July is National Park and Recreation Month! Celebrate all things City of Hickory Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism by exploring our 26 local parks, playing pickleball or taking yoga classes at our recreation centers, and participating in our park scavenger hunt on social media. Follow us today on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HickoryParksandRecreation or Instagram at www.instagram.com/hickoryparksandrec.
Fall Sports Registration
Registration is now open for fall sports! Sign up today for our youth tackle football and soccer leagues:
Sit back, relax, and enjoy a family-friendly movie at this month’s Saturday Screenings! Join us on Saturday, July 12, to watch Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark or Saturday, July 26, to watch Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Both Saturday Screenings in July begin at 8:45 p.m. at the Lowes Foods City Park parking lot. Concessions and games are provided before the movies begin.
Community Jam Nights
Explore your musical side and meet other musicians at Community Jam Nights! On July 14 and July 28, come to Highland Recreation Center from 6:30-7:30 p.m. No registration is required.
S.O.A.P. Camp Session 2
Kids ages 9-15 are invited to have the summer of a lifetime at S.O.A.P. Camp! Spend July 14-18 exploring the Whitewater Center, swimming, fishing, and more. Learn more and register today!
Join us on a special Hummingbird Banding Excursion to Riverbend Park! Spend the morning learning about hummingbirds and participate in hummingbird banding yourself before enjoying brunch at Crossroads Grill in Taylorsville. This program is scheduled for Saturday, August 2, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., departing from Highland Recreation Center.
It’s time to break out your headlamps for the annual Lightning Bug Boogie 5K! This unique nighttime trail run begins at 9 p.m. on Friday, August 15, at the Lake Hickory Trails. The Lightning Bug Boogie is the third race in the 2025 Hickory 5K Series presented by Frye Regional Medical Center.
• Saturday Screenings – August 9 & 23 • Camp Hoorah! – August 11-15
Park Highlight
Hickory Optimist Park is equipped with four outdoor pickleball courts, an outdoor basketball court, a playground, an outdoor fitness equipment zone, walking trail, and picnic shelter. It also features a community room complete with restrooms and a catering kitchen. Hickory Optimist Park is located at 751 2nd Ave SW in Hickory.
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