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Norcross economic development plans update
Friday, May 29 — Hayden here with my weekly Norcross newsletter.
This past Memorial Day weekend sneaked up on us, tying 2020 for the federal holiday’s earliest date of the decade. Something about an early Memorial Day rubs me the wrong way.
🇺🇸 Next year, Memorial Day will be on May 31, which is cause for celebration – unless it rains all weekend again.
⬇️ Here’s some Norcross news to keep on your radar:
💯 The Georgia Department of Education named Norcross High School as an AP Honors School, recognizing the Blue Devils with honors in six categories.
🏛️ The Norcross City Council will gather for a special-called meeting at 5 p.m. on June 1, before its regularly scheduled meeting kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Meeting details are posted here.
🎸 Norcross has its second Friday concert of the summer season next week, June 5, featuring Nashville-based songwriter Lydia Simmons. The Thrasher Park concerts are a hit when it’s not raining.
Now for the meat and potatoes,
😎 Hayden
Norcross economic development director outlines city’s business support initiatives
💰 Norcross Economic Development Director David Versel stopped by the May 27 People Doing Community at 45 South Cafe to update residents on how the city is supporting businesses and new projects.
“We get involved in everything from recruiting businesses and helping real estate development projects to dealing with everybody’s favorite topic, downtown parking,” Versel said. “Successful businesses pay tax dollars, generate jobs, generate economic activity that then pays for all these great things that we have in our community.”
📈 Read about redevelopment and business trends in Norcross here.
Sip, savor, and celebrate!
SPONSORED BY FOOD THAT ROCKS
🥂 Food That Rocks 2026 returns to City Springs on June 4 as Sandy Springs’ all-inclusive tasting event, presented by Taste of Atlanta.
From 6–10 p.m. for VIP entry and starting at 7 p.m. for general admission, guests sample bites from more than 25 neighborhood restaurants alongside craft cocktails, beer, and wine tastings. The under-the-stars evening features live music from Bogey and the Viceroy, chef meet-and-greets, and interactive sponsor activations.
Celebrating Sandy Springs’ growing culinary scene, the event brings together local favorites and new spots for one high-energy night of food, drinks, and community.
Discovery Garden Park to host ribbon-cutting ceremony showcasing new enhancements
🏡 The City of Norcross is celebrating the recent enhancements and transformation of Norcross Discovery Garden Park on June 9 at 3:30 p.m.
A city spokesperson said a ribbon-cutting ceremony will highlight the park’s new interactive and sustainable landscape features, including native plantings designed to support pollinators, educational garden spaces, youth sensory exploration areas, and new community gathering features.
Attendees will also have an opportunity to get a close-up look at Sage, the park’s new bronze white squirrel sculpture, as a part of the Norcross Public Arts Commission’s interactive public arts project.
🐿️ Read more about what to expect at the park here.
Norcross’ Dunwoody neighbor returned to Scripps Spelling Bee championship
🐝 After making it to the final three last night, Dunwoody ace speller Sarv Dharavane was eliminated from the competition in the 17th round after misspelling “disa” by inserting an extra “a.” A hard moment for Dharavane – and all of us at Rough Draft who count ourselves among his biggest fans – who in earlier rounds successfully spelled words like “cydnid,” “Kadohadacho,” “Tethyan,” and “kurgan.”
Before the finals kicked off last night, Dharavane told Rough Draft’s Cathy Cobbs that he was “pumped up” for the competition, calling it “a once-in-a-lifetime experience” that he’s done twice. Candidly, I was never a great speller. I’m just hoping all this rain continues to vivificate Georgia’s parched soil. Now, Cathy owes me a dollar after challenging me to use it correctly in a story or column.
🏆 Read more about Sarv and his spelling prowess here.
Norcross announces lineup for Juneteenth celebration
✊🏾 Norcross is holding its Juneteenth celebration on June 19 from 11 a.m. to noon at the cultural arts and community center on College Street.
The city’s annual celebration commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans started in 2022, shortly after Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021.
Norcross Mayor Craig Newton is slated to speak at the celebration, with performances by acclaimed cellist-songwriter Okorie Johnson and the Hopewell Baptist Church Youth Choir.
🤎 Read more about the celebration and performers here.
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