ALAMANCE, N.C. – Gary Rutledge was an outsider who saw a problem and took initiative to make change. A history buff and a people person, he knew that the small town of Alamance needed to be better represented. The answer to this problem was plaid.
Rutledge noticed that the town of Alamance was separated into three distinct sections; the old village, the mill village and the new subdivision with young families. Being a small town, Alamance has no social gathering place for the people to interact with each other. “Alamance is the birthplace of plaid and like the cloth; I wanted to weave the people from one end to another back together,” said Rutledge.
Rutledge got involved with Plaid Day, working on the small committee with the mission to teach the people of Alamance about each other and about their proud place in history. “It was amazing to see how this event has grown in only two years,” said Rutledge. With a population of about 750 residents, nearly 1,000 attended last year’s Plaid Day. “It’s so rewarding to see people of all ages from all parts come together, enjoy themselves and get to know each other.”
Rutledge plans to make this year’s Plaid Day better than ever. His focus this year is to commemorate the deep history of Alamance. “It’s not just about plaid and the mills, it is the landmark civil war involvement and local heritage that is overflowing in this small town,” said Rutledge.
It struck Rutledge one day as he walked through town, “I remember seeing a couple in the middle of the street taking a picture. I asked them what they were doing and they told me they were from San Diego, coming to visit the historical town of Alamance.” Proud of his little town, Rutledge will continue to unite his neighbors, reminding them of their significant place in history; by bringing them together for a fun day, sharing each other’s company and memories.
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