ROCKINGHAM – Since the inception of the idea, the Chamber’s First Friday Luncheons have been a fun chance to meet representatives from local businesses, hear what is going on in our community and have good food. Each month has seen a different restaurant with various members of the business community participating. The businesses represented at this month’s first Friday included Duke Energy Progress, Discovery Place Kids, the Cole Auditorium, Farm Bureau, Habitat for Humanity, and Cobb Investigative Services.
When asked what will be going on this month at Discovery Place Kids, Director Katie Herndon enthusiastically described the 4th Annual “Countdown to Kindergarden,” which she described as a “celebration for kids starting education.” This event is August 16, 4-7 p.m., open to the public and best of all, FREE! Some of the fun activities planned that night include having students practice getting on a school bus, lunch tray maneuvers in a “lunch tray relay,” and scissor safety (don’t run with scissors!) review. There will be representatives on hand from all elementary schools, teachers and administrative staff, to help the students get familiar with the school setting and answer any questions from students or parents. Katie stated that there has been very good attendance for this event in years past and she expects that to continue this year as well.
In addition to being the head of Cobb Investigative Services, Chuck Cobb is also heading up the Seaboard Festival Committee this year. He reported that this committee has been meeting monthly since February and is in full swing getting vendor spaces filled, musical entertainment lined up and, as always, plenty of great food vendors in place for the 36th annual festival. Always the last Saturday in October, this year that will be on October 27. The hours for the festival are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the location being Main Street in Hamlet. There are opportunities for those of you who want to be involved in the festival as a volunteer THE DAY OF the festival only, but not in the year-long planning meetings. Contact Chuck at (910) 995-5966 for further information.
News from the Chamber of Commerce itself: the upcoming Connections After 5:00 on August 16 will be at the remodeled Fairfield Inn and Suites. It will commence with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:15 and flow into the “After 5:00” business meet and greet.
A new class of Leadership Richmond is beginning again as well with 20 signed up but there are still spots available for those interested in getting an inside look at businesses and government in Richmond County. The class will meet twice monthly, some full days, some half days and the cost is $200.00, which is a bargain when compared to similar programs in nearby counties.
Last, but not least, approximately 400 of the 750 available tickets have been sold for this year’s Hoptoberfest. Set for Saturday, October 6, this much anticipated event has sold out in years past, so get your tickets soon!
Contact Seth Allen at the Chamber office at (910) 895-9058 or seth@richmondcountychamber.com for Leadership Richmond or Hoptoberfest information.
