Expectations high for Dover's 2010 reunion

DOVER — Maxine White and the Dover NC 2010 Reunion Committee have grand plans for those coming home to this turn-of-the century town in western Craven County or anyone wishing to stop in.

Real estimates for turnout at first-time festival events are really like a shot in the dark but White is looking to have names that “wow” enough to bring numbers matching MumFest and the N.C. Seafood Festival to this cozy little town just off the beaten path of U.S. 70.

The committee is reaching out to groups like the Temptations, Oak Ridge Boys, Maceo Parker from the late James Brown’s old band, and the Surf City All-Stars, formerly the Beach Boys, and she said their agents are in negotiations with them now.

The committee has its state non-profit certification and is seeking sponsors for the events they hope to be mostly free. Free entrance to the fair-like reunion is planned for all three days beginning at noon, on July 16 and 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 17-18, 2010.

The committee recently met with Jason Jones, chairman of the Craven County Board of Commissioners, and James “Tall Jack” Jackson, vice chairman of the Craven County Democratic Party. They presented a formal plan for logistics in closing off two town streets – Kornegay and West – to vehicle traffic and allowing only golf carts and pedestrian traffic.

White promised residents attending the planning meeting at Dover Community Center that the committee will arrange ways to get them in and out of their homes to cars parked elsewhere. They hope to bus attendees from New Bern and Kinston.

White said her talk with event planners, including the sponsor of NASCAR events in Danville, Va., led her to think between 200 and 300 booths will be set up there and a carnival will be on the ball diamond.

The committee has about 50 vendors already signed on to participate, White said.

White said they have ordered development of the art work for the four billboards and four yard signs to begin promotion.

The non-profit group has leased headquarters and hope to have it painted and ready for formal opening in November.

They encourage people to keep up with their progress at their Web site www.dovernc2010reunion.com.