ROCKINGHAM — After a countdown from Mayor John Hutchinson, the city's tree in the center of Cole Plaza lit up the night.
Having the honor of flipping the switch this year was Bob Sargent, owner and CEO of Track Enterprises, and promoter for the upcoming triple-race weekend at Rockingham Speedway in April 2025.
Click here to read the initial NASCAR announcement.
Click here to read about the ARCA addition.
Sargent has a motorsports background dating back 40 years as owner of Macon Speedway in Illinois hometown. He currently promotes races in multiple states.
Sargent has been honored with multiple awards in the motorsports community including the Lifetime Achievement Award for the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame, 1994 USAC Promoter of the Year Award, 2010 UMP DIRTcar Promoter of the Year Award, 2011 National Auto Racing Promoter of the Year Award, and the 2016 USAC Race Organizer of the Year Award.
“We are excited to welcome Bob to our community and encourage you all to support his efforts in rejuvenating The Rock,” Hutchinson said.
Before and after the tree-lighting, the chorus from L.J. Bell Elementary performed several seasonal selections.
This is the second consecutive year Rockingham’s tree lighting had a motorsports connection, with Rockingham Dragway owners Dan VanHorn and Al Gennarelli having the honor in 2023.
This was the third municipal tree-lighting this week, with both Hoffman and Hamlet holding theirs on Monday. See the RO’s Facebook page for photos from those events and more photos from Rockingham.
Christmas events around Richmond County started Sunday with Sue Jarvis’ annual performance of Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory.” Click here to read that story.
Other events still to come:
Dec. 5 - Hamlet Parade of Lights, 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 6 - Ellerbe Hometown Christmas and tree lighting, 5 p.m. (lighting at 6 p.m.)
Dec. 7 - Breakfast with Santa at Hamlet Fire Department, 8:30-10:30 a.m.; Christmas on the Square (Rockingham)
Dec. 10 - Dobbins Heights tree lighting, 5:30 p.m.
Rockingham Speedway started its Holiday Lights Extravaganza on Nov. 29, and the drive-thru display will be active every night through Dec. 29, except Christmas Day.
Click here to read about more upcoming Christmas events.
A more complete list is available on the Visit Richmond County Facebook page. Also see that page for photos of local Christmas events by Terry Clark.
