Big Weekend Ahead

Summer is getting closer and closer, and the Parks & Rec Department is offering three free family events — all a part of the Toyota Scion of Concord Summer Events Series — three days in a row this week.

We start with Thursdays on Main, which will feature a band called White Chocolate. I’ve been told they play a groovin variety. They will be at Veterans Park on Thursday for lunch between 11:30 and 1 p.m. Special thanks to CMC-NorthEast for sponsoring Thursdays on Main.

Friday, the free summer movies return. Held at Village Park, the movies are shown on the  40’ x 20’ foot big screen. Friday night features Up, which I hear is a fantastic animated tale. The movie starts at 8:45, but Radio Disney, one of the event sponsors, will be at the park beginning at 6:30 with games and activities. The movie is also sponsored by the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital.

Then, on Saturday, the second Stories under the Stars performance will take place at the Kannapolis Branch of the Cabarrus County Public Library. The performance this time around is Doug Berkey. The fun begins at 7 p.m.

For much more, visit a news release here or www.cityofkannapolis.com/summerevents.

Bachman Brown’s Bust

Over the last week or so we’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on the history of the incorporation of Kannapolis. Both the Salisbury Post and Independent Tribune produced in-depth features on Sunday, including a very cool video done by Ben McNeely at the IT that also ran on WFAE.

While, as City Manager Mike Legg likes to say, we’ve beaten this topic up pretty good, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the reception we had last night that honored many of those who worked tirelessly during the early 1980s to incorporate Kannapolis. The highlight was undoubtedly a special presentation related to the first mayor — Bachman Brown.  A group of citizens commissioned a bust of Bachman that will reside in our train station with the one of Dwight Quinn.

Thanks in advance to Emily Ford of the Salisbury Post for letting me use this photo off their website from her story in the paper this morning. There’s also a lot of great photos here.

Bring Toy Donations to Christmas Parade

Be sure to bring a toy to donate to this year’s Christmas Parade, which will be held on Saturday. Toys are being collected by Toys for Tots, and Marines will be walking the parade route gathering donations. All toys will be used locally by the Cannon YMCA Empty Stocking and Cooperative Christian Ministries.