By Koda Moody
Special to The Graham Star
Robbinsville – With the Graham County Heritage Festival now in the rearview mirror, Robbinsville Tourism Authority members began preliminary discussions of what residents can expect to enjoy during the remainder of the year.
At its June 29 meeting, the board announced that the annual fishing derby will take place Saturday, Sept. 11, with a meal being supplied for the participants, along with "door prizes" for the prize fish. The wildlife service will be donating some fish, while the rest will have to be purchased.
The ever-popular Halloween "Trunk-or-Treat" will be expanding, with the Robbinsville Tourism Authority planning an event on Saturday, Oct. 30, separate from Robbinsville High School's trunk or treat.
Lastly, the Christmas parade is penciled in for Saturday, Dec. 11. The starting location for the floats is still being planned, due to other performances of the parade.
Murals, adventures
The new murals in Robbinsville – the Ronnie Milsap and Beloved Snowbird – were discussed as well.
Milsap’s representation – located on the side of the Graham County Co-Op Extension building – was completed late last month. The Beloved Snowbird mural – which is located on Main Street – will have a dedication at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 31 and an honorarium for those depicted in the painting. The Robbinsville Tourism Authority is also planning to invite the Tribal Council.
A grant was also discussed and passed from the Great Smokies Health Foundation, for $5,000. The Robbinsville Tourism Authority plans on using this to pay for the "Passport to Adventure," which is a guide to over 20 trails located in the Robbinsville area, giving tourists the information they need to find nearby natural attractions.