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Memorial Day Weekend Fun

Memorial Day Weekend Fun
May 23, 2013 Cassee Cunningham

As an 11-year Coast Guard Veteran, Memorial Day means a lot to me.  Many of us get to take advantage of a long weekend, in addition to remembering our veterans.  Here are a few options for fun things to do around the Charlotte area…

Service, Sacrifice and Celebration
A fun, educational day for all ages is what you’ll find at Levine Museum of the New South! Kick off Memorial Day holiday weekend at Democracy Day with a community celebration full of activities, performances from community groups, artists talks, sessions on military history, exhibits, family crafts, airbrush tattoos and more. Admission is free; the event runs from 10am to 4pm on May 25th.

Memorial Day Festival at the US National Whitewater Center
The USNWC is the place to be this Memorial Day weekend! On May 26th, their festival kicks off with 5-mile and 8-mile trail races in the morning. The fun continues with great food and beverage options throughout the facility and live music all day.  The day is capped off in the evening with an awesome fireworks display over the world’s largest man-made whitewater river.

Get Wet
The sprayground water parks at Nevin Park, Cordelia Park, Latta Park, Veterans Park and West Charlotte Recreation Center Park all open on Memorial Day! As part of Charlotte Mecklenburg Park and Recreation Department, these parks have no admission fees.  Hours are 10am to 8pm, so come out and enjoy!

Race Through the Weekend
A large part of Memorial Day festivities in the Queen City revolve around NASCAR.  This year’s race schedule includes:

  • LiftMaster Pole Day – Thursday, May 23, 2013 – 7:10pm

  • Legends All Star Race – Thursday, May 23, 2013 – 8:00pm

  • Circle K NOS Energy Outlaw Showdown – Friday, May 24, 2013 – 7:15pm

  • HISTORY 300 – Saturday, May 25, 2013 – 2:45pm

  • Coca-Cola 600 – Sunday, May 26, 2013 – 6:00pm

Along with Race Week comes Food Lion Speed Street.  This festival takes over and transforms many of uptown Charlotte’s streets, and it offers appearances by NASCAR drivers, live performances by great bands and a lot of great food options.  The event runs noon to 11pm on May 23rd through 25th. Admission is free.  For a schedule of driver appearances and band performances, check out 600Festival.com.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame
This weekend will mark the annual Charlotte Knights’ military appreciation game series.  Players will wear camouflage jerseys during these two games, in honor of Memorial Day. The May 27th game will begin at 7:15 pm; the May 28th game will begin at  2:15 pm at Knights’ stadium.

Get Out for Carowinds’ Military Days
Free park admission is being offered by Carowinds to any active, inactive or retired United States Service men and women with a valid military ID on May 26th and 27th.  All that’s needed is a valid US Military ID…and the big-time want to have a seriously good time!

Image: PatriotIcon.org