188th Edition

November 9, 2026

RCTDA NEWSLETTER

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!

RCTDA_Newsletter

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.

America's 250- Echoes of Independence at The Cole 11/10



COME CELEBRATE AMERICA 250!


Get ready for an unforgettable evening of history, music, community, and patriotism as the General Henry William Harrington Chapter, NSDAR invites you to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary! Step inside the People of Colonial North Carolina exhibit and discover the diverse stories and experiences of those who called North Carolina home during the American Revolution. Children can receive a special America 250 book giveaway, making this an evening the whole family can enjoy!


Then, tap your toes to the sounds of The Axe Handlers, a fantastic bluegrass band from the Triad area of North Carolina, followed by an incredible Echoes of Independence drone show by Quantum Flight lighting up the night sky!


Tuesday, November 10, 2026

The Cole Auditorium — Hamlet, NC

6:00 PM — Doors Open & Exhibit

7:00 PM — The Axe Handlers

8:15 PM — Echoes of Independence Drone Show


FREE • Family Friendly • Everyone Welcome!

Come bring your family, invite your friends, and make memories as we Remember • Honor • Educate • Inspire while celebrating the people, stories, and ideals that shaped our nation.


Brought to you by the General Henry William Harrington Chapter, NSDAR, and sponsored by The Cole Foundation, Richmond County Tourism, and many generous donors.

Inaugural Norman Veterans Day Parade & Program at Norman Field of Honor 11/14



Norman Field of Honor Veterans Parade and Program on Saturday, November 14, 2026


Parade begins at 11:00 with Program to follow at 11:30


Parades Grand Marshal is Mr Dudley Baldwin, 94, oldest veteran in Norman.


Over 25 entries in the Parade


The 82nd Airborne Brass Quintet will perform.


Thanks to Brutonville Chapter for the video!


Mopars at The Rock at Rockingham Dragway 11/13-11/14



Testing and racing Friday, November 13, through Saturday November 14, for the fall edition of Mopars at The Rock plus Modern Street Hemi Shootout racing on Saturday & Sunday at Rockingham Dragway. Click on the flyers for the Facebook event pages.

November 9- November 16

The Rock N Roll weekly schedule & upcoming events

See the weekly schedule plus some special upcoming events at The Rock N Roll!

Bowtie Karaoke at Striker's Lounge 11/11

Karaoke with Bowtie at Striker's Lounge on Wednesday, November 11.

Christmas Open House at Simply Chic 11/12-11/14

Simply Chic in downtown Rockingham is kicking off the Christmas season with an Open House starting on Thursday, November 12, at 3pm. See the rest of the details on the Facebook event page by clicking on the flyer.

Music Bingo & Trivia Bowtie Karaoke at Striker's Lounge 11/12

Music Bingo & Trivia with Bowtie at Striker's Lounge on Thursday, November 12. Click on the graphic for the Facebook event page.

G6 Acoustic Duo at Hudson Brothers Deli 11/13


Live music with G6 Acoustic Duo at Hudson Brothers Deli on Friday, November 13.

Karaoke & DJ Roy Gee at Double Vision 11/13 & 11/14


Weekend fun at Double Vision in Rockingham! Karaoke on Friday night, November 13, DJ Roy Gee will be there Saturday, November 14.

Sip & Shop at Riverside Bakery & Coffee Shop 11/14

Riverside Bakery & Coffee Shop is hosting Sip & Shop on Saturday, November 14, from 12pm-3pm to commemorate their one year anniversary! Click on the graphic for the Facebook event page.

Sandhills Shag Club at Rockingham Moose Lodge 11/14


The Sandhills Shag Club is hosting their monthly shag night at Rockingham Moose Lodge on Saturday night, November 14.

Community Veterans Fishing & Fellowship at Krystal Dawn Retreat 11/14


Krystal Dawn Retreat is hosting a Community Veterans Fishing & Fellowship event on Saturday, November 14, from 12pm-3pm.

More Upcoming Dates to Save!

Lots of Rockin' Ahead

Hamlet digital events calendar


Keep up with what’s happening in Hamlet using their digital events calendar linked below!

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.

2026 Hamlet Christmas Parade of Lights 12/3



The annual Hamlet Christmas Parade of Lights in Hamlet will be on Thursday, December 3!

2026 Ellerbe Hometown Christmas 12/4



Save the date for Ellerbe's annual Hometown Christmas on Friday, December 4. Click on the photo for the Facebook event page.

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.

Rockingham Dragway News





New Virtual Tour of The Rock!


Rockingham Dragway has added a new feature on their website- see the virtual tour linked below.

Big Dates at Rock Dragway to Save for 2026!

About Last Week...

Scotty McCreery at The Cole 11/6


The second show in the 2026-2027 Performing Arts Series presented by Richmond County Tourism Development Authority was on Friday night, November 6, featuring Scotty McCreery. See photos from Terry Clark on our website gallery linked below.

Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park 11/7


The 2026 Veteran Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in Rockingham was on Saturday, November 7. See our photo album courtesy of Terry Clark linked below.

Veterans Day Parade in downtown Hamlet 11/7


See our photo album courtesy of Terry Clark linked below.

Ruckus and Chill 2026 at Rockingham Dragway 11/7-11/8


See our photo album courtesy of Terry Clark and track photographer Samatha Cook linked below.

Freedom at The Rock at Rockingham Dragway 11/7-11/8


See our photo album courtesy of Terry Clark and track photographer Samatha Cook linked below.

44th Annual Hamlet Seaboard Festival 10/31


The 44th Annual Hamlet Seaboard Festival on Saturday, October 31, was a huge success! See the photo album on our website gallery courtesy of Terry Clark, Robbie Singletary and Cody Mabe and photos from William Toler on the Richmond Observer Facebook page linked below. Also see the Arco Photography Facebook page for their photos and videos.

Seaboard CSA Shag Contest at The Ballroom 10/30-10/31


The 2nd Annual Seaboard CSA Shag Contest hosted by Sam & Lisa West at The Ballroom was Friday, 10/30, and Saturday, 10/31. We will have more photos and videos from Christian Collazo of Fast Films later this week!

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!

NHRA 2027 Schedule Released


The 2027 NHRA schedule was released on 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.

 

HOME | THINGS TO DO | PLACES TO STAY | PLACES TO EAT | PLACES TO SHOP | RESOURCES | PHOTO GALLERY

 

View as Webpage 101 W Broad Avenue

visitrichmondcounty.com

Facebook      X      Instagram      TikTok      YouTube
X Share This Email