Derek Easterling

A Word From Mayor Derek Easterling

Hello, Kennesaw! We made it through another great year and ended it with a most successful Christmas season. Welcome to 2023, and I pray the new year finds you and your family doing well and thriving in this place we call home.

When we talk about events and things to do in Kennesaw, we have much to talk about and look forward to this year. We once again will host the successful Kennesaw Grand Prix 5K Race Series, three or four downtown festivals, the downtown concert series (third year) and the Main Street Scarecrow Contest (fourth year). We also will have the Depot Park Amphitheater groundbreaking ceremony, numerous grand openings and, quite possibly, something new and different in the city, leaving no time to rest.

Starting off the events calendar in January, we have:

Trains, Trains, Trains! The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History is excited to announce the return of its biggest, most popular event of the year — Trains, Trains, Trains! — Jan. 2829. The 2023 event will feature the museum’s biggest model train display to date, along with train-themed activities and historic trains.

The Book Swap. The Book Swap, 8-11 a.m. Jan 14, is a free media swap hosted by Kennesaw Parks & Recreation at the Ben Robertson Community Center. On our drop-off days (noon-8 p.m. Jan. 1213), area residents can exchange gently used books, CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, etc. for tickets. Each item is worth one ticket. On swap day, those who dropped off items can redeem their tickets for items brought by others. Items will be organized into the following categories: fiction, children, teen, nonfiction, DVDs and CDs/vinyl. The swap is free; items cannot be purchased with money. Anything left at the end of the swap will be donated.

Thinking About Kennesaw in 2023

As you navigate your way through each day of working to provide for you and your family, I want you to take a minute or two to think about your city. In particular, I want you to think about three words: opportunity, appreciation and awareness. Now, I want you to think about how life has changed and progressed. I want you to recognize what role you play or have played in shaping the future of our city. When we share in the successes of our city and when we understand how each of us fits into the equation of creating this success, we are much more likely to achieve greater success and to weather the storms or challenges in front of us.

The opportunities provided to live, work and play here to achieve our greatest success are based on an appreciation and an awareness of not only what surrounds us, but who is around us and their needs. It is an awareness that leads to understanding or empathy and service.

My prayer this year is for you and your family to find great reward in serving each other and your community. Be blessed!

Derek Easterling has served as Kennesaw’s mayor since 2016. He is dedicated to serving his community to the highest level possible.