The city of Kannapolis is set to reignite the joy of summer with a free event series that promises to entertain the community from May through September. "Discover Fun in Kannapolis" will return to delight residents with an impressive array of concerts, movie screenings, and explosive fireworks displays, all at no cost to attendees. A detailed schedule of the events will soon be arriving in local mailboxes, as announced on the city's website.
Opening up with the Village Park Concerts, families can look forward to a nostalgic and rocking line-up. Set to kick off on June 7, at 7 p.m., The Fray will be on stage to deliver their "How to Save a Life: The 20th Anniversary Tour", celebrating two decades since their first album reshaped the alt-rock landscape. "The Fray introduced the world to a deeply emotional, alt-rock sound—" timeless yet inventive", according to the City of Kannapolis announcement.
Iconic ‘70s band Ambrosia and John Ford Coley will also grace the stage, promising to share their Grammy Nominated melodies with fans new and old on June 21. The city's statement reveals Ambrosia as a group that's "now more alive and compelling than ever", while John Ford Coley brings to table his deeply revered hits such as “Love Is The Answer” and “I’d Really Love To See You Tonight”. Following the melody-packed month, fireworks will accompany the Charlotte Symphony's performance on June 28, adding an explosive touch to the auditory experience.
A summer musical journey in Kannapolis wouldn’t be complete without a nod to the Southern Roots with The Marshall Tucker Band slated to perform on July 12. The veterans of the Southern rock sound will stir nostalgia and memories with their timeless hits. As the season continues to heat up, Sister Sledge featuring Sledgendary will bring their funky family affair on July 26, while "America’s technicolor cowboys," Big & Rich, are sure to "Save a Horse" and captivate audiences on August 9.
The spirit spills into Thursdays on Main at Veterans Park, starting May 8 with Gary Lowder and Smokin’ Hot. This weekly event will host a variety of bands including The Embers and Too Much Sylvia, bringing toe-tapping tunes for those balmy summer evenings. Family-friendly fun extends to movie nights in Village Park starting at 8:45 p.m. with titles like "Elemental" on May 16, "Despicable Me 4" on May 30, and several more cinematic adventures throughout the season.
For kids and those young at heart, the Kannapolis Library hosts "Stories Under the Stars" with the first featured performance by Matt Sandbank's Shadow Puppets on Saturday, May 10 at the Swanee Theatre. The series will continue with a diverse array of entertainers, from Storyteller Donna Washington to “Dog Performances – Stories with Sugar,” throughout the summer.
As Kannapolis prepares to offer these free experiences, they remind visitors to respect the family-friendly atmosphere by bringing along lawn chairs but leaving pets and smoking behind. Food and drink options will be available for purchase, ensuring that guests can comfortably enjoy the season's offerings.
