The executive director of Vance County Department of Tourism said she has a fear of being on the water, but she has absolutely no problem whatsoever promoting Kerr Lake and the variety of events it brings to town – and its contribution to the local economy.
Satterwhite Point is the site of Saturday evening’s fireworks display, sponsored by the local tourism authority.
Pam Hester told John C. Rose on Wednesday’s TownTalk that there will be numerous food vendors on hand for visitors to enjoy. DJ Jay will provide music for the event, she added. There’s a $7 gate fee per vehicle to enter the park and, as with all state parks, alcohol is not permitted.
The fireworks show will begin somewhere around 9:15.
A new food truck is in the lineup for the event in addition to several familiar vendors – King Southern Style Cookin’ – and Hester welcomes the owner to this year’s event.
“He has just moved into the area,” she said. “We’re lucky to have new people moving into Henderson, moving into Vance County,” she said.
“I think Vance County and Henderson have a lot to offer,” Hester added. “We are a great hidden gem.”
Apparently, not so hidden any more – Hester said the county is set to finish out the fiscal year with a record number of hotel stays. This is a sure sign that the many activities and events that happen in Henderson and in the county are attracting visitors like never before.
Although under the umbrella of county government, Hester said the tourism office is funded by the 6 percent occupancy tax that each hotel room generates per guest stay. The tax funds the staffing and events like the upcoming fireworks show at the lake.
“We’re going to have the highest amount of hotel stays (than) in the past 12 years,” Hester noted.
Some of those rooms will no doubt be reserved by folks who come to fishing tournaments at Kerr Lake – there are 24 tournaments that are taking place at the lake this year, up from last year’s 16.
She estimates that each fisherman brings $154 a day to the county. If each boat has a two-person team, that’s more than $300 a day. Multiply that number by the 200 or so boats on the water and the economic impact becomes evident.
But it’s not just Kerr Lake that is bringing in visitor revenue.
“We have things here that most little rural towns don’t have,” Hester said. Notably, McGregor Hall, a venue for concerts, live theater and dance competitions and recitals.
The young dancers who come to compete at McGregor Hall also bring their moms and dads, she said, which means stops for food, gas and other purchases as well.
“McGregor is bringing a huge economic impact” to the area, Hester said, adding that when the dance competitions are in town, the restaurants are packed.
Planning for additional events and attractions is something that she is always interested in, but Hester said she has a wish list for the future – she would wish for a convention center and more hotel space to accommodate the influx of visitors to the area.
A convention center could host a boat show or other large-scale events, she said.
“We have the perfect lake, but we don’t have facilities to accommodate it.”
Collaboration and partnerships create a strong network to keep activities vibrant in the county, and Hester attributes to local civic leader Debra Brown the following quote: “’Individually, we are one drop, but together we are Kerr Lake’. Together, we can make something,” Hester said.
Visit https://www.kerrlake-nc.com/kerrlake.php to learn more about the Vance County Department of Tourism.