City of Hickory e-Newsletter

City of Hickory Monthly e-Newsletter | May 2025

Sails Original Music Series Returns

The City of Hickory's Sails Original Music Series returns to downtown Hickory this spring and fall, presenting free concerts of live original music under The Sails on the Square. Performances will begin at 7 p.m., Friday evenings in May, June, and September. Music fans will also enjoy a change of venue for a special Sails Original Music Series concert at the Samuel William Davis, Sr. Multipurpose Field in Taft Broome Park on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 6 p.m., in conjunction with the Festival on the Field event.

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Hydrant Testing Continues

The City of Hickory’s annual hydrant inspection and maintenance program is underway throughout the Hickory service area and will continue through the end of May.

During this process, Hickory firefighters test all hydrants in the Hickory service area for functionality and verify each hydrant is ready for usage in the event of a fire. This proactive approach ensures that hydrants are in working condition, which plays an important role in upholding the City's current ISO Class 1 fire insurance rating. This rating is the highest rating possible and ranks Hickory Fire Department among the nation’s best, as less than 1% of fire departments achieve this distinction.

Sometimes this hydrant testing causes brief, localized water discoloration. If this should occur, refrain from using hot water and call 828-323-7427 to have the Public Utilities Department flush the main line. After the main line is cleared of discoloration, turn on an outside spigot to clear up the water inside your home or business.

To be notified when hydrants will be flowed in your area, please sign up to receive CodeRED Alerts through Catawba County’s Community Alert Program.

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Police Chief Retires July 1

After 30 years of qualified service to the residents and visitors of Hickory, Chief of Police Reed Baer will retire on July 1.

“I am proud to be a product of the Hickory Police Department and this community,” said Baer. “It has been an honor to serve in the role of police chief for the department where I learned how to be a police officer. Serving my hometown alongside the very best law enforcement professionals has certainly been a privilege.”

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Opportunities on Hickory Youth Council

Do you know a teen interested in getting involved in the community? The Hickory Youth Council is currently recruiting new members for the 2025-2026 school year. The Youth Council is a vibrant group of 30 high school students (rising 9th through 12th graders) who represent the youth of Hickory and provide input to the Hickory City Council on youth issues.

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Spirit of North Carolina Award

The Hickory community was awarded the distinguished “Spirit of North Carolina” Award, recognizing extraordinary contributions to Hurricane Helene relief efforts across western North Carolina. The award was presented on Monday, April 7, at the Visit NC Tourism Conference Awards Luncheon in Hickory. This honor celebrates the collaborative spirit, generosity, and swift action shown by the people of Hickory during one of the region’s most challenging times.

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Calendar of Events

HICKORY CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, May 6 & 20

6 p.m.

City Council Chambers, City Hall

HickoryNC.gov

SPRING INTO SUMMER

Thursday, May 1

5-7 p.m.

Taft Broome Park

CLASSIC FILMS WITH JOE BARRETT: SENSE AND SENSIBILITY (1995)

Thursday, May 1

5:30-7:30 p.m.

Patrick Beaver Memorial Library

SAILS ORIGINAL MUSIC SERIES: RANDOM ANIMALS

Friday, May 2

7 p.m.

Union Square, Downtown Hickory

HickoryNC.gov/SailsMusic

CATAWBA COUNTY HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE & ELECTRONICS ONE-DAY COLLECTION EVENT

Saturday, May 3

9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds

Free to Catawba County Residents Only

BRANCH MASTERPIECE PAINTING

Saturday, May 3

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Registration Required

Highland Recreation Center

COMMUNITY JAM NIGHT

Monday, May 5

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Highland Recreation Center

TINKER TALES: BUTTERFLIES

Thursday, May 8

10-11 a.m.

Ridgeview Branch Library

STEAM STORY HOUR – MOTHER GOOSE

Thursday, May 8

4:30-5:15 p.m.

Patrick Beaver Memorial Library

KNOTTY HOUR: NOT YOUR AVERAGE GRANNY SQUARE

Thursday, May 8

5:30-6:30 p.m.

Ridgeview Branch Library

SAILS ORIGINAL MUSIC SERIES: CALEB KLAUDER & REEB WILLMS COUNTRY BAND

Friday, May 9

7 p.m.

Union Square, Downtown Hickory

HickoryNC.gov/SailsMusic

CHARITY CHASE 5K

Saturday, May 10

7 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Registration Required

Downtown Hickory

COMMUNITY DRUM CIRCLE WITH GIVING TREE MUSIC

Saturday, May 10

10-11 a.m.

Patrick Beaver Memorial Library Lawn

HICKORY HISTORY: YEARBOOK MEMORIES FROM RIDGEVIEW, CLAREMONT, & HICKORY HIGH SCHOOLS

Saturday, May 10

2-4 p.m.

Patrick Beaver Memorial Library

JAZZ LEGACY CONCERT SERIES

Sunday, May 11

2-4 p.m.

The CommScope Stage, Downtown Hickory

GRAPHIC NOVEL BUTTON MAKING EXTRAVAGANZA

Monday, May 12

4-5 p.m.

Patrick Beaver memorial Library

POETRY IN MOTION

Tuesday, May 13

4-5 p.m.

Registration Required

The Learning Lab, Patrick Beaver Memorial Library

UNIFOUR SENIOR GAMES CLOSING CEREMONY DINNER-DANCE: UNDER THE TUSCAN STARS

Tuesday, May 13

5-7 p.m.

Reservation Required

Highland Recreation Center

UNIFOUR SENIOR GAMES NIGHT AT HICKORY CRAWDADS

Wednesday, May 14

6 p.m.

Tickets Required

L.P. Frans Stadium

RESPONDING TO A CRISIS

Thursday, May 15

10-11 a.m.

Patrick Beaver Memorial Library

DIY GARDEN ACCESSORIES

Thursday, May 15

5:30-6:30 p.m.

Registration Required

Ridgeview Branch Library

SAILS ORIGINAL MUSIC SERIES: HOLLER CHOIR

Friday, May 16

7 p.m.

Union Square, Downtown Hickory

HickoryNC.gov/SailsMusic

MADDEN TOURNAMENT LOCK-IN

Saturday, May 17

12:30-5 p.m.

Brown Penn Recreation Center

CRAFTING LEARNING: HOBBY EXPLORATION

Saturday, May 17

2-3 p.m.

Registration Required

Ridgeview Branch Library

SONGWRITING CLUB SHOWCASE AND SYCAMORE BONES CONCERT

Saturday, May 17

2:30-4 p.m.

Patrick Beaver Memorial Library Lawn

JAZZ LEGACY CONCERT SERIES

Sunday, May 18

2-4 p.m.

The CommScope Stage, Downtown Hickory

HICKORY CHORAL SOCIETY SINGING UNDER THE SAILS

Sunday, May 18

6-7:30 p.m.

Union Square, Downtown Hickory

PRESERVATION TOOLS AT YOUR LIBRARY

Monday, May 19

6-7 p.m.

Registration Required

The Learning Lab, Patrick Beaver Memorial Library

COMMUNITY JAM NIGHT

Monday, May 19

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Highland Recreation Center

TASTY TALES: STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

Tuesday, May 20

4:30-6 p.m.

Registration Required

Ridgeview Branch Library

COMMUNITY DRUM CIRCLE

Thursday, May 22

7:30-8:30 p.m.

Union Square, Downtown Hickory

CROQUET DAY

Friday, May 23

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Stanford Park Field #3

SAILS ORIGINAL MUSIC SERIES: MIKE STRAUSS BAND

Friday, May 23

7 p.m.

Union Square, Downtown Hickory

HickoryNC.gov/SailsMusic

AVIATION 5K

Saturday, May 24

8-10 a.m.

Registration Required

Winkler Park/Aviation Walk

SWINGIN’ UNDER THE STARS

Sunday, May 25

6-9 p.m.

Downtown Hickory

MEMORIAL DAY

Monday, May 26

City Offices Closed

SIGMON THEATRICAL PRESENTS COLOR CIRCUS

Thursday, May 29

2-3 p.m.

Registration Required

Patrick Beaver Memorial Library

SAILS ORIGINAL MUSIC SERIES: SHAMARR ALLEN

Friday, May 30

7 p.m.

Union Square, Downtown Hickory

HickoryNC.gov/SailsMusic

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