Governor Josh Stein has been scheduled to be the guest speaker for Halifax Resolves Day, Michael Wray, chair of the county’s Semi-quincentennial Commission, told commissioners today.
Wray presented the board with an update on plans for the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Halifax Resolves on April 12, 1776.
The governor is scheduled for the afternoon program for the commemoration, which falls on a Sunday in the upcoming year.
Also scheduled on the 12th is a colonial-style church service that morning, followed by the afternoon program. The town of Halifax is sponsoring a concert and laser show that evening.
Renovations
Wray said there will be a ribbon-cutting at the William R. Davie house on Friday, December 5 at 5:30 p.m.
The Historic Halifax Visitors Center is making steady progress with renovations being completed there, and the staff is expected to move in this month.
Wray said organizers are also hopeful that the original document will be brought to Halifax from Washington. “It has to be in a climate-controlled room with security. The goal is to try to have it for 90 days so school children can come see a document that is very important to North Carolina.”
Other events
The 250th Poker Run — three motorcycle rallies traveling to historic points around the county in October, December, and March.
Church history presentation — Littleton United Methodist Church on October 16.
Oral history documentary of Weldon and ribbon cutting for Ralph J. Bunche School — November 1.
Genealogy seminar — Halifax County Library on November 7.
Worship service and reception — Whitaker’s Chapel in Enfield on December 14.
First for Freedom 2026 performances and symphony concert
Halifax performances will be held at the 4-H Rural Life Center July 1 through 3, and Littleton performances will be held at the Ed Fitts Outdoor Amphitheater on July 10 and 11.
The North Carolina Symphony will present a patriotic concert on September 18, 2026. A location and time has not been set.
Projects
A countywide America’s Birthday Celebration in all schools with red, white, and blue Fridays throughout 2026.
The planting of wildflowers on I-95 at the 168, 171, and 173 exits.
The Halifax 250 vanity license plates and challenge coins as fundraisers.
“We started off trying to get a license plate for your vehicles on the back,” Wray said. “Halifax Horizons was generous enough to put up $15,000 to get 500 license plates and put seed money there, and it really didn’t get the traction needed, so we made a team decision.”
Wray said the committee is excited about the upcoming programs and renovations.
