More than 200,000 people poured into Charlotte Motor Speedway for August Jam in 1974. | Photo via UNC Media Hub
Picture this: Aug. 10, 1974. You’re surrounded by 200,000 rock fans and are about to enjoy a day-long festival with a major lineup of up-and-coming bands. Welcome to Charlotte’s “Woodstock.”
August Jam attendees climbed the speedway fences to get a better view of the stage.
Photo by Bryant McMurray via UNC Media Hub
“When I stood out on that stage and saw all those people, then took a microphone and said, ‘Are you ready to rock and roll?’ and thousands of people were screaming... There was nothing like it,” Sprinkle told CLTtoday.
Festival organizers expected upwards of 70,000 people to attend, but the crowd grew much larger.
“There was a group of people who pushed part of the fence down, and thousands of people got in free,” said Sprinkle. “Every spot at the Charlotte Motor Speedway had a person on it.”
Final Ski Show | 5:30 p.m. | Windjammer Park, Tega Cay, SC | Free | Watch the Carolina Show Ski Team perform their final performance on the water.
Last Podcast on the Left | 7 p.m. | Knight Theater | $46+ | Discover the dark side of humanity as podcast hosts Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski, and Ed Larson dive into the history of criminals, werewolves, and iconic hauntings.
Saturday, Aug. 9
Hummingbird Workshop | 9 a.m., 10 a.m., + 11 a.m. | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Belmont | $15+ | Biologist Susan Campbell will discuss how to attract hummingbirds — you may get to hold one in class.
Watermelon Fest | 3 p.m. | Lenny Boy Brewing Co. | Cost of purchase | Celebrate the fruit of the summer with refreshing drinks, tasty treats, and live music.
Dierks Bentley | 7 p.m. | PNC Music Pavilion | $63+ | You won’t be saying “What Was I Thinkin’” when attending this live show.
Movies in the Park | 8 p.m. | Wilmore Centennial Park | Free | Grab a meal at South End restaurants before watching “27 Dresses” under the stars.
Sunday, Aug. 10
Meal with Strangers | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Location TBA | $8+ | Enjoy brunch with strangers — the location will be revealed after registration.
Fitness Class | 11:15 a.m.-12 p.m. | Heist Brewery | $12+ | Break a sweat during this active workout class at the brewery — no equipment necessary.
Fresh Handmade Pasta | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Monday Night Brewing - Garden Co. | $65 | Channel your inner chef by creating handmade pasta in this guided class.
Bathhouse CLT opens today in South End, offering cold plunges, a eucalyptus steam room, kombucha bar, and indoor and outdoor lounge space. Relaxation at this contrast therapy club starts at $60, by appointment only. Memberships start at $149.
Drink
Platform Coffee is in its “soft open” phase in Matthews. The coffee shop along Monroe Road is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and serves espresso, cold brew, drip coffees, and teas. Find your caffeine fix there or at one of Charlotte’s many coffee shops.
Eat
Do you remember Picasso Taqueria at Merino Mill? The eatery in Mooresville is now Picasso Mediterranean, offering Mediterranean-inspired dishes like falafel, hummus, and roasted salmon. Don’t worry, the restaurant kept some favorites from the taqueria menu.
Real Estate
New townhomes are on the market near Reedy Creek Nature Center. Stonesummit at Reedy Creek boasts two-story townhomes with 3 bedrooms, garages, and is located minutes from University Research Park. Prices start at $339,990. (PR Newswire)
Weather
Take a look at these graphics — the drought and abnormally dry areas in the Carolinas will be gone by next week. The good news? Rain chances are slimming and temperatures will start moving into the upper 70s and low 80s through the weekend. (WCNC)
Transit
Come Election Day, voters will see the penny sales tax referendum on the ballot to fund transportation projects like the Red Line. If approved this fall, the county’s total sales tax rate would increase to 8.25%. (WCNC)
Development
Deal negotiations are still underway for the upcoming Destination District near Charlotte Douglas International Airport, potentially delaying the 40-acre project. CLT and developer Crosland Southeast had hoped to break ground in early 2026. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Ranked
Garden & Gun ranked Albertine on its list of “30 Restaurants to Try Now.” The upscale restaurant in Uptown opened last year and serves a Mediterranean-inspired menu with a Southern twist. Think:pickle-brined quail from South Carolina.
Try This
Feel your way around Chromatic Roots, an immersive experience created by local artists. The exhibition at the Arts+ Community Campus takes visitors through a journey to solve mysteries + enjoy live performances, musical acts, and hands-on workshops. The event runs Thursdays through Sundays.
Sports
Joint practice shows promising performances and roster battles for the Panthers and the Browns before their preseason game. Go beyond the playbook for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Job
Are you the one we’re looking for? We’re on the hunt for a sales-driven leader to help us land significant brand partnerships at a national scale as a Sales Executive. From a competitive benefits package to 401k matching, we’re a pretty amazing company to work for. Join our team and apply today.
Health
Scoliosis often develops during childhood growth spurts, but early detection makes all the difference. Learn the signs, treatment options, and why early intervention is key to long-term spine health.*
Home
Need a roof you can rely on? Use HomeBuddy to compare prices, read reviews, and get matched with local roofing pros. Get started for free.*
Category
Development
🛝 Get ready to play
When finished, Ezell Park will feature public art, a nature-themed playground, and several courts. | Photo via Mecklenburg County
Construction is underway at Ezell Park in Mint Hill — marking Mecklenburg County’s first regional park in the town. The park was once a privately owned 90.6-acre farm at the corner of Matthews-Mint Hill Road and Mintwood Drive, was commissioned in 2021, and will be constructed in two phases.
Phase I of the park’s master plan includesa basketball court, four pickleball courts, a splash pad, restrooms, an open field, a nature-themed playground, improvements to the community garden, multi-use paths and trails, parking, and public art created by local artist Meredith Connelly.
Phase II amenities are TBA. The park is expected to open this fall, as early as September + the splash pad may open by May 2026.
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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.
It’s hard to imagine ticket prices for August Jam compared to concert tickets now. I mean, one performer could be anywhere from $35 to $300+, depending on who is performing and where the concert is. 1974 seemed to be a great time for music lovers. But if you’re looking for an affordable venue for live music, consider checking out the lineups at The Evening Muse, Snug Harbor, or The Music Yard.
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