We need a reason for people to visit Rockdale again and again. That was the consensus of Leadership Rockdale’s meeting last Thursday. And we need to have all of Rockdale’s organizations working together to achieve this goal.
Maybe it’s a once-peryear thing? Something like the Fall Music Festival, which isn’t coming back. At least not by the same group who was doing it. COVID basically killed it, but there were other reasons as well.
Or do you remember the Whistle Stop Wine Tour from November of 2019? That was very successful and got people moving all over town to visit various shops right before Christmas. Then there was a market the same night with vendors selling all kinds of things at Wolf Park.
Or maybe something quarterly? Or even more often. But it needs to be something big and something worth driving here to enjoy.
Which groups could take ownership of this? Here are a few off the top of my head: Rockdale Chamber of Commerce, our city council, the MDD, Rockdale Downtown Association, Alpha Tau Delta, Rockdale Earth Day, all RISD organizations, the VFW and American Legion. I’m sure there are others. And, again, this list is off the top of my head. I didn’t mean to leave anyone out. Just giving examples.
And, of course, local businesses who would benefit from lots of visitors being in our town.
The point is that we all need to work together to bring people here. From coming up with an idea for the event(s) to planning and fundraising and getting volunteers to help pull it off.
One of the Leadership Rockdale members mentioned an event going on in Cameron. She said it was small, but at least they were trying something, which is a good point. And that small something could grow.
Rockdale’s event might start small too, but with enough planning and with the input of new ideas from all of us, we could come up with something that could grow over the years.
So put on your thinking caps. If you come up with a good idea to draw folks to Rockdale, please email me. All ideas welcome! —kwc— What a busy time it’s been with the Fair and all the Halloween events. Our Fair issue is always a booger to put together with all the photos and results, but we got her done.
I took photos at several Halloween events on Monday and we have lots of pictures for you on page 8A.
The annual MARC Halloween Party was held at The Kay Theater this year since voting is going on at the Patterson Civic Center. They had a big crowd and they were all having a great time. A big thanks to all the MARC Board members and volunteers for all the work planning and getting everything ready for the big day.
Rockdale Estates and Rehabilitation held a well-attended event with the residents and employees all dressing up to hand out candy to all of the costumed kids. Nice turnout there.
I’m amazed every year at what a big crowd the Rockdale Independent School District’s Trunk or Treat event at Tiger Stadium draws. Congratulations to the staff and teachers and everyone else who puts this on for the kids (and adults). It was a lot of fun taking photos and this year there were lots of creative costumes.
Hope you all had a Happy Halloween! Now on to Thanksgiving.
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