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PAGE 3A Friday, June 26, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 25
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Matthews may add downtown cameras by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
Matthews Alive, one of the region's biggest festivals, is expected to bring thousands of people to downtown. CMG file photos
Matthews Alive leader previews 2026 festival by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – Tributes to Toby Keith and Prince are among the headline performers for this year’s Matthews Alive. Executive Director Lee Anne Moore shared details about the festival June 22 with town commissioners. Moore has been working with Key Signature Entertainment, exchanging ideas and videos on potential sounds to bring to the Labor Day Weekend festival. She is excited about this year’s lineup. Electric Avenue will headline Friday, Sept. 4, with 1980s new wave hits. Moore was taken by how amazing lead vocalist Kevin Spencer sounds. The American Ride Toby Keith Tribute will headline Saturday, Sept. 5. Lead singer Mike Suggs not only has the sound but also the look of the late country singer. Marshall Charloff & The Purple XPeRIeNCE will headline Sunday, Sept. 6, with a Prince tribute. Festival-goers may remember the band on the Matthews Alive stage 10 years ago. Moore was going for a concert that pays respect to Prince on the 10th anniversary of his passing but the booking breaks a personal rule of hers not to repeat headliners. “I have not tried to repeat bands in a single season,” said Moore, who doubles as special events coordinator for the town. “If something’s happening in the Beats ‘n Bites series or in Summerfest, I try not to use it in Matthews Alive. I’ve kind of juggled that for the last 13 years or so, and I’ve tried not to repeat any Saturday or Sunday headliners at Matthews Alive for 13 years, but I am breaking my
own rule this year.” Organizers are looking for a company to sponsor the main stage for this year’s festival. The main stage will feature musical performances for most of the festival. Other performers include The Entertainers, Jim Shafer, Rudy’s Bluegrass Revue, Dustin Wilson & The Howlers, Stella Rising, U-Neek Flavur, Distillery Cats and Thirsty Horses. There’s also space in the commercial exhibitor area. Moore said this space provides an opportunity for attendees to look at products in a nopressure environment. “It is sponsors, exhibitors and vendors that form kind of the base of the festival, and without those space fees, the festival suffers,” Moore said. “I do hope that some of our businesses, owners and managers out there will give me a call.” There’s also space available to join the Matthews Alive parade at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 5. Organizers will continue with the change they made last year to the parade route with it traveling down Trade Street, turning right on John Street and disembarking at Covenant Church Lane. This was done for safety purposes. “I want to thank the folks at Covenant Day Church and school for cooperating with us,” Moore said. “We know they have a lot of activities and a lot of things happening down there during the weekends, so I want to thank them specifically for allowing us to crash their side of town with a much more safe, less chaotic end to the parade.” Matthews Alive will be using a new carnival company this year. Moore said the town see FESTIVAL, Page 3A
Some of the most popular attractions in Matthews Alive are the music, amusement rides and parade. Applications to be in the Sept. 5 parade are available at matthewsalive.org/parade and are due by Aug. 15. Businesses should email matthewsalivedirector@ gmail.com for details on getting involved through sponsorships or exhibitor space. CMG file photos
MATTHEWS – Police Chief James Avens Jr. has approached town commissioners about expanding the downtown camera system to improve the Matthews Police Department’s ability to prevent and investigate crime. Mayor John Higdon and town commissioners were receptive to the idea June 22 but they asked several questions about privacy, data retention and cost. “Because Downtown Matthews and Stumptown Park attract significant foot traffic and year-round community engagement, an active crime reduction surveillance system would strengthen both crime-prevention efforts and the public’s perception of safety,” Avens told commissioners. “This added sense of security for residents and visitors alike makes this investment a valuable enhancement to the downtown experience.” The town’s camera system currently covers the railroad tracks and Matthews Station Street. Avens recommends expanding this coverage area from East Matthews Street to McDowell Street, including Stumptown Park, by installing 25 cameras. This would require $132,665.38 upfront and $10,034.80 annually to maintain. Avens previously worked for a town smaller than Matthews that used 140 cameras across the community. He said cameras offered these benefits: • Crime deterrence. “Visible cameras discourage criminal activity, including theft, vandalism, assault and property damage. Offenders are less likely to commit crimes when they know their actions are being recorded.” • Improved investigations. “Video evidence helps identify suspects, vehicles and witnesses, increasing the likelihood of solving crimes and securing successful prosecution.” • Protection of businesses and visitors. “Enhancing safety in a commercial district encourages residents and visitors to shop, dine and attend events downtown. It supports local businesses by reducing loss from theft and vandalism.” • Traffic and public safety benefits. “It helps investigate traffic accidents, hitand-run incidents and pedestrian-related crashes.” • Transparency and accountability. “It provides objective records of incidents involving citizens and law enforcement. It helps build public confidence through factual documentation.” Avens addressed concerns of privacy, saying the police department would not use the camera system to monitor citizens. Cameras would be installed in downtown areas where there would be no expectation of privacy. The system would incorporate artificial intelligence to allow police to locate a flagged suspect. For example, if police are looking for a suspect in a red shirt, AI can help investigators quickly pick them out of a crowd. It may also notify police if a registered sex offender enters the camera system’s coverage area. Commissioner Brian Hacker asked if facial recognition would put citizens’ faces in a database. Avens said the system would not automatically recognize a citizen unless police flagged them for law enforcement purposes. “The cameras themselves are intended to serve as public safety tools, similar to an officer’s observation while on patrol,” see POLICE, Page 3A