What's next? It will take some time to sort out.

No. 1

Were you surprised by Tuesday’s election results? I wasn’t surprised that some Democrats won. I am surprised by how many and by some of the margins.

Not many people are talking about the bonds. To me, the results were disappointing. The jobs of newly elected county commissioners and school board members became more difficult even before they took office.

That low-tax business environment touted by Raleigh is fueling massive growth and flooding our schools and roads. The school bonds were meant to catch up and meet some of the school’s needs.

New and existing leaders will have to find alternative ways to pay for the facilities needed.

No. 2

I am glad Concord was able to pass a parks bond a couple of years ago. City residents are already reaping the benefits.

Kannapolis was not so fortunate. The bond’s failure means city leaders will struggle to find a way to build the parks they want.

Some voters don’t understand why governments use bond funding. In almost all cases, building something now is cheaper than building piecemeal, pay-as-you-go. Costs seem to go up every day.

No. 3

Burger King on Concord Parkway is in the midst of an $800,000 renovation. It is part of an ongoing upgrade across the company’s entire footprint.

The Kannapolis Burger King at 800 N. Cannon Blvd. held a grand reopening in April, 2025. Officials called the new design there the “Sizzle.” That project brought:

Self-service digital ordering kiosks.
A redesigned, double-lane drive-thru with an automated voice system.
A designated area for mobile and delivery orders.
New interior features, including a family-sized King Booth, Crown Wall and Whopper artwork.
Updated exterior signage and branding.

I expect the Concord Burger King will get similar features. The company’s plans call for modernizing 85 to 90 percent of its stores by 2028.

The Concord Parkway Burger King renovation is expected to cost about $800,000. Photo courtesy of Mark Plemmons.

No. 4

Voting is underway for 1CAN’s Community Can Sculpture Contest. Groups collected canned goods, then arranged them into a variety of items. The McGill Youth Group made a hot dog. I’m partial to this one. I love hot dogs, and it’s the kids from our church. The SOJO Church Youth Group created one, as did the Kannapolis Youth Council. Several businesses and government groups participated.

Voting in the 1CAN structure contest runs through noon on Thursday. Image courtesy of Mark Plemmons.

The aim is to raise awareness about food insecurity. The cans will go to Blessing Boxes across the community.

The public can view the entries and vote for their favorite sculpture once per day through noon on Thursday, Nov. 12. Voting is available at pollunit.com/polls/1CanSculptures. The contest supports 1CAN’s mission of helping neighbors in need, one can at a time.

No. 5

Happy Veterans Day to the many in our community who served. Several events celebrate this week. There are plenty of other fun activities going on too. Here’s list we have:

This weekend — World of Outlaws World Finals: The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord hosts four days of championship dirt-track racing featuring the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, World of Outlaws Late Models and Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds. The season-ending event draws competitors and fans from across the country.

Saturday, Nov. 7 — Veterans Salute 5K/10K: The City of Concord Parks and Recreation Department and American Legion Post 51 will host the Veterans Salute 5K/10K in downtown Concord. A free one-mile fun run begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5K and 10K races at 9 a.m. The start and finish area is on McCachern Boulevard near the Cabarrus County parking lot. Family activities include inflatables, a balloon artist and a military Humvee. Information: runsignup.com.

Saturday, Nov. 7 — Veterans Day Book Sale: The Friends of the Midland Library will hold its annual Veterans Day Book Sale from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at Black-Phillips American Legion Post 433 in Midland. The sale benefits the Midland Library and features fiction, history and children’s books. A Toys for Tots collection box will be available for donations of new, unwrapped toys.

Saturday, Nov. 7 — Old Armor 5K for Heroes: The Run Kannapolis series continues with the Old Armor 5K for Heroes, beginning at 8 a.m. in Kannapolis. The event honors veterans and is part of the city’s annual running series.

Wednesday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day Bell Ringing and Quilts of Valor: The Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society will honor local veterans with a special program at 11 a.m. at the College Street entrance in Mount Pleasant. Bells will ring to commemorate the end of World War I, followed by a Quilts of Valor presentation recognizing four veterans: Harvey Lee Barringer Jr. (Army, Vietnam), Howard Rainey (Army, Vietnam), Charles Rhodes (Air Force, Cold War) and Bruce Shoe (Army, Gulf War). The public is invited to ring the museum bell in honor or memory of a veteran. The event is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and veterans’ mementos.

Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 7-8 — RIPFEST: The Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 N.C. 49 in Concord, hosts RIPFEST, a two-day event. Ticket information is available at cabarrusarena.com.

Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 22 — Carolina Renaissance Festival: The Carolina Renaissance Festival continues at 16445 Poplar Tent Road, along the Huntersville-Concord border. The festival features jousting knights, costumed performers, falconry, music, comedy, games, food and an artisan marketplace. Hours are 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Nov. 11-22 — Southern Christmas Show: The Southern Christmas Show returns to The Park Expo & Conference Center, 800 Briar Creek Road in Charlotte, for 12 days of holiday shopping and entertainment. The annual tradition features hundreds of vendors offering Christmas decorations, gifts, apparel, jewelry, toys, specialty foods and seasonal displays. Information: southernchristmasshow.com.

Friday, Nov. 13 — Kannapolis Christmas Tree Lighting: Kannapolis kicks off the Christmas season at 6:30 p.m. at Village Park, 700 W. C St. The free celebration includes live music and entertainment, followed by fireworks.

Nov. 13-Dec. 30 — Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express: Village Park in Kannapolis will feature thousands of Christmas lights, the Winterland Express train, carousel, Santa visits and holiday activities. Hours are 5:30-9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5:30-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The park is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Admission to view the lights is free; tickets are required for the train and carousel.

Sunday, Nov. 15 — Vegan Vibes: Cabarrus Brewing Company, 329 McGill Ave. NW in Concord, hosts Vegan Vibes Music Series Fall Edition from noon-5 p.m. The event features live music, vegan food trucks and vendors.

Friday, Nov. 20 — Concord Christmas Tree Lighting: The City of Concord holds its 29th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony from 6-9 p.m. in downtown Concord. The free celebration features live music, food trucks, children’s activities, Santa and Mrs. Claus at Courthouse Plaza and fireworks. Country band Saddletramp will perform on the main stage, with youth performances on a second stage.

Nov. 20-Jan. 3 — Speedway Christmas: Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts its annual drive-through holiday light display, featuring more than 5 million lights along a four-mile route through the speedway complex.

Saturday, Nov. 21 — Concord Christmas Parade: The 98th annual Concord Christmas Parade, presented by Eli Lilly, begins at 2:30 p.m. The free parade features floats, marching bands, schools, churches and civic organizations. The route begins at Church Street North and Lake Concord Road and continues along Church Street, Buffalo Avenue and Union Street, ending at Corban Avenue.

Saturday, Nov. 21 — The Geekery Market: The Geekery Market returns to Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 N.C. 49 in Concord, beginning at 10 a.m. The event features artists, makers, collectibles, games, books and pop-culture merchandise.

Nov. 27-29 — Christmas Extravaganza: Cabarrus Arena & Events Center hosts its fifth annual Christmas Extravaganza, featuring holiday shopping and vendors.

Dec. 5-6 — Christmas Festival at Cabarrus Brewing: Cabarrus Brewing Company and Cabarrus Festivals host a two-day holiday celebration featuring vendors, Santa photos, live music, children’s activities and seasonal entertainment.

Saturday, Dec. 12 — Kannapolis Christmas Parade: The annual nighttime Christmas parade begins at 6 p.m. in downtown Kannapolis, featuring illuminated floats, marching bands, community groups and Santa Claus.

Dec. 18-20 — A Christmas Carol: The Swanee Theatre in downtown Kannapolis is scheduled to present a stage production of the Charles Dickens holiday classic.

Don’t see your event? Coming Up in Cabarrus highlights activities throughout Cabarrus County and surrounding communities. To submit an event for consideration, email plemmons.mark@gmail.com.

If you have anything for the Friday Five or something I can rant about, email Plemmons.mark@gmail.com or text me at 704-786-0001.

The Cabarrus Compass

Friday Five: How are we going to build needed…