Press Releases and Media
February 1, 2023: Celebrate Valentine’s Day on the Rail Trail, thanks to U.S. Bank
CHARLOTTE (February 1, 2023) - Roses are red, violets are blue, stop by the Rail Trail for free photos for your sweetie and you! South End residents and visitors are invited to stop at Evelyn Henson’s Instagram-famous Confetti Hearts Mural on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 11am-2pm for free portraits by Collin Mairena Photography in honor of Valentine’s Day! Attendees can enjoy live music from local musician Curt Keyz throughout the event, and the first 100 people can also pick up a flower to keep for themselves or to give to their valentine (or galentine). Flowers will be provided by Bookout Blooms.
January 12, 2023: Rail Trail Lights Returns to South End with Six Public Light Art Installations
CHARLOTTE (January 12, 2023) - The Charlotte Rail Trail will be illuminated for the fourth year as Rail Trail Lights, presented by U.S. Bank, returns to South End with six never-before-seen, locally created public art installations on display from February 3-19.
February 22, 2022: I Heart Rail Trail: Lights Returns with Dazzling Public Art Installations in South End
CHARLOTTE (February 22, 2022): The Rail Trail will be lit once again this year as I Heart Rail Trail: Lights, presented by U.S. Bank, returns to South End with five never-before-seen public art installations on display from March 4-20. The festival is free and open to the public. Artwork will be illuminated at dusk each night to create a magical interactive experience in one of Charlotte’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
February 7, 2022: Celebrate Valentine’s Day on the Rail Trail, thanks to U.S. Bank
CHARLOTTE (February 7, 2022): Roses are red, violets are blue, stop by the Rail Trail for free photos for your sweetie and you! South End residents and visitors are invited to stop at Evelyn Henson’s Instagram-famous Confetti Hearts Mural on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 12:00 p.m. for free portraits by Austin Caine Photography in honor of Valentine’s Day! The first 100 people can also pick up a rose to keep for themselves, or to give to their valentine (or galentine). Roses will be provided by Bookout Blooms. In addition to the portraits, attendees are welcome to register for a one-hour lovers-themed walking art tour, starting at 11:00 am at the nearby Krispy Kreme Donuts (2116 Hawkins Street). The art tour will end at the Confetti Hearts Mural.
December 7, 2021: Public-Private Partnership to Unveil Updated Renderings of Rail Trail Bridge Linking Uptown and South End
CHARLOTTE (December 7, 2021): A public-private partnership among the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Department of Transportation, U.S. Bank, Charlotte Center City Partners, and other private sector investors will provide an update to the media about the design of the forthcoming Rail Trail Bridge that will link Uptown and South End.
November 10, 2021: Join U.S. Bank and Volofit for a Free Workout to Commemorate Veterans Day
CHARLOTTE (November 10, 2021): Veterans and their families are invited to join U.S. Bank for a free workout on Wednesday, Nov. 10 in commemoration of Veterans Day. The workout will be led by Coach Shannon of Volofit, a functional fitness gym new to the district. Coach Shannon is a former Marine ready to bring the heat in the 50-minute high intensity interval training class, held at Wilmore Centennial Park on the corner of South Tryon Street and Kingston Avenue. Refresh after the class with a free juice from local favorite Green Brothers Juice Co. Attendees are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes early and to bring a mat. Street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood. Water will be provided, and the class size is limited to 30 participants to ensure safety while working with a trainer. Volofit workouts focus equally on endurance, strength, power, and agility, so get ready to sweat in South End! Register for the class here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-workout-in-commemoration-of-veterans-day-tickets-191758694417
November 2, 2021: Mobile Bike Repair Station Coming to the Rail Trail, thanks to U.S. Bank
CHARLOTTE (November 2, 2021): Smooth out your ride with a free bike repair from Queen City Bicycles on the Rail Trail for World Recreation Day. Riders can get minor shift and brake adjustments and their chains cleaned between 4-7 p.m. on Nov. 2 at Kingston Plaza, next to the Rail Trail chalkboard. Queen City Bicycles will also be offering in-shop discounts for those who come to the Rail Trail needing full tune-ups.
October 27, 2021: Celebrate Halloween at ImaginOn’s Fall Crawl, with U.S. Bank
CHARLOTTE (October 27: 2021): Celebrate spooky season just off the Rail Trail at ImaginOn’s Fall Crawl on Wednesday, October 27. Expect take-and-make crafts including a pumpkin patch, ghost lollipop, and spider hat, as well as Halloween music, a scavenger hunt, and a trick-or-treat station. Attendees can grab a specialty Halloween bag, courtesy of U.S. Bank, to collect goodies while at the event. ImaginOn opened in 2005 as a combination library and theatre space where stories come to life; there are two state-of-the-art theatres, a library for youth under the age of 11 and for teens, four multi-use classrooms, multimedia production studio, and an interactive exhibit space. Located on the Rail Trail and adjacent to 7th Street Station, ImaginOn is a kid’s paradise in the heart of Uptown Charlotte.
October 5, 2021: Donate a Book in South End for National Do Something Nice Day
CHARLOTTE (October 5, 2021): Ready, set, read! U.S. Bank is celebrating National Do Something Nice Day by hosting a neighborhood book drive, encouraging residents to drop off their unwanted books at one of the five Little Free Libraries in South End. U.S. Bank will also be making a donation to the campaign so that South End always has something to read! The Little Free Libraries were created by Glen and Maria Nocik at ACSM and C3 Lab, and are located at the Charlotte Urban Design Center, 1100 South, MAA 1225, SILOS, and The Hub at South End.
September 29, 2021: Stroll the Rail Trail with a Free Coffee on National Coffee Day, presented by U.S. Bank
CHARLOTTE (September 29, 2021): Something is brewing in South End! National Coffee Day is on September 29, and U.S. Bank is giving away 150 free small, hot cups of coffee on the Rail Trail to celebrate. The first 150 people to stop by Central Coffee Co. on Camden Road can claim a free small, hot cup of coffee to help kick start the day. Central Coffee Co. has been a neighborhood favorite since 2016, serving Joe Van Gogh coffee roasted in Hillsborough, N.C.
August 31, 2021: Check Mate! Celebrate National Chess Day with Live Jazz and Games at Atherton Mill, Sponsored by U.S. Bank
CHARLOTTE (August 31, 2021): Time to make a move on September 1, as U.S. Bank celebrates National Chess Day at Atherton Mill. Go big or go home at the Mill’s giant chess set or play at one of the eight boards placed around the community plaza. Watch the sun set over the Rail Trail as live jazz music sets the scene for the perfect Queen City evening.
August 26, 2021: Celebrate Dog Days in South End with a S-wag Bag Giveaway, sponsored by U.S. Bank
CHARLOTTE (August 26, 2021): Who let the dogs out? Celebrate National Dog Day with an ulti-mutt giveaway at local pups’ favorite shop, Pet Wants, sponsored by U.S. Bank. Pet parents can visit the South End Pet Wants store to claim a free swag bag, including a U.S. Bank leash, Rail Trail stickers, waste bags, Pet Wants treats, food measuring cup, and more! Take photos with furry friends at the photo booth outside of the store, and tag @petwants on Instagram to receive 10% off a purchase. Look across the street to find a temporary art installation at the Rail Trail Chalkboard, created by Charlotte Chalk Art.
August 10, 2021: Squeeze the Day with Lemonade-Flavored Popsicles in South End, Sponsored by U.S. Bank
CHARLOTTE (August 10, 2021): Anything is popsicle when you’re going back to school! Celebrate the start of a new school year, and National Lemonade Day, with U.S. Bank at the South End Market on Saturday, Aug. 21. We will give away 100 King of Pop popsicles at the Market’s Back to School Event. Popsicle flavors include lemonade, pink lemonade, and strawberry lemonade! The South End Market’s Back to School event will feature 25 local farmers, food artisans and crafters; a live children’s cooking demo by Chef Alyssa Wilen of Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen; live farm animals; face painting; hair feathering; and music by popular local artist MonaLisa. The Market is free to attend, and attendees should look for the free lemonade sign and King of Pop cart to grab their sweet treat. After all, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
June 21, 2021: Celebrate International Make Music Day in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE (June 21, 2021): Make Music Day started in France, 1982. France’s Ministry of Culture dreamed up an idea for a new kind of musical holiday. They created a full day where free, live music would be everywhere: street corners and parks, rooftops and gardens, storefronts and mountaintops. Unlike a typical music festival, anyone and everyone would be invited to join and play music or host performances. The event would take place on the summer solstice, June 21, and would be called Fête De La Musique. (In French, the name means both “festival of music” and “make music!”). Make Music Charlotte wants to keep the spirit of Fête De La Musique alive by celebrating Make Music Day on June 21. Anyone and everyone is invited to find a way to celebrate and make music! We invite YOU to celebrate Make Music Day with us!
June 3, 2021: Take a Joy Rides on World Bicycle Day
CHARLOTTE (June 3, 2021): Charlotte City Center Partners, Charlotte Joy Rides, and U.S. Bank are teaming up to celebrate World Bicycle Day tomorrow by offering free, 30-minute trips on Charlotte Joy Rides bicycles. According to the UN website, “World Bicycle Day draws attention to the benefits of using the bicycle — a simple, affordable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation. The bicycle contributes to cleaner air and less congestion and makes education, health care, and other social services more accessible to the most vulnerable populations. A sustainable transport system that promotes economic growth, reduces inequalities while bolstering the fight against climate change is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”
May 18, 2021: Celebrate National Scavenger Hunt Day by Exploring Art Along the Rail Trail in South End
CHARLOTTE (May 18, 2021): Charlotte City Center Partners and U.S. Bank are teaming up with the CLT Scavenger Hunt to celebrate National Scavenger Hunt Day along the Charlotte Rail Trail. Attendees will have a chance to win prizes from local businesses and participate in a Grand Prize Raffle where one lucky hunter will receive a $500 gift card, courtesy of U.S. Bank. The event starts on Sunday, May 23rd. Eight clues will be posted throughout the day, each showcasing some of the vibrant art along the Trail. The first 300 hunters who reach the final clue location will receive Grand Prize scratch-offs, and the lucky number will be drawn at random on National Scavenger Hunt Day: Monday, May 24th.
April 22, 2021: U.S. Bank hearts the Rail Trail - Monthly Rail Trail Clean-Ups Kick Off This Weekend
CHARLOTTE (April 22, 2021): This Earth Day, U.S. Bank is renewing its commitment to the Charlotte Rail Trail through a partnership with South End Social and its monthly Rail Trail clean-up events – Voluncheers. This event started as a way to support the South End Social mission of producing, promoting, and providing high-quality experiences that are beneficial to residents, small businesses, and the South End community. The volunteers who come every month have a passion for taking care of their neighborhood and the clean-up events are a fun way to bring residents together to make their community better. South End Social rewards their volunteers with giveaways from local businesses following each clean-up.
February 13, 2021: Light Installations Come to the Rail Trail with “I Heart Rail Trail: Lights” Presented by U.S. Bank
CHARLOTTE (February 13, 2021): Internationally renowned light installations are coming to the Charlotte Rail Trail to kick off a year-long partnership between U.S. Bank and the Rail Trail called I Heart Rail Trail. The I Heart Rail Trail initiative will feature events large and small to activate the Rail Trail and enhance the experience of this 3.5-mile linear park. From February 13 – February 29, I Heart Rail Trail: Lights will feature four interactive light installations spread along a one-mile stretch of the Rail Trail from Carson St. to Sycamore Brewing.
