The City of Kannapolis celebrated 40 years of incorporation Wednesday with a Pop-Up Birthday Event at the Swanee Theatre. On November 6, 1984, citizens of an unincorporated area traditionally known as Kannapolis voted to officially become an incorporated City. Over the last 40 years, the City has grown and flourished into a vibrant hub for healthy living, economic growth, and industry leading research. 

During the event, several hundred staff and the public enjoyed free birthday cupcakes and popcorn, signing the City’s birthday card, and received special commemorative pins and towels.

The Kannapolis Youth Council presented the Kannapolis City Council with a special birthday gift – ten rocking chairs. The Youth Council hand painted the rocking chairs and each one features a theme honoring an aspect of the City. Themes include Kannapolis City Hall and the City Departments: Police, Fire, Transportation & Environmental Services and Water Resource Departments, the North Carolina Research Campus, Racing (Dale Earnhardt and Stewart-Haas), Cannon Mills, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, the City’s Brand – Discover a Healthy Life, the City’s cherry trees, Gem Theatre, Kannapolis Train Station, and N.C. Music Hall of Fame and Swanee Theatre. The chairs will be placed in various locations around the City for residents to enjoy.