ROCKINGHAM — Street closures will begin Wednesday in downtown Rockingham as the city prepares for ThunderFest, the official kickoff event for NASCAR’s return to Rockingham Speedway.
Organized by the city of Rockingham and Richmond County Tourism, ThunderFest will feature live music, vendors and community activities leading into race weekend at the Rock.
Closures are scheduled from 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, through 9 p.m. Thursday, April 2. The following areas will be affected:
• Hancock Street and Washington Street intersection closed at 5 p.m. April 1
• North Lee Street closed after the PNC ATM drive-thru at 5 p.m. April 1
• North Lee Street closed after the Truist ATM drive-thru exit at 5 p.m. April 1
• One lane of West Washington Street will remain open for bank traffic
Vendors for ThunderFest include La Suerte de Sake, Chill Zone, House of Odell & Luella, McKinnon’s BBQ & Soul, Southern Mountain Kettle Pop, Mini’s On the Go, Sunset Slush, World’s Greatest Funnel Cakes, Bits of Cosmic Proportion, Kookie Krumbs, Kona Ice, Alford’s Smoke’N Grill, Alford’s All That & More, Burger Bros, Cookies & More, Puckered Up Lemonade, The Bean & Cheese and Christian Educators BDay Org.
Additional vendors include: Spire Motorsports Truck, Jonathan Tadlock Racing, Rock Battery, Beer Garden, Crime Stoppers, Old School Racing, Eli Young merchandise, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Tina Miller State Farm, Tedder Trash Solutions, Race the Rock merchandise, Appalachian Sucker Punch, Griffin Toyota, Brody Bryant MX, Warriors in Motion, Duke Energy/Piedmont Natural Gas, Black’s Tires, FirstHealth, Richmond County Crime Stoppers, Gifts 4 All Seasons, Coldwell Banker and Flippin Vintage Outdoor.
The Eli Young Band is scheduled to perform from 7:30 to 9 p.m., with opening act Anna J taking the stage from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.
Racing action is set to begin at 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 3, with the Black’s Tire 200. Pre-race activities will include an appearance by Miss North Carolina and performances by Richmond County students, including the Richmond Raider Marching Band.