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The Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center, in Sanford, is the major convention and event center in Lee County. In 2008, attendance at events there totaled more than 100,000. Many came from out of the area, boosting the county's economy by staying in local motels; eating at Civic Center events, local restaurants, or other food services; and shopping in local stores. For more information about the Civic Center, which is operated by Central Carolina Community College, call (919) 776-0345 or go online to www.dawcc.com.

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Large tents set up in the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center parking lot, plus the center's exhibition hall, provide comfortable venues for the Sanford Pottery Festival. The annual May festival is the largest pottery festival in North Carolina. In 2008, about 7,000 visitors, most from out of the area, came to see and buy pottery from professionals selected to exhibit at the festival. For more information about the Civic Center, which is operated by Central Carolina Community College, call (919) 776-0345 or go online to www.dawcc.com. For more information about the Sanford Pottery Festival on May 2-3, go online to www.sanfordpottery.org.

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Visitors to the 2008 Sanford Pottery Festival, like those pictured, admired and purchased works by professionals selected to exhibit at the festival. About 7,000 visitors attended the two-day festival, held at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. The annual May festival is the largest pottery festival in North Carolina. Large tents set up in the parking lot plus the center's exhibition hall, provide comfortable venues for visitors, most of whom come from out of the area for the festival. For more information about the Civic Center, operated by Central Carolina Community College, call (919) 776-0345 or go online to www.dawcc.com. For more information about the Sanford Pottery Festival on May 2-3, go online to www.sanfordpottery.org.

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The Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center, in Sanford, is the major convention and event center in Lee County. Overseeing all the details of running it are its director Jim Felton (right) and facilities coordinator Kay Faucette. In 2008, attendance at events there totaled more than 100,000. Many came from out of the area, boosting the county's economy by staying in local motels; eating at Civic Center events, local restaurants, or other food services; and shopping in local stores. For more information about the Civic Center, which is operated by Central Carolina Community College, call (919) 776-0345 or go online to www.dawcc.com.

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Dennis Woodruff, director of sales for the Hampton Inn, in Sanford, says the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center is an important source of business for local motels because it gives the community the capability to bring events and activities to Sanford that would otherwise go elsewhere. The Civic Center is the major convention and event center in Lee County. In 2008, attendance at events there totaled more than 100,000. Many came from out of the area, boosting the county's economy by staying in local motels; eating at Civic Center events, local restaurants, or other food services; and shopping in local stores. For more information about the Civic Center, which is operated by Central Carolina Community College, call (919) 776-0345 or go online to www.dawcc.com.

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Dipak Patel, general manager of the new 74-room Comfort Suites motel opening on Bragg Street, in Sanford, said that a primary reason that site was chosen for the motel was because of its nearness to the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. The Center is the major convention and event center in Lee County. In 2008, attendance at events there totaled more than 100,000. Many came from out of the area, boosting the county's economy by staying in local motels; eating at Civic Center events, local restaurants, or other food services; and shopping in local stores. For more information about the Civic Center, which is operated by Central Carolina Community College, call (919) 776-0345 or go online to www.dawcc.com.