Tag Archive for: #vancecountytourism

The Local Skinny! Vance Co. Tourism Reports Record Attendance For Independence Day Celebration At Satterwhite Point

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— information courtesy of Vance County Tourism

Satterwhite Point Park was THE place to be over the Independence Day holiday, and tourism and park officials said the daylong celebration on Saturday, July 5 brought out thousands of people to enjoy lakeside activities.

Pam Hester with Vance County Tourism called it “an unprecedented turnout,” which featured food vendors, music and more leading up to the evening’s fireworks display.

According to State Parks Superintendent Bill Stanley, “This is the first time in 10 years I can remember hitting the complete parking capacity.”

According to State Parks traffic counter, 2,167 vehicles entered the park on Saturday, July 5. Using a standard estimate of three occupants per vehicle, that means at least 6,501 people attended the park alone.

And that doesn’t count the hundreds who arrived by boat or who gathered at nearby locations to view the show.

Campsite usage hit peak levels, too, and the campground reached 100 percent capacity well before the weekend of the Fourth. A limited number of sites, typically held back for emergencies such as double bookings or maintenance issues, were also fully utilized by Saturday, according to Hester. “The strong demand reaffirms that visitors specifically plan their vacations around the annual celebration. State Parks reported approximately $28,000 in park fees collected, directly tied to the influx of holiday visitors and fireworks anticipation.”

Local vendors benefited significantly from the crowd, too. Food and novelty vendors reported selling out before the end of the evening.

Participating businesses included: Bob’s Wind Planes, Ships, and Novelties; Bun on the Run; De Tocho Morocho; DPC Concessions; Hudson’s Grill & Chili; Kernel Craze; King Southern Style Cooking; Ninja Realty; R J’s Grill; and Taba’s Facepainting.

The event would not be possible without the support of local agencies, volunteers and the community. Their collective effort delivered a safe, fun and memorable celebration for all in attendance.

  • Bill Stanley and every member of the State Parks Team go above and beyond!
  • Vance County Rescue
  • NC HWY Patrol
  • Vance County Sherrif’s Office
  • Vance County EMS
  • NC DOT
  • NC Wildlife Commission
  • NC Fire Marshal
  • Vance County Fire Marshal
  • Vance County Fire Department
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Hicksboro Fire Department
  • Vance County Commissioners
  • Chris Senter
  • A Fresh Potti
  • Warren County DOT
  • Granville County Emergency Management
  • DJ Jay
  • Pyro Shows East Coast
  • The Daily Dispatch
  • WIZS Radio
  • Tom Burleson, Graham Nobles, Larry Allen

 

 

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Reminder About Temporary Detour To Accommodate Fireworks Traffic At Satterwhite Point July 5

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Traffic along Satterwhite Point Road will be detoured for just more than an hour on Saturday night after the completion of the fireworks display at Satterwhite Point.

Norman Dickerson with Vance County Tourism reminds anyone driving out that way between 9:15 p.m. and about 10:30 p.m. that traffic will be diverted from Satterwhite Point Road onto Anderson Creek Road.

The detour will help reduce congestion and allow for timely clearing of vehicular traffic occurring immediately after the conclusion of the annual Independence Day Celebration and fireworks display at Satterwhite Point Park, Dickerson said.

During the detour period, traffic traveling north/northwest on Satterwhite Point Rd (SR 1319) will be halted at the intersection of Anderson Creek Rd. (SR 1374). Traffic leaving the park headed south back toward Henderson will be detoured east onto Anderson Creek Road (SR 1374) and then south onto Flemingtown Road (SR 1371) to its intersection with I-85.

The closure/detour is coordinated and executed by the N.C. Highway Patrol and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

TownTalk: Fourth of July Fireworks Coming to Kerr Lake

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Independence Day falls on a Friday this year, which give folks a chance to take part in more festivities over the long Fourth of July weekend.

Take the fireworks show at Kerr Lake’s Satterwhite Point Park, for example, sponsored by Vance County Tourism.

The annual event will take place on Saturday, July 5 this year, and Pam Hester and Norman Dickerson are working like a well-oiled machine to make sure there’s plenty of food and fun for the whole community.

“The fireworks are going to be beautiful,” Hester said, adding that the pyrotechnics team creating the show does a “fabulous job” that will surely wow the audience.

The fun begins at 4 p.m., and there will be a wide variety of food vendors, as well as music provided again this year by DJ Jay.

“As always, DJ J has it down to a science,” Hester said. He plays patriotic music during the countdown to the fireworks show, which helps get the crowd really involved, she said.

It does take place in early July, so in addition to the fireworks and the fun, friendship and fellowship that will be served up, Hester adds one word to the description: HOT.

While there will be plenty to do during the afternoon and into the evening, the star of the show is the fireworks, so the tourism duo makes sure that all the permits are secured and helping agencies are on board with their role in making sure all goes according to plan.

“It takes roughly 16 different organizations to pull off this 20-minute affair each year,” Dickerson said. “We are indebted to these organizations. Without them, we could not do it.” Among the assisting agencies are the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, the N.C. State Highway Patrol, Vance County Rescue Squad, Fire Department, EMS and the county commissioners.

In addition, permits are needed from the N.C. State Parks and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

And oddly enough, Dickerson said they have to seek approval from the U.S. Coast Guard, which has an auxiliary at the lake that assists the rescue squad to maintain safety along the perimeter of the shoot site.

Hester offered a shout-out to Kerr Lake Parks Superintendent Bill Stanley and his team. “Bill Stanley and his crew are just top of the line,” she said.

The shoot site usually takes place along the shoreline at Water’s Edge subdivision, Dickerson noted, but if the lake level remains as high as it is now (301.6 feet), the Plan B is to move across the lake near Shelter 3, which is more elevated.

“Anything over 301.6 and our shoot area is under water,” Dickerson said. The lake level may come down some between now and then, “but we’ve still got a backup, so we’re good,” he explained.

Here’s a quick rundown on some of the food and beverage options that are scheduled to be on site for the event:

  • Bun on the Run – burgers and hotdogs
  • King’s Southern Style Cooking – shrimp, fish, pork chops, fries, hush puppies
  • RJ’s Grill – Cheese steaks, chopped pork, chicken wings and fish
  • Kim Hudson’s loaded baked potatoes, nachos, lemonade and cold drinks
  • Frostbites – a variety of ice treat and ice cream to help keep you cool
  • DP and C – carnival treats like candy apples, funnel cakes and deep fried candy bars.
  • Kernel Craze – gourmet popcorn in all different flavors
  • De Tocho Morocho – offering Hispanic-inspired foods and drinks

The event is free, but there is a $10 gate fee to enter the park. And remember, alcohol is not permitted at any state park.

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Perry Memorial Library

Community ‘Read-In’ Event Kicks Off Wednesday, June 25

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Calling all readers to join in a community “Read-In” that will be held this summer on the last Wednesdays of the months of June, July and August. The last Wednesday in June is June 25.

Bring a chair or a blanket and a book, magazine or newspaper and spend an hour on the lawn across from Perry Memorial Library. The events begin at 4 p.m. and last for an hour.

Participants are requested to silence all electronics during this time to create a quiet space as readers do what they love to do – READ!

In case of inclement weather, the “read-in” will take place in the gallery between McGregor Hall and the library.

Visit www.perrylibrary.org or call the library at 252.438.3316/ext. 225 to learn more.

The event is being sponsored by the City of Henderson, Perry Memorial Library, Pathways 2 Peace and Vance County Tourism.

TownTalk: Show, Shine, Shag & Dine Event Friday and Saturday

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Back for its 22nd year, the Show, Shine, Shag & Dine takes over Garnett Street in downtown Henderson Saturday, Oct. 19 for a daylong celebration of all types of cars – custom, antique, racers and more.

But there’s also a pre-show BBQ and cruise-in that takes place at Satterwhite Point Park on Kerr Lake Friday, Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vance County Tourism Authority staffers Pam Hester and Norman Dickerson said everyone’s invited to kick off the weekend festivities there. The lakeside cruise-in is open to all makes and models, and there will be music and food on hand for all to enjoy.

And if that’s not enough for you, head on over to Charles Bowman’s Southern Classic Cruise In 117 Horner St. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., folks can enjoy more music and more food, and of course more cars.

“Charles has his museum in tip-top shape,” Hester said on Tuesday’s TownTalk. “If you’ve never been…you’re missing out.”

Hot rods and restored antique vehicles will be sharing the road – literally – with Corbitt trucks, which were produced in Henderson in the early 20th century.

Dickerson said the Corbitt Preservation group is expecting between 12 and 14 pieces of rolling stock to be on display Saturday.

An antique Ford group is planning to show off their vehicles in the parking lot of the Garnett Street Depot and there most likely will be a dozen or more racing cars for attendees to ooh and aah over.

Vendors will line Garnett Street amid the four-wheeled stars of the show. Organizers expect at least 400 to drive in for the day.

The economic impact is measurable, Hester said. “We had a study done on the traffic of downtown Henderson,” she said. Three hundred sixty-four days of the year, the count was pretty much the same, day in, day out. “Except the day of the car show – it goes up about 10 times higher,” she said.

“It’s a wonderful event,” Hester continued. “The crowd is very diversified…everybody gets along wonderfully…it’s just a community effort.”

Register vehicles between 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Enter from W. Winder St. The first 400 entries receive a dash plaque.

The fun continues through 5 p.m. and participants can meander along Garnett Street to see the beautiful cars and enjoy the vendors and food truck offerings.

A few details to keep in mind:

  • No Pets or Exotic Animals
  • No Bicycles
  • No Personal Golf Carts allowed without Permit

Visit https://www.kerrlake-nc.com/car-show.php for details about this weekend’s event.

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Vance County Tourism

TownTalk: Catfish Drop for New Year’s by Vance County Tourism

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New York City’s Times Square has that iconic glittery orb. Raleigh has a giant acorn. Shoot, Mt. Olive has a giant pickle covered in lights. But this New Year’s Eve, families can head out to Satterwhite Point to witness a first: a giant blue catfish drop to usher in 2025.

It’s all part of a plan by Vance County Tourism and other partners, most recently the Vance County Board of Commissioners, who signed off on the event at their regular meeting held Aug. 5 meeting.

The idea has been in the works for a few years, said Pam Hester, Vance County tourism director. Hester and fellow tourism staffer Norman Dickerson were guests on TownTalk Wednesday to talk about the impact tourism and visitors had on the local economy in 2023, and to discuss how the county’s attractions affect the bottom line.

Adding another signature event like the New Year’s Eve catfish drop to the county’s calendar, she said, will only increase that economic impact. When families come out to the lake on Dec. 31, they can expect vendors, entertainment, fireworks and more before that big ol’ catfish is lowered from the sky to welcome the New Year.

Why a catfish? Back in 2011, a fisherman snagged a recod-breaking whopper from the lake – a 143-pound blue cat. Now, a local artist is creating another whopper, Hester said.

This one will most likely be hooked – by a crane – and dropped – not reeled in- on New Year’s Eve could be the next “big” thing to bring visitors – and their dollars – to the county.

Last year’s tourism numbers are impressive, and Hester said Vance County garnered $70.2 million in visitor spending. That’s an 8.1 percent increase in 2023 from the previous year, which surpasses both Granville and Franklin counties, but is not quite as much as Warren County, which saw a 10.8 percent jump in 2023 for a whopping $73 million in tourism dollars. Vance County is ranked 15th among the state’s 100 counties in terms of growth rate with that 8.1 percent; Warren (10.8 percent) and Franklin (10.6 percent) are ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.

Booked hotel rooms generate an occupancy tax that goes to county coffers. That money, along with sales tax that comes from restaurants and other retailers, creates revenue for the county – in 2023, that figure is the equivalent of $119.76 per resident in tax savings.

“We’re lucky to have McGregor Hall and we’re lucky to have Kerr Lake,” Hester said. “They are our main attractions,” Hester said. In addition to the New Year’s Eve event, there are plans to further capitalize on Kerr Lake by creating an event to celebrate Hispanic Heritage.

Visit https://partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies to find a complete county-by-county breakdown of visitor spending in the state.

Here is a snapshot of the four-county area:

Vance County

Total visitor spending – $70.02 million

Lodging: $15.44 million

Food & Beverage: $23.13 million

Recreation: $9.5 million

Retail: $5.93 million

Transport: $16.02 million

Granville County

Total visitor spending – $60.98 million

Lodging: $13.31 million

Food & Beverage: $20.04 million

Recreation: $9.18 million

Retail: $4.49 million

Transport: $13.96 million

Warren County

Total visitor spending – $73.02 million

Lodging: $18.54 million

Food & Beverage: $21.28 million

Recreation: $10.41 million

Retail: $5.96 million

Transport: $ 16.83 million

Franklin County

Total visitor spending – $42.15 million

Lodging: $8.46 million

Food & Beverage: $14.55 million

Recreation: $5.81 million

Retail: $3.05 million

Transport: $ 10.28 million

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TownTalk: Juneteenth and July 4th, Vance Tourism

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July 4 falls on a Thursday this year, which makes for a long weekend just right for vacationers and campers to enjoy a few extra days in and around Kerr Lake. We’ll turn our attention to the skies around Satterwhite Point on Saturday, July 6 for the annual fireworks show, but come early and enjoy all the festivities that await, local tourism officials said.

Norman Dickerson and Pam Hester said this year’s activities include music by DJ Jay, as well as a variety of area vendors selling everything from wings and cheesesteaks to shaved ice treats.

The festivities begin around 4 p.m., and vendors will be set up and ready by 2:30 p.m. Dickerson said.

There’s a $7 state park gate fee – that’s per car, not per person. And a reminder: No alcohol is allowed in state parks. The community is invited to come out to enjoy the afternoon and stay for the fireworks display, which will begin sometime between 9:15 and 9:30, Dickerson said.

As in years past, the show should last 30 minutes or a little bit longer.

Once the last oohs and aahs have drifted into the night sky, Satterwhite Point Road will be transformed into a two-lane exit. The State Highway Patrol will close Satterwhite Point Road at Anderson Creek about the time the fireworks start to make sure festival goers can depart efficiently and safely.

RJ’s Grill, Bun on the Run and Warehouse Barbecue of Youngsville will provide burgers, dogs and more, while other vendors will have everything from corn dogs to pretzels and ice cream.

There also will be novelty items – think all things glow-in-the-dark – and the kids will be happy.

Dickerson and Hester appreciate the considerable support that more than a dozen area agencies provide to get what Hester called a “massive undertaking” like the holiday festival up and running.

From fire departments and the Highway Patrol, Sheriff’s Office, Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and, of course, the N.C. State Parks system, Vance County’s tourism officials give a solid pat on the back.

If it were left to the two of them to pull off,  the celebration would look less like fireworks and more like sparklers, they said.

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Vance County Hitting All The Right Notes For ‘Make Music Day’ On June 21

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What are you doing this Friday?

The Vance County Arts Council invites you to join in “Make Music Day” – performances are popping up all over Henderson and Vance County in celebration of the global event that involves more than 1,000 cities all over the world.

The performances are free, and Dr. Alice Clark Sallins hopes people come out to hear and appreciate all the different types of music that will be created.

“By establishing one specific day each year, June 21, to celebrate music, Vance County Arts Council encourages both amateur and professional music-making, and empowers individuals to seek out ways to help celebrate music in their community,” stated Sallins.

Over the course of 12 hours – 9:45 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. – music of all types will be heard throughout the county.

“Vance is one of the most musically talented counties in the state of North Carolina and we want to give our citizens a music-making opportunity to display such talents on June 21,” Sallins said.

In case someone needs a reason to enjoy creating or listening to music, the local Arts Council hopes to give community members “of all ages, creed, and musical persuasions the chance to experience the joy of making music together,” Sallins said. “The Vance County Arts Council is committed to hosting quality art experiences and performances, as well as creating opportunities for learning and participation. There are several benefits in having the arts, mostly helping to shape create and critical thinking minds.”

Feel like strumming your guitar in the backyard? Great! Got a harmonica that needs a little exercise? Super! Wherever people feel like playing – and listening – is fine with Sallins. Maybe you’d just like to park downtown near the Baptist Church about 10:30 a.m. and listen to the melodious sounds coming from the church’s pipe organ – gotcha covered.

Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott is scheduled to kick off the festivities when she issues a proclamation at City Hall at 9:45 a.m.

Here’s a rundown of specific performances already scheduled:

  • 9:50 a.m. – Evelyn C. Couch at City Hall, 134 Rose Ave
  • 10:10 a.m. – Opening Ceremony: Heart and Soul at McGregor Hall, 200 Breckenridge Street
  • 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Mario Davis (instructor) Bucket Drumming classes at Henderson Family YMCA
  • 10:30 a.m. – David Cole at First Baptist Church, Downtown Henderson (park and listen to the pipe organ)
  • 11 a.m. – David Westbrook at McGregor Hall
  • 11 a.m. – Keshawn Yancey at Hair in Motion, 1302 N. Garnett St. (percussionists)
  • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Live Karaoke at the Vance Senior Center, 500 Beckford Dr.
  • 11 a.m. – 12 noon – Boomwhackers with the Whacking Band at Adcock Recreation Center
  • 12 noon – 1 p.m. Tristan Beradi – Perry Memorial Library (lunch hour performance)
  • Lunchtime Ben Parker and Mikayla Williams at Versatrim, 101 Eastern Mineral Rd.
  • 1 p.m. James Williams on Facebook Live for a tribute to Frazier Park
  • 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Jimmy & The Sound Barriers at Satterwhite Point State Park. First set 3 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.: Dancing to the Oldies; Second set 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Bluegrass on the Grass (They will have the grill hot if you want to throw some hot dogs and hamburgers on it)
  • 6 p.m. Hendfact Henderson Fuerza Activa Drumming and Dance at 715 Garnett Street
  • 7:30 p.m. Just Friends Band and other groups at McGregor Hall for closing activities

However or wherever you choose to create or listen, there’s something for everyone on Friday, June 21.

In addition to the Vance County Arts Council, the event is sponsored by Vance County Tourism, the N.C. Arts Council and the N.C. Dept. of Natural & Cultural Resources.

To learn more about Vance County Make Music Day, visit: https://www.makemusicday.org/vancecounty

TownTalk: Show Shine Shag And Dine Is This Weekend!

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This weekend’s Show, Shine, Shag and Dine in downtown Henderson promises to bring car enthusiasts from all over to get their fill of fins, treads and gleaming chrome. And don’t forget all those horses under the hood.

The fun begins on Friday afternoon with a BBQ and cruise-in at Satterwhite Point on Kerr Lake and continues through the evening at Southern Classic Car, LLC on Horner Street.

The action continues all day on Saturday as nine blocks of Garnett Street transform into a festival jam-packed with fun for the whole family.

“It’s quite the challenge to get all of this pulled together,” said Pam Hester, Vance County’s tourism director. Hester, along with fellow tourism staffer Norman Dickerson, and organizers Charles Bowman and Danny Stanton were guests on Monday’s TownTalk to give a little peek about what festivalgoers can expect.

It’s the 21st annual event, and registration of the old cars – 1994 models and older – will be from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.

The annual Corbitt truck show and reunion will take place along Garnett Street between the city fire station and Sunrise Biscuit. Check out vehicles that were made right here in Henderson at Corbitt Truck Company.

More than 30 awards will be given to winners in a variety of categories; the awards ceremony will take place around 3:30 p.m.

Hester said folks who come back year after year can expect to see many familiar things, including those Corbitt trucks and food vendors. But they also will see some new features, including a performance by Jimmy Barrier and the Sound Barriers, who are on the schedule for the first time this year.

“It’s just a whole lot of pieces…that fall together at the right time and right place,” Hester said of the annual event. “And there are new pieces every year.”

Because there’s no pre-registration, Dickerson said the number of participants is sort of a surprise every year.

“Generally, if it’s a beautiful day…attendance and participation’s usually through the roof,” Dickerson said. “The weather is a big factor,” but he said the number historically is around 400. That’s folks who drive in or trailer in. their hot rods, creampuffs and classic cars.

Stanton was in charge of the drag cars last year, and he’ll be overseeing that aspect again this year. “I’m trying to get the race cars back involved as much as possible,” Stanton said.

“You get a lot of maybes, but (also) some definites,” he said. The drag racers will be on display near the old train depot at Montgomery and Garnett streets.

Beer & Gear’s Jeep Jam will convene again at Curtis White’s real estate office. Any make, model and year of Jeep is welcome, and Carol Terwilliger and her volunteers hope for another good showing this year.

Stanton said he’s likely going to be showing off his ’55 Chevy during the weekend. He’s redone the interior and juiced up the engine a bit so that “it makes a little noise.”

“I’ve been a car guy all my life,” Stanton said. “I’m really looking forward to the weekend.

Want to learn more about getting your drag racer in the show? Contact Stanton at 252.432.5544.

See the flyer at http://www.kerrlake-nc.com/images/flyer-2023.pdf

 

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Fireworks Display At Kerr Lake July 1

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Vance County Tourism invites the community to come view the annual fireworks display at Kerr Lake Saturday evening.

That being said, Norman Dickerson, program coordinator for the county tourism agency reminds motorists that traffic patterns will be altered for just more than an hour to reduce traffic congestion in the area as folks depart the area.

Dickerson was a guest on The Local Skinny! to provide details about the annual event, which has been an annual event since the 1990’s. Back then, he said, it was more for a tourism draw, to give campers and boaters a little entertainment for the July 4 holiday. Since then, locals from near and far have driven in to witness the display. There is a $7 per vehicle state park gate fee to enter Satterwhite Point Park, Dickerson said.

The event, however, remains free. There will be food vendors on hand and a DJ will begin playing music at 4 p.m.

The professionals that create the pyrotechnic display are very competent, Dickerson said.

“They are highly qualified – they’re an excellent group of people and they’ve never let us down,” he added.

Traffic will be detoured between 9:15 p.m. and about 10:30 p.m. from Satterwhite Road onto Anderson Creed Road, Norman said.

“The detour will help reduce congestion and allow for timely clearing of vehicular traffic occurring immediately after the conclusion of the annual Independence Day Celebration and fireworks display at Satterwhite Point Park,” Dickerson stated.

The closure/detour is being coordinated by the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and the N.C. State Highway Patrol.

During the detour period, traffic traveling north/northwest on Satterwhite Point Rd (SR 1319) will be halted at the intersection of Anderson Creek Road (SR 1374). Traffic leaving the park headed south back toward Henderson will be detoured east onto Anderson Creek Rd (SR 1374) and then south onto Flemingtown Road(SR 1371) to its intersection with I-85.