"[The rest stop is] named "south of the border" being south of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The rest area features not only restaurants, gas stations and a motel, but also a small amusement park, shopping, and, famously, fireworks. Its mascot is Pedro, an extravagantly stereotypical Mexican bandido. It is known for being advertised by hundreds of billboards along surrounding highways, starting over 150 miles away. Well-known landmarks in the area, the irreverent signs feature Pedro, wearing an oversized sombrero and poncho, counting down the number of miles to, and promoting, South of the Border."