Robbinsville – The Robbinsville Tourism Authority was putting finishing touches on events planned for the rest of this year at its Sept. 27 meeting, while also beginning to brainstorm about several events in 2023.
The board plans to help out with a Jeep Show being held Oct. 22 as a fundraiser for Robbinsville High School Boys Basketball. The board plans to pay for trophies.
The authority is expecting a large turnout for Trunk or Treat, a Halloween Day event expected to draw youngsters from throughout the county to Main Street in Robbinsville. Hours will be Monday, Oct. 31 from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
The plan is to stage cars between Ford Street/Moose Branch Road up Main Street to the Graham County Courthouse.
The theme for this year’s Christmas parade will be “Memories of Christmas Past,” a nod to Graham County’s 150th anniversary celebrations this year. The Christmas Extravaganza is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. with the lighted parade starting at 6 p.m., all on Saturday, Dec. 10. Robbinsville Tourism has spearheaded efforts to co-name East Main Street as “Veterans Hill” and the order for the new street signs has been placed, with delivery in early-November. Without a specific delivery date, it is uncertain whether the official co-naming dedication will be help simultaneously with Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11.
Coming up in 2023, the board talked about holding a car show in conjunction with the Shriners, possibly in mid-September.
The board also discussed organizing a commemorative ceremony on Sept. 11, 2023, to honor the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001.
Fresh coat of paint
The board is looking to approach owners of outdoor advertising signs that advertise for businesses that no longer exist and replace them with advertising that promotes Robbinsville or – if nothing else – simply paint over the out-of-date information.
The board authorized up to $5,000 to be spent decorating the town, from sprucing up planters between growing season to putting up Christmas wreaths.
“I want our little town to look pretty,” said Debbie Beasley, chair of the Robbinsville Tourism Authority.