Wine tastings, karaoke, and restaurants will showcase local businesses and invite residents and visitors to explore the Avenue
ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. – The City of Roanoke Rapids Main Street Program will launch its First Fridays Wine and Karaoke Series, on Friday, September 4, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the 1026 Urban Green Space on Roanoke Avenue.
Supported by Brightspeed, the free four-month series is designed to bring people to the Main Street District, increase visibility for local businesses, and encourage residents and visitors to consider the Avenue when shopping, dining, exercising, or scheduling personal services.
Each First Friday will offer attendees a Taste of the Avenue, featuring food from local restaurants and themed entertainment, along with a Taste of North Carolina through wine tastings from North Carolina wineries. The series will highlight the district’s variety while encouraging attendees to return for meals, shopping, services, and other activities.
“Economic vitality depends on keeping local businesses visible, connected, and top of mind,” said Ashley Thomas, Roanoke Rapids Main Street Director. “First Fridays gives residents and visitors another reason to experience the Avenue, explore its businesses, and return to support them.”
More than 15 businesses are located within the 1000 and 1100 blocks of Roanoke Avenue alone. Together, they offer food, fashion, beauty services, fitness, specialty shopping, and one-of-a-kind thrift finds.
Proposed Brightspeed quote for review:
“Brightspeed is proud to support an initiative that brings people together while creating greater visibility for local businesses,” said Sabrina Anderson, local marketing manager. “Strong community connections help support strong local economies, and we look forward to seeing residents and visitors experience all the Avenue has to offer.”
The series will open September 4 with Sips, Spurs & Sangria. The evening will feature country favorites, Latin selections, and food from Blend of Flavors and Joe’s To Go. Blend of Flavors will offer tacos, pupusas, birria, and agua frescas, while Joe’s To Go will serve a selection of local favorites.
Alvin Arrington of Boys to Men Inc. will host the evening alongside members of the City’s Main Street Advisory Committee.
The remaining events are scheduled as follows:
- October 2 – Mix Tapes & Moscato, featuring Naomi’s Pudding and Cricket’s Sports Bar and Grill
- November 6 – Motown and Merlot, featuring The Mill Eatery
- December 4 – Christmas on the Avenue, with additional details to be announced
The series will also showcase the City-owned 1026 Urban Green Space as an affordable venue for private gatherings and community activities. The landscaped space features lighting, seating, and a water feature and is available to rent for $40 per day. During the September event, guests may enter a giveaway for a complimentary one-day rental of the space.
Admission is free, and karaoke is open to all ages. Wine tastings will be available only to guests age 21 and older with valid identification. All alcoholic beverage tastings will take place within the designated event area at the 1026 Urban Green Space.
Additional event details will be announced throughout the series. The 1026 Urban Green Space is located at 1026 Roanoke Avenue in Roanoke Rapids.
About the Roanoke Rapids Main Street Program
The Roanoke Rapids Main Street Program advances economic development through business support, property activation, historic preservation, community engagement, and strategic promotion of the Main Street District.
About Brightspeed
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. and with assets and associated operations in 20 states, Brightspeed provides broadband and telecommunications services through a network platform capable of serving more than 7.3 million homes and businesses. Our nearly 4,000 employees are committed to building a future where more communities benefit from a more connected life, deploying a state-of-the-art fiber network and a customer experience that makes being connected as simple as it should be. For more information, please visit https://www.brightspeed.com/local/nc/roanoke-rapids.
