Challenge of the Badges
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept 29: Lunch noon-3 p.m., cornhole tournament 1-4 p.m.

Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Personnel, Law Enforcement, Fire, 911, and EMS will combine efforts to raise funds for Allen Carlyle, veteran employee of the Rowan County Department of Telecommunications, currently on a kidney and pancreas transplant list receiving dialysis daily.
The public is invited to a day of fellowship at Dan Nicholas Park. Presale BBQ chicken will be prepared by Emergency Responders at $10/plate). There will also be a cornhole tournament and a concert in the park with Darrell Harwood (bring a comfy chair if you like).
Coordinator: RCSO Capt. Tim Wyrick, 704-239-0192.

UNCF Kick-Off at Livingstone College

7 pm Sept 29:
Friday Night Blues & Jazz at the Pavilion featuring Bob Paolino George W. Smith Jr. and Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen.
Livingstone College Campus, 701 W. Monroe St.

The Town of Granite Quarry’s second annual Adult Fish 4 Fun at Night
6-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28

Sign up at Town Hall during business hours. Keep what you catch! Held at Granite Lake Park. Bring your poles, bait and coolers to take your fish home in.
Largest fish wins a $50 Bass Pro Gift Card. Learn more at http://www.granitequarrync.gov/

Town of Granite Quarry Food Drive

Through December, the Town will be collecting non-perishable foods and taking them to local shelters and food banks. All donations with stay in our area. Also consider donating necessities such as blankets, toiletries, laundry supplies, socks, baby supplies, diapers, wipes, etc. Drop off site: Granite Quarry Town Hall, 143 N. Salisbury Ave., Granite Quarry. http://www.granitequarrync.gov/

Meet Bass Pro Clifton Bradley from Swannanoa

4-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28
ROCKWELL — Casting contests for kids with prizes, free hot dogs, chips, Cheerwine, live gospel music and a drawing for $100 gift card to Bass Pro Shops.
Held at the Saleeby-Fisher YMCA, Crescent Road. Cosponsored by Lyerly Evangelical Church and Saleeby-Fisher YMCA.

The Good Old Days of Spencer
4-6 p.m. tonight, Sept. 27

SPENCER — Spencer Public Library hosts program on the Good Old Days of Spencer with special speaker Rowan Museum’s Aaron Kepley. Spencer locals will share stories from the good old days, including Clyde Miller, former pipe-fitter for Southern Railway; Spencer Mayor Jim Gobbel; Alderman Mike Boone; and Jeff Long, descendant of early pioneers.
Light refreshments will be served. Held at 300 4th St. learn more at 704-636-9072.

Register your weiner now!

MOORESVILLE — The deadline to enter Mooresville’s annual Wiener Race on Oct. 6 is Sept. 30. The fee to register and race your dog is $25 along with proof of all required vaccinations. See www.mooresvillewienerrace.com
In addition to awarding trophies to winners of the four racing divisions (puppies, juniors, adults and seniors), wieners can compete for “Cutest” and “Best Dressed” as well.Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. on race day. Proceeds raised will be distributed among participating non-profit animal advocates.

2018 NC Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony
7:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18

KANNAPOLIS — 2018 Hall of Fame inductees are featured in an evening filled with performances and celebration at the historic Gem Theater, 600 Dale Earnhardt Blvd, downtown.
Five of seven inductees are scheduled to perform: Calvin Richardson, John Tesh, Luther Barnes, The Hoppers, Dolph Ramseur presents David Childers. Also being inducted: Chris Daughtry, Blind Boy Fuller.
Induction night will feature a pre-ceremony VIP Reception, VIP Red Carpet walk, live performances, the acceptance of each induction, and an After Party at the Hall of Fame Museum where new exhibits will be unveiled
Find tickets and details at https://northcarolinamusic halloffame.org/

Kannapolis’ annual Fire Truck Parade
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29

KANNAPOLIS — The Kannapolis Fire Department will once again host a Fire Truck Parade as part of their Fire Safety Festival on Saturday. The parade begins at 11 a.m. Indoor festivities will be in The Laureate Center at City Hall, 401 Laureate Way.
This free community event focuses on working smoke alarms, home escape planning and fire preventionm, plus music, entertainment, emergency vehicles, helicopters, “Community Row,” which is our community partners’ vendor area, kids’ firefighter challenge course, inflatable games and more.
This year will also be a blood drive and car safety seat checks will be offered. Due to the hurricane there is a need for blood donations in the Carolinas. Register to give blood this Saturday at our event – https://www.donorscbcc.us/do…/schedules/drive_schedule/31757

An Afternoon of Celtic Music and Mythic Tales
3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30

STATESVILLE – Celtic fiddle sensation Jamie Laval opens the 7th season of the Trinity Artist Series on Sunday at 3 p.m.
Laval, U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, joined joined by guest vocalist Megan McConnell, will be performing at Trinity Episcopal Church, 801 Henkel Road.
Jamie, recognized throughout the U.S. and Britain as one of the premier performers of traditional Celtic music, takes his audiences on a musical journey through Scotland, Ireland and Brittany as he seamlessly blends passion, virtuosity, uncanny imitation of Highland bagpipes, innovative arrangement style, and the recounting of atmospheric mythic tales.
McConnell is lauded for the ethereal, lyric beauty of her singing, her broad stylistic range, and her theatrical performance sense.
Tickets are $20 at https://squareup.com/market/trinity-artist-series

Heroes Night

The North Carolina Military Veterans Hall of Fame (NCMVHOF) would like to invite everyone to join them October 4th from 7 p.m. -10 p.m. at the Twin Peaks Restaurant in Concord Mills for a special edition of Thursday Night football. On this evening we will be honoring our Heroes for their service to the country and to help raise funds for their suicide prevention initiative “Operation New Dawn”. This initiative will strive to bring awareness to the community about the 20 veterans who take their lives daily as well as develop a support system for those who are currently dealing with mental health barriers. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards the organization’s support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s “Out of the Darkness Community Walk” which will be taking place Saturday October 20th at 1 p.m. at Romare Bearden Park in downtown Charlotte.

Frontier Life Recreated at Fort Dobbs

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept 29: Re-enactors dressed as soldiers and settlers will gather at the site of the French and Indian War fort to recreate for a day, what every day was like there 260 years ago. Musket and cannon firing demonstrations, open hearth cooking, military camp life. Free; $2 donation suggested. Fort Dobbs State Historic Site, 704-873-5882 www.fortdobbs.org