These Lake Norman towns are ready to party the whole year long in 2023. Here’s why.
The towns of Huntersville and Mooresville plan to party throughout 2023, with special free events celebrating their 150th anniversaries.
All ages are welcome to the sesquicentennial happenings.
In Mooresville, period re-enactors will make it feel like 1873 all over again.
And a national performer yet to be revealed will draw fans from out of state, hints Christine Patterson, manager of the Charles Mack Citizen Center who’s spearheading Mooresville’s events.
Huntersville residents can recommend items for a time capsule, cheer fireworks and bull riders at a fall festival and wear a party hat to Happy Anniversary Huntersville on Feb. 25.
Storms postponed each town’s New Year’s Eve 150th-anniversary kick-off bashes.
Huntersville rescheduled its inaugural event to 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 7, at Birkdale Village, off Interstate 77 Exit 25.
Mooresville’s 150th Anniversary Kick-Off Fireworks Spectacular will take place 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at LangTree Lake Norman, 401 Langtree Road, at I-77 Exit 31. Fireworks are set for 7 p.m.
The towns plan these other free events over the year:
Huntersville
Happy Anniversary Huntersville, 2-4 p.m. Feb. 25, Huntersville Recreation Center, 11836 Verhoeff Dr.
Wear a party hat to the event, which is for all generations and will include face painting, music, a balloon drop, special cakes and a photo booth.
Festival in the Fall, Sept. 23, Huntersville Recreation Center and Athletic Park, 11836 and 11720 Verhoeff Drive. Hours are to be announced.
The event will feature bands, bull riding, bounce houses, vendors, fireworks and archery tag.
Time Capsule Installation, Dec. 2, Veterans Park, during the Huntersville Christmas celebration. Hours are to be announced. To have an item considered for the time capsule, fill out a form at Huntersville.org.
Mooresville
“Party like it’s 1873 Festival & Immersive Experience,” 5-9 p.m. March 3.
The downtown event will celebrate Mooresville’s March 3, 1873, incorporation.
The Immersive Experience will be held at the Charles Mack Citizen Citizen Center, 215 N. Main St.
The 1873 Festival will include period-themed actors, a John Moore look-alike contest, food trucks, beer vendors and music. Moore led the town’s incorporation effort.
“Liberty Park Reimagined: A Concert Celebration,” 4:30-9 p.m., June 17, Liberty Park, 255 E. Iredell Ave.
Grand reopening of Liberty Park will include a surprise headliner musical act plus food, drink and a ribbon cutting. The town is unable to release the musical act’s name pending final contract arrangements, Patterson told the Top of the Lake Mooresville Rotary Club recently.
Stars and Stripes on Main Parade, 10 a.m. July 4.
Celebrate Mooresville’s birthday and America’s birthday all in one day at this patriotic parade featuring parade floats and historic vehicles.
Bands, Brews & BBQ Festival, noon-9 p.m. Sept. 16.
The outdoor festival will feature North Carolina craft beer, food tastings and musical acts from across the region.
Mooresville Motorsports Celebration, 5-9 p.m. Oct. 3.
The festival will feature a North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame induction ceremony, plus race cars, current and vintage hot rods, food trucks, music and appearances by some of the greatest names in auto racing history.
An exclusive exhibit at the Charles Mack Citizen Center will feature historic racing photography and rare artifacts, highlighting North Carolinians in NASCAR.
A Classic Christmas in Mooresville., 5-9 p.m. Dec. 8, downtown.
Visit local artisans, hear Victorian carolers, sample festive cuisine, shop for the holidays, see holiday-themed performances by local talent and get photos with Santa.
This story was originally published January 4, 2023 at 6:00 AM.