April 2017 - Kannapolis Matters

Intimidators Baseball is Back!

KANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL M. Darrell Hinnant Mayor

It’s time for fans to once again “step up to the plate” as the Kannapolis Intimidators embark on the 23rd season of professional baseball in our community. Opening Night – April 6 – features a special appearance by MLB legend, Darryl Strawberry, and begins a summer full of 70 home games featuring affordable family entertainment for residents of Kannapolis and Cabarrus County.

dhinnant@kannapolisnc.gov

Doug Wilson Mayor Pro-tem Dianne Berry

dberry@kannapolisnc.gov

Ryan G. Dayvault

rdayvault@kannapolisnc.gov

Roger Haas

roger@racetocharlotte.com

Darrell Jackson

dljackson@kannapolisnc.gov

Tom Kincaid

tkincaid@kannapolisnc.gov

Follow the City on Facebook (facebook. com/cityofkannapolis) and Twitter (twitter.com#Kannapolis) for regular updates and more ideas for fun.

The City of Kannapolis 401 Laureate Way Kannapolis, NC 28081 704.920.4300 www.kannapolisnc.gov

Intimidators that made their MLB debut during the 2016 season.

This year’s team is being managed by former Intimidators player-turned-coach, Justin Jirschele, who served as a middleinfielder for Kannapolis in 2013 and reached Triple-A in 2015 before beginning his coaching career. Jirschele, 26, will be the youngest manager in Minor League Baseball when the season opens.

Each Intimidators game provides fans with a peek into the future by seeing MLB’s stars of tomorrow. Since the team moved to Kannapolis in 1995, a total of 93 players have gone from Kannapolis to the Major Leagues, including eight more former

April 7 Run Kannapolis – Rhythm & Run 5K

6:30 p.m. | Downtown Kannapolis

Every game is an event, with special promotions on the calendar all season long. Fireworks are scheduled for most Saturdays, starting with the game on April 8. Additional highlights will include the team’s first-ever Hawaiian Vacation Giveaway Night (May 6), Superhero Night (June 3), Disney Vacation Giveaway Night (June 17) and Star Wars Night (July 22).

Fans can also celebrate Independence Day at the ballpark with three patriotic fireworks displays following Intimidators games on July 1 and July 3, as well as the team’s fourth annual All-American Community Celebration and Fireworks Show on July 4.

dwilson@kannapolisnc.gov

Calendar of Events

APRIL 2017

This season, the Intimidators will also salute veterans and the Armed Forces. Every Friday night the team will wear special military appreciation jerseys. Fans will have a chance to enter to win these star-spangled uniforms as part of special raffles to benefit local veterans groups at the team’s Military Appreciation games on April 7 and July 21.

Intimidators games are a great way for families to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, reunions and other special events while companies can easily host client events in a relaxed and entertaining environment. The Intimidators provide nohassle group options including all-you-caneat picnics as well as on-field recognition and experiences like throwing out a ceremonial first pitch for select groups.

7-9 Irish Creek Collegiate

Tournament

Irish Creek Golf Course 8

Kannapolis Cruise-In 1-7 p.m. | Downtown Kannapolis

8

Youth Painting Class Village Park | $25 per person

18 Parks & Recreation Day Trip: Reed Gold Mine

12:30-5 p.m. | $20 per person

Jiggy with the Piggy: Better Than Ever

22 Earth Day Shred Event

10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Village Park

T

his year’s Jiggy with the Piggy is going to be better than ever! We have added new events, first-class entertainment and much more. Make plans now to join us the first week of May! The smells and sights of 80 barbeque competition teams return to downtown Kannapolis on May 5 and 6. Barbeque teams from across the U.S. will compete in the competition at the North Carolina Research Campus sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society.

The public can get in on the fun during the two-day festival, Little Texas performs on May 5. sponsored by Smithfield, with more than 100 arts & crafts vendors, concerts, a 5K walk/run, and a People’s Choice wings and pork tasting. This year the Kannapolis Firefighter’s Association will be bringing their cooking skills back to the festival and selling barbeque to the public during the festival.

More events have also been added for children, like building a racecar out of zucchini and racing for prizes in the Zucchini 600. There will be a Community Children’s Concert and the popular Movies on Campus returns, sponsored by the 600 Festival.

Continued on page 2

22 Run Kannapolis –

Strides for Stroke 5K

9 a.m. | Downtown Kannapolis 22

Stories Under the Stars: Steve Langley 7 p.m. | Kannapolis Library

23 Jazz Series: Dwayne Jordan Trio

1-3 p.m. | Veterans Park 30 Jazz Series: Nicci Canada Quartet | 1-3 p.m. | Veterans Park MAY 2 Run Kannapolis –

Jiggy with the Piggy 5K

6:30 p.m. | Downtown Kannapolis 5-6 Jiggy with the Piggy

Downtown Kannapolis | free live

concerts | jiggywiththepiggy.com 7

Jazz Series: Brad Bailey 1-3 p.m. | Veterans Park

11 Thursdays On Main - Evening:

Gary Lowder & Smokin Hot

6-9 p.m. | Veterans Park For a complete schedule, visit kannapolisnc.gov.

Sports & Entertainment Venue Design Approved

Continued from page 1

Held in downtown Kannapolis, this familyfriendly event includes: Tuesday, May 2 6:30 p.m.: Jiggy with the Piggy 5K Walk/ Run (runkannapolis.com) Thursday, May 4 1-5 p.m.: BBQ Competition Teams Arrive 4-7 p.m.: Kannapolis Farmers Market Open; Zucchini 600 Pre-build Workshop at the Farmers Market (We provide the zucchini; get tips and help building your racecar.)

Friday, May 5 8 a.m.-5 p.m.: BBQ Competition Teams Arrive 5 p.m.: Festival Opens – Food, Arts & Crafts, Carnival Rides 7 p.m.: People’s Choice Wings Begins (while supplies last) 8 p.m.: Family Movie Night, Veterans Park, Presented by 600 Festival; Live Concerts by Darrell Harwood, Little Texas 9 p.m.: People’s Choice Ends 9:45 p.m.: Fireworks Saturday, May 6 9 a.m.: Festival Opens – Food, Arts & Crafts, Carnival Rides; Live Concerts by Gal Friday, Coconut Groove Band, Joe Lasher 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Kids Zone Activities 12 Noon: People’s Choice Pork Challenge Begins (while supplies last) 2 p.m.: People’s Choice Pork Challenge Ends 5 p.m.: BBQ Awards Ceremony (Laureate Center) For more information, visit www.jiggywiththepiggy.com.

The design for the Kannapolis Sports and Entertainment Venue has been approved. The venue will be the home of the Kannapolis Intimidators and serve as an anchor for the redevelopment of downtown Kannapolis. The next step in the process is the completion of architectural drawings.

The venue will be located downtown on the site of the former K-Town Furniture. Market studies have shown a sports and entertainment venue would be a game changer with this facility and could bring an average of $26 million in private development investments to the immediate adjacent area. The entire Downtown Revitalization Project is expected to bring more than $370 million in private investment to Kannapolis once the revitalization project is completed.

The $37-million venue will be designed to have an intimate atmosphere for small and large groups with numerous seating options to enjoy baseball, concerts, festivals and many other events. The venue is envisioned as another piece of the city’s Discover a Healthy Life brand by functioning as a public park. The concourse will be 360 degrees and open to citizens who want to walk or run every day.

The design features industrial architectural elements, which will complement the current structures and the new streetscape on West Avenue. Existing West Avenue buildings will be an integral part of the venue with uses such as restaurants and shops. The plan calls for the sports and entertainment venue to be a key architectural feature of downtown, especially as one travels into the downtown core from N.C. 3 to Laureate Way. Expected attendance capacity for the facility is 5,800 with eight suites. The facility will have 8,500 square feet of meeting and banquet space, which will be available for special event leasing.

The City is creating a facility that appeals to many while taking advantage of the unique downtown location. The venue will include various dining options, seating arrangements, technology, event space and children’s spaces, which will create more options for entertainment and social experiences.

The City intends to have the facility open for the start of the 2020 baseball season.

Get Involved: Adopt a Street

Farmers Market to Open The Kannapolis Farmers Market will open Thursday, April 27, in time for you to enjoy an abundance of ripe strawberries.

The market will be held every Thursday, 4-7 p.m., at the corner of Vance Avenue and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard. The market continues through September.

Returning vendors offer a wide variety of fresh, local produce, as well as cheese, ice cream, honey, baked goods, spices, jewelry, crafts, soaps, lotions, candy, candles and bee pollen.

City of Kannapolis through the Adopta-Street program.

This partnership affords JDH and its employees the opportunity to show our support for the wonderful community in which we live and work,” John (J.D.) Harris, founder/CEO of JDH Contracting Inc., comments.

Are you looking for a community service project? Do you see trash on the side of the road and want to do something about it? Join the Adopt-aStreet program!

The Adopt-a-Street program recognizes organizations that commit to clean a one-mile section of Left to right: JDH Contracting employees Zack Daniels, street at least four Cindylu Brubaker, Winston Coles and Scott Fontenot times a year for two The City of Kannapolis appreciates years. Each organization is provided with their partnership, along with the other equipment, a street sign that recognizes organizations that have adopted streets the organization and a certificate of and are working to beautify the city. participation.

If you, your business or organization JDH Contracting has committed to the would like to join the Adopt-a-Street Adopt-a-Street program; you can find program, please contact Melissa Loveless their sign on Biscayne Drive. at mloveless@kannapolisnc.gov or visit kannapolisnc.gov/adoptastreet.

“We are honored to partner with the

Garbage and Recycling Cart Reminders Help us keep streets clear and prevent damage to your garbage and recycling carts by rolling them to the curb no later than 7 a.m. the morning of your scheduled pick-up day to prevent missed pick-ups.

Please place the carts at the curb with the lid opening toward the street and the wheels toward your residence.

The automated trucks cannot pick up the carts if they are not placed correctly and your garbage/recycling will not be collected.

Once your garbage and recycling have been picked up, please remove your carts from the curb until the next collection day to prevent carts from cluttering the street or becoming damaged.

If you have any questions or would like to report a missed pickup, please contact Public Works at 704-920-4200.

Sports & Entertainment Venue Design Approved

Continued from page 1

Held in downtown Kannapolis, this familyfriendly event includes: Tuesday, May 2 6:30 p.m.: Jiggy with the Piggy 5K Walk/ Run (runkannapolis.com) Thursday, May 4 1-5 p.m.: BBQ Competition Teams Arrive 4-7 p.m.: Kannapolis Farmers Market Open; Zucchini 600 Pre-build Workshop at the Farmers Market (We provide the zucchini; get tips and help building your racecar.)

Friday, May 5 8 a.m.-5 p.m.: BBQ Competition Teams Arrive 5 p.m.: Festival Opens – Food, Arts & Crafts, Carnival Rides 7 p.m.: People’s Choice Wings Begins (while supplies last) 8 p.m.: Family Movie Night, Veterans Park, Presented by 600 Festival; Live Concerts by Darrell Harwood, Little Texas 9 p.m.: People’s Choice Ends 9:45 p.m.: Fireworks Saturday, May 6 9 a.m.: Festival Opens – Food, Arts & Crafts, Carnival Rides; Live Concerts by Gal Friday, Coconut Groove Band, Joe Lasher 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Kids Zone Activities 12 Noon: People’s Choice Pork Challenge Begins (while supplies last) 2 p.m.: People’s Choice Pork Challenge Ends 5 p.m.: BBQ Awards Ceremony (Laureate Center) For more information, visit www.jiggywiththepiggy.com.

The design for the Kannapolis Sports and Entertainment Venue has been approved. The venue will be the home of the Kannapolis Intimidators and serve as an anchor for the redevelopment of downtown Kannapolis. The next step in the process is the completion of architectural drawings.

The venue will be located downtown on the site of the former K-Town Furniture. Market studies have shown a sports and entertainment venue would be a game changer with this facility and could bring an average of $26 million in private development investments to the immediate adjacent area. The entire Downtown Revitalization Project is expected to bring more than $370 million in private investment to Kannapolis once the revitalization project is completed.

The $37-million venue will be designed to have an intimate atmosphere for small and large groups with numerous seating options to enjoy baseball, concerts, festivals and many other events. The venue is envisioned as another piece of the city’s Discover a Healthy Life brand by functioning as a public park. The concourse will be 360 degrees and open to citizens who want to walk or run every day.

The design features industrial architectural elements, which will complement the current structures and the new streetscape on West Avenue. Existing West Avenue buildings will be an integral part of the venue with uses such as restaurants and shops. The plan calls for the sports and entertainment venue to be a key architectural feature of downtown, especially as one travels into the downtown core from N.C. 3 to Laureate Way. Expected attendance capacity for the facility is 5,800 with eight suites. The facility will have 8,500 square feet of meeting and banquet space, which will be available for special event leasing.

The City is creating a facility that appeals to many while taking advantage of the unique downtown location. The venue will include various dining options, seating arrangements, technology, event space and children’s spaces, which will create more options for entertainment and social experiences.

The City intends to have the facility open for the start of the 2020 baseball season.

Get Involved: Adopt a Street

Farmers Market to Open The Kannapolis Farmers Market will open Thursday, April 27, in time for you to enjoy an abundance of ripe strawberries.

The market will be held every Thursday, 4-7 p.m., at the corner of Vance Avenue and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard. The market continues through September.

Returning vendors offer a wide variety of fresh, local produce, as well as cheese, ice cream, honey, baked goods, spices, jewelry, crafts, soaps, lotions, candy, candles and bee pollen.

City of Kannapolis through the Adopta-Street program.

This partnership affords JDH and its employees the opportunity to show our support for the wonderful community in which we live and work,” John (J.D.) Harris, founder/CEO of JDH Contracting Inc., comments.

Are you looking for a community service project? Do you see trash on the side of the road and want to do something about it? Join the Adopt-aStreet program!

The Adopt-a-Street program recognizes organizations that commit to clean a one-mile section of Left to right: JDH Contracting employees Zack Daniels, street at least four Cindylu Brubaker, Winston Coles and Scott Fontenot times a year for two The City of Kannapolis appreciates years. Each organization is provided with their partnership, along with the other equipment, a street sign that recognizes organizations that have adopted streets the organization and a certificate of and are working to beautify the city. participation.

If you, your business or organization JDH Contracting has committed to the would like to join the Adopt-a-Street Adopt-a-Street program; you can find program, please contact Melissa Loveless their sign on Biscayne Drive. at mloveless@kannapolisnc.gov or visit kannapolisnc.gov/adoptastreet.

“We are honored to partner with the

Garbage and Recycling Cart Reminders Help us keep streets clear and prevent damage to your garbage and recycling carts by rolling them to the curb no later than 7 a.m. the morning of your scheduled pick-up day to prevent missed pick-ups.

Please place the carts at the curb with the lid opening toward the street and the wheels toward your residence.

The automated trucks cannot pick up the carts if they are not placed correctly and your garbage/recycling will not be collected.

Once your garbage and recycling have been picked up, please remove your carts from the curb until the next collection day to prevent carts from cluttering the street or becoming damaged.

If you have any questions or would like to report a missed pickup, please contact Public Works at 704-920-4200.

Intimidators Baseball is Back!

KANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL M. Darrell Hinnant Mayor

It’s time for fans to once again “step up to the plate” as the Kannapolis Intimidators embark on the 23rd season of professional baseball in our community. Opening Night – April 6 – features a special appearance by MLB legend, Darryl Strawberry, and begins a summer full of 70 home games featuring affordable family entertainment for residents of Kannapolis and Cabarrus County.

dhinnant@kannapolisnc.gov

Doug Wilson Mayor Pro-tem Dianne Berry

dberry@kannapolisnc.gov

Ryan G. Dayvault

rdayvault@kannapolisnc.gov

Roger Haas

roger@racetocharlotte.com

Darrell Jackson

dljackson@kannapolisnc.gov

Tom Kincaid

tkincaid@kannapolisnc.gov

Follow the City on Facebook (facebook. com/cityofkannapolis) and Twitter (twitter.com#Kannapolis) for regular updates and more ideas for fun.

The City of Kannapolis 401 Laureate Way Kannapolis, NC 28081 704.920.4300 www.kannapolisnc.gov

Intimidators that made their MLB debut during the 2016 season.

This year’s team is being managed by former Intimidators player-turned-coach, Justin Jirschele, who served as a middleinfielder for Kannapolis in 2013 and reached Triple-A in 2015 before beginning his coaching career. Jirschele, 26, will be the youngest manager in Minor League Baseball when the season opens.

Each Intimidators game provides fans with a peek into the future by seeing MLB’s stars of tomorrow. Since the team moved to Kannapolis in 1995, a total of 93 players have gone from Kannapolis to the Major Leagues, including eight more former

April 7 Run Kannapolis – Rhythm & Run 5K

6:30 p.m. | Downtown Kannapolis

Every game is an event, with special promotions on the calendar all season long. Fireworks are scheduled for most Saturdays, starting with the game on April 8. Additional highlights will include the team’s first-ever Hawaiian Vacation Giveaway Night (May 6), Superhero Night (June 3), Disney Vacation Giveaway Night (June 17) and Star Wars Night (July 22).

Fans can also celebrate Independence Day at the ballpark with three patriotic fireworks displays following Intimidators games on July 1 and July 3, as well as the team’s fourth annual All-American Community Celebration and Fireworks Show on July 4.

dwilson@kannapolisnc.gov

Calendar of Events

APRIL 2017

This season, the Intimidators will also salute veterans and the Armed Forces. Every Friday night the team will wear special military appreciation jerseys. Fans will have a chance to enter to win these star-spangled uniforms as part of special raffles to benefit local veterans groups at the team’s Military Appreciation games on April 7 and July 21.

Intimidators games are a great way for families to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, reunions and other special events while companies can easily host client events in a relaxed and entertaining environment. The Intimidators provide nohassle group options including all-you-caneat picnics as well as on-field recognition and experiences like throwing out a ceremonial first pitch for select groups.

7-9 Irish Creek Collegiate

Tournament

Irish Creek Golf Course 8

Kannapolis Cruise-In 1-7 p.m. | Downtown Kannapolis

8

Youth Painting Class Village Park | $25 per person

18 Parks & Recreation Day Trip: Reed Gold Mine

12:30-5 p.m. | $20 per person

Jiggy with the Piggy: Better Than Ever

22 Earth Day Shred Event

10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Village Park

T

his year’s Jiggy with the Piggy is going to be better than ever! We have added new events, first-class entertainment and much more. Make plans now to join us the first week of May! The smells and sights of 80 barbeque competition teams return to downtown Kannapolis on May 5 and 6. Barbeque teams from across the U.S. will compete in the competition at the North Carolina Research Campus sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society.

The public can get in on the fun during the two-day festival, Little Texas performs on May 5. sponsored by Smithfield, with more than 100 arts & crafts vendors, concerts, a 5K walk/run, and a People’s Choice wings and pork tasting. This year the Kannapolis Firefighter’s Association will be bringing their cooking skills back to the festival and selling barbeque to the public during the festival.

More events have also been added for children, like building a racecar out of zucchini and racing for prizes in the Zucchini 600. There will be a Community Children’s Concert and the popular Movies on Campus returns, sponsored by the 600 Festival.

Continued on page 2

22 Run Kannapolis –

Strides for Stroke 5K

9 a.m. | Downtown Kannapolis 22

Stories Under the Stars: Steve Langley 7 p.m. | Kannapolis Library

23 Jazz Series: Dwayne Jordan Trio

1-3 p.m. | Veterans Park 30 Jazz Series: Nicci Canada Quartet | 1-3 p.m. | Veterans Park MAY 2 Run Kannapolis –

Jiggy with the Piggy 5K

6:30 p.m. | Downtown Kannapolis 5-6 Jiggy with the Piggy

Downtown Kannapolis | free live

concerts | jiggywiththepiggy.com 7

Jazz Series: Brad Bailey 1-3 p.m. | Veterans Park

11 Thursdays On Main - Evening:

Gary Lowder & Smokin Hot

6-9 p.m. | Veterans Park For a complete schedule, visit kannapolisnc.gov.