It’s Charlotte Symphony Time!

This is an exciting week in Kannapolis. By far the highlight of the Toyota Scion of Concord Summer Events Series happens this Friday evening when the Charlotte Symphony returns to Village Park. A growing tradition, the Symphony will provide a free, patriotic program that will conclude with fireworks.

Last year more than 13,000 came out to watch and every available spot on the lawn was covered. And it was a Thursday performance. I’m sure folks will be out early staking claim again this year too. I know I will. 

The evening officially kicks off at 7 p.m. with a performance from the Highland Knights Drum & Bugle Corps. They are a youth organization charted in Kannapolis that plays in parades and concerts across the state. The symphony takes the stage at 8:15 or so and then the big fireworks show starts around 9:15.

Oh, and the weather? It should be perfect. I took a peek at the weekend forecast and it looks like the high on Friday is predicted at 84 with sunny skies.

It’s Movie Night Tomorrow

The Toyota Scion of Concord Summer Events Series returns this week with another Movie in the Park and a musical performance. Join us for The Piedmont Prime Time Band at 7:45, followed by Monsters vs. Aliens at 8:45 p.m. on Friday evening at Village Park.

Monsters vs. Aliens, released in 2009, is about a young woman who is struck by a meteor and transformed into a giant. With her group of ragtag monster friends, she must save the world from an alien threat in this animated comedy.The Piedmont Prime Time Band is a performance oriented, non-profit organization of volunteer musicians.

Need more information? Click here.

Also, the Charlotte Symphony comes next Friday for the annual July 4th celebration. Pre-show at 7:00, Symphony at 8:15 and fireworks around 9:15. Be sure to get there early — last year more than 13,000 attended on a Wednesday evening.

A Quick Note on Christmas at Village Park

I know that summer is hopping at Village Park with the Splash Pad and Rotary Express running, the Toyota Scion of Concord Summer Events Series well underway, and shelters booked.

However, a quick note about an exciting new development for the Christmas light display. This year, the City will include singing bears at the park. You know, like the ones that play at Birkdale and Founders Hall in Charlotte each year.

The four bears, named Chuckles, Grizlee Gus, Blue and Honey Bear will be in the park along with the Winterland Express and all the lights. From what I understand, the show is 34 minutes and will include favorites like Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, Joy to the World, and Blue Christmas.

The bears in a previous life. The City display will look different, but the same bears will be there in the same costumes.

The bears at the office where they were purchased.

Adding attractions like this is very exciting, but it isn’t possible without our many sponsors. Special thanks to them all, including CMC-NorthEast, this year’s Festival of Lights title sponsor.

Our other sponsors include: Toyota Scion of Concord; Ike’s Construction, Inc.; Cabarrus Arts Council; CMC-NorthEast; Alley, Williams, Carmen & King; Hilbish Ford; Waste Management; Site Solutions; Woolpert; Best of Care Assisted Living; Benchmark CMR; Castle & Cooke; Piedmont Farmers Market; Rutledge, Friday, Safrit & Smith; Hamilton Moon Stephens Steele & Martin, PLLC; Walker Marketing; Oiles America Corp.; and H&R Lawn Service.

First Concert Tomorrow Night

The first concert of the year for the Toyota Scion of Concord Summer Events Series in Kannapolis is tomorrow night! Please note that the starting time has been moved up to 6 p.m., when local favorites the Joe Davis Band will take the stage. Following them at 7 p.m., 80’s Night launches with Nantucket, Eastern Seaboard & Stratus.

Nantucket formed in Jacksonville, N.C. and signed with Epic Records in 1977. They released its self-titled album the following year, which featured the hit single “Heartbreaker.” An aggressive cross-country tour followed, and Nantucket opened for top acts such as KISS, Styx, Boston, Mother’s Finest, Journey, and The Doobie Brothers.

Have memories of seeing them live? Share them below!

For more information on the event (parking, location, etc.) click here.

Splash Pad Opens this Weekend!

Big news! The splash pad at Village Park opens this weekend. It will open Sat-Mon, then close for the week, then open again on Saturday, June 5. After that it will be open daily through the summer.

The Village Park Splash Pad is an aquatic recreation feature that offers endless combinations of interactive play through water that is sprayed, gushed, dumped and poured from the play products that create the play equipment.

The splash pad is designed for users of all age groups and abilities and although there are various types of play that require different levels of developmental skills, water is still the main element of fun.

Admission is $1 per person. Punch cards can be purchased for multiple admissions. 10-visit punch cards cost $8.50 and 20 admission punch cards cost $16.00.

For more info, call the Parks & Rec Department at 704-920-4343.

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.

Thursdays on Main Return Today!

Last summer we added a new feature to the summer events line-up in Kannapolis called Thursdays on Main. Held under the oak trees at Veterans Park, the lunchtime concerts are free and feature a diverse range of music.

We’ll be holding them every Thursday between now and the end of June from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Various vendors will be on site selling lunches, or you can bring your own. Today Chef Jeff & Co. will be selling lunches and Coconut Groove Band will be performing.

Come join us! For more information you can view the press release here. Also, special thanks to Toyota Scion of Concord for agreeing to be the title sponsor of our events series this year.

Rotary Express Open Weekends!

Good news! The Rotary Express is up and running on the weekends. The scale replica model of an authentic CP Huntington provides an enjoyable trip around Village Park for the young and young at heart.

Rides cost $1, and the Express will be open on Saturdays from 10 a.m until 7 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. On June 5, full summer hours begin.

Village Park Holiday Wrap-up

The holidays were a busy time at Village Park in Kannapolis again this year. More than 6100 people bought tickets for either the Santa Train or Winterland Express. This is a jump of 4000 from last year.

An estimated 500 attended the tree lighting (mark you calendars for Dec. 4, 2010 for another parade/tree lighting combo) where performances were given by the A.L. Brown Marching Wonders, the Piedmont Singing Men, and the Choral Academy.

Best of all (in my humble opinion) the lights in the park were spectacular. Check out the pictures below. Have ideas for December in Village Park? Drop me a line or feel free to leave a comment.

Which Summer Movies to Pick?

Our Parks & Recreation Department is busy gearing up for the Summer Entertainment Series, which includes free outdoor movies at the Village Park Amphitheater. You can pack a picnic dinner, spread out a blanket, and enjoy a family friendly movie under the stars. For this summer, the movies being considered are:

• Toy Story (G)
• Hannah Montana Movie (G)
• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (PG)
• Monsters vs Aliens (PG)
• UP (PG)
• G-Force (PG)
• Race to Witch Mountain (PG)
• Shorts (PG)
• Land of the Lost (PG)
• Astro Boy (PG)
• The Blindside (PG)
• Monster House (PG)
• Airplane (PG)
• Remember the Titans (PG)
• Jaws (PG)
• Transformers – Revenge of the Fallen (PG-13)

If you want to weigh in on which movies to show, feel free to add a comment here or send an email to Parks & Recreation Director Gary Mills! Typically five to six movies are shown each summer. I’m ready for summer to get here!