Find out the latest happenings in Rocky Mount NC. From restaurant and ding options, real estate, entertainment, events and more.

Automobile enthusiasts from across the area are set to make a “pit stop” this Saturday, July 25, just minutes away from your new home in the Belmont Lake Preserve NC golf community in Downtown Rocky Mount NC, as one of the city’s most highly anticipated events of the summer, the “Rockin’ Classic” returns with classic cars and motorcycles being on display in addition to fun filled activities throughout the day. Registration for the “Rockin’ Classic” Auto Expo will kick the day off this Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Not only will the newly renovated beautiful streetscape of historic Downtown Rocky Mount NC once again serve as the backdrop for all the coolest n classic cars and motorcycles, but the morning and afternoon will see some fantastic local live bands filling the air with music and area vendors serving up delicious food and refreshments throughout the day. Collectors and enthusiasts from across North Carolina are expected to be on hand showcasing their classic cars and motorcycles at the Downtown Rocky Mount NC event, given the locations very easy access right off the I-95 corridor. The classic and antique cars and bikes will be judged in a variety of catergories throughout the days’ festivities, starting at 11:00 a.m. Beginning at 2:00 p.m., the presentation of the winning entries will take place on the “Rockin’ Classic” Main Stage. Winners will be named for an array of categories at the Downtown Rocky Mount NC event, including, Best Import, Best Ford, Best Chevy, Best of Show, Sport Bike, Harley Cruiser and more. The public and members of the community will also have their voice heard at the event, as they will be able to vote and name the winner of the “People’s Choice Award.” Trophies will be awarded to the winners in all catergories prior to the events conclusion at 3:00 p.m. The “Rockin’ Classic” is only the next in what is a continuous string of great events held in Downtown Rocky Mount NC. For full details on this event and all on the upcoming schedule, visit the Downtown Rocky Mount NC website at downtownrockymount.com.

Automobile enthusiasts from across the area are set to make a “pit stop” this Saturday, July 25, just minutes away from your new home in the Belmont Lake Preserve NC golf community in Downtown Rocky Mount NC, as one of the city’s most highly anticipated events of the summer, the “Rockin’ Classic”  Auto Expo returns with classic cars and motorcycles being on Display in addition to fun filled activities throughout the day.

Downtown Rocky Mount NCRegistration for the “Rockin’ Classic” Auto Expo will kick the day off this Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Not only will the newly renovated beautiful streetscape of historic Downtown Rocky Mount NC once again serve as the backdrop for all the coolest in classic cars and motorcycles, but the morning and afternoon will see some fantastic local live bands on Display as well and area vendors serving up delicious food and refreshments throughout the day.

Collectors and enthusiasts from across North Carolina are expected to be on hand, putting their classic cars and motorcycles on Display at the Downtown Rocky Mount NC  Auto Expo, given the locations easy access right off the I-95 corridor. The classic and antique cars and bikes will be judged throughout the days’ festivities, starting at 11:00 a.m.

Beginning at 2:00 p.m., the presentation of the winning entries will take place on the “Rockin’ Classic” Main Stage. Winners will be named for an array of categories at the Downtown Rocky Mount NC event, including, Best Import, Best Ford, Best Chevy, Best of Show, Sport Bike, Harley Cruiser and more. The public and members of the community will also have their voice heard at the event, as they will be able to vote and name the winner of the “People’s Choice Award.” Trophies will be awarded to the winners in all catergories prior to the events conclusion at 3:00 p.m.

The “Rockin’ Classic”Auto Expo is only the next in what is a continuous string of great events held in Downtown Rocky Mount NC. For full details on this event and all on the upcoming schedule, visit the Downtown Rocky Mount NC website at downtownrockymount.com.

Most Affordable Cities in North Carolina

Most Affordable Cities in North CarolinaIn addition to recently being named by nerdwallet.com as one of the Cities on the Rise in North Carolina, the accolades continue to pour in for the city of Rocky Mount NC, as not only are you discovering “lifestyle redefined” with your decision to move to the Belmont Lake Preserve NC golf community, but your move will prove to be smart financially as well with Rocky Mount being included among the top 50 Most Affordable Cities in North Carolina.

The Most Affordable Cities in North Carolina study was conducted by the renowned real estate website, movoto.com, who looked at nearly 100 different North Carolina municipalities that have a population of 10,000 people or greater. To come up with their definitive list of the Most Affordable Cities in North Carolina, they analyzed the following categories: median home price, adjusted median income, unemployment rank, food costs, utility costs, and other miscellaneous costs.

In calculating the adjusted median income for each municipality in the study, first, the median household income was divided by overall cost of living. Then to accurately reflect the actual earned income of each household that number was multiplied by one hundred. In the area of miscellaneous costs, each of the area’s costs of restaurants, clothing, and entertainment was analyzed.

Listed at number 41 statewide among the Most Affordable Cities in North Carolina, the city ranked much higher in several of the categories regarding affordability, including a top ten placement in the area of “Median Home Price Rank.” Rocky Mount also was ranked in the top 15 for affordability in food/ restaurant affordability and the miscellaneous costs detailed above. The city’s income compared against cost of living ranking also placed 32nd statewide, and certainly factored into their inclusion in the top fifty.

To see the entire listing of the Most Affordable Cities in North Carolina visit movoto.com.

4th of July in Rocky Mount

On Friday, July 3, PNC Bank presents the most anticipated summer event for over four decades, as just up the road from your home at Belmont Lake Preserve Golf and Retirement Community, the 44th annual Independence Celebration combines music, family fun, and fireworks to honor America and celebrate the 4th of July in Rocky Mount.

With a 6:00 p.m. start, the Independence Celebration is a free event that will be held at Bishop Stadium in the Rocky Mount Sports Complex at 600 Independence Drive. The event celebrating the 4th of July in Rocky Mount will start with the city’s Fire Department Honor Guard giving a presentation of the colors to accompany the singing of our national anthem. Getting the festivities started will be the beach music sounds of one of the area’s most popular bands, East Coast Rhythm and Blues. Always sure to get a crowd out of their seats for a dancing good time, East Coast Rhythm and Blues proclaims on their website that they have “all the talent and experience you will ever need to get your guests (and even you) out of their Seats and onto the dance floor!”

After the opening 75 minute set of music and a short break where families can enjoy some of the great food and beverages offered by a wide variety of vendors at the 4th of July in Rock Mount event, The Main Event Band will take centerstage at 7:45- 9:15 p.m. Known across the state of north Carolina for their great blend of all genres and eras of feel good rock-n-roll music, The Main Event Band will surely have the Independence Celebration crowd grooving to the beats and ready to ring in the 4th of July in Rocky Mount as a lead-in to the fireworks.

Following the final act, the Independence Celebration will conclude with the traditional fireworks show, which is scheduled to begin at 9:15 p.m. For all the details on the Independence Celebration go to www.rockymount.gov.

 

 

Retire in NC

where-to-retire-50-marron“The Authority on Retirement Relocation,” Where to Retire Magazine has named Rocky Mount NC’s Belmont Lake Preserve as one of the 50 Best Master Planned Communities in the U.S.

In a letter from Karen Northridge, the Publisher of “Where to Retire,” Warren Halle, President of the Halle Companies who developed Belmont Lake Preserve, was informed of the NC golf and retirement community being honored among the 50 Best Master Planned Communities in the U.S. following a nine month selection process. After a thorough analysis of several hundred master planned communities, Northridge explained the Rocky Mount community’s inclusion to the list in her congratulatory letter, stating that Belmont Lake Preserve “is among an elite group of developments that offer today’s retirees a well-rounded, active lifestyle.”

Best Master Planned Communities in the U.S.In further complimenting Belmont Lake Preserve and the positive growth to Rocky Mount and the surrounding area that the golf and retirement community has brought about Northridge concluded, “Where to Retire applauds the positive impact that each of our 50 Best is making on the economic health of the towns and cities in which they are located.” She added, “all of the communities are leaders in providing a high quality of life to those who are embarking on new adventures in retirement.”

Since the Halle Companies purchased Belmont Lake Preserve in late 2011, they have embarked on a complete renovation process, starting with the preservation and upkeep of the championship 18-hole David Johnson Golf Design Belmont Lake Golf Club. The spectacular Community Clubhouse finished construction in 2014 and features both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a state of the art gym and training facility, full catering and dining facilities, and a billiards room. The Belmont Lake Golf Clubhouse also opened in 2014, with a full golf pro shop and availability for one on one instruction from PGA professional, Tim Wilke. In addition, the “Main Course at Belmont” restaurant opened its doors in the Golf Clubhouse facility and in under a year has rose to the number one ranked and reviewed Rocky Mount restaurant on tripadvisor.com.

To see the model homes and floor plans available at Belmont Lake Preserve and all of the great amenities at the Rocky Mount neighborhood honored among the 50 Best Master Planned Communities in the U.S., visit here.”

Cities on the Rise in North Carolina

With a significant increase in both the number of jobs and income over the course of the past five years, the time is now to build your dream home at Belmont Lake Preserve NC golf and retirement community, as these factors played into a recent study at nerdwallet.com that listed Rocky Mount among its list of Cities on the Rise in North Carolina.

The nerdwallet study on Cities on the Rise in North Carolina was explained in a blog post written by Maggie Clark, who noted that the entire state has been seeing and upward swing in employment, income, and population, which are the three main factors touched on in compiling the rankings. It was also said in the article that North Carolina as a state saw the second highest job gain in the country last year and that there were more people moving to the state than had left. Personal income state wide is projected to continue to grow throughout this year, while on the contrary, the unemployment rate has seen a continuous drop which is predicted to continue on a downward swing.

Cities on the Rise in North Carolina

Downtown Rocky Mount NC

In analyzing population growth, the working age population numbers were measured for a four year period. Likewise, the overall percentage of residents who were employed during this same time frame were evaluated for the Cities on the Rise in North Carolina rankings in employment growth. For the income growth, the median wage of full time workers over this same span was calculated to arrive at the final ranking.

The numbers supporting Rocky Mount cracking into the Cities on the Rise in North Carolina rankings start with its employment growth, as the city saw a 6.6 percent increase in this area during the period in which nerdwallet conducted its study. An increase in working-age population growth and in median income growth gave Rocky Mount a 23.1 overall growth score, putting it firmly with in the list of the top Cities on the Rise in North Carolina.

North Carolina golf community

With the fairways greening up beautifully and the crisp summer air already having you itching to get out on the course, now is the perfect time to look for your new home in Rocky Mount at Belmont Lake Preserve and take advantage of the membership perks at the North Carolina golf community.

North Carolina golf community

The Belmont Lake Preserve Golf Clubhouse

Offering many home sites either right on the course, or with in walking distance, looking for your dream house at Belmont Lake Preserve will not only bring you into a friendly new community, but also will have you ready to “tee off” as a member of the championship North Carolina golf community as well. With several club events already scheduled for the upcoming months, your membership is a great way to interact and meet new friends at the course as well. On June 26 at 1 p.m., Belmont Lake Golf Club will play host to a “Four Man Captain’s Choice Tournament,” while on July 18 and 19, their will be a “Member Handicap Tournament” with an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start. The prestigious “Club Championship” tournament is scheduled to take place over the weekend of August 15 and 16.

North Carolina golf community

The bar at the Main Course at Belmont

In addition to “hitting the links,” moving into the Belmont Lake Preserve North Carolina golf community also gives you full access to their resort-style amenities. The new Golf Clubhouse finished construction in 2014 and in addition to a full pro golf shop and availability for personal one-on-one instruction with onsite PGA pro, Tim Wilke, there also is the “Main Course at Belmont” restaurant, which serves a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu daily in addition to offering refreshments and spirits at the bar.

To take a closer look at some of the fantastic amenities offered up at the Belmont Lake Preserve North Carolina golf community visit their website at belmont lakepreserve.com. To see a full schedule of golf course events or book a tee time at Belmont Lake Golf Club, see the course’s site at belmontlakegolfclub.com

Rocky Mount NC Summer EventsJust minutes away from your new dream home at Belmont Lake Preserve golf and retirement community, the schedule of Rocky Mount NC Summer Events is “heating up,” offering sounds that all ages can come out and dance to as a part of the “Downtown Live!” annual concert series.

Held every other Thursday night and running through until October 1, Downtown Live! Has become one of the community’s most anticipated Rocky Mount NC Summer Events each and every year. The concerts, are held on the lawn at the Imperial Centre for the Arts, right downtown, at 270 Gay Street in Rocky Mount. The shows begin every other Thursday evening at 6 p.m. and residents and concert goers are invited to arrive around 5 p.m., to set up a blanket or lawn chairs for seating and to enjoy the great atmosphere and community spirit in the air at these Rocky Mount NC Summer Events. In the case of rain, Downtown Live! Is moved indoors to the Booker T. Theatre at 170 East Thomas Street in Rocky Mount.

This years’ Downtown Live! Series has been extended to lead into October as a precursor to the annual BBQ Throw Down and Festival which will be held on the weekend of October 9-10. City of Rocky Mount Special Events Coordinator, Susan Ball spoke of the series continuing into October and the lineup set to play this year at “Downtown Live!” saying, “We have 11 dates this summer, and we will start it off with a bang… We have all returning bands this summer, and everyone is excited about coming back to Rocky Mount.” She continued, “We’re ending in October to really carry it up to our big event, the BBQ Throw Down and Festival. The longer season for Downtown Live! will also give residents and visitors something fun to do. Carrying it into the fall will be a perfect setting at the Imperial Centre.” Ball concluded enthusiastically, “It doesn’t get much better than summer in Rocky Mount at Downtown Live!”

The schedule for the remainder of the “Downtown Live! “series is as follows, with The Band of Oz returning on May 28. Following them, appearing every other Thursday will be Jim Quick & Coastline (June 11), Hip Pocket (June 25), North Tower (July 9), Steve Owen & Summertime (July 23), The Holiday Band (Aug.6), Legacy Motown Revue (Aug. 20), The Fantastic Shakers (Sept. 3), Fantasy (Sept. 17) and The Embers featuring Craig Woolard (Oct. 1).

For further details on this and all upcoming Rocky Mount NC Summer Events, visit Downtown Rocky Mount events and activities page on their website at www.downtown rockymount.com

Retiring-in-North-Carolina

Whether you are relocating from the Northeast for your retirement years or a born and bred North Carolinian, your choice to build a dream home at the premier North Carolina golf community, Belmont Lakes Preserve puts you in one of the fastest growing cities state wide as historic Rocky Mount NC combines its proud lineage from days gone by with the scenic beauty of the present to preserve the legacy of one of the Tar Heel State’s most storied locations.

Rustic Reminders

Steeped in a rich history, Rocky Mount NC pays tribute to the city’s proud beginnings in a variety of ways. Taking a stroll down the scenic Tar River Trail can give you a look into the city’s storied military past as you pass by Battle Park and Panther Island as well as their railroad heritage as you bypass the railroad trestle that was once part of the longest railway in the United States.

The man made City Lake has stood since 1933 as a beautiful reminder of the past as well, with a lighted fountain, wildlife island, gazebo, and observation decks being added over the years to enhance its beauty.

A “Dream” that Lives On

Adding not only to the countless outdoor attractions in Rocky Mount but also recalling the city’s tie to one of the most famous speeches in American history is Martin Luther King, Jr. Park.

Prompting the dedication of the park to the legendary Civil Rights trailblazer, was when Dr. King spoke before a crowd of nearly 2,000 at the Booker T. Washington High School gymnasium in Rocky Mount on November 27, 1962, uttering the now fabled words, “I Have a Dream” among many other pieces of his landmark address given nine months later at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. as a part of the “March on Washington.”

The spectacular scenery that can be enjoyed in Rocky Mount NC, most of which blends the city’s historic past with it’s bright future shows just one of many ways that the members of the local community and city officials alike share in “dreams” like Dr. King spoke of that November night in 1962. Continuing to work hard to beautify and create more history as they bring Rocky Mount NC into the future will continue to make such dreams come true.

Moving forward into 2015, now is the time for new beginnings, and where better to start than with the building of new homes in North Carolina at Rocky Mount’s Belmont Lake Preserve golf and retirement community. While embarking on the journey toward building new homes in North Carolina, Zillow.com has compiled list of hot trends for the upcoming calendar year that you may want to consider during your house’s design process.

In addition to listing the top five home design trends for 2015, the piece also touches on a few from last year that have become a bit outdated that you may want to steer clear of when building new homes in North Carolina as well. Starting with the top five hot home design trends, was gold fixtures, which placed number one on the list originally published in the “2015 Zillow Digs Home Trend Forecast” report. Alex Fiander of Zillow.com explained the top ranking, saying that gold fixtures are a “retro statement hardware color that will make a comeback in 2015 with a new modern twist: bright gold with a sleek finish for extra shine.” Moving along to the second trend, cowhide, it was explained that, “Cowhide is the ideal accent texture for 2015’s modern, yet approachable design aesthetic. Elements of cowhide will find their way into pillows, rugs, throw blankets and even artwork this coming year.” For trend number three on the list, Zillow Digs designer, Jamie Beckwith noted, “Wallpaper is coming back in a big way,” going on to say that all types of prints and textures were seeing a rebirth heading into the new year. Rounding out the top five were “Blue Accent Colors” at number four and “modern/mid-century modern elements” in both furniture and architectural choices.

To see the entire article on the top five home design trends for 2015, and to read about several popular fads from 2014 that you may want to avoid or replace when buying or building new homes in North Carolina, visit www.zillow.com.

Rocky Mount Dog Park

http://www.rockymountnc.gov/parks/dogpark.htmlMinutes away from your new home in the premier North Carolina golf and retirement community, Belmont Lake Preserve, the new Rocky Mount Dog Park is set to celebrate its grand opening with a “day for the dogs,” as pet owners are welcome to come out on Saturday, April 11 and take part in the 5th annual “Paws in the Park” event featuring a day full of free family fun showcasing “man’s best friend.”

The all-free “Paws in the Park” event promotes responsibility in pet ownership and the humane treatments of dogs, with a full day of contests and special events. Kicking off the day’s festivities at 10:00 a.m. will be the Grand Opening ceremony and dedication of the Rocky Mount Dog Park, which is located at 1301 Dawson Place, adjacent to Sunset Park. Following the dedication at 11:00, the dogs will take center stage, as contests taking place at the new Rocky Mount Dog Park will include participating canines being recognized in a variety of categories including, Cutest, Pet and Owner “Look-a-Likes,” and Musical Chairs.

In addition to the contest, “Paws in the Park” will also host a series of special events at the Rocky Mount Dog Park throughout the afternoon. The “Pet Parade” will give the community a chance to see dogs “strutting their stuff” for all to see, as will the “Fashion Show,” with prizes awarded to winner’s of this event. Likewise, the “Costume Competition” and “Pet Talent Show,” have become annual favorites for the whole family to enjoy, as the canines get a chance to play “dress-up” and show off their unique talents in each of these attractions.

With local vendors on hand for food and other refreshments, “Paws in the Park” is a great way to get out and meet your friendly new neighbors in the Rocky Mount community and their pets, while helping to celebrate the opening of the latest addition to the city’s countless beautiful outdoor attractions, the Rocky Mount Dog Park.

For all details on the 5th annual “Paws in the Park” event, visit www.downtownrockymount.com.