ROCKINGHAM — A new headliner will take the stage in Harrington Square for NitroFest on Sept. 24.
Organizers announced Wednesday afternoon that The Lacs will be replacing Colt Ford, who was originally scheduled to appear.
The Georgia-based country rap duo has been performing for more than a decade, blending country, southern rock, rap and blues “to form their own unique style,” according to the group’s website.
The group is scheduled to perform from 7:45-9 p.m.
Rockingham City Manager Monty Crump teased the change during Tuesday's city council meeting, noting that at least there was more notice this time.
The Marshall Tucker Band was initially slated to headline ThunderFest — a similar event welcoming NASCAR back to Richmond County — in 2025, but a health issue with the band's lead singer left organizers scrambling to find a last-minute replacement of Edwin McCain within 24 hours.
NitroFest is a collaboration between the Richmond County Tourism Development Authority and the city of Rockingham -- with Tourism Director Meghann Lambeth and City Events Planner Kim Williams at the helm -- to welcome the NHRA to Rockingham Dragway for its first-ever points event at the famed track.
Visit Richmond County has been releasing the names of drivers scheduled to be at NitroFest including: Matt Latino; Jeff Lutz; Greg Anderson; Matt and Angie Smith; and Shannon Jenkins
Anderson, six-time Pro Stock world champion, was at the dragway for the official event announcement in November. His first opportunity to drive in a Pro Stock car was during the NHRA Winston Invitational at the Rock in 1997.
Autograph sessions will run from 6:30–7:15 p.m.
In addition to the drivers and the music, there will also be multiple food and other vendors on site for NitroFest.
Food vendors include: Alford's All That Pork Skins & More; Alford's Smoke’N Grill; Burger Bros; The Chill Zone Ice Cream and Coffee; Kona Ice; La Suerte De Sake; Puckered Up Lemonade; Poppins Popcorn; and Southern Mountain Kettle Pop and Lemonade Co.
NitroFest will also feature several racing and automotive-related booths from: Black's Tire & Auto Service; Griffin Toyota; Old School Racing; O'Reilly Auto Parts; Rockingham Dragway; ROCK Batteries; Warriors in Motion; Dieffenbach GM Superstore; East Coast Fuelers; Full Custom Fabrication & Performance; GEB Body Shop; Griffin Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram; Lyle Barnett Racing; Tony Wilson Racing; Tricky Rickie Smith; Chase Van Sant; and the NHRA Practice Tree.
Other confirmed vendors include: AmeriHealth Caritas; Richmond County Partnership for Children; and the Rockingham Fire Department.
There will also be a Kids Zone sponsored by Pee Dee Electric, featuring: facepainting and temporary NitroFest tattoos by DS Art Studio; and the Fire Chief’s Association fire bounce house. Other vendors for the younger crowd include Ducky Doodles ET Clown Works and The Squish Squad Mobile Slime Bar.
The event is free and open to the public.
To keep up with all the developments, follow Visit Richmond County on Facebook.
