Changes will be coming to the Village Park concerts. Atrium Health Cabarrus continues to expand as Cabarrus County continues to grow.

No. 1

How many of you have attended a summer concert at Village Park in Kannapolis? We’ve been to many over the years. Last year we saw Cheap Trick. Changes are coming as the City of Kannapolis looks for ways to save money.

There was an interesting article in The Salisbury Post this week about discuss at a recent Kannapolis planning retreat

One idea is to charge a fee for non-Kannapolis residents. An issue that comes with that is the need for temporary fencing and additional security, which would wipe out some of the savings.

Another idea discussed was prohibiting coolers and encouraging attendees to buy more food and drinks from the venue or food trucks.

I like to take a cooler, but have bought food and drink there too. The lines were long and slow. The city will need to fix that if they go the cooler route.

Another idea is to bookend the summer with the bigger acts and have most of the concerts by cheaper, regional bands.

Hopefully, city leaders will come up with a balanced approach that saves the concert series.

No. 2

The steel and elevator shifts are towering over Atrium Health Cabarrus as the expansion continues.

Construction of a $130 million expansion at Atrium Health Cabarrus has reached a major milestone with the placement of the final steel beam on a new patient care tower.

The project will add three stories and more than 89,000 square feet to the hospital’s existing heart and vascular tower, providing 90 additional inpatient beds, including 30 intensive care beds. The expansion is designed to meet growing demand for hospital services in Cabarrus County and the surrounding region, particularly specialized cardiovascular care.

“Cabarrus County continues to experience tremendous growth, and Atrium Health is committed to ensuring our communities have access to nationally recognized care close to home,” said Asha Rodriguez, president of Atrium Health Cabarrus.

The expansion is expected to be completed in early 2028.

No. 3

Longtime local journalist David Whisenant has released a new book, Yellow Tape Prayers: Notes from the Field that Inspired and Sustained My Faith.

David reported on Rowan and Cabarrus counties for WBTV News for many years. There aren’t many people who care about our community as much as he does.

David Whisenant holds a copy of his new book at Main Street Books. David Whisenant/Facebook

The book is available for $20 at South Main Book Company in Salisbury, where Whisenant will hold a book signing Saturday, Nov. 14, from 3-5 p.m. I love this book store. The workers post notes on books they suggest to readers.

A second signing is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21, from 1-3 p.m. at Something Special in Midland.

Whisenant shared the news on social media with a little humor, suggesting readers could purchase a copy for themselves “or to annoy that person that bothers you. Either way, it’s a win!”

No. 4

Biscuit Belly will open its first converted Maple Street Biscuit Company restaurant Saturday, Nov. 14, at 8921 Christenbury Parkway in Concord.

The former Maple Street location closed Nov. 2 for renovations and employee training. The Concord restaurant is the first of several acquired locations that will transition to Biscuit Belly over the next two years as the company works toward expanding to more than 60 restaurants by the end of 2028.

Known for scratch-made biscuits, oversized biscuit sandwiches and Southern-inspired breakfast and brunch dishes, Biscuit Belly will celebrate its Concord opening with a week of specials.

This is the mural in the Biscuit Belly in Concord, which opens Saturday. Biscuit Belly photo.

Customers will receive 50% off purchases Nov. 14-15, free drip coffee Nov. 16, $6 Basic Biscuits Nov. 17 and $3 specialty coffees Nov. 19. First responders, healthcare professionals and frontline workers can receive a free Basic Biscuit Sandwich and beverage in-store Nov. 18.

A grand reopening celebration Friday, Nov. 20, will feature a ribbon cutting, free drip coffee, giveaways and an opportunity for the first 50 guests to win free Biscuit Belly for a year.

I hope the price structure is better than Maple Street. You know I’m cheap, but others agreed with me that Maple Street was a bit pricey.

This is a Dutch Brothers Coffee in Texas. One is being built on Concord Parkway. Dutch Brothers Coffee photo

Here are a couple of other notes of interest:

Dutch Brothers Coffee is coming to 4045 Concord Parkway South. The building is near the new McDonald’s and Chipotle (between Pitts School Road and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The mall Santa Clauses will be here soon. Santa arrives at Concord Mills on Friday, Nov. 20. Carolina Mall’s Santa will be in Centercourt beginning Friday, Nov. 27.

No. 5

Holiday events fill the calendar of things to do, but there are plenty of other events going on. Here are some that we know about:

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 features live music and entertainment, followed by fireworks at approximately 6:45 p.m.

Nov. 13-Dec. 30 — Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express: Village Park in Kannapolis will be illuminated with thousands of Christmas lights, with the Winterland Express train, carousel, Santa visits, Singing Bears 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; train and carousel rides require tickets.

Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 14-15 — Dixie Gun & Knife Show: Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 N.C. 49 in Concord, hosts the two-day collectors’ show featuring firearms, knives and related merchandise. Information: 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.

Nov. 11-22 — Southern Christmas Show: The Southern Christmas Show continues at The Park Expo & Conference Center, 800 Briar Creek Road in Charlotte. The annual holiday shopping event features hundreds of vendors offering Christmas decorations, gifts, apparel, jewelry, toys, specialty foods and seasonal displays. Hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays through Wednesdays. Information: southernchristmasshow.com.

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.

Monday, Nov. 16 — Music Bingo: Cabarrus Brewing Company hosts a free music bingo event from 6-8 p.m. in its taproom.

Tuesday, Nov. 17 — Country Swing Dance: Cabarrus Brewing Company hosts free country swing dancing from 7-9 p.m. in the upstairs mezzanine. No partner is required.

Thursday, Nov. 19 — Paint & Sip: Cabarrus Brewing Company hosts a Paint & Sip event from 6-8 p.m.

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 in Courthouse Plaza, a screening of The Polar Express and fireworks.

Nov. 20-Jan. 3 — Speedway Christmas: Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts its 17th annual drive-through holiday light display, featuring more than 6 million lights along a nearly four-mile route. The show is open nightly from 6-10 p.m., except Christmas Eve. A Christmas Village, holiday movies, Santa visits and other activities are offered on selected nights. Admission is charged per vehicle. Information: charlottemotorspeedway.com.

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, books, collectibles, games and pop-culture merchandise.

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

Saturday, Dec. 5 — Mount Pleasant Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting: Mount Pleasant celebrates the holiday season with its annual Christmas Parade beginning at 3:30 p.m. along North Main Street. Festivities continue at Town Hall, 8590 Park Drive, beginning at 4:30 p.m. with food and children’s games. The official Christmas tree lighting takes place at 5:30 p.m. Children ages 3-10 can register at the event for a chance to help light the tree. Information: www.mtpleasantnc.org or 704-436-9800, ext. 1003.

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 will Kannapolis concerts…