Tag Archive for: #vancecountytourism

TownTalk: ‘An Evening Beneath the Stars’ Sept. 11

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“An Evening Beneath the Stars,” the upcoming outdoor celebration in downtown Henderson, started out as an event to mark the nation’s 250th birthday and it’s truly living up to its theme: “Honor the past. Celebrate the present. Build the future.”

The event includes dinner, patriotic music played by DJ Jay Rogers and a special video presentation that will incorporate the nation’s history along with a tribute to veterans and first responders, said Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson.

Tickets for the Sept. 11 event are $100 each and are on sale now, but don’t delay – the deadline to purchase tickets is Tuesday, Sept. 1. Call the Chamber office at 252.438.8414 to purchase tickets or email Tanya Wilson at tanya@hendersonvance.org.

A joint collaboration of the local Chamber of Commerce, Vance County Tourism, Vance County Economic Development Commission and the City of Henderson Downtown Development Commission, “An Evening Beneath the Stars” is being planned for the Breckenridge Street area between McGregor Hall and the Henderson Police Department.

Proceeds from the event will go toward the American Legion Post 60 mission to further enhance the newly installed veterans’ memorial located in the traffic circle just outside the police department entrance.

In information from the Chamber publicizing the event, organizers described it as “a breathtaking evening of patriotism, remembrance, and community as we celebrate 250 years of the American spirit. We will gather to honor our nation’s history, reflect on its resilience, and invest in its future. This unforgettable evening will feature live entertainment, inspiring tributes, fine dining, and moments of remembrance that unite us all.”

Wilkerson and Vance County Tourism’s Pam Hester were guests on Monday’s TownTalk to discuss how the event took shape and the plan for making it an annual event.

Collaboration is a key ingredient for the success of any event, Hester said. It’s important to show the community that different agencies and groups are working together for a common goal.

“The only way to make things successful is to come together as a group,” Hester said. “Everybody does a part. Some people like to be up front and some people like to be in the back. I’m one of those “in the back” people,” she said. “I like to be behind the scenes.”

For Wilkerson, it was a no-brainer to seek partnerships with the city and county agencies.

When the four groups came together to start the planning, the Sept. 11 date bubbled up. And that’s when they realized that this year marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The veterans’ memorial, newly installed on Breckenridge Street, became the perfect backdrop for the dinner, she added.

“It’s going to be a very memorable event,” Wilkerson said.

The goal is to make this an annual event that folks want to come back for.

And that’s where the third prong of the theme comes in: Build the Future.

Hester said she expects the monument to draw visitors – veterans and others – to the area. It’s another attraction for downtown Henderson, which gives folks another chance to experience how caring the people are and how wonderful the city is.

“We all have to have that that positive outlook and go from there,” Hester said.

 

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Reminder Of Traffic Detour Friday, July 3 At Satterwhite Point, Anderson Creek Roads To Accommodate Fireworks Traffic

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Vance County Tourism officials remind folks of the temporary detour that will be in place along Satterwhite Road and Anderson Creek Road on Friday evening to accommodate fireworks traffic.

Traffic will be detoured temporarily for approximately 1.25 hours on Friday evening, July 3 between 9:15 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. from Satterwhite Point Road (SR 1319) onto Anderson Creek Rd. (SR 1374).

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.

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 Rd (SR 1374) and then south onto Flemingtown Rd (SR 1371) to its intersection with I-85.

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

The Local Skinny! Make Music Day 2026 Coming To Vance County

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International Make Music Day is coming up on Sunday, June 21 and Vance County residents are invited to chime in, join the chorus and make a joyful noise!

Dr. Alice Sallins, executive director of the Vance County Arts Council said she anticipates this year’s event will build on last year’s and be even bigger.

Thanks to partnerships with sponsors like Vance County Tourism, Clearview Church and Brightspeed, Sallins said the local Make Music Day will be in venues including Kerr Lake Country Club, Fox Pond Park and Kerr Lake.

She’d love to exceed last year’s 22 venues and grow to 25 or more this year, with a special invitation to local churches.

With the day falling on a Sunday, and Father’s Day at that, Sallins said churches and families have a unique opportunity to entertain and honor dads.

Make Music Day began in France many years ago with the intention of creating a global celebration of the Summer Solstice, Sallins explained.

The local celebration runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and although several locations have specific times for their events, families, individuals and other groups can create music of any kind anytime they choose throughout the day.

Got a piano at home that hasn’t been used in a while? Tickle those ivories on Make Music Day!

Did you get some souvenir maracas on that vacation to Mexico? Shake ‘em on Make Music Day!

And that guitar that’s been propped in the corner, gathering dust? You got it! Strum some chords on Make Music Day!

Join others at Perry Memorial Library from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Make Music Day, where Sallins said musicians will be performing and kids can make their own rhythm instruments. Then, Kerr Lake Country Club is the place to be on that day from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. She’s working up plans with Bridger Stewardson for his band to perform.

And Clearview Church is planning to incorporate some special musical selections as part of its Youth College and Career Day activities that day.

The beautiful thing about getting more churches involved, Sallins said, is that all they need to do is add a musical selection to what they’re already planning for.

“That’s what we want, we want them to be a part.”

Sign up at www.vanceartscouncil.com and a member of the council will come out to record at the various venues, then send those clips on to the national Arts Council for inclusion in the wider celebration.

“Vance County is full of music,” Sallins said, and so many of its residents are musically inclined. “There are people who can sing and can play musical instruments we are like a music mecca.”

To learn more, contact Sallins at 252.767.4579.

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The Local Skinny! Second Annual ‘Catfish Drop’ To Usher In New Year At Satterwhite Point

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Looking for something fun to do with the family to say farewell to 2025, usher in the New Year and still be able to be home in your jammies – or decked out in your finest party duds – well before midnight?

Check out the Catfish Drop at Satterwhite Point on Kerr Lake from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

It’s the second annual Catfish Drop – Vance County Tourism’s Pam Hester hailed last year’s event as an unparalleled success.

“It’s going to be an afternoon, early evening of fun family event for everybody,” Hester said in an interview with WIZS earlier this year.

In addition to food trucks, music by DJ Jay, face painting and bouncy houses, Hester said they’ve added The Mike Davis Experience, miniature golf to the list of activities for families to enjoy before the catfish makes its descent to mark the beginning of 2026, albeit a few hours early.

A fireworks display will cap off the day’s activities.

Hester said Mike Davis will perform from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. “He is a one-man show, but he sounds like you’re listening to a full band,” Hester said in an interview earlier this year. “He can sing anything from Merle Haggard to KISS.”

 

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TownTalk: Economic Impact Of Vance County Tourism

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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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TownTalk: Show, Shine, Shag & Dine Car Show Wheels Into Vance County Oct. 17, 18

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This weekend is your chance to get a close look at some pretty sweet rides as the 23rd annual Show, Shine, Shag & Dine car show wheels in to downtown Henderson.

The fun begins on Friday, Oct. 17 with a pre-show cruise-in and barbecue at Satterwhite Point from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to information from Vance County Tourism.

This event is open to all makes and models, so come on out and get revved up for the evening cruise-in from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Big T’s Diner, 415 Raleigh Rd.

Some nostalgic ‘50s music, polished and shiny vehicles and delicious ice cream await you at Tony Sanford’s place on Raleigh Road.
The all-day car show opens up in downtown Henderson at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18 and is for vehicle models 1995 and older. Come out to see a wide assortment of classic and antique vehicles. Registration will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The show car entrance is at 300 S. Chestnut St and the first 400 entries will receive a dash plaque.

Spectators can enjoy the show, including all the vehicles, entertainment, vendors and more through 5 p.m. Spectator parking can be found at 489 S. William St.

The awards ceremony will commence about 3:30 p.m. at the corner of Breckenridge and Garnett streets. There are 30 categories in this year’s competition and special awards will be given for the oldest vehicle, the one who traveled the farthest, as well as the most unique, the best engine , best interior and best paint.

The annual show is a part of the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame. The Corbitt Truck show and reunion will also take place during the car show on North Garnett Street.

No pets or exotic animals are allowed and no personal golf carts will be admitted without a permit.

Get all the details at https://www.kerrlake-nc.com/car-show.php

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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.