BY DEBBIE PAGE
Troutman Parks and Recreation has a busy month ahead, including the summer’s first Party in the Park on Friday, June 16, followed by the the 18th Annual Independence Day Parade on Saturday, July 1.
PARTY IN THE PARK
This free event, scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. at Troutman’s ESC Park (338 North Avenue), features live music from LeeD Not Follow and beer and wine sales. Several food trucks, including Cheez Boss, Village Inn Pizza Food Truck, The Dog Wagon, Troutman Baking Co., Sno Biz, and Southern Treats Ice Cream Shop, will also be on site.
For the kids, the splash pad and playground will be open, along with face painting and 27-foot slides.
Royal Properties of the Carolinas Inc. is sponsoring the event.
The next ESC Party in The Park will be on July 21.
18th ANNUAL INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
The 18th Annual Independence Day Parade in Troutman will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 1. The 2023 Grand Marshal is Purple Heart Homes and all veterans.
The town is still accepting applications to participate in the parade. Forms can be found on the town’s website (https://www.troutmannc.gov/) under the Events tab or can be picked up in person at Town Hall.
The parade will feature floats, marching units, dance and acrobatic troupes, church groups, civic organizations, Scout troops, motorcycles, military units, classic and antique cars, fire engines, beauty queens, re-enactment groups, politicians, military vehicles, planes, and, most importantly, veterans of the U.S. Armed Services.
Parking will be available at Troutman Elementary and Middle School lots, ECS Park, and the public lots on Wagner Street and next to the Troutman Depot. Handicapped parking is available at Town Hall at 400 N. Eastway Drive.
Traffic will be shut down on Highway 21 beginning at 10:45 a.m. at the Old Murdock and Highway 21 intersection near Walgreens, to clear the road for the parade route.
The parade will proceed down Old Murdock Road toward Food Lion and then turn south on Highway 21, moving south to Cedar Street beside Troutman Elementary School.
Email Parks and Recreation Director Emily Watson at ewatson@troutmannc.gov with any questions.
FIELDS AT ESC PARK TEMPORARILY CLOSED
The next few months are crucial for nourishing and improving the baseball and soccer fields at ESC Park. The grounds crews have been seeding new Bermuda grass and restoring the condition of the fields.
To allow the grass time to grow, the baseball and soccer fields are temporarily closed for the next few months. Please refrain from stepping on posted areas until further notice.
ESC PARK CONCESSION STAND OPEN
The ESC Park concession at the park’s pavilion is opening through an independent contractor this summer to offer drinks, snacks, and candy to park attendees. Watson said sales have been brisk so far as more people discover this new park service.
SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
The Town of Troutman is having a school supply drive until August 10
To support Troutman schools, the town will be collecting crayons, glue sticks, pencils, erasers, Expo markers, paper, two-pocket folders, Kleenex, highlighters, thumb drives, single subject notebooks, and scissors.
Before school begins, staff will divide up the items and deliver them to local schools.
Those interested in helping can drop supplies off at Troutman Town Hall and place them in the collection box in the main lobby.
ROTARY CLUB FARMERS MARKET OPEN ON SATURDAY MORNINGS
The Rotary Club of Troutman’s Farmers Market operates each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at 405 N. Main Street (next to Your Coffee Place) through the end of October.
The market features products from local farmers and vendors.
For more information or to join the market, call or text 704-576-2050 or email troutmanrotaryclub@gmail.com.