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Wavemakers intro image of three students

WaveMakers

APPLY FOR WAVEMAKERS AT THIS LINK -> Applications due by June 2, 2026

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 14, 2026

MainStreet Roanoke Rapids Launches Free Youth Entrepreneurship Program for Middle and High School Students

Main Street WaveMakers hands-on training offered at no cost to participants June 8–11, 2026

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. — 

Main Street Roanoke Rapids announces the launch of Main Street WaveMakers, a four-day entrepreneurship initiative offered at no cost to rising 7th-12th grade students interested in exploring business ownership, creative problem-solving, and participating in a youth marketplace. The program will be held June 8–11, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Roanoke Rapids City Hall, 1040 Roanoke Ave.

Designed to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, WaveMakers introduces young people to real-world business concepts, from developing an idea and building a brand to presenting to peers and preparing for an actual marketplace event. Students who complete the program will have the opportunity to vend at the Youth Market during the Liberty on Main Independence Day Festival at the Kirkwood Adams Community Center. The program is offered at no cost to participants with support from Halifax Community College’s Small Business Center and Innovative Networking Group (ING). 

“This program is about helping young people see themselves as leaders and problem-solvers. We want them to walk away believing that entrepreneurship is possible for them, right here in their own community.”
 — Ashley Thomas, Main Street Development Director, MainStreet Roanoke Rapids

 What Students Will Experience

Over four days, participants will engage in hands-on sessions covering the basics of entrepreneurship, including idea development, branding, planning, and presentation skills. The program is designed to be accessible and encouraging, offering a low-pressure environment where students can build confidence and explore their creative potential. Breakfast will be provided at no cost to participants.

“When mindset meets action, young entrepreneurs rise,” said Christina Williams of Innovative Networking Group, whose organization equips youth, families, and organizations through mindset development, leadership training, and real-world life skills that help prepare participants for long-term success.

Space is limited. Apply today.

Program Details

Dates: June 8–11, 2026

Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Location: Roanoke Rapids City Hall, 1040 Roanoke Ave., Roanoke Rapids, NC

Eligibility: Rising 7th–12th grade students; space is limited

Cost: No cost to participants

Application Deadline: June 2, 2026

Apply at: MainStreetRoanokeRapids.com/wavemakers

About MainStreet Roanoke Rapids

Roanoke Rapids is a North Carolina Main Street community, designated by the N.C. Department of Commerce Main Street & Rural Planning Center.  Main Street Roanoke Rapids is charged with administering the program at the local level and building public-private partnerships to spur economic development that achieves measurable results such as investment, business growth, and job creation. 

 

 

 

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Calling all vendors, food trucks and parade participants! Deadline to sign up is June 15th

On Saturday, July 4, 2026, Main Street Roanoke Rapids invites you to be a part of the City of Roanoke Rapids’ biggest Independence Day celebration with a patriotic parade, local vendors, food trucks, a kids splashdown, and more, during our America 250 family friendly experience! 

Vendor/Participant Registration for Festival and Parade                 

 Registration for Festival Entertainment

Granpa and grandpa viewed from the rear during a patriotic parade riding in their super decked out patriotic car

Event Overview

Join us for a festive day of community pride, celebration, and activity in the heart of Roanoke Rapids. Liberty on Main is designed to bring together residents, visitors, nonprofits, schools, and businesses for an exciting July 4 experience.

  • ✨ Patriotic parade
  • 🛍 Local vendors
  • 🎶 Live entertainment
  • 💦 Family-friendly fun

(Did we mention the 'Most Patriotic Dressed' contest, jump rope competition, music, raffle, giveaways, and face paint??)

Registration Details

Vendor Registration: $25
Limited spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parade Entry: $25
Free for nonprofits, schools, and government entities.

Deadline: Apply by June 15

Event Information

Date: Saturday, July 4
Time: 10 AM – 3 PM
Location:
Kirkwood Adams Community Center
1100 Hamilton St.
Roanoke Rapids, NC

Parade Route 

If you’ve attended past parades, you may notice we are on Hamilton this year. Why? This adjustment allows us to better manage traffic, improve safety, and create a smoother experience for both participants and the community, while still keeping the event in the heart of our Main Street District and leads right up to the festival.

The Independence Day Parade will begin at the intersection of Julian R. Allsbrook Highway and Hamilton Street and travel north to E 11th and circling around to the Kirkwood Adams Community Center.

We appreciate your support and look forward to celebrating together!

Questions?

Phone: 252-533-2838
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Why You’ll Love It

This isn’t just an event, it’s a chance to come together as a community. Liberty on Main is all about creating a space where families can spend time together, neighbors can connect, and local businesses and organizations can shine. Whether you’re participating or just enjoying the day, there’s something here for everyone. Feel free to bring a blanket and lawn chair too!

Launch a Profitable Newsletter for Your Small Business

📅 Event Details
Training: Launch a Profitable Newsletter for Your Small Business
Date: March 19, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM Eastern
Location: Online (Live Event)
Cost: Free
Duration: 1 Hour
Language: English

Hosted by: SCORE
Speaker: Steve Strauss

💡 Why This Matters for Main Street Businesses
For Main Street businesses, strong customer relationships are the foundation of long-term success. While social media platforms can help increase visibility, email newsletters provide direct access to your customers without relying on changing algorithms.

A well-executed newsletter can:

Increase repeat visits
Promote events, sales, and new inventory
Strengthen customer loyalty
Create consistent revenue opportunities
Build engagement that supports long-term growth

Without a clear plan, however, newsletters can quickly become another task that takes time without generating results. This session is designed to help small business owners launch strategically and build a newsletter program that supports sustainable revenue.

📚 What You Will Learn
Participants will gain practical guidance on:

How to quickly set up and launch a newsletter without overcomplicating the process

What to put in place before launching, including how to begin building your email list

Content strategies that get opened, clicked, and read

Sales strategies that turn subscribers into paying customers

How newsletters generate revenue and what to realistically expect in the early stages

The key metrics to track so you know what is working

Common mistakes that prevent newsletters from becoming profitable

Whether you are just getting started or refining an existing email strategy, this training provides clear, actionable steps tailored to small business realities.

👉 How to Register
Registration is managed directly by SCORE.

Register here:
https://www.score.org/event/launch-a-profitable-newsletter-your-small-business

A confirmation email and access details will be sent to registered participants prior to the session.

♿ Accessibility Information
SCORE is responsible for ensuring that participants with disabilities have equal, effective, and meaningful access to all programs and services. Accessibility information is available on the official registration page.

ℹ️ Important Note
This training is hosted and facilitated by SCORE. The Roanoke Rapids Main Street Program is sharing this opportunity as a resource for local businesses and is not the host or organizer of this event.

As part of our ongoing effort to support economic vitality and strengthen small businesses in our district, the Roanoke Rapids Main Street Program shares educational opportunities offered by trusted partners across North Carolina and beyond.

SCORE: 2026 Hottest Business Ideas, Trends & Markets

Free Online Workshop | Hosted by SCORE

Thinking about opening a business on Main Street, growing an existing shop, or adapting to what customers want next? This free, one-hour online workshop is a great place to start.

SCORE is hosting a live session focused on what’s ahead for small businesses in 2026, with practical insights you can use whether you’re in the idea stage or already open.

Event Details

  • Date: January 29, 2026

  • Time: 1:00 pm

  • Format: Live, online

  • Cost: Free

  • Duration: 1 hour

  • Registration: Hottest Business Ideas 

What You’ll Learn

This session breaks down big trends in a way that makes sense for local businesses, including:

  • How America’s changing demographics affect small and Main Street businesses

  • Why Gen Z is now a major consumer force and what that means for retail and services

  • What motivates today’s customers to buy

  • Business ideas that tend to perform well even during economic slowdowns

  • Emerging retail concepts worth watching

  • Smarter ways to reach and connect with modern customers

Featured Presenter

The workshop is led by Rieva Lesonsky, a nationally recognized small business advocate and founder of Small Business Currents, a company focused on entrepreneurship and independent business success.

About SCORE

SCORE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping small businesses start, grow, and thrive through free mentoring, workshops, and resources. SCORE is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.


Learn more by visiting SCORE at Hottest Business Ideas 

From Resolution to Reality: Turning a Business Idea Into a Roanoke Avenue Address

The start of a new year brings more than resolutions. It brings reflection, momentum, and for many people, the quiet question of “What’s next?”

For entrepreneurs and small business owners, that question often leads to a dream that's on the cusp of being realized. Opening a shop. Launching a service. Finally bringing an idea to life. For those looking to take that step, Roanoke Avenue offers a place where ambition meets opportunity.

If that sounds familiar, Roanoke Avenue is a practical place to turn intention into action.

If starting a business is on your list this year, are you looking to be part of a district that is actively growing and improving?

From retail and personal services to creative studios, restaurants, and professional offices, Roanoke Avenue offers flexibility and possibility. Each storefront tells a story, and each new business adds to the energy of the district.

The new year does not require perfection. It requires a starting point. For many entrepreneurs, that starting point is choosing to take that first step. Roanoke Avenue is open to ideas, ready for investment, and built for people who want to grow something meaningful right here in the heart of Roanoke Rapids. 

Interested? Let's chat. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Main Street America™ has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for more than 35 years. Today it is a network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Main Street America is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Roanoke Rapids is a North Carolina Main Street community, designated by the N.C. Department of Commerce Main Street & Rural Planning Center.  Main Street Roanoke Rapids is charged with administering the program at the local level and building public-private partnerships to spur economic development that achieves measurable results such as investment, business growth, and job creation.