ROCKINGHAM — Several downtown streets will be closed starting Wednesday afternoon in preparation for ThunderFest.
Organizers announced on March 17 that the intersection of Hancock and Washington Streets will close at 5 p.m. April 1. N. Lee Street will also be closed just past the drive-thrus for PNC and Truist banks.
One lane of W. Washington Street will remain open for bank traffic.
The streets will reopen following the event.
ThunderFest, organized by the city of Rockingham and the Richmond County Tourism Development Authority, serves as the official kick-off to the NASCAR weekend at Rockingham Speedway on April 2.
Harrington Square will be filled with a stage and multiple food, craft and other vendors. There will also be a Kids Zone and a beer garden.
Food Vendors: House of Odell and Luella; McKinnon’s BBQ and Soul; La Surete de Sake; Chill Zone; BITS of Cosmic Proportions; Southern Mountain Kettle Pop; Mini’s On the Go; Sunset Slush; World’s Greatest Funnel Cakes; Alford’s Smoke and Grill; Alford’s All That and More; Burger Bros; Kookie Crumbs; Kona Ice; Cookies and More; Puckered Up Lemonade; The Bean and Cheese; Christian Educators BDay Org.
Other Vendors: Jonathan Tadlock Racing; Rock Batteries; Old School Racing; Brody Bryant MX; Race the Rock; O’Reilly Auto Parts; Black’s Tire; Appalachian Sucker Punch; Griffin Toyota; Warriors in Motion; Duke Energy/Piedmont Natural Gas; FirstHealth; Richmond County Crime Stoppers; Tina Miller State Farm; Gifts 4 All Seasons; Coldwell Banker; Tedder Trash Solutions; Flippin Vintage Outdoor.
Courtesy Visit Richmond County
The Eli Young Band, scheduled to perform from 7:30-9 p.m., will also have a merchandise tent. Anna J will be the opening act, slated to be on stage from 5:45-6:45 p.m. Concertgoers can bring their own chairs.
Several drivers will be on site for autographs, but no list has yet been published. However, 2025 Craftsman Truck Series champ Corey Heim will be at Griffin Toyota earlier in the day.
ThunderFest is free and open to the public, including the concert, and runs from 4-9 p.m.
The racing action is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 3, with the Black’s Tire 200, featuring Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar behind the wheel of the No. 77 for Spire Motorsports.
Pre-race activities will include an appearance from Miss North Carolina and performances by Richmond County students.
Local band Good Company will be performing after the race across the street at Rockingham Dragway from 9 p.m.-midnight.
On Saturday, April 4, racing continues with a 125-lap race in the ARCA Menards Series East at 11:30 a.m. and the N.C. Education Lottery 250 race, featuring YouTube star Cleetus McFarland making his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut with Richard Childress Racing, at 2:30 p.m.
Moore County singer Julia Golden will be performing the national anthem.
For tickets and more information, visit racetherock.com.
