Cabarrus opens its doors to residents with Walk With Us tour
Published on April 27, 2026
Under sunny skies and a light spring breeze Thursday morning, Cabarrus County welcomed residents to the annual Walk With Us public tour.
The experience brought community members together for a day of connection and discovery, offering a behind-the-scenes look at County government in action.
“People see these buildings every day, but they don’t always get the chance to see what happens inside,” said Cabarrus Communications and Outreach Manager Dominique Clark. “This experience opens those doors and creates space for conversation and connection.”
Clark developed Walk With Us several years ago to highlight how County government serves the community. The event coincides with National County Government Month, a National Association of Counties (NACo) initiative that encourages counties to elevate public awareness of their work and responsibilities.
The guided walking tour led participants through several key locations in downtown Concord, including the Cabarrus County Government Center, Courthouse, Sheriff’s Office, the revitalized Union Street corridor and the Concord Library branch.
At the Government Center, Interim County Manager Kelly Sifford welcomed the group and shared an overview of County operations. Participants then moved through the building’s first and second floors, stopping by Register of Deeds, Land Records and the Board of Commissioners Chambers. Exploring the Government Center gave the group a firsthand look at where key work happens every day.
The tour continued to the Cabarrus County Courthouse, where Design and Construction Director Michael Miller highlighted the facility design and shared details from a planning process that spanned more than a decade. Participants then stepped inside an empty courtroom to learn about court operations and the various roles the Sheriff’s Office plays in providing safety and order.
While counties are responsible for funding, maintaining and operating courthouse facilities, the North Carolina state Judicial Branch oversees all court operations.
At the Sheriff’s Office, Professional Standards Capt. Kevin Klinglesmith detailed public safety operations.
There, participants enjoyed a complimentary lunch and met K-9 Mac, a trained detection dog that helps investigators by locating electronic storage devices like phones, hard drives and USBs.
The group then traveled along Union Street, where members of the Downtown Concord development team shared the story of revitalization efforts and continued growth in the area.
The final stop brought participants to the Concord Library branch, where Library System Community Services Coordinator Jenny Ripley led them through the space and shared available programs and resources for residents of all ages.
The tour concluded with a walk back down Union Street, where the group enjoyed ice cream and popcorn courtesy of Two Scoops Creamery and Decadence Popcorn.
The impact of the day was clear: attendees signed up for library cards, downloaded the Sheriff’s Office app and left with a better understanding of how to access County services, including public meetings, GIS tools and more.
“It exceeded all my expectations,” attendee Alice Pendelton said. “Full tummy, got enough steps and can dream of lunch one day at an outside restaurant on Union Street.”
Attendee Sherri Ross said she wasn’t sure what to expect, but “the friendliness of everyone involved made me feel comfortable from the start. The tour made me interested in finding out more. I might even attend a commissioner meeting or two now.”
Walk With Us continues to serve as a unique opportunity for residents to engage directly with their local government. The event is one of many that showcase the County’s commitment to transparency, education and connection.
For more information about Cabarrus County programs and future engagement opportunities, visit https://cabarruscounty.us/CabGo