According to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, the first known celebration of Meck Dec Day happened in 1825. | Photo via Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
A well-known statue outside of Uptown depicts Capt. James Jack carrying the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence to Philadelphia.
Photo via WCNC
To commemorate this day in the countyās history, consider attending these events:
Meck Dec 250 | Tuesday, May 20-Feb. 2026 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Charlotte Museum of History | $10 | This new exhibit looks to the past through documents, artifacts, and memorabilia from the Revolutionary period.
Wine Down Wednesday on the Lake | 7-9 p.m. | 187 Boat Launch Rd., Belmont | $23 | Enjoy a sunset cruise while sipping hand-selected wines.
Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons | 8:45-10 p.m. | Great Aunt Stella Center | $51 | This candlelight performance will be an āAdventure of a Lifetime.ā
Thursday, May 22
SouthPark After 5 | 5-9 p.m. | Symphony Park | Free | Enjoy an evening outdoors with live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities.
The Matador x Rebel Bourbon Showcar Event | 5-8 p.m. | The Matador | Free | Snap a pic with Kyle Buschās showcar before sipping specialty cocktails featuring Rebel Bourbon.
The community features 89 spacious lots, each averaging over an acre. | Photos by GVLtoday
Prioritizing personal wellness is easier said than done. But what if you lived in a community designed to make healthy lifestyle choices easy? We recently visited Longview Carolina, a new āagrihoodā in Easley, SC designed to do just that.
Hereās what we learned during our private tour of the gated community:
Itās intentional: Longview was developed with Blue Zone principles in mind and is building on the regionās sustainability efforts. Thereās an onsite working farm where residents can grow their own food and harvest eggs.
Itās convenient: The community is just 20 minutes from Greenville and Clemson, and minutes from downtown Easley ā but the serene neighborhood couldnāt feel farther away from the hustle and bustle.
Itās scenic: Itās hard to describe the natural beauty of this area. We enjoyed taking in the panoramic mountain views of the Upstate from the communityās peak and walking along the wooded trails.
The Game Show Challenge, an interactive game show experience, is now open in the former Catawba Brewing Space on Louisa Avenue. Bring your friends for head-to-head activities based on popular game shows with a twist. Tickets start at $36. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Opening
The Percantileās second location, The Perc at the Nook, opens tomorrow, May 21, at 7 a.m. in Concord. Get ready to sip drip coffees, lattes, and savor fresh pastries for breakfast. Canāt wait? Consider getting a cup of joe from any of Charlotteās coffee shops.
Shop
The Harris Teeter at Lake Davis Parkway is reopening a week after a fire was intentionally set inside the store. The fire caused $500,000 worth of damage. No one was hurt. (WCNC)
Civic
Charlotte City Council named Edwin Peacock III as new representative for District 6, who will serve through November. The weeks-long selection process comes after Tariq Bokhari stepped down from the role after being appointed to a position with the Federal Transit Administration. (WCNC)
Education
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is warning about a new TikTok trend that could damage school-issued laptops. The āChromebook Spark Challengeā encourages students to tamper with charging ports and power cords to create a spark, which could potentially cause a fire. (WCNC)
Eat
Did you know Roots Cafe launched a new bar and dinner menu? Chef Craig Barbour is known for using the freshest ingredients, and CLTtoday scored a taste of the dining options. Pro tip: Order the spring pasta and donāt skip dessert.
Concert
Billie Eilish is coming to Charlotte. The āBirds of a Featherā singer will perform at the Spectrum Center on Oct. 19 and 20. Tickets go on sale Thursday, May 22.
Charlottean
Will it be Homer or Hugo? Homer, the Charlotte Knightsā mascot, and Hugo, representing the Hornets, are competing to be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame. Voting ends this Saturday, May 24.
Sports
Speaking of the Hornets... Could LaMelo be traded to the Clippers? Go beyond the roster for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked Onās daily, team-focused podcasts.
Jobs
Calling all business owners and hiring managers ā weāre growing our CLTtoday Job Board, which means you can post unlimited job listings for free. No tricks or gimmicks ā simply create an account and start posting.
Looking for a quick escape? Jackson County, NC is just one tank of gas away. Explore some of the oldest mountains in the world, soak up the vibes at free outdoor concerts, and savor fresh, delicious meals crafted by James Beard-nominated chefs. Plan your summer road trip.*
Category
Active
š¾ Paws for a cause
Psst... Jimbo is available for adoption at Animal Care and Control. How can you resist this sweet face? | Photo via Animal Care and Control
āWe are hoping to walk, collectively, 10,600 laps,ā Melissa Knicely of ACC told CLTtoday. āThe reason that we picked that number is because thatās how many animals came through our doors in 2024.ā
By raising $5 per lap, the Steps for Shelter Pets Walk will help ACC raise $53,000 to support shelter initiatives, like purchasing Kongs, hosting free rabies clinics, and purchasing formula for kittens.
The walk steps off at 8 a.m. and there are plenty of ways to help.
Donate to ACC through the Shelter Flex Fund (just note āSteps for Shelter Walkā in the comment section)
There will also be 20+ local vendors, two food trucks, and plenty of adoptable dogs to meet.
The Buy
One of our favorite trends of the summer: textured handbags. From straw to beaded, these are our top five picks:
š This standout wood bead bracelet handle bag is the perfect accessory for your beach vacation.
š This versatile braided tote made with 70% recycled plastic is available in 35+ colors.
š MANGOās woven canvas crossbody with smooth faux leather detailing offers fun textural interplay.
š This crescent straw bag with an adjustable shoulder strap will be our go-to all summer long.
š An elegant rope clutch is a must for summertime weddings and cocktail parties.
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