December 2023 - Kannapolis Matters

A Kannapolis Christmas Continues in December We hope you will join us for Christmas festivities in Kannapolis.

The Celebration of Lights is underway at Village Park, 700 West C Street, and will run through December 30. The Kannapolis Christmas Parade will be at 6 p.m. on December 9. This special nighttime parade will travel through the streets of downtown Kannapolis and usually lasts until 7:30 p.m.

Calendar of Events

DECEMBER 2023

instrumental pieces and traditional favorite holiday songs! Visit the Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra in the Village Park Multi-Purpose Room throughout the Celebration of Lights.

DECEMBER 1-30 Winterland Express & Celebration of Lights 6 p.m. | Village Park (closed 24th and 25th)

The Celebration of Lights also features performances from our very own Kannapolis Singing Bears – the Chuckles Quartet – who will entertain you with a Christmas Carol performance. The Chuckles Quartet is housed outside in Village Park. Both sets of Christmas Bears have an impressive lineup filled with holiday banter, music and fun.

9 Christmas Parade | 6 p.m.

Downtown Kannapolis

24-25 Christmas Holiday (City Offices closed)

Gem Theatre’s Next Phase of Renovations Announced

F The Celebration of Lights includes thousands of twinkling lights in dozens of displays throughout Village Park. Adults and children are welcome to ride the Winterland Express trains, two g-24 scale replica CP Huntington engines, and count down the 12 Days of Christmas as you view unique holiday light displays.

Manufactured in Italy, the Village Park Double Decker Carousel features 1,800 lights, Brazilian oak decking, and charming handpainted Venetian murals that you can ride as you get into the spirit of the holidays.

Again this year, kids of all ages will be able to visit Santa and have their photo made.

Maestro Leonard Bearstein of the famed Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra is back this year, spreading his holiday magic in Kannapolis. The 18 animatronic bears will delight children and adults alike with their witty banter, inspiring THE CITY OF KANNAPOLIS 401 Laureate Way | Kannapolis, NC 28081 704.920.4444 www.kannapolisnc.gov

or 75 years the Gem Theatre has been the star of downtown Kannapolis. From movie premieres to special dates, from engagement proposals to wedding ceremonies, the Gem Theatre has been an iconic structure and place of history for the City and its residents.

Throughout the month of December, area choirs and a holiday marketplace with area artisans will also be on hand to make your visit more enjoyable. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Enjoy the fire pit and making of s’mores and much more.

Admission to the park and viewing of the lights and bears is free; tickets are required to ride the carousel and train. Purchase carousel tickets onsite at Village Park. They will be available on a first-come basis each evening.

Reserve your seat on the Winterland Express by purchasing a ticket online at www.kannapolisnc.gov/Christmas. Walk-up onsite tickets will be available if space allows.

Follow the City on Facebook (facebook.com/cityofkannapolis), Instagram @KannapolisNC, LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/cityofkannapolis), Nextdoor (nextdoor.com/Kannapolisnc.gov) and Twitter @Kannapolis for regular updates and more ideas for fun.

In 2015, the City of Kannapolis acquired the theatre and began the process of refurbishing the marquee, and essential elements such as the roof, heating and air conditioning, and restrooms.

Now, it’s time to give the interior of the theatre a facelift. The seats, projector, screen, curtains and historic plaster motifs need repair and/or replacement. This phase of renovations is expected to cost approximately $1.2 million. The renovations will begin in January 2024 and should be completed within four months.

You can share your love of the Gem Theatre by sponsoring a new seat, purchasing one of the vintage seats or purchasing a marquee brick. Sponsoring a new seat is $275 and sponsoring a brick is $125. Purchasing a pair of the current vintage seats in the theatre is $100. You can also sponsor all three items for $500. Corporate sponsorship packages of $500 to $10,000 are also available.

Continued on page 2

Free Admission. No pets or smoking, please.

More at kannapolisnc.gov.

Continued from page 1

City Staff Promotions Announced

Ryan Dayvault Receives Top State Honor

Entertaining Safety Kannapolis City Council Member Ryan Dayvault has been honored with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine – one of the highest honors a citizen of North Carolina can receive. Dayvault was honored for his service as a City Council member and his volunteer work with numerous organizations in Kannapolis.

The bricks will be installed in the sidewalk in front of the Gem Theatre marquee. As a sponsor of a seat, a plaque with your name will be installed on a seat that will be randomly installed in the Gem. “When we began the revitalization project, the most often-asked question was, ‘Would the Gem Theatre be preserved?’ The City Council’s support for restoring and preserving the theatre continues with this next phase of renovations. We know people love the theatre and this is a way everyone can become involved. We hope you will support this fundraising campaign,” commented Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant.

Hurry, only 500 bricks will be sold and there are only 700 seats available for sponsorship.

For more information and to participate in the fundraising campaign, visit www.kannapolisnc.gov/thegemtheatre.

Ryan has served on the Kannapolis City Council for 12 years and is the youngest person to be elected to serve on the council. Prior to being elected to City Council, he was on the Board of Adjustment for three years. He was also on the Centennial Committee and the Center City Master Planning Commission. He is currently the Chair of the Cabarrus-Rowan Metropolitan Planning Organization where he has represented the City for 12 years.

Ryan works for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on the North Carolina Research Campus. For 15 years he has served as the Facilities Manager, overseeing all aspects of facilities, capital assets and auxiliary operations. He is the recipient of the University’s Star Heel Award and has also been named the Employee of the Quarter and the Employee of Excellence for Integrity.

Holiday entertaining is one of the most important aspects of the season; a time to get together with friends and loved ones.

While these are festive, happy occasions, they can quickly turn dangerous if one is not careful.

Follow these tips from the Kannapolis Police Department to make your holiday gathering successful: • Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.

• Make sure cars are locked to avoid break-ins.

• Inspect holiday lights each year before you put them up. Throw away light strands with frayed or pinched wires.

• Water your Christmas tree every day. A dry tree can catch on fire very quickly and easily.

• Keep children and pets away from lit candles and keep any other materials at least 12 inches away from them.

• Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles.

• Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.

• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.

• Remember: Don’t pour fats, oils or greases down the drain.

Environmental Tip Buy a live tree to use as a Christmas tree.

Plant it in your yard after the holidays. Keep it lightly watered until it has had time for its root system to be established.

Becky Tolle has been promoted to the role of Recreation Superintendent in the Parks and Recreation Department.

She will oversee the Recreation and Special Event coordinators, the Athletics Division and administrative staff as well as assisting with the human resources, budget and planning responsibilities of the department.

Brett Mann has been promoted to Parks Superintendent in the Parks and Recreation Department. His responsibility will be to oversee and manage various aspects of the City’s parks and facility maintenance and operations. He will supervise the Parks, Grounds and Concession Managers, oversee contracted grounds maintenance services, and assist with departmental short-term and long-term strategic planning.

Wanda Jones will now serve as a Senior Accountant for the City. In general, her duties are to supervise the payroll and accounts payable functions, oversee the sales tax refund process, prepare and file the annual reports, assist in audit preparation and other accounting responsibilities.

Continued from page 1

City Staff Promotions Announced

Ryan Dayvault Receives Top State Honor

Entertaining Safety Kannapolis City Council Member Ryan Dayvault has been honored with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine – one of the highest honors a citizen of North Carolina can receive. Dayvault was honored for his service as a City Council member and his volunteer work with numerous organizations in Kannapolis.

The bricks will be installed in the sidewalk in front of the Gem Theatre marquee. As a sponsor of a seat, a plaque with your name will be installed on a seat that will be randomly installed in the Gem. “When we began the revitalization project, the most often-asked question was, ‘Would the Gem Theatre be preserved?’ The City Council’s support for restoring and preserving the theatre continues with this next phase of renovations. We know people love the theatre and this is a way everyone can become involved. We hope you will support this fundraising campaign,” commented Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant.

Hurry, only 500 bricks will be sold and there are only 700 seats available for sponsorship.

For more information and to participate in the fundraising campaign, visit www.kannapolisnc.gov/thegemtheatre.

Ryan has served on the Kannapolis City Council for 12 years and is the youngest person to be elected to serve on the council. Prior to being elected to City Council, he was on the Board of Adjustment for three years. He was also on the Centennial Committee and the Center City Master Planning Commission. He is currently the Chair of the Cabarrus-Rowan Metropolitan Planning Organization where he has represented the City for 12 years.

Ryan works for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on the North Carolina Research Campus. For 15 years he has served as the Facilities Manager, overseeing all aspects of facilities, capital assets and auxiliary operations. He is the recipient of the University’s Star Heel Award and has also been named the Employee of the Quarter and the Employee of Excellence for Integrity.

Holiday entertaining is one of the most important aspects of the season; a time to get together with friends and loved ones.

While these are festive, happy occasions, they can quickly turn dangerous if one is not careful.

Follow these tips from the Kannapolis Police Department to make your holiday gathering successful: • Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.

• Make sure cars are locked to avoid break-ins.

• Inspect holiday lights each year before you put them up. Throw away light strands with frayed or pinched wires.

• Water your Christmas tree every day. A dry tree can catch on fire very quickly and easily.

• Keep children and pets away from lit candles and keep any other materials at least 12 inches away from them.

• Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles.

• Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.

• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.

• Remember: Don’t pour fats, oils or greases down the drain.

Environmental Tip Buy a live tree to use as a Christmas tree.

Plant it in your yard after the holidays. Keep it lightly watered until it has had time for its root system to be established.

Becky Tolle has been promoted to the role of Recreation Superintendent in the Parks and Recreation Department.

She will oversee the Recreation and Special Event coordinators, the Athletics Division and administrative staff as well as assisting with the human resources, budget and planning responsibilities of the department.

Brett Mann has been promoted to Parks Superintendent in the Parks and Recreation Department. His responsibility will be to oversee and manage various aspects of the City’s parks and facility maintenance and operations. He will supervise the Parks, Grounds and Concession Managers, oversee contracted grounds maintenance services, and assist with departmental short-term and long-term strategic planning.

Wanda Jones will now serve as a Senior Accountant for the City. In general, her duties are to supervise the payroll and accounts payable functions, oversee the sales tax refund process, prepare and file the annual reports, assist in audit preparation and other accounting responsibilities.

A Kannapolis Christmas Continues in December We hope you will join us for Christmas festivities in Kannapolis.

The Celebration of Lights is underway at Village Park, 700 West C Street, and will run through December 30. The Kannapolis Christmas Parade will be at 6 p.m. on December 9. This special nighttime parade will travel through the streets of downtown Kannapolis and usually lasts until 7:30 p.m.

Calendar of Events

DECEMBER 2023

instrumental pieces and traditional favorite holiday songs! Visit the Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra in the Village Park Multi-Purpose Room throughout the Celebration of Lights.

DECEMBER 1-30 Winterland Express & Celebration of Lights 6 p.m. | Village Park (closed 24th and 25th)

The Celebration of Lights also features performances from our very own Kannapolis Singing Bears – the Chuckles Quartet – who will entertain you with a Christmas Carol performance. The Chuckles Quartet is housed outside in Village Park. Both sets of Christmas Bears have an impressive lineup filled with holiday banter, music and fun.

9 Christmas Parade | 6 p.m.

Downtown Kannapolis

24-25 Christmas Holiday (City Offices closed)

Gem Theatre’s Next Phase of Renovations Announced

F The Celebration of Lights includes thousands of twinkling lights in dozens of displays throughout Village Park. Adults and children are welcome to ride the Winterland Express trains, two g-24 scale replica CP Huntington engines, and count down the 12 Days of Christmas as you view unique holiday light displays.

Manufactured in Italy, the Village Park Double Decker Carousel features 1,800 lights, Brazilian oak decking, and charming handpainted Venetian murals that you can ride as you get into the spirit of the holidays.

Again this year, kids of all ages will be able to visit Santa and have their photo made.

Maestro Leonard Bearstein of the famed Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra is back this year, spreading his holiday magic in Kannapolis. The 18 animatronic bears will delight children and adults alike with their witty banter, inspiring THE CITY OF KANNAPOLIS 401 Laureate Way | Kannapolis, NC 28081 704.920.4444 www.kannapolisnc.gov

or 75 years the Gem Theatre has been the star of downtown Kannapolis. From movie premieres to special dates, from engagement proposals to wedding ceremonies, the Gem Theatre has been an iconic structure and place of history for the City and its residents.

Throughout the month of December, area choirs and a holiday marketplace with area artisans will also be on hand to make your visit more enjoyable. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Enjoy the fire pit and making of s’mores and much more.

Admission to the park and viewing of the lights and bears is free; tickets are required to ride the carousel and train. Purchase carousel tickets onsite at Village Park. They will be available on a first-come basis each evening.

Reserve your seat on the Winterland Express by purchasing a ticket online at www.kannapolisnc.gov/Christmas. Walk-up onsite tickets will be available if space allows.

Follow the City on Facebook (facebook.com/cityofkannapolis), Instagram @KannapolisNC, LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/cityofkannapolis), Nextdoor (nextdoor.com/Kannapolisnc.gov) and Twitter @Kannapolis for regular updates and more ideas for fun.

In 2015, the City of Kannapolis acquired the theatre and began the process of refurbishing the marquee, and essential elements such as the roof, heating and air conditioning, and restrooms.

Now, it’s time to give the interior of the theatre a facelift. The seats, projector, screen, curtains and historic plaster motifs need repair and/or replacement. This phase of renovations is expected to cost approximately $1.2 million. The renovations will begin in January 2024 and should be completed within four months.

You can share your love of the Gem Theatre by sponsoring a new seat, purchasing one of the vintage seats or purchasing a marquee brick. Sponsoring a new seat is $275 and sponsoring a brick is $125. Purchasing a pair of the current vintage seats in the theatre is $100. You can also sponsor all three items for $500. Corporate sponsorship packages of $500 to $10,000 are also available.

Continued on page 2

Free Admission. No pets or smoking, please.

More at kannapolisnc.gov.