Domestic and international visitors spent a record $88.19 million in 2022 in Rockingham County, an increase of 13.2% from 2021 and a 9.2% increase from Rockingham County’s highest pre-covid numbers in 2019.

The Museum and Archives of Rockingham County recently hosted more than 200 guests for the unveiling ceremony of a North Carolina Civil Rights Trail marker that commemorates Black workers’ struggle with Duke Power for fair wages during the 1970s.

The placard explains the historic significance of the landmark 1971 U.S. Supreme Court civil rights case Griggs v. Duke Power, Co., which resulted in a landmark decision for fair employment and work conditions.

A kick-off event will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday, April 21 at Reynolds Brewery in Eden and will include music, food, axe throwing, swag, and a twilight hike on the greenway. Food available includes wood-fired oven pizza and appetizers, such as smoked chicken wings, pretzel bites with in-house made beer cheese and nachos. Beers brewed in-house, as well as an assortment of wines and non-alcoholic drinks will also be offered.

Supporting 2023 as the “Year of the Trail” in North Carolina. The Eden City Council proclaimed 2023 as the Year of the Trail in the City of Eden. This year, the city of Eden focuses on the trails to make it easier for locals and visitors to get outside and enjoy the area’s natural beauty. Nestled in the Piedmont region of the state, Eden is an excellent place for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Home to a host of excellent hiking trails whether you’re looking for a peaceful stroll or an invigorating outdoor adventure.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 1!!! The Youth Native American Powwow will be the first youth-centered Intertribal powwow in the State of North Carolina that will include all youth-focused head staff and participants.

This event is hosted and sponsored by the City of Eden, Arts Council, Rockingham County Arts Council, Rockingham County Education Foundation, Blue Cross BlueShield, WellCare, Black Indians NC and 7 Directions of Service. The powwow will increase awareness about Native American culture, drum music, various styles of dance and community engagement with a focus on Native American youth spearheading the event.

It’s one of the Piedmont’s favorite old-time stores.

“Everyone that comes in here talk abou

t what a treasure

it is,” said Michael Smith, better known as Smitty. “The more you come here the more you realize how rare this opportunity is to have something like this still around.”

When Smitty was a little boy Richard and Karen Miller opened Madison Dry Goods.

“Came into Madison one day and this building was empty,” said Richard. “I put my face up to the window and 28 years later here we are.”

The Miller’s created a store that’s become a destination location.  It reminds folks of stepping back in time when life was simpler.

After dozens of spooky reviews, Madison Dry Goods has found itself on Netflix sharing its ghost stories with the world.

For nearly 114 years Madison Dry Goods has been the spookiest place in Madison NC. Richard Miller has owned the location since 1995 and he said these ghosts wouldn’t hurt a fly.

“I think they’re pretty friendly, I don’t experience that I’m not a physic or a medium. But the people that are, we had some people that wouldn’t go upstairs I think they feel the presence so much,” Miller said.

There is something about the colors of fall that make it the best season to paddle down the Dan River. Luckily for river enthusiast, the newly improved Settle Bridge Dan River access allows river goers an easier way to reach the river just in time to enjoy the vibrant fall foliage. This section of river offers great view as there are no roads…just 2 bridges and gorgeous landscapes. There are multiple access points downstream allowing one to plan a short trip (4 miles downstream is the Dan River Game Lands access) or a longer trip (10 miles downstream is the Leaksville Landing access located near downtown Eden).

A Greensboro lake attendant and paddleboarding enthusiast is encouraging people to get out and enjoy the water but to do it safely. One tool to do that is Rockingham County’s new blueways guide.

Blueways are navigable water trails based along rivers or lakes that include multi-activity recreation and nature-based tourism.

Before entering your blueway of choice, it’s important to look at a blueways guide, lake attendant Sunshine Anderson said.

The Water Lantern Festival, a family-friendly life experience, is coming to Lake Reidsville Park on September 10th. The 2022 Water Lantern Festival Tour is an incredible experience where you, your friends, and your family will create a magical memory together for life. This festival brings people together from all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life, for a magical night of music, food, and the most awe-inspiring sight as floating lanterns light up the water.

This is a time when people can come together to share positive energy, spread love and kindness, and find comfort and strength. It’s a great opportunity to reflect on your life, share your dreams, and connect with your friends and family. Each participant is given a lantern and a marker upon arrival at the festival. The marker allows you to write a message on your lantern before you send it into the water. Your message can be anything that inspires you! You can feel a real sense of peace and awe when the lanterns begin to float out into the water – it’s an inspiring sight!

There is so much to do in Rockingham County that sometimes it’s hard to know what to jump into first. Let us help plan your weekend getaway with these six Rockingham County can’t miss experiences!

Go with the Flow – Paddle, float, or boat one of Rockingham County’s four rivers, the Dan, Mayo, Smith, and Haw, and three lakes, Belews Lake, Lake Reidsville, and Lake Hunt. Our outfitters can help you plan your trip, and if you are a first timer, an outfitter is highly recommended.

You can now sip and shop at the same time in downtown Madison.

The town kicked off its social district on Friday evening. It’s the first of its kind in Rockingham County.

The town modeled this concept based on other cities’ social districts. You get a cup with a special sticker on it. Then you can take it anywhere along Murphy and South Market Streets.

Rockingham County Tourism Development Authority is excited to unveil its new Blueway Branding. With the branding comes a new and improved RoCo Blueway Guide which serves as the County’s primary source for river and lake information and safety protocols.

Blueways are navigable waterways based along rivers or lakes for recreational use. Rockingham County is home to three lakes and four flowing rivers. That is over 4,500 acres and 88 miles of water! These water trails help promote healthy lifestyles, attract tourism, drive economic development, increase cultural and historical awareness, and encourage continued conservation efforts of the county’s natural resources and wildlife.

Spring is officially in full bloom which means there’s lots of buzz happening in the small towns of Western Rockingham County. When you stop by the towns of Madison, Mayodan, and Stoneville some of the first things you notice are the folks are friendly, the shops are inviting, and the taps and grills somehow speak to your soul.

From cat head biscuits to craft brews and burgers, there is literally something for everyone when you visit these quaint towns. Already have your belly full? The inviting and unique shops can help you with a little retail therapy. Looking to cool off and float your cares away? The multiple river outfitters can help you plan and navigate your trip.

The 6th Annual Oink & Ale Festival in Eden, North Carolina. The most fantastic little beer festival on the block.

Come and enjoy great music by On The Border, The Ultimate Eagles Tribute Band, Saturday Night, June 18th, 6p – 9p. Nibble on some delicious barbecue and ribs with a few delightful beverages from local craft brewers like Hell on HorseCreek Brewing from Madison, Reynolds Brewing from right here in Eden, and domestic beers in the beer garden. Are you looking for a bit of vino? The famous Sangria from 2 Witches Winery & Brewery will be here but come early as it goes down quickly.

The signs that help direct people to the water recreation points in Rockingham County have a fresh look thanks to a partnership between the N.C. Department of Transportation and Rockingham County Tourism Development Authority (TDA).

TDA staff reached out to NCDOT last year to explore options for replacing the existing signs that point people in the right direction to access Rockingham County’s blueways, which includes rivers and lakes. With 19 years of wear and tear on them, the previous signs were more than ready to retire and make way for their replacements.

Old meets new after a wooden quilt square was placed like a shining star on the gable of the Tobacco Factory in the Historical Village on the campus of Rockingham Community College.

The painted artwork has now put RCC on the map of the Rockingham County Quilt Trail as its 34th entry. The trail consists of a self-guided tour through the county, during which visitors experience the beautiful rural landscape with historic tobacco barns, vineyards, farm stands, and country stores along the way. The tour, found in a brochure and online, includes a map to 4-by-4-foot wooden quilt squares painted by local artists since 2015 and displayed for public viewing, each with a meaning and story of its own.