Category Archives: Community events

Week 4: Spiders, Warriors, Cougars and more

Radio Free Cabarrus will have announcers at Concord for the Spiders home opener against the Cabarrus Warriors. John Voncannon and Trey Betler call the action on the NFHS Network. Other games can be found there by searching for your team’s name.

485 Sports/Radio Free Cabarrus will also feature a multi-camera broadcast of the 10th Annual Patriotic Bowl on YouTube between Blessed Trinity from Georgia and Charlotte Catholic.

Spectacular pregame show leading to gridiron battle at Patriotic Bowl

On Friday night, September 10, the greater Charlotte region will continue a legacy. The Tenth
Annual Patriotism Bowl will be played at Keffer Stadium featuring the Cougars of Charlotte Catholic and
Atlanta powerhouse Blessed Trinity Catholic High School to benefit organizations with missions to
encourage patriotism; support our first responders, veterans, active military and their families; and
recognize selfless service.

Watch on YouTube or NFHS Network

485 Sports/Radio Free Cabarrus will broadcast all the action beginning at 6:45 p.m. on YouTube – Blessed Trinity vs. Charlotte Catholic.

Some of the highlights

This game will celebrate a number of highlights:

  1. An ESP ASSOCIATES Sponsored Skydiving Exhibition is planned – always a crowd pleaser!
  2. An APOLLO RETAIL Sponsored Helicopter Landing is delivering the Coin Toss Guest to the
    stadium, while CHARLOTTE UAV will deliver the game ball via drone during the coin toss.
  3. An Acuity Environmental Sponsored VIP tent will provide dinner for guests and media personnel.
  4. The two teams will be wearing custom-designed Bowl jerseys.
  5. The National Anthem will be a moving performance by the Charlotte Catholic High School Band.
  6. The Coin Toss Guest will be a special surprise guest (hint: he is future NFL Hall Of Fame).
  7. The game will have more than 4,000 spectators, and expects to break a Patriotism Bowl
    Attendance record, currently held by Belmont’s South Pointe High School (2019 – approx. 4300).
  8. There will be patriotic music and entertainment for the entire family.
  9. The game will be streamed Nationally by 485 Sports at https://youtu.be/or2Ysk4qhDE
    This will be an outstanding football game in its own right. Blessed Trinity has one of the top running
    backs in the nation in Justice Hayes (3rd best player in Class of 2023 Rivals.Com) who is the #1 running
    back in GA with over 3500 yards rushing and 43 TD’s going into his Junior Year. Catholic features its own
    highly ranked Junior in Sean Boyle, a highly touted QB from the class of 2023, as well as the nation’s top
    tight end in the class of 2024, Jack Larsen, who has already received offers from several power five
    schools including UNC, USC and NC State as a rising sophomore.
    This special night is the continuation of what has become a proud tradition for the local area. If you
    want more information about this remarkable event, visit the
    website at www.patriotismbowl.org.

COVID-19 pushing sports back until at May 18


The N.C. High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) issed this statement on Governor Roy Cooper’s order to close schools through May 15th:

CHAPEL HILL – In response to Governor Roy Cooper’s executive order closing all North Carolina public schools through May 15th, North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Commissioner Que Tucker released the following statement:

“Having heard the updated information relative to schools remaining closed until the middle of May, NCHSAA interscholastic athletics will remain suspended until at least May 18.

The NCHSAA Board of Directors and staff will use the next few weeks to weigh our future decisions based on the new directions given by Governor Cooper, other government leaders, and organizations charged with public health and safety during this unprecedented time. Such decisions will include the possible resumption of spring sports’ competition and the possibility of holding the state basketball championships.

While we remain hopeful that we will be able to resume competition, particularly for our senior student-athletes, we also recognize the need to protect the health and safety of our students, coaches and the communities we serve.”

Concord vs. Kannapolis

The Concord Spiders and the A.L. Brown Wonders battle in South Piedmont Conference basketball at Bullock Gym in Kannapolis Friday, Jan. 10, 2020.

John Voncannon and Chris Hudson will call the action on Radio Free Cabarrus/485 Sports’ broadcast of the varsity games on the NFHS Network.

Concord at A.L. Brown girls game

The Wonders come into this game with a 4-10 overall record and 0-1 in the SPC after an conference opener against Northwest Cabarrus.

The Spiders are opening conference play, coming in with a 5-9 record.

Concord at A.L. Brown boys game

The Wonders are coming off a buzzer-beating win over Northwest Cabarrus. Kannapolis is 11-2 overall and 1-0 in the SPC.

The Spiders are opening conference play with a 6-7 overall record.

Other Cabarrus games

Cox Mill at Northwest Cabarrus

Central Cabarrus at Jay M. Robinson

Mount Pleasant at Forest Hills

These games will also be broadcast on NFHS Network. Schools in Union County and Iredell-Statesville are also on the NFHS Network.

Sponsor spotlight

Greater Charlotte Home & Landscape Show returns

Ati Williams of HGTV to share home improvement tips with show guests

The Greater Charlotte Home and Landscape Show will return in January to provide guests with the latest trends and products in home improvement, gardening, landscaping and outdoor décor.

Hosted by Marketplace Events and featuring a wide variety of exhibitors, the show will be held at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center in Concord, where guests will be able to stroll through a variety of garden and landscape displays, shop for unique gifts, sample a variety of local wines and receive advice from experts in remodeling, flooring and much more.

At the Main Stage, guests will hear presentations from Ati Williams of HGTV. Williams was the host of HGTV’s “DC Flippers” and is the Principal of Honeycomb Residential. A renovation ninja, general contractor and design creative, Williams became interested in renovation and real estate when she purchased her first home and has since worked on dozens of renovations, from cosmetic builds to complete gut rehabs.

Pets for adoption from the Humane Society of Concord & Greater Cabarrus County as well as Krietzer’s Critter Corral Puppy Rescue will also be on hand at the show.

The show will be held from Friday, Jan. 24, through Sunday, Jan. 26. Show hours will be from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. On-site parking is free, and a concession area open during show hours will feature a selection of snacks and beverages.   

Tickets for adults cost $9 at the door and $7 online. Tickets for children 12 and younger are free.

For more information, visit www.charlottehomeandlandscapeshow.com.

Fair and football

It’s a football Friday and the opening day of the Cabarrus County Fair. Tonight, Friday, Sept. 6, you can take your ticket stuff from any Cabarrus high school football game and get free admission to the fair.

Game night

Central Cabarrus at Mount Pleasant on YouTube Live Also on radio WEGO 98.3 FM, 1410 AM, Memories983.com

Monroe at Jay M. Robinson on NFHS Network

Sun Valley at Concord on NFHS Network

Northwest Cabarrus at Jesse Carson

Cox Mill at West Rowan on WSAT 103.3 FM, 1280 AM, Memories1033.com

Cabarrus Warriors at Christ School

The Independent Tribune has previews of each of these games.

Fast Facts on the Fair

A blue ribbon winning watermelon from the 2018 Cabarrus County Fair.

Cabarrus County Fair Facts

Dates: September 6 to 14, 2019

Location: Cabarrus Arena and Events Center (4751 NC-49, Concord)

2019 Fair hours: Weekdays, 4 to 10 p.m.; Fridays, 4 to 11 p.m.; Saturdays, 1 to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 10 p.m.

2019 Fair Theme: Fairly Extraordinary (logo available upon request)

Fair website: www.cabarruscountyfair.com

Fair Facebook: www.facebook.com/cabarruscountyfair

Fair Twitter: @cabarrusfair

2019 Gate specials (rides not included):

·         Saturday, September 7 – Opening Celebration
Free general gate admission for all from 1 to 2 p.m.

·         Sunday, September 8 – Cooperative Christian Ministries Canned Food Drive
Free general gate admission for all from 1 to 3 p.m. with four canned food items per adult and two canned food items per child. All food brands are accepted.

·         Monday, September 9 – Discount Night

$20 ride wristband ($5 savings); $3 general gate admission for ages 6 to 11 ($2 savings); $5 general gate admission for ages 12 and older ($3 savings).

·         Tuesday, September 10 – Family Fun Night
$4 general gate admission for all.

·         Thursday, September 11 – Salute to Seniors Night
FREE general gate admission for ages 55 and older from 4 to 6 p.m.

·         Catch the Fair for FREE on Fridays
Get FREE general gate admission with your high school football game ticket stub on Friday, September 6 and Friday, September 13.


Onsite ticket prices: General gate admission to the fair is $8 for ages 12 to 54; $5 for ages 55+ and those with military ID; and $5 for ages 6 to 11. Ages 5 and younger admitted free. Parking is free. All transactions at the Fair are cash only. ATMs are located at the main gate and throughout the midway, but do carry a surcharge.No re-entry, refunds, rainchecks or exchanges.

Ride ticket information: Ride tickets are available for purchase inside the fairgrounds at Powers Midway ticket booths. One strip of four tickets is $5 and one sheet of 22 tickets is $20. Ride wristbands ($25) allow unlimited mechanical ride access for one day (Air Raid not included). Children under 36 inches can ride the Merry Go Round, Fun Slide and Kiddie Wheel for free with a paying adult (16 years and older).

Shuttle service: Cabarrus County Transportation Service (CCTS) provides complimentary parking lot shuttle van service for the satellite lots on the weekends. CCTS vans run the following hours:

Saturday, September 7, noon to midnight

Sunday, September 8, noon to midnight

Friday, September 13, 6 p.m. to midnight

Saturday, September 14, noon to midnight

Entertainment: There’s plenty of Fair just beyond the midway. The Cabarrus County Fair features a butterfly encounter, petting zoo, livestock displays, sand castle carving, milking booth and educational exhibits. New this year is the Ninja Experience, a team of martial arts experts that wow audiences with high to flying, jaw-dropping performances. Returning fan-favorites include live performances by Mountain Mike chainsaw creations, Robinson’s Racing Pigs, Rust and Flame Blacksmithing and Rockstar Karaoke. Watch live demonstrations from local beekeepers, Master Gardeners and wood turners. Stop by the open forge fire for sustainable living demonstrations and view local farm equipment on display.

See www.cabarruscountyfair.com for entertainment details, which are subject to change.

Country 103.7 Outside Stage performances:

Friday, September 6: 2019 Fair Pageant 7 p.m.; Live music 8:30 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, September 7: Live music 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Sunday, September 8: Rockstar Karaoke 4:30 to 6 p.m. and 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Monday, September 9: Live music 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, September 10: Cooking demo 6 p.m.; Live music 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 11: Live music 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 12: Live music 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Friday, September 13: Live music 7 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, September 14: Rockstar Karaoke 4:30 to 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Background: The Cabarrus County Agricultural Fair began in 1953. The 2018 Cabarrus County Fair received 16 awards form the International Association of Agricultural Fairs and Expos (IAFE) and three awards from the North Carolina Association of Agricultural Fairs. For more information visit www.cabarruscountyfair.com or follow www.facebook.com/cabarruscountyfair.

2 Titles and a Bell

Weather is messing with the high school football schedule again, but this is the schedule of broadcasts we have currently:

Rocky River Conference title

The game has been moved to Monday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m.

The Mount Pleasant Tigers host the West Stanly Colts to close the regular season at 7:00 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5. Pregame on the NFHS Network is at 6:30 p.m.

The winner takes the Rocky River Conference title.

Independent schools playoffs

Southlake Christian hosts Hickory Grove Christian in the first round of the playoffs. Pregame is set for 6:45 p.m. with kickoff at 7 p.m. on NFHS Network.

South Piedmont Conference title

Cox Mill hosts Northwest Cabarrus in the Battle of the Coddle Creek Cup, but it is also going to decide the South Piedmont Conference championship. Pregame will be at 6:15 p.m. with kickoff at 6:30 Saturday, Nov. 3, on the NFHS Network. Both teams are undefeated in conference play.

Battle for the Bell

Concord hosts A.L. Brown in the Battle for the Bell at Robert C. Bailey Stadium Saturday, Nov. 3. Pregame is set for 5:45 p.m. with kickoff at 6 p.m. on NFHS Network.

Use the code RFC for a 10 percent discount.

The 485 Sports Report

Private School Whip Around

 

Shaked’s Take

 

The Southern Christmas Show is Nov. 8-18 at the Park Expo and Convention Center.

 

Non-conference Friday

Radio Free Cabarrus is broadcasting three games on NFHSNetwork.com tonight, Friday, Sept. 28.

Shelby at Mt. Pleasant

West Rowan at Cox Mill

Philip O. Berry at Concord

Pregame shows begin at 7 p.m. with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

Last week’s broadcasts

Jay M. Robinson rallies late to beat Mt. Pleasant

Central Cabarrus cruised over Jesse Carson

Due to technical difficulties the game is broken into segments and the audio bad. The video is linked below:

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

Carolina Renaissance Festival starts this weekend

 

Use the code RFC for a 10 percent discount.

Defensive back Cody Cline (5)returns the football for a touchdown early second half for Cox Mill in the game against South Iredell earlier this season.

Wednesday night football

Radio Free Cabarrus will broadcast one game tonight, Wednesday, Sept. 12. The plan had been to broadcast three games, but Anson at Jay M. Robinson was postponed. Another game, North Stanly at Northwest Cabarrus is still a go, but our broadcast location is outside and with a 40 to 50 percent chance of thundershowers at game time we made the decision to cancel our broadcast.

RFC will be broadcasting East Rowan at Mount Pleasant on the NFHS Network. Pregame is 6:15 with kickoff at 6:30.

Free replays of Sept. 7 games

Northwest Cabarrus over Hickory Ridge

Cox Mill over South Iredell

Mount Pleasant over Concord

Note: A technical issue caused the Tigers and Spiders broadcast to drop out and be incomplete.

Cabarrus County Fair Week

The Cabarrus County Fair is scheduled to continue through Saturday, Sept. 15. Check the fair website for all the details.

Carolina Renaissance Festival coming

The Carolina Renaissance Festival begins the weekend of Sept. 29 and runs Saturday and Sundays through Nov. 18.

 

Replays of last week, three more live this week

Radio Free Cabarrus will broadcast three more games this week, Sept. 7, on NFHSnetwork.com:

Concord at Mt. Pleasant

Northwest Cabarrus at Hickory Ridge

South Iredell at Cox Mill

Replays of Aug. 31 games

Here are replays of the game RFC broadcast on Aug. 31

Central Cabarrus 42 Mt. Pleasant 0

Hough 33 Concord 0

Hickory Ridge 55 Jay M. Robinson 12

Cabarrus County Fair starts Friday, Sept. 7

Cabarrus County Fair Facts

Dates: September 7-15, 2018

Location: Cabarrus Arena and Events Center (4751 NC-49, Concord)

2018 Fair hours: Weekdays from 4-11 p.m.; Saturdays from 1-11 p.m.; and Sunday from 1-10 p.m.

2018 Fair Theme: Fair-a-dise (logo available upon request)

Fair website: www.cabarruscountyfair.com

Fair Facebook: www.facebook.com/cabarruscountyfair

Fair Twitter: @cabarrusfair

2018 Gate Specials (rides not included):

  • Saturday, September 8 – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
    Free General Gate Admission for all from 1 p.m.-2 p.m., only.
  • Sunday, September 9 – Cooperative Christian Ministries Canned Food Drive
    Free General Gate Admission for all from 1-3 p.m. with any brand of four canned food items per adult and two canned food items per child.
  • Tuesday, September 11 – School Education Night
    General Gate Admission, $4 for those 12 and older and $2 for kids, ages 6-11.
  • Thursday, September 13 – Salute to Seniors Night
    General Gate Admission price of $4.30 for seniors ages 55 and older from 4-6 p.m., only. Price includes sales tax.
  • Catch the Fair for free on Fridays
    Present your high school football ticket stub at the gate after the game on Friday, September 7 and 14, only, and get free gate admission for the corresponding evening.


Advanced online ticket purchases (August 1-September 6): 
The public can purchase discounted tickets and ride wristband vouchers online at a reduced rate through September 6. The tickets are only available online at www.cabarruscountyfair.com. Click on the Fair Info & Ticketing tab. Advance adults admission tickets for ages 12-64 are $5.35—a $2 savings off the gate price. Purchase advance ride wristband vouchers for $15—a $5 savings.

IMPORTANT information about 2018 Contest entries:  There’s still time to enter a Fair contest to earn your bragging rights. Choose from hundreds of categories from photography to baking. One adult and one youth are awarded with the Best of Show Award and will continue on to compete in the North Carolina State Fair Best of Show contest, for a chance to win $500. The 2018 Cabarrus County Fair Catalog is available online at www.cabarruscountyfair.com. Click on the Competitions tab to view contests, programs and other entry opportunities. All entry forms must be submitted to the Fair office by noon on Wednesday, August 22.

Onsite ticket prices: General Gate admission to the fair are $7.50 for ages 12-64, $5.35 for ages 65+ other senior age says 55+ and those with military ID, $3.25 for ages 6-11 and ages 5 and younger are admitted free. Parking is freeAll transactions at the Fair are cash only. ATMs are located at the main gate and throughout the midway, but do carry a surcharge.

Shuttle service: Cabarrus County Transportation Service (CCTS) provides complimentary parking lot shuttle van service for the satellite parking lots during the weekends. Satellite parking lots are only operational on weekends and CCTS vans run at specified hours.

2018 Shuttle Van Service Schedule:

Saturday, September 8, 12 p.m.-12 a.m.

Sunday, September 9, 12 p.m.-12 a.m.

Friday, September 14, 6 p.m.-12 a.m.

Saturday, September 15, 12 p.m.-12 a.m.

Entertainment: There’s plenty of Fair just beyond the midway. The Cabarrus County Fair features a butterfly encounter, petting zoo, livestock displays, sand castle carving, milking booth and educational exhibits. Live performances include Mountain Mike chainsaw creations, Robinson’s Racing Pigs, K9’s in Flight and Rockstar Karaoke. Watch live demonstrations from local beekeepers, Master Gardeners, wood turners, and stop by the open forge fire for sustainable living demonstrations and view local farm equipment on display. See www.cabarruscountyfair.com for entertainment details.

The New 103.7 Stage performances:

Fridays, 7-9 p.m.

Monday- Thursday 7-8:30 p.m.

            Saturday, September 8, 7:30-10 p.m.

Sunday, September 9, Rockstar Karaoke 4-5:30 p.m. and 7-9:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 15, Rockstar Karaoke 4:30-6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Background: The Cabarrus County Agricultural Fair began in 1953. The 2017 Cabarrus County Fair received nine awards form the International Association of Agricultural Fairs and Expos (IAFE) and three awards from the North Carolina Association of Agricultural Fairs.

For more information visit www.cabarruscountyfair.com or follow www.facebook.com/cabarruscountyfair.

 

Carolina Renaissance Festival now hiring

Autumn is around the corner and with it comes the Carolina Renaissance

Festival. Pirates, Nobles, Wenches and Knights – it takes a village of people to

organize the region’s largest costume party.

The Festival hires 350 seasonal employees on an annual basis. Seasonal

employees will have the opportunity hawk turkey legs and ale, sell admission

tickets, greet guests, and more.

Job hunters can apply online at www.RenFestInfo.com or attend one of several

upcoming Job Fairs to be held at the Renaissance Festival fairgrounds located at

16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville, NC 28078. Job fair dates are:

  • Friday, August 24th – 10am to 2pm
  • Saturday, August 25th – 10am to 2pm
  • Friday, September 7th – 10am to 2pm
  • Saturday, September 8th – 10am to 2pm

Applicants should be prepared to produce documents showing they are able to

work in the United States, if hired. Resumes are appreciated but not required for

most positions. Questions can be directed to crfjobs@renfestinfo.com.

The Carolina Renaissance Festival celebrates 25 Years of Cheers weekends,

Saturdays and Sundays, September 29th through November 18th. The

interactive event is a combination of outdoor theater, circus, arts and crafts fair,

jousting tournament and feast – all rolled into one non-stop, day-long family

adventure.

This information and more can be found online at Carolina.RenFestInfo.com

2017 North Carolina Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, tickets on sale

hall

Date: October 19th, 2017

Time: 7:15-10:30 (doors open at 6:30)

Location: Gem Theatre

111 W 1st Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081

Price: $35 – General; $80 – VIP

Our annual induction ceremonies are a commemorative occasion in which those in the music industry who have made an impact on American Music, are introduced as new members of our Hall of Fame:

Anthony Hamilton

Jim Lauderdale

Steep Canyon Rangers

Etta Baker

Richard Lewis Spencer

Sensational Nightingales

Bucky Covington

The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame Inductions Ceremony is an annual event wherein North Carolina’s finest musical talents are honored and recognized with by their home state, a monumental milestone in any artist’s career. It will be a night of elegance and glamour where music fans across the nation come together to celebrate these all time legends.

To Purchase Tickets go to www.2017induction.eventbrite.com or call (704) 934-2320