Come Fly With Me, Let’s Fly Away – For Inspiration in Salisbury NC For A Rocky Mount Tour

1)  Take a look at this Link announcing the Salisbury Fall House Tour – CLICK HERE

2) Mark the date on your calendar as a possible adventure to Salisbury NC.

They say it takes three years to create a lasting event. A modest beginning, a second year that builds on the purpose of the event with more attendance, a third year where people have helped with your advertising by stating, “I wouldn’t miss it!”

It isn’t that Rocky Mount is short on well established community events,  but in my current Preservation Rocky Mount board position as Advocacy Chair, I always have my bright lights on when traveling down the road of “what ifs.” This idea won’t ring everyone’s bell, but we have a contingency of preservationists, historians, and other like minded folks in the community that could come together to orchestrate an undertaking that builds on itself leading to a three or four day event that could look like this: The event begins on a Thursday with a ticketed seated luncheon featuring a NC speaker appropriate to the event.  Friday evening: a ticketed event for patrons and sponsors, home owners and esteemed guests. Saturday: the house tour and shorter hours on Sunday afternoon. With the addition of a Machaven, a Stonewall, a Mill property rotating each year, special places like these would serve as the anchor destination of the tour where refreshments and enjoying the atmosphere and history are on the menu.

We would engage the Historic Preservation Committee, PRM, appropriate representatives from the Development Services department, (Director, Will Deaton,)  to combine mutual goals as a underpinning  for the event. Each year a living member of the Twin County Hall of Fame could serve as Honorary Chairman. I think of Stacy Jesso and Jennifer Roberson, and so many others who could help create a project like this in their sleep. The restaurants can get involved offering a Preservation Burger, or salad, or drinks. With all the restoration going on downtown, that work can be highlighted. The arts community can offer an exhibit in several places highlighting  our preservations successes. Maybe a concert could be held at the Event Center on Saturday evening after the dinner hour at all our downtown restaurants? You can see how this can take on a life of its own with the goal of  highlighting Rocky Mount as a responsible partner in the NC Main Street Program along with other likely organizations that have a heart for preservation, restoration and repurposing.

Action Plan: Form a committee, promote the Salisbury Tour to get the creative juices flowing with interested people in Rocky Mount etc. etc. etc. We’ll take as many busses as necessary for the cost per person for a round trip ticket. Or spend the night, make it an occasion to treat someone you love. The only hitch is you must take in as much as you can to bring back with you in order to influence the plans. Think how great this could be with YOUR ideas and creative energy. Come on, Let’s Fly Away!