen is the heart of the home, featuring an oversized island that naturally becomes the gathering spot for family and friends. Upstairs, the primary suite feels like a private retreat, complete with a spa-inspired bath, soaking tub, and oversized shower designed for true relaxation.

And then… the backyard. This is where the magic happens. A fully fenced space with a massive covered patio, pergola, and cozy fire pit creates the ultimate setup for entertaining. With space already prepped for an outdoor kitchen, it’s ready for summer cookouts, fall nights by the fire, and everything in between.

🔑 Highlights:

4 bedrooms | 2.5 bathrooms
2,644 sq ft of living space
Open, light-filled layout
Kitchen with oversized island
Spa-inspired primary suite
Covered patio + pergola + fire pit
Fenced backyard with space for outdoor kitchen
Located in Glendalough with community pool
Zoned for Porter Ridge Elementary, Middle & High

Video of the Week

Check out this video featuring: The REAL Pros & Cons (Before You Move)

Thinking about moving to Charlotte, North Carolina? 🏡

In this video, I’m breaking down the REAL pros and cons of living in Charlotte, NC so you can decide if it’s the right move for you.

As a local Realtor®, I help people relocate here every single day - and while Charlotte has a LOT to love, there are definitely a few things you’ll want to know before making the move.

✨ In this video, we cover:

✔️ Job opportunities and why so many people are moving here

✔️ The lifestyle and what day-to-day life actually feels like

✔️ What the weather is REALLY like (yes… we’re talking about the heat ☀️)

✔️ The not-so-fun parts - like traffic and those famous Carolina bugs 🐜😅

My goal is to give you an honest, balanced look so you can make a confident decision not just based on the highlights you see online.

📧 christen.ripoli@gmail.com

📞 330.301.0687

Charlotte Market Minute

📢 Charlotte Market Update | April 21st - April 28th 📢

A total of 1,066 properties were sold this week, with the average sales price coming in at $531,681 and the median sales price at $400,500. Properties spent an average of 57 days on the market and sold for 98.17% of list price, continuing to reflect strong buyer demand and competitive conditions. The average price per square foot landed at $238.58, showing slight variation while still holding strong overall. The lowest sale this week was $20,000, while the highest reached $4.95 million, highlighting the wide range of opportunities across the Charlotte market. With sales volume staying high and pricing remaining steady, this market continues to offer great potential whether you're buying, selling, or simply keeping an eye on trends.

📊 Here’s your weekly snapshot:

1,066 total properties sold
Average sales price: $531,681
Median sales price: $400,500
Average price per square foot: $238.58
Properties are selling for an average of 98.17% of list price
Average days on market: 57
Lowest sale: $20,000
Highest sale: $4.95M

Have questions about how this impacts your home plans? I’d love to help!

📩 Christen.Ripoli@gmail.com

📞 330.301.0687

🏡 Christen Ripoli, REALTOR® | Real

Discover "What's Up Charlotte?"

Looking for fun things to do around the Queen City? Check out the Facebook page What’s Up Charlotte? - your one-stop hub for local events, festivals, family-friendly activities, date night ideas, small business spotlights, and so much more!

It’s the perfect place to find weekend plans, connect with fellow Charlotteans, and uncover hidden gems in our city. Whether you’re new to the area or a longtime local, this community has something for everyone.

👉 Join the conversation here: What’s Up Charlotte?

Christen's Connections

"I know a guy" (and plenty of ladies too!). Are you in need of a connection? Maybe you want to have a deck added onto your home, or you need new blinds, or perhaps a cleaning service - I've got an extensive list of the best connections in the area. Consider me your own personal Yelp! Clicking on the link above will bring you to my quick connections list, but I have lots more saved in my Google Drive. Let me know how I can help!

Referrals

We love it when you have an incredible experience moving to the area and we're so grateful when you refer us to your friends and family considering making the move!

Share our channel with them as well as our other social media profiles so that we can keep in touch.

BEST WAY TO SEND ME A REFERRAL

1. Call (Let's talk about your referral)

2. Introduce me in a group text or email

Thank you in advance!!