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Visitors ring in Kannapolis' 40th birthday during a town-wide celebration on Nov. 6. - Submitted

A young visitor tries her luck at one of the games offered during Kannapolis' 40th birthday celebration on Nov. 6. - Submitted

A crowd gathers around the Swanee Theatre for Kannapolis' 40th birthday celebration on Nov. 6. - Submitted

The Kannapolis Youth Council shows off its work on decorated rocking chairs celebrating the city's 40th birthday. - Submitted

A painted rocking chair pays homage to Kannapolis' train station. - Submitted

Kannapolis rang in its 40th birthday on Nov. 6. - Submitted

KANNAPOLIS — Kannapolis celebrated 40 years of incorporation last Wednesday with a pop-up birthday event at the Swanee Theatre.

On Nov. 6, 1984, citizens of an unincorporated area traditionally known as Kannapolis voted to officially become an incorporated city. Over the last 40 years, the city has grown and flourished into a vibrant hub for healthy living, economic growth and industry-leading research.

During the event, several hundred staff and the public enjoyed free birthday cupcakes and popcorn, signing the city’s birthday card, and received special commemorative pins and towels.

The Kannapolis Youth Council presented the Kannapolis City Council with a special birthday gift – 10 rocking chairs.

The Youth Council hand-painted the rocking chairs and each one features a theme honoring an aspect of the city. Those themes include: Kannapolis City Hall; the city’s police, fire, transportation, environmental services and water resource departments; the North Carolina Research Campus; racing (Dale Earnhardt and Stewart-Haas); Cannon Mills; Kannapolis Cannon Ballers; the city’s brand; the city’s cherry trees; the Gem Theatre; Kannapolis Train Station; the N.C. Music Hall of Fame; and Swanee Theatre.

The chairs will be placed in various locations around the city for residents to enjoy.