Last Norris summer concert is Friday night
Despite a morning thunderstorm, there was a huge turnout of visitors to take part in the Norris Day activities on the Norris Commons on Saturday. They included former long-time City Councilwoman Loretta Painter, second from right, who came back from Virginia for the weekend to attend. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
The concert will be held on the outdoor stage next to Lions Pavilion, in front of Norris Middle School. It is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and end by 9 p.m.
There is no admission charge, but attendees are requested to bring their own chairs or blankets to sit on in the grassy area in front of the stage.
Last week’s concert, on July 4, was part of the annual Norris Day events, and was followed by a 20-minute fireworks display in the Commons area across from the middle school.
Hundreds of cars and crowds of people lined the streets to view the fireworks, which could be seen from as far away as Andersonville.
Thousands of people showed up during the day and into the evening Saturday for the 58th-annual Norris Day celebration, which allowed residents and visitors to salute the town while also observing the Independence Day holiday and America’s 250th birthday.
The day was to begin with the annual Firecracker 4K and 1K Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. in the town’s Commons area, but a heavy thunderstorm was pounding the run route at the planned starting time, prompting the city to announce that the runs were canceled.
That apparently didn’t deter many people, though, as hundreds took part in the event anyway.
They were running and walking through Norris streets in a heavy downpour, with lightning popping overhead, even with some participants pushing small children in buggies and strollers.
Rain let up later to allow for the kids’ dog show, duck races, decorated bicycle parade, many-wheeled races, sack races, and the water balloon toss the rest of the morning and into the afternoon.
Vendors were set up along the Norris Commons Road in front of the middle school in tents and shelters for much of the day, and there was an evening program at the Lions Club Pavilion behind the post office beginning at 5:30.
