Richmond County is ROCKIN’ with fun! Stay up-to-date with the happenings around the community through our newsletter, weekly events videos, Google calendar, and our social media! Our Google calendar includes a complete list of visitor and community events. | | What is Richmond County Tourism Development Authority? | | Since 2001, Richmond County has levied a 6% room occupancy tax in accordance to Senate Bill 92 of the General Assembly of North Carolina. Tourism funds are allocated through a grant program for events in Richmond County that bring visitors to stay overnight in our lodging facilities. Click below to see the RCTDA Grant Application, Guidelines, and more resources. | | MAKE SURE YOU ARE SUBSCRIBED! | | |
The Richmond County Tourism Development Authority (RCTDA) is solely funded by occupancy tax revenue collected from lodging facilities within the City of Rockingham. These funds are strategically reinvested into attractions, events, and initiatives that drive overnight visitation to our community. Our top priority is to promote the destinations and experiences that bring travelers to Richmond County—supporting our local businesses, boosting the economy, and fueling tourism growth.
While overnight visitation is our primary focus, we also take great pride in showcasing the vibrant, community-centered programs and events that make Rockin’ Richmond County such a special place to live, work, and visit.
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⚡🎉 We're excited to announce Pee Dee Electric as the Presenting Sponsor of the FREE Kids Zone at NitroFest! 🎉⚡
A free Kids Zone has become a signature part of our downtown festivals, and thanks to the generous support of Pee Dee Electric, families will once again enjoy an evening packed with fun at NitroFest on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in downtown Rockingham.
Kids can enjoy inflatables, a rock climbing wall, games, and more—and every activity in the Kids Zone is completely FREE! It's the perfect place for families to make memories while celebrating one of the biggest weekends in drag racing history at Rockingham Dragway with the inaugural NHRA Nationals at The Rock.
But NitroFest isn't just for the kids! The evening will also feature:
🏁 NHRA Driver Autograph & Meet-and-Greet
🎶 Live concert by Colt Ford
🏎️ Automotive and racing vendors & displays
🌮 Food trucks
🍺 Beer Garden hosted by Rockingham Dragway
…and plenty more surprises!
For more than 80 years, Pee Dee Electric has been dedicated to providing safe, reliable electric service to thousands of homes, farms, and businesses across the Sandhills and Pee Dee regions of North Carolina. As a member-owned electric cooperative, Pee Dee Electric is committed to strengthening the communities it serves, making them an outstanding partner for this family-focused event.
Please join us in thanking Pee Dee Electric for helping make the NitroFest Kids Zone a free, fun experience for families throughout our region. We can't wait to see everyone in downtown Rockingham on September 24!
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NitroFest 9/24/26
NitroFest is slated for Thursday, September 24, 2026 from 6PM-9PM in downtown Rockingham around Harrington Square ahead of the inaugural NHRA Nationals at The Rock ( 9/25- 9/27). FREE fun for the entire family! Colt Ford headlining, NHRA driver autograph and meet & greet sessions, food trucks, kids zone, automotive & racing vendors, beer garden hosted by Rockingham Dragway and more! See more details in the full announcement linked below.
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Rockingham Plaza Jam: The Tams on Cole Plaza 9/3
The Rockingham Plaza Jam Series continues this week with the fan favorite, The Tams, on Thursday, September 3, on the lawn of Cole Plaza from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Click on the flyer for the Facebook event page.
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Sandhills Bracket Championship & Test and Tune at Rockingham Dragway 9/5-9/7
The Sandhills Bracket Championship starts on Saturday, September 5 and run through Monday, September 7 at Rockingham Dragway. Test and tune will be on Friday, September 4. Click on the flyer for the Facebook event page.
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BowTie Karaoke at Striker's Lounge 9/2
Bowtie will be hosting karaoke at Striker's Lounge on Wednesday, September 2.
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Beats & Brains: Music Bingo at Striker's Lounge 9/3
Beats & Brains Music Bingo, Trivia & more with Bowtie at Striker's Lounge on Thursday, September 3, from 7-9 p.m. Click on the flyer for the Facebook event page.
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Imperial Fire Memorial 9/3
The City of Hamlet is hosting a memorial ceremony on Thursday, September 3, at 10 a.m. Read more details in Richmond Observer below.
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First Friday Dance & Social Club at Hamlet American Legion 9/4
The first Friday of the month means it's Dance & Social Club night at Hamlet American Legion Post 49!
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Common Ground at Hudson Brothers Deli 9/4
Live music with Common Ground at Hudson Brothers Deli on Friday, September 4.
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DJ Roy Gee at Double Vision 9/4 & 9/5
DJ Roy Gee will be at Double Vision on Friday, September 4, and Saturday, September 5.
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Richmond County Veterans Community Resources/ Hiring Event 9/5
There will be a Richmond County Veterans Community Resources/ Hiring Event on Saturday, September 5, at Richmond Community College Cole Auditorium from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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Pig Pickin at VFW Post 4203-Rockingham 9/5
VFW Post 4203 in Rockingham is hosting a Pig Pickin' on Saturday, September 5, from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Click on the graphic for the Facebook event page.
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Bowtie Karaoke at Striker's Lounge 9/5
Bowtie Karaoke will be at Striker's Lounge on Saturday night, September 5, hosting karaoke!
| | | | More Upcoming Dates to Save! | |
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Hamlet digital events calendar
Keep up with what’s happening in Hamlet using their digital events calendar linked below!
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Hamlet Boxcar Concert Series 2026
Visit Hamlet, NC announced the line-up for the 2026 Hamlet Boxcar Concert Series! Make sure to mark those calendars for seven free live music concerts in Hamlet Main Street Park!
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Rockingham Plaza Jam Series 2026
The 2026 City of Rockingham Plaza Jam Series kicked off the season starts annually in May and wraps up in October. See the full line-up for 2026.
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Richmond County Fair 9/10-9/13
The 2026 Richmond County Fair will be in Hamlet on September 10th-13th.
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2026 Hinson Lake 24 Hour Ultra Classic
The 20th Annual Hinson Lake 24 Hour Ultra Classic will be on September 26-27, 2026. See our photo albums and videos from previous years below.
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Pickin' in the Pines at Millstone 4H Camp 10/17
Millstone 4H Camp will host their annual Pickin' in the Pines, a Bluegrass & BBQ Benefit Concert, on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
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44th Annual Seaboard Festival
Vendor spaces for the 44th Annual Hamlet Seaboard Festival on October 31, 2026 are SOLD OUT!!!
Applications for NON FOOD vendors ONLY can still be submitted to be placed on our waiting list.
The ONLY official communication from The Seaboard Festival Planning Committee will be on our website (seaboardfestival.com) and our Facebook & Instagram pages. Any communication from any account other than The Seaboard Festival social media accounts, website or email, including but not limited to, advertisements for additions vendor spaces, requests for payments, etc., is fraudulent. To contact the planning committee, email info@seaboardfestival.com.
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2026 -2027 Performing Arts Series at Richmond Community College
Richmond Community College Cole Auditorium announced the line up for the 2026-2027 Performing Arts Series at Richmond Community College! Read more details in Richmond Observer linked below.
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New Virtual Tour of The Rock!
Rockingham Dragway has added a new feature on their website- see the virtual tour linked below.
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NHRA Nationals at The Rock Tix Available NOW!
Tickets for the 2026 NHRA Nationals at The Rock are NOW available for purchase online! Click on the graphics to secure your seats!
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NHRA Nationals at The Rock!
On Monday, November 10, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), made a huge announcement alongside Pro Stock Champion Greg Anderson- Rockingham Dragway will host the NHRA Nationals at The Rock on September 25-27, 2026! See more details and secure your seats to witness this enormous moment in history at The Rock on the NHRA website linked below.
| | | | Big Dates at Rock Dragway to Save for 2026! | |
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Dining Around Richmond: Main Street Mug
The latest edition of Dining Around Richmond by John White in the Richmond Observer features Ellerbe's new addition: Main Street Mug. Click below to read more!
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Hamlet Boxcar Concert: Jonathan Robinson Band 8/28
The rain didn't stop the fun in Hamlet's Main Street Park on Friday night! Jonathan Robinson Band performed in the Hamlet Boxcar Concert for August. See photos from Robbie Singletary Photography on our website gallery and from William Toler on the Richmond Observer Facebook page linked below.
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Civil War: Battle on the Pee Dee, NC 8/29-8/30
The annual Civil War Battle on the Pee Dee, NC began Saturday night and wrapped up on Sunday morning, August 30. See photos from Terry Clark on our website gallery.
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NHRA 2027 Schedule Released
The 2027 NHRA schedule was released last Thursday, August 27, with Rockingham Dragway returning September 24-26! See more details on NHRA.com linked below!
| | | | Arts Richmond- Richmond County Photography Group Spotlight | |
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Photographer Spotlight
We are excited to partner with the Arts Richmond- Richmond County Photography Group to highlight local photographers who are members of the group. The group meets monthly on the third Wednesday of the month in the Arts Richmond building in downtown Rockingham.
Nigel Bristow is our first photographer spotlight.
- How old were you when you first became interested in photography?
To be able to capture things, people in the moment and to create memories
- What inspired your photography?
Kodak Disc
- What was your first camera?
Canon DSLR 2000
- What is your favorite subject to shoot and why?
Candid people, animals to capture the moment.
- What are you currently doing with your photography skills?
Small events
- When did you join Arts Richmond Photography Group?
8/20/2026
- What areas of interest would you like to see the photography group cover?
Editing and using different settings on my camera
- Do you bring a specialty or topic of interest to the club?
Candid shots of people at community events.
- List any social media handles you would like to be tagged in:
Nigel Bristow on Facebook
| | | | Hosting an event in Richmond County soon? We'd love to hear all about it! Send us an email with the details at visitrichmondcountync@gmail.com or click below for our event form. | | | | |
