Embers, SwanFest kick off busy weekend in Richmond County

A busy weekend in Richmond County kicks off Thursday evening as the Embers return to Cole Plaza for Plaza Jam.

The legendary beach music band was founded as the Satellites in 1958 by drummer Bobby Tomlison and guitarist Jackie Gore and has been through several lineup changes in the past 60-plus years.

The Embers were among the inaugural Carolina Beach Music Awards Hall of Fame inductees in 1995 and were inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2018.

Frontman Craig Woolard, who also plays saxophone and flute, has been with the band on and off since the ‘70s in addition to his solo career. 

The United Way of Richmond County will also be collecting non-perishible foods for its “Can”paign for Hunger.

This is the final installment of the 2025 season.

The show is free and starts at 6:30 p.m.

See the RO’s Facebook page for photos from other Plaza Jam concerts this season.

RO file photo

Meanwhile, racer Justin Swanstrom is hosting the inaugural SwanFest at Rockingham Dragway starting Thursday night.

Swantstrom, of “Street Outlaws” fame is promoting his first event, with $150,000 in payouts on the line, with showdowns running from 10 p.m.-midnight Thursday, as well as testing and grudge racing from 6 p.m-2 a.m.

The track goes hot again at 5 p.m Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday, with racing into the night.

See Rockingham Dragway’s website and social media pages for more information.

Cole Auditorium at Richmond Community College has two performances of “Sugar Skull” on Friday, at 10 a.m. and noon, followed by a touch-a-truck event from 4-6 p.m. The Cole is also hosting “Haunted Circus” at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5.

See the venue’s social media pages for more information.

Saturday’s events kick off early with FirstHealth’s inaugural Wings of Hope Walk & Run at 9 a.m.

Other weekend events include:

THURSDAY, OCT. 2

• PDEMC Annual Meeting of Members at Richmond Community College Cole Auditorium  - 5:30 p.m.
• Town Hall at Axe to Grind in Hamlet - 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCT. 3

• East Rockingham Fire Department Barbecue sale - 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Vagabond at Hudson Brothers Deli - 8 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCT. 4

• Youth Catfishing Tournament at Hwy 74 Boat Landing - 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Hamlet City Lake Fall Pop-Up Market - 9 a.m-2 p.m.
• Rockingham Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Day at Tractor Supply - 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• 17th Annual John Coltrane Music ‘Edu-Tainment Festival at Wayman Chapel Faith Center - noon-5 p.m.
• Special Olympics: Family Fun Day at Krystal Dawn Retreat - 1-5 p.m.
• Back the Blue Ride - (leaving the Hide-A-Way Tavern) 1 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCT. 5

• Inaugural Chili Cook Off at Ansonia Soup Company at The Rock - 5-7:30 p.m.

See Visit Richmond County’s website and social media pages for more events.