McColl Park is named after philanthropist and former Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl.
Photos by CLTtoday
After years of anticipation, Queen City residents can celebrate the grand opening of McColl Park this Saturday, June 21, from 12 to 4 p.m. Here’s what you can expect:
Opening remarks at 12:15 p.m.
Guided tours of the new park’s landmarks and features, which include a splash pad, gardens, and public artwork
Live music on the stage
Food trucks and carts
The fun doesn’t stop there. Uptown Charlotte will host other activities all day long — check out the full schedule for everything from Fitness in the Park to an evening firework display.
Events
Events
Friday, June 20
5th Annual Traveling Fashion Designers Runway Showcase | 6-10 p.m. | DoubleTree by Hilton Charlotte City Center | $60+ | Bold style and creativity combine for an unforgettable night of style, chic, and cultural celebration.
“Almost Queen: A Tribute to Queen” | 7 p.m. | The Visulite Theatre | $43 | Fittingly, the Queen City is readying for a night of musical excellence in honor of the iconic British rock band.
Saturday, June 21
Queen City Juneteenth Music & Food Festival | Saturday, June 21-Sunday, June 22| 1-6 p.m. | Blush CLT | Free | Get ready for a weekend of live music, local culinary excellence, and community coming together in honor of Juneteenth.
Taste of Pickleball | 3-4 p.m. | Rally Pickleball | $5 | Join the fastest growing sport in the country with a no-pressure session featuring tips, tricks, and games to help you learn the basics.
Sunday, June 22
Mama + Me (Pet Edition) | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | 1210 E. 36th St., Charlotte | $20+ | Spend a day with your furry quasi-child with photo sessions, grooming, and complimentary eats + drinks.
Party in the Park | 1-5 p.m. | The Mint Museum Randolph | Price of purchase | Enjoy the day with food trucks, live music, and a cash bar on the front terrace, plus get free museum admission.
Four FIFA Club World Cup 2025 matches are set to take place at Bank of America Stadium this month. On Sunday, June 22, Real Madrid will face off against Pachuca. We’re excited for the world to see our modernized stadium.
Tech
Interested in learning about solar energy, battery power, and accessible renewable energy? Head to the Innovation Barn (932 Seigle Ave.) on Wednesday, June 25 to learn and celebrate the launch of Solarize Charlotte-Mecklenburg. A Q+A, information on solar energy and battery storage, and enrollment options are on the schedule.
Arts
Applications opened yesterday for the City of Charlotte’s 2025 Creative Growth Grants. Artists, poets, musicians, and other creatives with projects aligned with the Charlotte Arts and Culture Plan are encouraged to apply for $2,000-$25,000 in resource funds. (WCNC)
Environment
Before you dip your toe into Lake Norman, maybe don’t. Harmful algal blooms, which can be harmful to humans and pets, have been detected in the water. Swimming, boating, and otherwise interacting with the water is not advised until further notice — check out one of these local pools instead.
Award
The Order of the Hornet, an award that recognizes “those who display valor or a high order of service to the residents of Mecklenburg County,” was presented to County Manager Dena R. Diorio. After serving 11 years as Mecklenburg’s first female county manager, Diorio will retire this month.
Real Estate
A 2.3-acre tract of land at 4620 Smith Farm Rd. was just purchased by Charlotte-based Pappas Properties for a cool $3.5 million. Pappas Properties founder, Peter Pappas, envisions restaurants + retail for the residents of the Mountain Island Lake neighborhood. What would you like to see?(Charlotte Business Journal)
Fact or fiction
Playdates are just for kids – fact or fiction? In Winston-Salem, this is fiction: check out these 15+ ideas for a weekend full of grown-up fun, from live music and arcade bars to glow-in-the-dark golf.*
Number
5. That’s how many minutes it takes to be ready for every trending topic at tonight’s dinner party, thanks to 1440’s unbiased, fact-based daily newsletters. Subscribe for free.*
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
The Around the Crown 10K takes place Sunday, Aug. 31.
Photo by Samuel Martin via Around the Crown 10K
👋 Hey Charlotte, Rilee here. I recently ran my first 5K and it left me feeling inspired, a little sore, and ready for my next race. If you (like me) were influenced by runners sharing their marathon stories earlier this summer, check out Queen City’s upcoming races. There are even a couple where you can cheer on other runners this weekend.
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