Located on 33 acres in the center of Belmont, NC less than 30 minutes from Charlotte, Camelot Meadows is a picturesque event venue with a distinct quality owner Deborah Baxa felt from the moment she saw it. After touring this waterfront property, complete with a bamboo forest and beautiful pastureland where rescue horses are cared for and are free to roam with her late husband, Dr. Mark Baxa, current owner and caretaker Deborah Baxa, remarked, “This is a magical place.”
A Lasting Legacy
The Baxas purchased the property and named it Camelot Meadows. Deborah confides that although “a lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into cultivating the land and learning how to properly maintain the bamboo forest,” the site became a special place that she and her husband treasured.
Dr. Mark Baxa passed away five years ago after a battle with brain cancer and a life spent dedicated to service and offering aid to others, both as a trauma surgeon and as a flight surgeon in the Air Force. Deborah notes, “His whole life was focused on helping to support his country and those in need.” The venue and the charity work that is being continued by the nonprofit organization, The Sanctuary at Camelot Meadows, serve as a lasting legacy to Dr. Baxa’s love of the land and commitment to the conservation of the community’s history and the natural environment.
A Destination with a Purpose
Deborah has steadfastly carried on with the work she and her husband started and today. Camelot Meadows is a popular venue for a host of events ranging from engagement parties and weddings to private parties, fundraisers, photo shoots, corporate events, family reunions, celebrations of life and pet memorials. The unspoiled beauty and lovely wooded backdrop the venue offers make it the perfect location to celebrate all of life’s milestones by showcasing the design theme of your choice.
Camelot Meadows is the manifestation of Deborah Baxa’s commitment to giving back to her community through educational programs and the support of other women-owned businesses and local artisans. According to Deborah, the rapid growth of the Charlotte Metro region has come at a high cost. Motivated by her belief that “There are a lot of things in Belmont that are no longer being preserved,” Deborah stands firm in her conviction that, “It is important to preserve this open space and local history for the education of local children.”
Visitors to the site can take in the scenic views, and families enjoy interacting with the animals who call Camelot Meadows home. At present, there are six horses and eight goats on the property, along with three beehives that began producing honey last year.
In keeping with the venue’s efforts to promote education about the agricultural history of the area, horseback riding lessons and boarding facilities are also offered.
The Bamboo Forest
The history of the bamboo forest at Camelot Meadows can be traced back to the late 1800s through old property maps. At first, Deborah was unfamiliar with this nutritional food source and did not know how it should be cultivated.
To learn more, she reached out to the Asian Chamber of Commerce and the Bhutanese community in Charlotte. Deborah credits these groups with helping her understand the value of bamboo, teaching her how and when the bamboo shoots should be harvested and nurturing her interest in producing the crop for donation to members of the community in need of food.
A Labor of Love
Camelot Meadows is not your average business. Deborah explains, “I don’t take a dime of the business for myself.” All proceeds go to preserving the land, and her work there is inspired by her late husband’s generous nature and his love of the land, horses and children.
Deborah emphasizes that Camelot Meadows is an all-inclusive venue where all are welcome and members of the LGBTQ+ community will find a friendly space.
To learn more about the programs and events hosted at Camelot Meadows, book a tour or schedule your special event, visit CamelotMeadowsEvent.com or call 704.277.6275. You can contact the venue by email at info@CamelotMeadowsEvent.com. Camelot Meadows is located at 1335 Armstrong Rd., Belmont, NC.
