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Carolina Crossroads Is the Roanoke Valley's Newest Vacation Destination

Groundbreaking ceremonies usually attract dignitaries‚ a local reporter and a few faithful followers who brave uneven terrain for a photo-op formality.

Not so at Carolina Crossroads.

In November 2005‚ a record 12‚000 supporters – among them Dolly Parton and friends from the Grand Ole Opry – went down to the Crossroads to witness the first turn of the shovel for the prodigious tourism development anchored by The Randy Parton Theatre (Randy is Dolly’s brother).

Situated in Roanoke Rapids‚ off exit 171 on Interstate 95‚ the 1‚000-acre site will be home to music and entertainment venues‚ retail shops‚ family attractions‚ restaurants and accommodations.

Developers Michael Dunlow and George Ragsdale‚ in collaboration with the city of Roanoke Rapids and the Halifax County Convention & Visitors Bureau‚ intend to “create a world-class entertainment destination that will foster even more economic development for northeastern North Carolina and the state‚” Dunlow says.

The groundswell of support acceler­ated the initial plans. While construction got under way on The Randy Parton Theatre‚ developers literally cleared a cotton field to construct a first-class out­door amphitheater and hosted concerts that drew some 70‚000 attendees in 2006.

The 2007 lineup promises even more entertainment. “We are the newest entertainment destination on the East Coast‚” says Lori Medlin‚ executive director of the Halifax County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We are looking forward to welcoming the world to North Carolina and Halifax County.”

“This is going to be an exciting year of concerts and events for Carolina Crossroads’ guests‚” says Elizabeth Branham‚ entertainment director at Carolina Crossroads.

Scheduled events include a return appearance by country star Gretchen Wilson‚ the Great American Frontier Show and the Classic Corvette Car Show.

The stately‚ 1‚500-seat Randy Parton Theatre‚ the cornerstone of Carolina Crossroads‚ will welcome the world in summer 2007.

In addition to Randy Parton’s own variety show‚ entertainment will include country‚ bluegrass and gospel music and some of the legends of the Grand Ole Opry.

Taking a cue from the Partons‚ another celebrity brings her name to Carolina Crossroads. Pool pro Jeanette Lee plans a January 2008 opening for Black Widow Billiards.

The 31‚000-square-foot club will feature 20 pool tables‚ a pro-shop‚ restaurant‚ VIP rooms and a 500-seat entertainment venue to host the Comedy Club circuit.

“Black Widow Billiards will only help Carolina Crossroads attract the level of visitors to make this area a major travel destination‚” Dunlow says. “The boost that this club will bring to northeastern North Carolina’s economy will be huge.”

In fact‚ economic impact has been a key consideration. For generations‚ the textile industry sustained the local economy‚ but as area mills closed‚ jobs disappeared.

“Carolina Crossroads represents a transition from dependence on a traditional manufacturing economic base to a tourism-related industry‚” says Roanoke Rapids Mayor Drewery Beale. “Industry will continue to be of prime importance to our area‚ but diversity provided by the promotion and develop­ment of tourism will only strengthen the economic viability of our county.”

So far‚ the numbers add up. Investment in Phase I of the project totals $250 million‚ which will create a projected 2‚400 jobs with an annual payroll of $50 million‚ according to Rick Benton‚ economic development director for the city of Roanoke Rapids.

Other developments in the Crossroads area include 390‚000 square feet of retail space and the $16 million‚ 147-room Hilton Garden Inn‚ scheduled to open in fall 2007.

The city has spent $6 million on infrastructure to support the entertain­ment district‚ which will draw patrons from the estimated 100‚000 people who travel each day along theI-95 corridor.

“Carolina Crossroads has generated excitement and development oppor­tunities this area has never seen before‚” Beale says. “And it’s because of the spirit of cooperation and the quality of people we have working as a team to promote and develop our community that we’re having such success.”

For concert dates‚ tickets and information on the latest developments‚ go to www.rptheatre.com.

Story by Carol Cowan
Photo by Ian Curcio

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