The first rockfish in the Roanoke Valley Rocks campaign will be unveiled June 24 at the Weldon boat landing.

Twenty-five businesses and organizations have ordered the 72-inch fiberglass rockfish, which artists commissioned by the businesses will paint, since the campaign was announced last Friday.

Outline of the fish.

Lori Medlin, president of the Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau said Napoleon Hill, who has done several murals across the Roanoke River Low Country, has been commissioned to paint the rockfish which will be displayed at the boat landing.

The boat landing rockfish will most likely be one of the few which most resembles a rockfish, Medlin said.

The bureau’s rockfish will feature cotton blooms, tobacco plants, sunflowers and other items which depict the landscape of Halifax County, Medlin said, while Halifax Regional Medical Center’s fish will resemble a doctor.

Medlin said she was not surprised the first wave of fish orders has gone so well. “I think it’s such a positive marketing tool. People want something to get excited about because it’s such a win-win. Businesses can’t lose because they will be featured on a map.”

She believes that will help people looking for the fish find new businesses they might not have otherwise known about. “Since they will get featured on the radio and paper, that’s such a good will, positive spin for businesses. I think it will drive people to those businesses.”

Medlin said the bureau is hoping benefactors will help buy fish for organizations which might not be able to afford them. “We’d love to see a fish in front of the fire department.”

The rockfish cost $600 and a sponsorship agreement can be obtained through the bureau. The statues come only with a primer and businesses which choose to buy one will commission an artist to paint it.

Businesses interested in buying a rockfish statue are asked to contact the Halifax Convention and Visitors Bureau at 252-535-1687.

The following have bought fish thus far:

North Carolina Touch Stone Energy Cooperatives

Halifax Electric Membership Corporation

Timeless Tea

Town of Weldon – River Falls Park

Town of Weldon – Town Hall

Town of Weldon - Library

Drugco

Newsom Oil

Halifax Regional Medical Center

Halifax County CVB

Daily Herald

First Media Radio

Atkins Ad Group

James, Wellman & White

Roanoke Canal Museum & Trail

Mary Sherwood Interior Design

Rosemont Winery

Ellen Heaton – Becker Village Mall

Hampton Inn

First Carolina Agency

Hilton Garden Inn

O’Sail / Lake Gaston Chamber

PCP – Halifax EDC – Cathy Scott

LSA America– Halifax EDC – Cathy Scott