The duo that IS Vance County Tourism – Pam Hester and Norman Dickerson – are still riding high after another successful car show in downtown Henderson, but they’re not spending too much time looking in the rear-view mirror. They’ve got some other fish to fry, figuratively speaking.
That’d be the gigantic catfish, that 8-foot, 11-inch 750-pound behemoth that became the newest addition to last year’s New Year’s Eve activities at Satterwhite Point on Kerr Lake.
He’s also set to make a pre-NYE appearance at the upcoming Christmas parade on Dec. 6, said Hester. Look for him on a Fred’s Towing vehicle.
“Fred’s is a huge community supporter,” Hester said on Wednesday’s TownTalk segment. The Foggs and the late Charles Bowman were among the small army of folks who adorned the giant fish with lights just days before it made its debut to usher in 2025.
Those volunteers, Dickerson said, are invaluable to the events that are planned and carried out each year in Vance County. Take putting the light on that catfish, for example. Stringing lights on that giant fish was no small task, but volunteers never let Hester and Dickerson down – they’re always ready to help.
The community showed up for the inaugural Catfish Drop, and this year, Hester said, she hopes it’ll be even bigger and better.
The fish drops a few hours earlier than midnight – at 7 p.m. – which gives families a chance to enjoy an afternoon filled with activities, vendors, music and food.
The Mike Davis Experience will perform, bringing his one-man show to Satterwhite Point.
“It’s just going to be an afternoon, early evening event of fun for everybody,” Hester said.
Kerr Lake is just one of the “jewels” in Vance County that Hester and Dickerson promote.
Another “jewel” is McGregor Hall, which brings folks from all over to attend plays, performances and competitions throughout the year.
According to state statistics from 2023, tourism spending in Vance County totaled about $70 million.
Whether it’s attending a car show, participating in a fishing tournament or dance competition, people are coming into Vance County and spending money. “Just think of what we could do if we had the capability of housing more events,” Hester said.
Hotels and motels generate occupancy tax revenues – to the tune of more than $500,000.
“Just think of what we could do if we had more hotels,” Hester mused. “We’ve got everything it takes to blow this county out of the water.”
A single fisherman who comes into town for a fishing tournament spends an average of $189, Hester said. Now imagine what a McGregor Hall dance competition involves: one young dancer translates into a family and friends who attend the competition will spend money on food, lodging, gas and the practically obligatory trip to Walmart.
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