By Staff
Town ready to tout 50th anniversary of its incorporation
By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles &Features Editor
CHOCOWINITY — Town officials and residents are gearing up for a celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of this Beaufort County town.
The event is planned for May 16.
Festivities kick off at 8 a.m. with the Spring Heat car-and-truck show sponsored by Down East Rods &Classics. The show runs until 3 p.m. at Chocowinity Middle School, with proceeds to benefit the town’s volunteer fire department.
An opening ceremony is planned for 10 a.m. at Town Hall. Along with speeches by local dignitaries and guests, the ceremony will include entertainment by the Chocowinity Middle School band and a cake-cutting event.
The town’s recreation park will resemble an old-fashioned fair with rides, crafts and vendors from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A health clinic — featuring Chocowinity’s doctors and pharmacy, as well as the America Red Cross — will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Retired professional wrestler Ivan Koloff, known as “The Russian Bear,” will greet fans and sign autographs from noon until 2 p.m. at the police department. At the same time, the department will display replicas of the General Lee and the Hazzard County sheriff’s car from “The Dukes of Hazzard” television series.
A display of Chocowinity memorabilia — tracing the town’s history — will be exhibited from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Town Hall. Organizers of the celebration are hoping local residents will loan their treasures for the display; for more information, call 252-946-6598.
Throughout the day, tours of sites of interest will be offered to the public. On the list are Town Hall, police department, fire department, Trinity Episcopal Church and First Baptist Church. Shuttle trams will run continuously. Designated parking areas include the fire department, recreation park and the area behind the Edward Jones office adjacent to the WITN-TV studios.
The day’s festivities will be capped by a “sock hop” from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the fire department. Disc jockey Robbie Leggett will play favorites from the 1950s and 1960s, and the evening will include an old-fashioned cake walk, refreshments and door prizes.
To commemorate the anniversary, T-shirts have been designed and will be available the day of the celebration. Sizes run from children’s large to adults’ 2XL. The shirts, $10 each, will be available as long as supplies last.
Members of the event’s planning committee include Mayor Jimmy Mobley, Arlene Jones, Rachel Wolfe, Mike Gordon, Marty Paramore, David Fields, Todd Alligood, Laverne Mayo, Lacey Newman, Lisa Ingalls, Becky Deans, Charlie Elks and Jamie Stokes.
For more information about the celebration, visit www.townofchocowinity.com.