In 2008, Algernon Alston and a host of dignitaries celebrated a groundbreaking for shops and a restaurant at Carolina Crossroads.

They never happened as ownership of the outdoor venue changed and, like the Roanoke Rapids Theatre near it, few shows were produced.

Now, Alston is energized with the announcement of the three day Rapids Jam festival at what will now be known as Festival Park at Carolina Crossroads.

“I’m excited now,” he said following a press conference today announcing the event. “I’m looking at the prospects. I’m very excited about hearing that news. I think it’s going to be a great asset for the county.”

Elizabeth Branham, who is president of Rapids Jam, said, “I think you’ll see some interest coming back.”

Branham said that interest could be from some of the companies mentioned before, places like Cabela’s and restaurant chains, to new ones.

Liz Cunningham, who with her husband, Gil, and a partner in Kansas, bought the outdoor venue, said consistent shows with top drawer acts like are planned at the yearly Rapids Jam, will draw attention to the area. One of the reasons they chose to buy the venue was because of its closeness to the interstate and major markets.

Said Branham, “Success breeds success.”

Branham was involved in producing all the outdoor shows until the venue changed hands. Now, however, with the Cunninghams on board, “We have players who are committed to this project. Interstate 95 has 40,000 cars a day,” she said, while Highway 158 has some 20,000 cars a day.

The potential Rapids Jam will have on the Roanoke Rapids Theatre could be beneficial, Liz Cunningham said. “We are only going to produce shows that will reflect positively on the community.”