At the area's parades, festivals, community and civic events, visitors and residents alike can enjoy many celebrations in the Rocky Mount Area.

One of the more well-known is the Down East Festival of the Arts. One of the largest one-day street festivals in North Carolina, the event attracts nearly 80,000 people on the second Saturday in October. Since its beginning more than 10 years ago, the Down East Festival has turned downtown Rocky Mount into a haven for craftspeople, artists and performers--and of course, food vendors.

Arts and crafts vendors from North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia show their wares along Main Street. Handmade baskets, glass paintings, wood appliques, seashell designs and a host of other items can be found on display in the streets of Rocky Mount.

For those looking for live entertainment, one of the many stages downtown will surely offer everyone's favorite music. From rock to country and from jazz to gospel, the Down East Festival has it covered. The event has drawn national recording stars such as Chubby Checker, Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Kingston Trio, Bo Diddley, The Spinners, and Gary Puckett --just to name a few.

The Down East Festival began in 1982, and as the event has grown more popular over the years, officials have expanded the entertainment and exhibits. Special areas include "Kids Kaleidoscope," with children's entertainment, arts and crafts, carnival games and pony rides; a "Down East Gospel Stage" featuring some of the best gospel groups in eastern North Carolina; an "acoustical" entertainment section and a North Carolina Traditional area where one may see B-B-Q being prepared, vintage farm equipment on display or local craftspeople practicing their trade.

Two events added recently include "Pignatious" - a pig cooking contest, and a Three-on-Three outdoor basketball tournament with players of all ages, heights, and skill levels.

Whatever the festival fan is looking for, he or she can find it at the Down East Festival of the Arts. It is a full day of family fun, great entertainment, delicious food and amazing crafts and art objects. It is an exciting diversion for everyone.

A number of popular road races are held in the area. One of the larger and older races is the Chase of Champions. Attracting around 700 race participants, the spring event has featured former Olympians Julie Isphording and Craig Virgin. As one of the more competitive road races in the state, the event draws runners from Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and all of North Carolina. Sponsored by Centura Bank, Consolidated Diesel Company and Abbott Laboratories, the race features a 5K and 10K run, a 1 mile race for 6 to 12 year-olds and 1/10 mile Tot Trot for 3 to 5 year-olds.

A smaller, but traditional road race in the area occurs each year the weekend before Thanksgiving --the Turkey Trot. Approximately 75-80 runners ranging in age from 6 to 60 participate yearly in three separate features --the 1-mile run, a 3-mile race and a 6.2-mile race. Sponsored by the City of Rocky Mount, the Turkey Trot started in 1981 and continues to grow each year.

The Rocky Mount Fair also provides excitement and fun for area residents and visitors from other regions. The nine-day event draws more than 50,000 people who enjoy features such as ferris wheels, kiddie rides and games. A different professional show each year highlights the fair, while comedians, magicians, dancers and bands provide even more entertainment for fair-goers. In addition, area high school bands perform during a four-night stretch for their annual fund-raising drives.

Animals, flowers, baked goods and arts and crafts are displayed during the Rocky Mount Fair for competition. Ribbons and awards are given to winning exhibits. Each year, the Rocky Mount Fair continues to provide fun for area children as well as adults. The competition, rides, games and entertainment make the fair one of the most sensational and thrilling events in the area. Another popular event is the Spring Hope Pumpkin Festival. Going strong after more than 20 years, the Pumpkin Festival attracts 30,000-40,000 visitors each year and is nationally recognized. Held during the first weekend in October, the two-day festival promotes one of the area's favorite commodities -- pumpkins. Pumpkin-weighing contests offer cash prizes, and a parade and bands provide the entertainment. Crafts, living history programs and food booths, including a molasses-making display are also familiar exhibits at the Spring Hope Pumpkin Festival.

Holiday celebrations in the area are also extremely popular. Rocky Mount, Castalia, and Tarboro have Independence Day celebrations that are well attended.

Rocky Mount's Freedom Celebration held annually at the Municipal Stadium on July 3rd, features singers, bands and an impressive fireworks display. In Castalia, crowds of nearly 10,000 people --some from as far away as Maryland and New Jersey --gather July 4 for the Castalia/Nash County Independence Day Celebration. An afternoon parade starts the festivities, while bands, dancers and singers keep the crowds entertained all day until the elaborate fireworks display that night. Established in the mid-1980's, this area July 4 celebration continues to grow in popularity.

The YWCA "Supper with Santa" is another popular event during the Christmas Season. Everyone enjoys the fun! Children may have their picture taken with Santa, make a take-home craft in the elves' playhouse and listen to a holiday story read by the author and get the book as a gift to take home. Adults can bid on exclusive silent auction items and join in on a raffle for a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. There are also classic frasier fir wreaths and delicious casseroles for the freezer. With the net proceeds going to the YWCA, the holiday season comes alive during "Supper with Santa".

To mark the end of the holiday season and to start the new year off right, the City of Rocky Mount sponsors a New Year's Eve celebration called "A Ball At the Mall." This alcohol-free event is held at Tarrytown Mall for both children and adults and features live entertainment, carnival games and activities. Lights, confetti, noisemakers, hats and balloons are all a part of this fun celebration as Rocky Mount counts down the minutes to a new year.

The Harambee Festival occurs each May. The sites and sounds of native Afro-American culture are celebrated in Harambee Square. Dance, music, and costumes make this a unique must-see event.

But some areas don't need a holiday to celebrate. In Sharpsburg, the town's Drug Free Mini-Olympics brings the community closer in a positive setting. Food, games and various "Olympics" contests make the two-day fund-raising event an exciting, fun-filled weekend in September. Money raised from the concessions during the event goes to help community projects such as the library fund and historical renovation funds. Each year on the first Sunday in May the citizens of Tarboro get together to celebrate their unique Town Common with a festival known far and wide as "The Happening." Originally begun in the mid-1960's, "The Happening" was one of the first outdoor art festivals in the state. It has grown to include all sorts of arts and crafts, demonstrations, performances and interesting things to eat, all out under the trees on one of America's oldest original commons, chartered in 1760 when the Town of Tarboro was founded.

Nashville's Blooming Festival in May is a day of fun and casual entertainment featuring unique crafts, live music, great food and children's rides and activities.

The community and civic events in our Edgecombe and Nash county area are endless. A strong commitment to the area is evident from the popularity of these special attractions. While in the area on a holiday or just traveling through, visitors can experience the fun and excitement from the many parades, festivals and celebrations.

For more information, email rmacc@rockymountchamber.org.