| |
Source: NCDA&CS, 9/5/12
September is shaping up to be the busiest month yet for the Southeastern N.C. Agricultural Events Center. The recently renamed multipurpose facility will host several events this month, including two horse shows, an agricultural show and a networking event.
“We’re committed to helping the Southeastern N.C. Agricultural Events Center become a destination for major events in Robeson County,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The addition of the Pavilion in the spring and more than 50 horse stalls opens the center up to the possibility of hosting new events, which will have a great economic impact on the local community.”
One of those new events is the N.C. Horse Council’s Cowboy Up, to be held Sept. 28-30. The horse show is part of the council’s Southern Horse Festival. Cowboy Up features several events, including barrel racing, cutting, ranch sorting and roping competitions. There also will be agricultural exhibits and roping demonstrations for children. All profits from the event will help fund additional stalls at the center.
“Horse stalls are one of the things larger horsing events look for when booking a venue,” Troxler said. “If we can secure more stalls, we can bring in the visitors that will grow the economy in Robeson County.”
While the center has hosted multi-day shows in the past, it has not been able to provide horse stalls to accommodate horses for overnight stays. The center can hope to attract larger regional events to the area with the addition of the horse stalls provided by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and other organizations.
Since the 55,000-square-foot Pavilion opened in April, the center has hosted nine events. An additional eight events are planned between now and the end of the year, with eight more already planned for the spring. Other events planned for September include the Southeast Ag Show, Sept. 14-15; and Lumberton Chamber of Commerce After Hours, Sept. 20. The Britt Barrel Show was held at the center Sept. 1.
In addition to physical improvements, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services introduced a new name and logo to reflect the center’s larger appeal as an events destination. The department also hired a contract marketing specialist to help promote the facility and attract new events.
For a complete schedule of upcoming events at the Southeastern N.C. Agricultural Events Center, go to www.ncagr.gov/markets/facilities/agcenters/southeastern.
|
