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Volume 138 • Issue 25
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
75¢
Eastside Baptist Juneteenth Celebration to host special Patriotic Musical held at Patriot Park On Saturday evening, June 27, the joint choirs of Eastside Baptist Church and Second Baptist Church in Kings Mountain will present a special patriotic musical, “Sweet Freedom’s Song. Russel Mauldin beautifully and masterfully arranged this musical, consisting of six songs in three sections into one epic tribute to the heritage, faith, and freedom with which God has so richly blessed us. This special patriotic musical will be at Eastside Baptist Church at 6:00 p.m. to be followed by a time of
By Allyson Parker
fellowship in the church’s fellowship building. Everyone is invited to come to celebrate together the freedoms we have as citizens of this great land God has so graciously given us and blessed us in so many ways. Eastside Baptist Church is located at 308 York Road, Kings Mountain. Happy 250 America!
Cleveland County Commissioner Johnny Hutchins was recently inducted into the NC Outdoors Foundation Hall of Fame. This prestigious award recognizes North Carolinians who have championed quality fishing, hunting, and outdoor recreation opportunities for youth across the state, and is awarded to only three individuals each year. Pictured with Johnny is Senator Ted Alexander. (Photo provided)
COP Camp 2026 has officially kicked off this week. KMPD is excited to welcome their staff and student participants for a week full of learning, leadership, and fun. Be sure to follow along on their Facebook page as they share highlights and spotlight the incredible people making this camp experience unforgettable. (Photo/KMPD FB)
Patriot Park served as the lively setting for Kings Mountain’s 2026 Juneteenth—also known as Freedom Day—celebration, which welcomed the community on June 20, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Juneteenth was established as a federal holiday in 2021 to recognize and celebrate the end of slavery in America. The long struggle for this day traces back to the Civil War, which began in 1861, and the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Lincoln’s commitment to equality remains a cornerstone of this history; as he famously stated, "Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it." The atmosphere in the park was one of profound unity and community spirit. Despite the day's humidity, a subtle breeze kept guests comfortable as they set up lawn chairs to enjoy the event’s entertainment. The Voltage Brothers was the clear highlight, filling the park with Motown classics such as “Ain't Too Proud to Beg”. Beyond the music, the event emphasized civic participation. The Cleveland County Board of Elections operated a booth where Valerie Boyd and Terry Seen were on hand to register voters and answer questions, reminding attendees of the hardwon right to vote. Several Kings Mountain council members, including Scott Neisler, were spotted in
A crowd gathers around the stage, lounging in lawn chairs and on blankets to enjoy the musical entertainment. (photos by Allyson Parker) the crowd. “This is a great event; it really brings our community together,” Neisler said while enjoying the performance. The event was sponsored by Albemarle Corporation, Cleveland County, NC, City of Kings Mountain and the YMCA. The Davidson Association and communty patrons presented the event. The day’s success relied on extensive community dedication.. Contributions came from various individuals, churches, and businesses, including the Albemarle Corporation, YMCA, Bridges Hardware, Kings Mountain Police Department, the City of Kings Mountain, and KM Forward, among others. Sydnor Brown, who helped facilitate the day by distributing water and supplies, reflected on the core motivation for the gathering: “I simply love this event, and the reason we celebrate comes down to one thing: we are all
Terry Seen and Valerie Boyd from Cleveland County Voter Outreach brought voter registration forms and Congressional maps in hopes to remind people of their right to vote. equal. We are no longer divided by race, gender, religious preference, or anything else because we were all created by God”. This vision of unity mirrors the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose legacy continues to guide the nation’s
pursuit of brotherhood. Reflecting on the necessity of this unity, Dr. King once said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."
The Voltage Brothers band kept people entertained with their playlist of songs — seen here performing “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg.” See more photos on page 7A. (Photo /Bertie McClain).
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