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Hickory Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Monthly e-Newsletter | May 2025

Spring into Summer

Learn about all the summer camps and activities Hickory has to offer at Spring into Summer! Visit this family-friendly festival on Thursday, May 1, from 5-7 p.m. at Taft Broome Park. In addition to various information booths, this festival will include giveaways, free food, games, activities and entertainment.

Branch Masterpiece Painting

Pick up your paintbrushes and come to Highland Recreation Center on May 3, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., for a special Branch Masterpiece Painting Workshop. Learn more and register at hickory.recdesk.com.

Community Jam Nights

Jam out this spring at one of our Community Jam Nights! Come with your own instruments to Highland Recreation Center from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on May 5 and May 19 to play music and interact with other artists in the community. No registration required.

Madden Tournament Lock-In

Gamers unite to show off your skills at this month’s Madden Tournament Lock-In! Kids ages 8-15 are invited to Brown Penn Recreation Center on Saturday, May 17, from 12-5 p.m. to play against others in the community for a chance to win prizes. To register, contact Mandel Linebarger at mlinebarger@hickorync.gov.

Croquet Day

Discover the joys of croquet at Croquet Day! Stop by Stanford Park Field #3 on Friday, May 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to try your hand at this classic game. No registration is required, and all supplies will be provided.

Young Dreamers Camp

Brown Penn Recreation Center is hosting a special Young Dreamers Camp from Monday, June 2, to Friday, June 6. Kids ages 8-15 are invited to spend a week exploring and trying new things each day from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn more and register in person at the Brown Penn Recreation Center front desk.

Aviation 5K

The second race in the Hickory 5K Series is the brand new Aviation 5K. Runners will begin at Winkler Park, then run across the Hickory Aviation Walk bridge. All participants will receive a custom t-shirt and a chance to win a custom medal. For more information on this 5K and the entire 5K series, contact Lance Riddile at lriddile@hickorync.gov.

Summer Track Series

The Hickory Summer Track Series, hosted by the City of Hickory Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Department and Lenoir-Rhyne University, will return on Thursdays, June 5-26, from 6-9 p.m. at the Lenoir-Rhyne University outdoor track. Events include the kids 50m, 1 mile, 100m, 200m, 300m, 400m, 4x100m, 800m, 2 miles, 5000m, long jump, triple jump, shot put, high jump, and pole vault. Registration is $10 for each date or $30 for the entire series, and can be done below:

Juneteenth Festival

Celebrate Juneteenth at a special Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 14, from 5:30-9 p.m. at Samuel William Davis Sr. Multipurpose Field. This family-friendly event includes vendor booths, live entertainment, food trucks, and more.

Mark Your Calendars

•    Hopper and Natural Bird Feeder Workshop – Saturday, June 7
•    S.O.A.P. Camp – June 16-20
•    NC Arboretum Day Trip – Saturday, June 28
•    Back to the Future Part 2 Adult Softball Tournament – Saturday, June 28

Park Highlight

Hickory City Park includes eight lighted tennis courts as well as an outdoor covered shelter, restrooms, and access to the Riverwalk and the Lake Hickory Trails. This park is located at 1581 12th Street Drive NW in Hickory.

Free Play Activities & Group Exercise Classes

Our recreation centers offer free play pickleball, basketball, volleyball, and group exercise classes for all skill levels!

Monthly Event Sponsors

To see how you can get involved and become a sponsor, click here: www.hickorync.gov/sponsorship-opportunities