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 The Lacs
🏎️ 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! The Lacs 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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Ellerbe, NC Concert Series 9/17
The Ellerbe, NC Concert Series starts on Thursday night, September 17, in Howell Park with The Axe Handlers, from 6pm-8pm.
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Super Chevy Show at Rockingham Dragway 9/19
The annual Super Chevy Show at The Rock is on Saturday, September 19, at Rockingham Dragway. Friday night, The Rock will be open for testing and live music with Whiskey River. Make sure to review the Super Chevy track map and survival guide for more info. See our photo galleries from the past two years linked below. Click on the flyers for the Facebook event page.
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Richmond County Hospice: Home for the Holidays at The Cole 9/19
Richmond County Hospice is hosting their annual Dancing with the Stars fundraiser, "Home for the Holidays" at Richmond Community College Cole Auditorium on Saturday, September 19. Click on the flyers to see the Facebook event page. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite using the link below.
| | September 14- September 21 | |
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BowTie Karaoke at Striker's Lounge 9/16
Bowtie will be hosting karaoke at Striker's Lounge on Wednesday, September 16.
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Sew Great at NC Cooperative Extension- Richmond County 9/17
The Richmond County Cooperative Extension Center is offering a Sew Great class on Thursday, September 17, starting at 3pm. See more details on the event page linked below.
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Richmond County United Way Days of Caring 9/17
Richmond County United Way is hosting Days of Caring with multiple options to volunteer in the community. Click on the graphic for the Facebook event page.
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Beats & Brains: Music Bingo at Striker's Lounge 9/17
Beats & Brains Music Bingo, Trivia & more with Bowtie at Striker's Lounge on Thursday, September 17, from 7-9 p.m.
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Feet Retreat 2026 at Millstone 4H Camp 9/18-9/20
The Annual Feet Retreat will be at Millstone 4H Camp starting on Friday, September 18, through Sunday, September 20. Click on the graphic to see more details on the Facebook event page.
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Braden Harwood Acoustic Show at Striker's Lounge
Live musics with Braden Harwood Acoustic Show at Striker's Lounge on Friday, September 18. Click on the graphic to see more details on the Facebook event page.
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The Safety Committee at Hudson Brothers Deli 9/18
Live music with The Safety Committee at Hudson Brothers Deli on Friday, September 18.
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DJ Roy Gee at Double Vision 9/18 & 9/19
DJ Roy Gee will be at Double Vision on Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19.
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7th Annual Back the Blue Ride 9/19
The 7th Annual Back the Blue Ride is on Saturday, September 19.
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Black Fowlcan Community Yardsale & Vendor Market 9/19
Black Fowlcan is hosting a Community Yardsale & Vendor Market at 280 Pappy Rabb Rd. in Derby from 8am-2pm. Click on the photo for the Facebook event page.
| | | | 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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100 Years of John Coltrane Tribute at Visit Hamlet, NC 9/23
Visit Hamlet, NC is hosting the 100 Years of John Coltrane Tribute on Wednesday, September 23, at 5pm. See more details on the Facebook event page linked below.
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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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2026 Rockingham Christmas on the Square 12/5
Save the date for the annual Christmas on the Square festival around Harrington Square in downtown Rockingham on Saturday, December 5! Find vendor applications on the City of Rockingham's website 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!
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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Richmond County Agricultural Fair at Hamlet Fairgrounds
The Hamlet Lions Club hosted another successful Richmond County Agricultural Fair at the Hamlet Fairgrounds on Thursday, 9/10, through Sunday, 9/13. See photos from Terry Clark on our website photo gallery and also photos on the Richmond Observer Facebook page linked below.
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9/11 Memorial Walk
Multiple first responder agencies joined together on Friday, September 11, to memorialize the 25th anniversary of the tragedy on 9/11/01. See photos from Robbie Singletary Drone Photography on our website gallery and from William Toler on the Richmond Observer Facebook page linked below.
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Testing at Rockingham Dragway 9/11
Radial testing at Friday night, 9/11, brought lots of fast cars to The Rock! See photos from Terry Clark and Mike Swanson on our website gallery.
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Richmond County is ROCKIN'!
💫 Rockin’ Richmond County showed out in 2025 and here are the receipts from Visit North Carolina to prove it!
⬆️ Richmond County ➕9.7% in tourism revenue
⬆️ Richmond County ➕4.9% in direct tourism employment
Did you know that Visit Richmond County is funded solely by the occupancy tax collected from overnight stays at lodging facilities right here in Richmond County?
That means every visitor who chooses to stay overnight in Rockin’ Richmond County is doing more than booking a room — they’re helping support tourism efforts that bring even more visitors to our community, promote our attractions and events, and strengthen our local economy.
More overnight stays mean more resources to showcase everything that makes Richmond County a destination worth discovering — from racing and outdoor recreation to festivals, attractions, local businesses and our one-of-a-kind community traditions.
So today, we simply want to say THANK YOU!
❤️ Thank you to the many visitors who choose to visit, explore and stay overnight in Rockin’ Richmond County.
❤️ And thank you to our Richmond County residents who continually welcome our visitors with the friendliness and hospitality that make our community such a special place.
Every visit matters. Every overnight stay makes an impact. And every warm Richmond County welcome gives our visitors another reason to come back.
Thank you for helping us keep Rockin’ Richmond County growing!
See the full report linked below!
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NEW SIGNS!!!
🪧SIGNS🪧SIGNS🪧SIGN🪧
The S in September is for SIGNS‼️
Huge thanks to One Stop Print Shop and TRG Sign Company for helping us get so many projects checked off the long to-do list this week ✔️
🪧NitroFest| Harrington Square, downtown Rockingham | OS Print Shop
🪧NHRA Nationals at The Rock | Rockingham City Hall | One Stop Print Shop
🪧The Seaboard Festival | Rockingham Dragway | OS Print Shop
🪧City of Rockingham Plaza Jam Series | Rockingham Dragway | OS Print Shop
🪧NHRA Nationals at The Rock yard signs| November Coffey | Right on Richmond County
🪧New Billboard | US Hwy 1, Hoffman | TRG Sign Company
Shoutout to Dustin Chappell for custom building the frames for NitroFest & NHRA Nationals at The Rock signs and to Toni Kubiak for designing The Seaboard Festival sign!
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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!
| | | | 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. | | | | |
