Bet Ya Didn’t Know – Party All Year as Mooresville Turns 150

You Don’t Look a Day Over 149

Mooresville’s Main Street, long before asphalt roads came to town.

Mooresville Celebrates a really big birtHday

compiled by Lori Helms | photography courtesy Town of Mooresville While all of us in the Lake Norman area are celebrating the beginning of a new year, the Town of Mooresville has a special reason to commemorate 2023. The town on the lake known for its textile mill past, its “Race City” present and its future as a growing high-tech hub turns 150 years old this year and, to celebrate, a year-long slate of events are on the calendar for Mooresvillians and more to enjoy.

March 3 – Party Like It’s 1873 Festival: The Town of Mooresville was incorporated on this day in 1873, and it’s ready to celebrate in historic style. With everything from a John Moore look-alike contest to food trucks, beer vendors, music, period-themed actors and more, the “Party Like It’s 1873 Festival” will mark Mooresville’s official 150th anniversary. The celebration includes “150 Years of Mooresville: Immersive Experience” at the Charles Mack Citizen Center on Main Street, which will celebrate Mooresville’s storied history. Every few minutes, the lights will dim, and historical photos and memorabilia will come alive, spilling projections onto the walls, telling the story of the community. Featuring music, narration and vivid animations, it’s billed as an immersive art experience like no other.

June 17, 4:30-9 p.m. – Liberty Park Reimagined: A Concert

Celebration. With a surprise headliner musical act, food, drink and celebratory ribbon cutting, the much-anticipated grand re-opening of Liberty Park will be a community celebration not to be missed. Explore the new features of this signature Mooresville park and enjoy a concert experience that is sure to be the talk of the town. July 3 – Stars and Stripes On Main: Celebrate Mooresville’s birthday and America’s birthday all in one day at this patriotic Fourth of July parade. Mooresville’s past, present and future will be on display with an imaginative line-up of colorful parade floats, historic vehicles and plenty of hometown pride. Parade will begin at 10 a.m.

Sept. 16 – Bands, Brews and BBQ: Enjoy a cool brew, live music and tasty food at the Bands, Brews & BBQ Festival in

More photos and videos capturing Mooresville’s history are available at www.mooresvillenc150.com or on the Town of Mooresville Facebook page.

Downtown Mooresville. This outdoor festival will feature North Carolina craft beer, food tastings and some of the best local music from across the region.

Oct. 3, 5-9 p.m. – Mooresville Motorsports Festival: Anchored by the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame induction ceremony, this festival celebrates America’s love of speed. With race cars, current and vintage hot rods, food trucks, live music and the greatest names in auto racing history, this is an event you do not want to miss. An exclusive exhibit at the Charles Mack Citizen Center will feature historic racing photography and rare artifacts, highlighting the people in North Carolina who helped establish NASCAR as a must-see American sporting event.

Dec. 8, 5-9 p.m. – Classic Christmas in Mooresville: Create a lifetime of memories with your family while attending this annual festive celebration. Visit local artisans, sample festive cuisine, finish your last-minute shopping and catch holiday-themed performances brought to you by local talent. Victorian carolers, holiday shopping and photos with Santa are all part of this traditional Classic Christmas.

Visit www.mooresvillenc150.com for more town history, event details and how to be involved.