Canton Collective | June 2026

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Now, let's get you in the know for June!

Bon Appétit | Mayor's Moment

Welcome to June and the beginning of summer in Canton. This season brings a full calendar of events and activities, from floating the Etowah and summer concerts to fireworks and more. And, of course, it also marks the return of one of my favorite traditions: the Canton Farmers Market, which opened last weekend. Featuring more than 64 local growers, bakers, artisans, and food makers, the market fills Brown Park every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through August 30.

Our farmers market is more than a place to shop. It’s a reflection of what makes Canton special. Entrepreneurs and vendors test new ideas, neighbors connect, and residents discover fresh, local products crafted with care. Supported by our dedicated staff and Main Street program, the market continues to strengthen both our local economy and our sense of community.

It also reminds us that growth, when thoughtfully managed, can coexist with quality of life. While social media may sometimes suggest otherwise, the real Canton is found in places like Brown Park on a Saturday morning where neighbors catch up in the shade, families stroll from booth to booth, and friends share conversations over coffee and homemade goodness. It’s a simple scene, but one that says a great deal about who we are.

As the saying goes, we are what we eat. In many ways, we are also shaped by what we choose to support, celebrate, and cultivate together. Thank you for continuing to invest in a Canton that values community, local business, and a little more time spent outdoors with one another.

Bon appétit, Canton. - Mayor Bill

Small Town Cool 4th of July!

Join the City of Canton as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the United States with our Small Town Cool 4th of July Celebration!

Festivities include:

• Parade at 6 PM around the Riverstone Plaza Block
• Concert at 7:30 PM in the Riverstone Plaza Shopping Center
• Fireworks at 9:30 PM launched from Etowah River Park

The parade is now hosted by the City of Canton, in partnership with the American Legion. Interested in participating in the parade with your club, organization, or business, visit https://forms.gle/gt2rf54cpA1kWyfk9 or the link below to sign up today!

*Please note the new locations for the parade route and fireworks launch site. A map for best fireworks viewing locations will be provided closer to the event day.

We hope to see you there as we party for the U.S.A.!

Presented by The Tutton Group, River Rock Concert Series is made its 2026 return by going back to the roots of rock and country!

On June 20, River Rock welcomes to the stage: Pandora’s Box “The Ultimate Tribute to Aerosmith.” 

Come get a dose of some hard driving, melodic Rock and Roll with Pandora’s Box. It would be hard to find a more qualified group of Veteran Stage Performers to bring you this mesmerizing, high energy journey through 40 plus years of the top power hits from one of rocks’ most influential bands.

River Rock, hosted every third Sat., May-Aug. from 6-10 p.m. at the beautiful Etowah River Park, will feature local food trucks, beverage vendors, a children's area, and so much more! Best of all, River Rock is a FREE event, so bring your family, friends, lawn chairs, and get ready to rock and boot-scoot!

Interested in becoming a vendor for River Rock or know a great business that would be? Visit https://www.eventeny.com/company/cityofcanton/ for all the information to get started!

For sponsorship opportunities, email Adam Dodson, Parks & Rec Manager, at adam.dodson@cantonga.gov or call 770-720-7674.

Great music, good food, and family fun take center stage at First Friday in Downtown Canton this Friday, June 5, from 6-9 PM.

Enjoy late night shopping, world-class restaurants, a Kids Zone, food and beverage vendors along Main Street and a CRUISE IN!

Coming to the center stage, The Molly Ringwalds bring a high-energy 80s throwback packed with the songs you know and love. With wild costumes, big hair, outrageous fun, and a setlist full of iconic hits, this electrifying band will have you singing, dancing, and reliving the best music of the decade all night long.

It's time to pull out your best 80s gear and don't forget your chair and dancin' shoes!

On the agenda for the June 4 Council Meeting includes (but is not limited to):

Guests and Visitors

• Presentation of a Proclamation for National Aphasia Awareness Month
• Presentation of the Georgia Exceptional Main Street (GEMS) Award

Public Hearings

• Public Hearing for a Conditional Use Permit at 261 East Main Street for a Mixed-Use In-Fill Development Project
• Public Hearing for an Annexation and Rezoning at 1763 Ball Ground Highway for a Retail Store

Information Only

• Application to rezone property at 2030 and 2050 Sam Nelson Road as well as 650 Talcmine Drive for a Single Family Subdivision of 255 Homes

Consent Agenda

• Approval to abandon an alley between East Main and Teasley Streets
• Approval of a Resolution to Adopt the Capital Improvements Element Amendment
• Approval of an FY2026 Mid-Year Budget Amendment

Old Business

• Discussion and Possible Action for contract for the replacement of the Roof at 151 Elizabeth Street

New Business

• Review and Discussion of Lee Street in Downtown Canton

For the complete meeting agenda, visit https://canton.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Header photo caption: A new pedestrian bridge has "landed" in Downtown Canton in the Sunnyside Community. The bridge is part of a larger transportation project in the area.