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While Memorial Day is synonymous with cookouts and beer, more important than celebrating an extra day off work is honoring our fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives.
So this week I’m dedicating this column to events that honor the true meaning of Memorial Day: the troops.
Saturday
The District 300 entertainment complex (300 N. College St.) is hosting a Memorial Day bar crawl, with the fun starting at 6 p.m. Cosmos, Phoenix, and RE:Public are all in the same alley, so you won’t have to crawl far for fun. $20. 704-375-8765.
Sunday
The Memorial Day celebration at the U.S. National Whitewater Center (5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy.) will include live music beginning at 4 p.m. from Otis Taylor, Chasing Edison, and the Black Lillies, along with a fireworks display at sundown. Free, but parking costs $5 per car. 704-391-3900.
What’s more American than going to the ol’ ballpark? The Charlotte Knights are playing two games over the holiday weekend as part of their Military Appreciation Series, during which players will be wearing camouflage jerseys. Sunday game is at 7:15 p.m., with post-game fireworks to follow; Monday game is at 2:15 p.m., and there’s an all-you-can-eat option that includes food ($21 for adults, $16 for kids). So take yourself out to the ballgame, buy yourself some cracker jacks, and salute the troops! Tickets start at $8; present a military ID and get into the game free. 704-357-8071.
Monday
The Patriot Festival in Symphony Park at SouthPark (4400 Sharon Road) will honor the men and women who serve our country with an activity-filled day featuring live music, a kids area, military vehicles, fire trucks and special military manuevers. Admission is $10 ($8 with VIC card at Harris Teeter), $5 for military, free for kids 5 and younger. There’s also a 5K+1-mile run/walk at 9 a.m. ($20). 704-496-2794.
NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation (mission: “to support those who have sacrificed for us”) is hosting a charity bike ride in the morning, followed by a BBQ Dinner from 4:30-8 p.m. 100K and 50K rides start at 8:30 a.m., 20K starts at 9:30. All events are at Penske Racing (200 Penske Way, Mooresville). www.checkeredflagfoundation.org.
