Robbinsville – Car and motorcycle shows are among the events being considered for 2021.
At its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 29, the Robbinsville Tourism Authority discussed possible events for later in 2021, should COVID-19 case numbers drop as more people are vaccinated.
In addition to the possibility of a car or motorcycle show in the springtime, the board also discussed the fate of the Graham County Fishing Derby, eventually deciding to wait and see what case numbers looked like as the event neared.
“Hopefully it should be nice in March or April,” said board member Debbie Beasley.
Robbinsville Tourism Director Karen Taylor said the number of people attending Robbinsville’s Christmas parade in December 2020 was a positive sign and that many of the classic car owners participating had suggested the idea of a car show.
“I did not realize we had as many custom car people in Graham County,” Taylor said. “I promised them if they helped me out with the parade, I would help them out and I think a custom car show would be wonderful, and I have a lot of bikers that would like having a bike show.”
She said she believed the car show and motorcycle show would be better off as separate events and suggested tentatively setting them for springtime.
The board also received some good financial news. During her report to the board, Robbinsville Finance Director Sonya Webster said the board had approximately $91,000 for tourism and travel uses at its disposal as of November 2020.
“I know you’re spending less money, but you’re also receiving more money since COVID happened,” Webster said. “Starting in July, you’re receiving about $2,000 more a month since COVID opened back up, since our hotels opened back up.
“We’re just having a gradual incline.”
The board also discussed the 2020 Christmas parade, calling the event a success.
“Everybody that I talked to said they loved it, but they said it went just a little bit too fast,” Beasley said. “To see them kids like that, it blew me away.”
The board also discussed ideas to better market the region and bring efforts closer to those of surrounding communities.
“If we could just get it going, get it in here, the tourists will come start checking it out even if it’s just for a little short drive,” Beasley said.