ROCKINGHAM — Those looking for a vendor spot during ThunderFest in April have about five weeks to apply.
Vendor applications opened on Wednesday — with several being turned in before 5 p.m., according to Richmond County Tourism Director Meghann Lambeth, who is co-organizing the event again this year with Rockingham Events Coordinator Kim Williams. The deadline is Feb. 27.
The fee for the 10-foot by 20-foot spaces range from: $200 for food vendors; $100 for nonprofit food vendors; $150 for merchandise vendors; and $50 for information and nonprofit vendors.
According to the announcement letter, vendors can reserve more than one space, but adjacent spaces are based on availability at the time of payment. The letter also states that organizers “ reserve the right to limit participation based on space and product variety.”
All food vendors must also adhere to regulations from the Richmond County Health Department.
Additional information and applications can be found at gorockingham.com/events.
ThunderFest, the official kickoff to the NASCAR races at Rockingham Speedway, is also set to include a beer garden, Kids Zone and live music. The musical act for this year has not yet been announced.
Last year’s event featured more than three dozen vendors — including multiple food trucks and racing-related displays — a meet-and-greet with drivers from all three series, and a performance by Edwin McCain, who was a last-minute fill-in for the Marshall Tucker Band.
ThunderFest will run from 4-9 p.m. on Thursday, April 2 at downtown Rockingham's Harrington Square.
The two-day, three-race weekend will start Friday, April 3 with the Black’s Tire 200 Craftsman Truck Series race, followed Saturday, April 4 by an ARCA Menards Series 125-lap race and the N.C. Education Lottery 250 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race.
Tickets and merchandise are available at racetherock.com.
