By Susan Shinn
Salisbury Post
The Salisbury Post is once again preparing to welcome the community for an evening of music, food and fun.
The third annual Pops at the Post is set for 8 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at the Post’s loading dock.
The 100 block of Church Street will be closed, and concert-goers can set up at the First Bank and Salisbury Post parking lots.
Food vendors will again be available (see article on page 8). Concert-goers are invited to tailgate before the concert begins.
No alcoholic beverages are allowed, except in the beer garden at Wrenn House.
Emergency personnel from the Salisbury Police Department, Salisbury Fire Department and Rowan County EMS will be available for anyone in the crowd who needs assistance.
The concert’s planning committee expects that up to 5,000 people will attend the free concert.
It’s the first concert for Greg Anderson, the Post’s publisher, who came on board last fall.
“I’m looking forward to Pops at the Post,” Anderson says.”Our family has heard so much about this wonderful musical event and our great symphony orchestra. What a great way to bring the community together. This is the kind of experience that gives kids great memories about the place where they grew up.”
That’s one of the goals of the evening’s presenting sponsors: The Salisbury Post, F&M Bank and Jim and Gerry Hurley.
“It’s a tremendous family event,” says Paul Fisher, president and CEO of F&M Bank. “Music is a common language that everybody understands. It’s part of the city’s wonderful social fabric. It’s a social occasion ó kids romp and play, families sit on blankets and have a snack and enjoy free Cheewrine.”
Fisher loves to see the community come together, neighbors visiting with neighbors.
That’s why F&M is a presenting sponsor again this year.
“Pops at the Post is for everybody,” Fisher says. “Everybody needs a little music in their lives.”
Mayor Susan Kluttz agrees.
“I am thrilled that our community will have a third opportunity to share in this wonderful event,” Kluttz says. “I continue to be proud of our generous local individuals and business, including Jim and Gerry Hurley and F&M Bank, for their sponsorship again this year.
“The combination of our beautiful downtown, our outstanding symphony, our citizens and our honored military personnel create an evening which is magical.
“We are grateful to all involved and look forward to another special celebration.”
Gerry Hurley says that she and husband Jim are pleased to return as presenting sponsors.
For Maestro David Hagy, it will be a gratifying evening.
“I’m glad to think that something I’ve done has had an impact on the community,” he says. “The Pops allows us to reach so many people all at once. I’m proud of the impact of the symphony, too, on the community.”
“It’s unusual for a city the size of Salisbury to have a symphony.”
He adds, “It’s a wonderful vision for Salisbury that our sponsors have grasped as to what this event is and what it has become.”

Contact Susan Shinn at 704-797-4289 or sshinn@salisburypost.com.