SENC Magazine - Summer 2023

THE COOP LUXURY PICNICS

Making the moments we share the most beautiful ones

Wilmington’s newest hot spot for craft cocktails

Wilmington’s newest hot spot for craft cocktails

KARI’S BAKERY

Life is sweeter with one of Kari’s mouthwatering homemade treats

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

Featuring hundreds of free concerts across Eastern NC

ON THE COVER

The Underfront

Photo by Lightbloom Photography

PUBLISHER

Jim Sills

EDITOR

Ena Sellers

esellers@apgenc.com

WRITERS

Lauren Branch

Annesophia Richards

Rebecca J. Whitman

PRODUCTION & DESIGN

Ena Sellers

ADVERTISING/SALES

Norma Miller

njmiller@apgenc.com

This summer ushers endless possibilities

SoutheasternNorth Carolina is blessed with a myriad of gorgeous sights to see and beauty to take in. From coastal towns o ering pristine beaches and breathtaking sunset views to lakes and rivers, where a short paddle serves as a doorway to undisturbed wildlife.

As another summer rolls in, we get to play outside, attend our favorite festivals, discover new venues, listen to live music, and dance ‘to our heart’s content as we share the joy each summer brings. The options are limitless!

Join us for another edition of SENC as we take you on a mini adventure packed with places to see, people to meet and experiences to enjoy this summer.

Our rst stop is Wilmington as we visit The Underfront, a boutique cocktail bar that recently opened its doors on North Front Street, garnering attention for its progressive and playful cra cocktails

wooden beams and exposed brick walls.

The next stop is Richlands. Meet sisters Cully and Joelle Margus, who are the owners of The Coop Luxury Picnics, together they created a business that combines the upscale style of a big city with the charm of a small town featuring a unique experience with their custom-designed picnics, from special gatherings and elegant proposals to a full-on “glamping” experience. If you are not familiar with the term, glamping stands for glamour camping.

In our next feature story join Kinston artist Laura Jackson and kindergarten teacher Karen Croom as they lead a group of young children in a fun class to create a special painting just in time for Mother’s Day.

In the mood for a sweet treat? Check out Kari’s Bakery, a home-based business in Pink Hill that keeps gaining popularity for its a-m-a-z-i-n-g cookies.

If you are looking for fun and educational activities to do with the kids, join us as we explore the Sampson County History Museum, which houses more than 250 years of history. The expansive property is home to 11 separate buildings, each telling a unique story that is best experienced with your own eyes.

Feel like dancing? Got little minions full of energy? we got you covered. Our next highlight features the free summer concert series happening all over eastern North Carolina. On pages 42-43, we have highlighted some of the numerous spots with bands performing this summer to help you plan your next adventure.

If you are not sure what you are in the mood for, that is okay too. Check out Play Dates on page 44 and take your pick!

From a 4th of July celebration featuring Sheryl Crow to gardening classes, festivals and even a Pirate Invasion, the possibilities are endless!

We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed creating it for YOU.

Enjoy some of our favorite Instagram finds for southeastern North Carolina! Our picks for top Instagramers’ photos:

Share YOUR favorites use hashtag #southeasternnc or #senc.magazine

Follow us @senc.magazine

Do you have beautiful photos, unique artwork or artisan product or know someone who does that we should know about?

Tag us @senc.magazine or send us a photo on Instagram for a potential feature.

Wrightsville Beach, N.C. @ rhythmofnaturephotography

Fort Fisher, N.C. @rightcoast.photo

New Bern, N.C.

@VisitNewBern photo by Bryan Barber

Hammocks Beach State Park, N.C. @ladyswantours

Leland, N.C. Cardboard Regatta @brunswickforest

THE UNDERFRONT Restauranter

brings boutique cocktail bar concept to Wilmington

The Port City has asserted itself as an entrepreneurial haven for up-and-coming businesses in recent years, and fresh, new vibes are certainly owing along the Cape Fear River.

From Wilmington’s Brooklyn Arts District to the Cargo District to the emerging Soda Pop District, downtown Wilmington and its surrounding neighborhoods are undergoing a true transformation. For the past five years restauranter Joseph Sena has grown the northern side of the Downtown District with his collection of bars and eateries, and he’s now furthering this renovation with his boutique cocktail bar concept, The Underfront.

With a history in the food and beverage industry dating back nearly 30 years, Sena has a great deal of experience when it comes to opening and running bars and restaurants. After college he worked as both general manager and chef of several different establishments in Greensboro, as well as owner Churchill Cigar Bar. When he and wife Abigail moved to Wilmington in 2017, they partnered with friend Ivan “Chip” Moore to open Whiskey Tango Foxtrot in downtown

Story by Annesophia Richards Photos by Lightbloom Photography

We got to the point where we were modifying drinks from a culinary side instead of just a spirits side, and it gave me this desire to do a di erent type of cocktail bar where I was really playing on the taste of a chef as opposed to a mixology perspective.

~ JOSEPH SENA

Wilmington. The first of what would become several joint ventures together, the trio took on all the renovations themselves, from initial construction to general build and design. They decided on an old-school, speakeasy style for the bar and embarked on their first true foray into the world of classic cocktails. Soon, however, Sena’s previous experience as a chef left him wanting to dive back into the

culinary scene, so his team sold the bar and opened the globally inspired southern food restaurant Rumcow.

“The intersection of the culinary world and the cocktail world was the coolest thing to me,” says Sena. “We got to the point where we were modifying drinks from a culinary side instead of just a spirits side, and it gave me this desire to do a different type of cocktail bar where I was really playing

on the taste of a chef as opposed to a mixology perspective.”

After the birth of Sena’s daughter, he and Moore decided to once again change things up, selling both Rumcow and their other neighboring restaurant along Grace Street, Tacobaby. Although they planned to semi-retire, the partners soon began brainstorming new business ideas when they saw that one of the centuries-old

buildings along Front Street had come on the market.

“What we’d done with our other restaurants and bar was really develop the north side of downtown Wilmington, and so our idea was to take this side of town that had been overlooked and neglected and make it the new downtown,” says Sena. “Over the years it’s been a point of pride how we’ve slowly ebbed the ow of tra c from the center of downtown and diverted a good upstanding clientele base to the north side with our businesses.”

Situated catty-corner from his previous restaurants, the building Sena chose for his new cocktail bar The Underfront t his vision perfectly. Concealed beneath the 200 block of North Front Street, the subterranean basement bar with a leveled-out patio in the back is rich with authentic board and beam structures, heart pine header boards and exposed brick walls.

“It’s a modern juxtaposition,” says Sena. “The way we renovated it is what I’d consider to be an art deco style bar that juts out in the middle of this rustic landscape of traditional construction of early 1900’s America.”

As for the vision for The Underfront’s o erings, Sena says he, Abigail and Moore took their time and created something di erent, not tying them-

selves to traditional builds on cocktails or garnishes.

“We do all the things I knew how to do from a kitchen perspective and apply them to cocktails so we could make avors that are di erent but combined in familiar ways,” he says. “The premise of the bar is to be playful, try things that are unique and approach it all from a new angle as opposed to just inside the box.”

Patrons can select from 40 cra

cocktails, 12 local dra s, 25 North Carolina beers, 15 wines by the glass and several non-alcoholic cocktails.

The Underfront also o ers ve di erent charcuterie plates of meats, cheeses and antipasti to complement their avorful cocktail selection.

“One thing about our cocktail list that’s di erent is that it’s a progressive list in body and taste,” says Sena. “We tackle cocktails the way you tackle wine, with a progression of avors.

You start with the lightest cocktails, the fresh and fruity, and inside the section it builds in intensity, then you go on to bitter and herbal, bold and smokey, nice and spicey, and digestif and co ee.”

Sena says his bar doesn’t rely on traditional methods when building cocktails, and at any given time is making two to three di erent housemade bitters, so that all drinks are customized from the ground up. Four cocktails on the menu are fat washed spirits (a process that uses a direct protein or oil-based avor) including a sesame washed gin, bacon washed bourbon, duck fat washed rye, and coconut fat washed rum.

“We take the whole avor and build the drink individually so that it has a satisfying palate as opposed to just cranking out an Old Fashioned,” he says.

In the kitchen, Sena likes to be playful, creating innovative garnishes such as lychee boba balls and ginger candy to go along with his cocktails.

“I think people drink and eat with their eyes, so I’ll go to no ends to nd garnishes that are not only appropriate but beautiful,” says Sena. “We’re running four di erent types of edible owers at the moment and making three di erent boba balls, so anything I can think of to do that will enhance the taste and quality of the drink, we do. There’s not really an end of what we’re willing to try.”

As for the future, Sena plans to add a 700 square-foot tiki bar on the back patio, complete with specialty cocktails geared towards all things tiki and sum-

mer. The Underfront will o er weekly live music, swing and salsa dance classes, comedy shows and DJ “retro rewind” nights. He and his partners are looking forward to what’s to come and are proud of the stand-alone atmosphere they’ve helped create along downtown’s northern end.

“I think we’ve made an environment that I’m collectively calling the ‘Cocktail District’ of Wilmington,” says Sena. “I’m excited to see more development on the north end of Front Street and to be a part of a new community of downtown.”

We do all the things I knew how to do from a kitchen perspective and apply them to cocktails so we could make avors that are di erent but combined in familiar ways.

~ JOSEPH SENA

The Coop Luxury Picnics

brings big city trends to Richlands

Story by Rebecca

When two sisters decided to start a luxury service business in Eastern North Carolina, they did not know it would start with a chicken coop.

Sisters Cully and Joelle Margus said that when they first started their venture they were looking for something unique to use. “We shopped at local thrift shops to try and find exactly what we were looking for. Being from Maryland and stumbling upon what we thought was an old crab trap, the coop was perfect but later realized that’s exactly what it was–an old chicken coop–which is also partial reasoning for our name,” the Margus sisters said.

The Coop Luxury Picnics was born out of a desire to help people create special moments in meticulous detail without having to do the work themselves.

The sisters bring experience from the wedding industry to design picnics that can be set up anywhere in Eastern North Carolina. Although chickens are not part of the concept, the “coop” in the name and the chickens in the logo are more symbolic of their family as a whole.

“We are sisters. Joelle has three children and that’s where the three little chicks in our logo come from as well. The one hen represents both Cully and Joelle as a family whole and business partners,” the sisters explained.

Whitman Photos courtesy of Luxury Coop Picnics

A luxury picnic is an opportunity to take picnicking to the next level. Coop Luxury Picnics offers gorgeous picnic tablescapes often in coordinated themes in front of scenic views chosen by their clients.

“We are creating the design and mood for any occasion, like a date night, anniversary or even a proposal. It makes things unique, fun and we have an eye for detail that makes every single one of our luxury picnics different but absolutely stunning,” the sisters said.

The sisters brought their business to North Carolina because they are beach people and think NC is the “perfect backdrop” for this kind of event. “Being close to the ocean and able to offer this type of experience is boundless,” they said. Based out of the small town of Richlands, N.C., the business is close to farmland and a lot of other scenic views that give it a hometown vibe. “Richlands doesn’t have a traveling business that will come directly to you for a birthday picnic, brunch, or any occasion. We thought our local community could appreciate this because we’re a small business in a small town. We do travel outside of our home base too,” the sisters said.

Though the sisters can make suggestions for picnic locations, they

say it is ultimately up to their clients. They have set up picnics in hotel rooms, glamping (glamour camping) cabins, backyards, and the beach. “Anywhere we are allowed to set up, we’ll go,” they said.

Some of the special moments that Coop Luxury Picnics has been a part of include a lot of surprises: birthdays, anniversaries, and even proposals. “It’s an emotional experience even for us,” they said. “We take into account the little and extra details like decor colors and themes, and we are always going above and beyond.”

Going above and beyond can

We are creating the design and mood for any occasion, like a date night, anniversary or even a proposal. It makes things unique, fun ...

... we have an eye for detail that makes every single one of our luxury picnics di erent but absolutely stunning.

extend to micro weddings too. The Coop offers picnic-style seating for up to 25 guests and package addons for an all-inclusive experience including photography and offici ants. Coop weddings are designed to “make wedding planning easy and carefree.”

The Coop Luxury Picnics start at $200 and go up based on the num ber of guests, add-ons, and travel ing distance. A micro wedding with The Coop starts at $575. Services include a tablescape unique to the guests, all tableware, seating, pillows and blankets, a dessert board, water, a Bluetooth speaker, lighting, and signage. Lots of add-ons are also available such as games, infused water, bring your dog, and a hot cocoa bar. Picnics are set for a two-hour time frame but extra time can always be added.

As a growing small business, the Margus sisters have a lot of big ideas for the future, but their everyday goal is to better themselves based on client feedback.

“We continually work on what we can improve, add, or do to make our guests even more pleased with their luxury picnic experience. Our goals and dreams are big, and we

A creative teacher and local artist join forces, inspire kindergartners to paint

Contributed by Lenoir County Public Schools

It was a beautiful mix –kindergarten teachers at Northwest Elementary School, some 60 of their students, volunteers from the school faculty and the community, a local artist, a grant award to buy supplies like canvas boards and acrylic paint and the enthusiasm of the little artists.

The result of that creative work Tuesday? A painting of flowers from every student just in time for Mother’s Day

As students dabbed their brushes and followed the instructions of artist Laura Jackson, kindergarten teacher Karen Croom, explained this was the kids rst experience painting on a canvas.

“It’s an exciting time. They never had this experience,” said Croom, who wrote the grant that funded the project. Each year, the Lenoir County Education Foundation and its parent organization, the Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce, award grants of up to $500 to teachers with money raised from community events and private donations.

Jackson volunteered to lead the painting party because of the important place she believes creative expression has in education. She spent decades in class-

rooms as an art teacher before retiring.

“With music and dance, art is one of the best ways students can express themselves freely,” Jackson said. “They desperately need to do that. They’ve got to work that creative side, the right side of that brain, to become a more well-rounded person.”

While kindergartners at Northwest draw and color and create in their classrooms on a regular basis, they also bene t from some outside inspiration, like Jackson’s instruction. “These are opportunities for the kids to learn to draw, color, mix their colors – opportunities to integrate art into education,” Croom said.

The value of her grant that made the Little Artists Project possible: $375. The value of the paintings it produced: Priceless.

Scenes from the

Carolina Strawberry Festival

in Wallace

Photos by Ena Sellers

Contributed Photo

brings a treat to Pink Hill

Story by Lauren Branch

after she started selling fudge to raise money for her dog’s surgery after getting hit by a car.

Kari used a special recipe from her husband’s grandmother, who was known for her peanut butter fudge, later she also started baking cookies. Even after the couple had raised enough money for their dog’s surgery, Kari’s baking goods were such a hit that people kept asking her to make more.

Although Kari loved to bake ever since she was a child, she didn’t know she would one day own a bakery.

Although Kari loved to bake ever since she was a child, she didn’t know she would one day own a bakery. Things just fell into place for her

Hoping to expand Kari decided to try baking apple jacks, she said pointing out that her husband loves them. He would tell her about how great the ones were at the Wayne County Fair and made sure she knew she had big shoes to fill if she decided to try them out.

“I had to play around with the

Tucked away in a small town called Pink Hill you can nd some of the tastiest treats around. Made from scratch and with love, baked goods from Kari’s Bakery has been the talk of the town ever since Kari Dupree started her business in 2022.

recipe, and once I got that dialed in they soared! People fell in love with them!”

Coincidently, the church that normally sells the applejacks at the fair didn’t have enough volunteers to do their booth. They heard that Kari made good ones, and called her to offer her their spot. Now Kari’s Bakery can be found selling applejacks at the Wayne County Fair.

Outside of fudge and applejacks, Kari is known for her cookies. These are not your ordinary cookies. She makes large 6-ounce cookies and does gourmet flavors like s’mores, snickerdoodles, and cinnamon roll flavors. According to Kari, choosing which one is the best really depends on the person you ask.

Before having a bakery, Kari had been a stay at home mom for about 10 years. She was originally a surgical tech but decided to stay at home after she had her second child, Whitney, who is now 12 years old. She also has three other kids, Parker, 13, Logan, 10, and Adelyn, 7.

Kari shared that all of her kids like helping her with the business. They help with labeling and packaging. Parker and Whitney travel to festivals to help her run her booth. Her husband also helps out a lot, and she believes she couldn’t do it without her family.

“I don’t have to beg them or anything. I think it’s pretty awesome that they like to help me with it. It’s like a family business. I think it’s helping them to have a good work ethic, and I want them to know that anything they set their mind to, with hard work and dedication, they can be successful at it. If they can dream it, they can achieve it!”

Kari’s Bakery has been steadily growing, and now has a section in Brewed on Broadway, a new coffee shop in Pink Hill that is operated by Penny Harper. Kari’s Bakery delivers fresh baked goods there every day.

Sampson County Historical Museum

YOUR KEY TO UNCOVER OVER 250 YEARS OF LEGACY

In downtown Clinton, N.C., there is a time capsule of eastern NC history, and it is the Sampson County Historical Museum. The museum began when two friends, Thompson and King, decided to start collecting artifacts.

The collection–started in 1997–now spans 11 buildings and plans to expand into another house nearby.

There is a little bit of everything in the collection. Medical equipment, vintage fire and law enforcement, sports memorabilia, books, grave markers, cameras, and vintage toys are just part of the artifacts stored here. A vintage wedding dress and 1900’s hats sit outside a turn of the century red, white, and butter yellow kitchen with an ice box and kerosene oven. Wooten’s old country store was donated with all the turn-of-thecentury stock still inside in original glass and metal containers. There is a two-headed pig in the barn with all the farm equipment and memorabilia from Sampson County’s Fair. A room full of African American’s with mile-

stone achievements are showcased in the main house.

Also in the main house is a collection of tools, weapons, jewelry, and ornamental dress of the Coharie Indians that is maintained by the tribe. An 18th century log cabin with peg joints was donated after it was discovered inside another house on a nearby housing development. It houses colonial memorabilia including spinning wheels and a full-size loom.

A local historian collecting 17001800s material donated a cabin with his whole collection including stairs Lord Cornwallis once stepped on. A museum chronicling eastern NC’s role in the military from the Revolutionary

Story and Photos by Rebecca Whitman

War to now is housed in the newest building on the property and maintained by veterans.

Because Sampson County was originally part of Duplin County, the contents of the museum are as much a part of Duplin’s colorful heritage as they are Sampson’s. While many of the artifacts tell a global story, they all have some tie back to Sampson/Duplin because the person involved once resided here. The museum is an expansive property that tells a story outside the bounds of history books. It is a story that needs to be experienced first hand and more than once to be fully appreciated.

Tours of the museum are held free of charge Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. at 313 Lisbon Street, Clinton, N.C. For information or to book a group tour, visit sampsonhmc.com/

NC Pickle Festival Scenes

in Mount Olive

Contributed Photo

Contributed Photo

The CSS Neuse Civil War Musuem offers state of the art exhibits tha t invite visitors to learn about the ironclad gunboa t. The Confedera te Na vy launched the Neuse in an ill-fa ted attempt to gain control of the lower Neuse River and the occupied city of New Bern.

By Ena Sellers

Grab your fun friends and your dancing shoes as you head out for a great evening of live music at one of Southeastern North Carolinas free summer concerts featuring your favorite local bands. We have put together a list of yearly hot spots for free live outdoor music.

Burgaw

Summer on the Square Concert series are held at the Courthouse Square in Burgaw, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with performances by Carl Newton’s Review on June 29, Bacon Grease on July 13 and Blackwater Band

on July 27.

Emerald Isle

EmeraldFest Free Summer Concert series will be at the Western Ocean Regional Access facility on June 29, July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27, Aug. 3, Aug. 10, and Aug. 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Goldsboro

The Center Street Jam Concert Series in downtown Golds-

boro is from 6 to 9 p.m., with performances by Black Water on June 29, Trial By Fire on July 13, Night Years on July 27 and Spare Changeon Aug. 10.

North Tower

Freeway Band Dos Eddies Heart Stop Band

Hampstead

Alive A er Five Summer Concert Series are held at the Hampstead Kiwanis Park is from 6 to 9 p.m. with performances by North Tower on June 30, and Heart Stop on July 21.

Morehead City

Alive at Five Concert series are held at Jaycee Park in Downtown Morehead City and start at 6:30 p.m., with performances by The Main Event Band on July 4, The Retros on July 8, Freeway Band on Aug. 12, and Red and The Rockers on Sept. 9.

New Bern

Footloose on the Neuse Concerts are held at the Union Point

Park in New Bern and start at 6:30 p.m., with performances by Trial by Fire-Journey Tribute Band on June 23, On the Border - The Ultimate Eagles Tribute on July 14, Landslide - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac on Aug. 11, Chicago Rewired- The Premier Chicago Tribute Band on Aug. 25, Riggsbee Road on Sept. 1 and the British Invaders on Sept. 9.

Swansboro

Enjoy SwanFest Concert Series at The Pugliese Pavilion in Olde Towne Square in Swansboro with performances by Bob Laverty Band on June 25, Machine Gun on July 2, Pegasus Plus on July 9, Give Thanks Band on July 16, Highway Miles on July 23, Captain Dick & TLS on July 30, Dust Parade on Aug. 6, Webb & Co on Aug. 13, British Invaders on Aug. 20, 4everall on Aug. 27, and I-42 on Sept. 3.

Topsail Beach

Topsail Sounds 2023 Summer Concert Series at the Topsail

Beach Town Center is from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with performances by JT Parrot Head on June 27, The Cruise Brothers on July 25, and Dos Eddies on Aug. 22

Wrightsville Beach

Concerts in the Park at Wrightsville Beach Park are Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with performances by ReSoul Band on June 22, Southern Trouble on June 29, Jack Jack 180 on July 6, Loud Music Company on July 13, Brown Dirt Cowboys on July 20, The Cruise Brothers on July 27, and No Regretz on Aug. 3.

Bacon Grease Band

Blackwater Band

On the Border

Bob Laverty Band

Play Dates

Events and places to visit in Southeastern North Carolina

JUNE

Purvis Chapel Choir Concert

215 Craven Street, Beaufort, N.C.

There will be an evening concert at Purvis Chapel, Beaufort’s Oldest Church, on June 22 at 7 p.m. All proceeds go to Purvis Chapel for the ongoing needs of the church. Tickets are $10.

JUNE

2023 Season of The Lost Colony

Roanoke Island, N.C.

The Lost Colony is performed rain or shine nightly, Monday-Saturday until Aug. 26. The 2023 Season of The Lost Colony offers a refreshed production of Paul Green’s original symphonic drama. Set on the sound front on Roanoke Island, enjoy this 86-year-old musical under the stars. Become immersed in the story of the discovery of a new world with newly enhanced musical and theatrical direction and dynamically stunning choreography. Witness the pageantry of Queen Elizabeth I and her court and celebrate the birth of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America all while preserving the historical importance of America’s oldest mystery.

Beaufort Old Homes Tour

150 Turner St.

Beaufort, N.C.

Get a peek inside beautiful homes and gardens throughout Beaufort, North Carolina’s third oldest town, during the 62nd annual Old Homes Tour. This event is a great way to spend time with the family when visiting North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. Proceeds from the Old Homes Tour along with other events go toward historic preservation and educational programs of the Beaufort Historical Association. Tickets can be purchased at www.beauforthistoricsite. org, by calling 252-728-5225, or by stopping by the Visitor’s Center.

Community Market days

1501 NC 53

Burgaw, N.C.

The Pender’s Community Market days are the 2nd & 4th Saturdays of each month. March thru December. The items that will be sold at the market are handmade, homegrown, or homemade items made by local farmers, cra ers and homesteaders.

JUNE 24

IMPORTANT NOTE ON UPCOMING EVENTS:

All of the events listed here were still on schedule as of press time, but it’s best to check with each venue to ensure that the event is still going on as planned.

Juneteenth

Downtown Burgaw, N.C.

Join Juneteenth on June 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Downtown Burgaw and honor African Americans rich history and culture.

JUNE 27

Topsail Sounds

624 S. Anderson Blvd.

Topsail Beach, N.C.

Join the Topsail Sounds, 2023 Summer Concert Series at the Topsail Beach Town Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and enjoy performances by JT Parrot Head on June 27.

JUNE 30

Fireworks by the Sea & Boardwalk Blast

Cape Fear Blvd. and Carolina Beach Ave

Carolina Beach, N.C.

Celebrate Independence Day early with a reworks display by the sea. Music starts at the Gazebo Stage at 6:30 p.m., with the reworks by the Sea display at 9 p.m. Weather permitting.

JUNE 30 FRI

Ocean City Jazz Festival

Corner of Carver Street and Island Drive, North Topsail Beach, N.C.

The highly anticipated 13th annual Ocean City Jazz Festival is set for June 30 through July 2 with performances by Lao Tizer, Karen Briggs, Julian Vaughn, Jazmine Ghent, Michael Manson, Kim Waters and Grammy-nominated John Brown among others. Enjoy the beautiful sunrises, white sand, ocean breezes and phenomenal music in a historical community. The Ocean City Jazz Festival is North Topsail Beach’s premier cultural event. The two-day Music Fest features local and nationally, recognized musicians. For more information visit http://www.oceancityjazzfest.com

JULY

July 4th Celebration

195 Fairgrounds Dr. Kenansville, N.C.

JULY 03 MON

Western Carteret Fireworks Celebration

130 Gol n Dolphin Dr. Emerald Isle, N.C.

Enjoy the Western Carteret Fireworks Celebration on Monday, July 3, 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. There will be food trucks, live entertainment with Spare Change kicking o at 6 p.m., the National Anthem and military y-over will be at 7:30 p.m., and a reworks show at 9 p.m.

JULY 04 TUE

Independence Concert & Fireworks

8335 Ray Ave. Fayetteville, N.C.

Visit Festival Park for the free annual Independence Concert & Fireworks on July 4. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:15 p.m.

JULY 04 TUE

4th at the Fort Fort Bragg Parade Field

Fayetteville, N.C.

JULY 14 SAT

45th Annual Wright Kite Festival

Wright Brothers National Memorial Kill Devil Hills, N.C.

Enjoy a walk on the hallowed grounds where Wilbur and Orville took their historic rst ight in 1903, and view large 30- to 100-foot kites, including a 100-foot octopus, 80-foot panda, a 50-foot sh, and more. The Wright Brothers National Memorial invites you to y your kites, take free stunt and power kite ying lessons, and bring the kiddos to their kite-making station at the 45th Annual Wright Kite Festival on July 14-15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. An admission fee to the park is required, but participation in the kite festival is free!

Sheryl Crow will be headlining the 4th at the Fort as the base celebrates the renaming of Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty. Come out and kick o the celebrations with Gavin DeGraw, enjoy good food, drinks, parachute free-fall demonstrations, the popular ag ceremony, and a reworks show.

JULY 04 TUE

Independence Day

807 Shepard St.

Morehead City, N.C.

Celebrate Independence Day with The Main Event Band at Jaycee Park in Downtown Morehead City on July 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fireworks will start at 9 p.m.

JULY 06 THU

Emerald Fest

9803 Louise Ave., Emerald Isle, N.C.

Emerald Fest returns for another great series through Aug. 17 at the Western Ocean Regional Access, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. No alcohol is allowed.

JULY 06 THU

Summer Learning Movie Day

119 W. Main St., Mount Olive, N.C.

Summer Learning Movie Day will be at the Steele Memorial Library on July 6 at 1 p.m. Registration required. Contact the Children’s Desk at 919-2998105, ext. 8003 for more information.

Summer Latin Fiesta

100 Recreation Ln. Jacksonville, N.C.

The Onslow Hispanic Latino Association is hosting a Summer Latin Fiesta at the Jacksonville Commons Recreation Center on Saturday, July 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event is a celebration of the Latin/Hispanic culture. Get ready for a day lled with fun games, food trucks, music, and dancing.

JULY 09 SUN

Pegasus Plus

Olde Towne Square

Swansboro, N.C.

Enjoy SwanFest Concert Series at The Pugliese Pavilion in Olde Towne Square in Swansboro at 5 p.m. with performances by Pegasus Plus on July 9.

JULY 11 TUE

Growing with Friends

119 W. Main St., Mount Olive, N.C.

Join Growing with Friends at the Steele Memorial Library garden at the corner of Southerland and Pollock in Mount Olive, on July 11 at 9 a.m., for some gardening, games, and stories! We will meet at the library if it rains. Registration required. Contact the Children’s Desk at 919-2998105, ext. 8003 for more information.

The Butter y House

300 Airlie Road, Wilmington, N.C.

Surround yourself in serenity by visiting Airlie’s Butterfly House. The flittering butterflies, all native to North Carolina, are inside this open-air structure. Find species like Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, Common Buckeye, Black Swallowtail, Tiger Swallowtail and many more. Daily through Oct. 1.

JULY

NC Blackberry Festival

8801 West Ave. Lenoir, N.C.

The North Carolina Blackberry Festival is celebrating its twentieth year on July 14-15. The two-day event its one of the states premiere streets festivals bringing in more than 25,000 people from all over the state.

Watermelon Festival

3933 S. Croatan Highway

Nags Head, N.C.

The 16th Annual OBX Watermelon Festival will be on Aug 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy a t-shirt tie dye station, watermelon-themed competitions, arts and cra s, tiki toss, drum and ukulele lessons, and more.

Fig Festival

49 Water Plant Road, Ocracoke, N.C.

Peach Fest

522 W Willis Landing Rd. Hubert, N.C.

The 3rd annual Peach Fest at the Farm will be on Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. Peach goodness galore with fresh peaches sold by the pound and by the case. Enjoy live music, peach themed menus, beer tasting, area vendors, hay rides, farm animals, in atables, a peach eating contest and a “Fuzzy Peach” Hairy Chest Contest for cash prizes and more!

Each August, Ocracoke’s Fig Festival celebrates the island’s sweetest traditions. This year’s special guest will be the renowned southern chef and author Bill Smith. The festival is on Aug. 4-5, with a private Higo Latino dinner on Aug. 2. Tickets for the dinner go on sale July 1.

Webb & Co

Harry C. Pugliese Jr. Pavillion at Olde Towne Square Swansboro, N.C.

Pirate Festival

3933 S. Croatan Hwy. Nags Head, N.C..

Ahoy Mateys! Get ready for a swashbucklin’ good time at the Outer Banks Pirate Festival on Aug. 9-10. Come learn the vast history of pirates on the OBX, take pictures with a Mermaid from noon to 2 p.m. The little ones can participate in Scallywag School to see if they have what it takes to be a pirate. Registration is $10 and is strongly recommended. Time slots usually ll up prior to the day of the event.

Join the SwanFest Concert Series at The Pugliese Pavilion in Olde Towne Square in Swansboro at 6:30 p.m. with performances by Webb & Co on Aug. 13. Bring a chair or blanket for seating. Local sponsors and many downtown businesses will be open for drinks, snacks, and more!

British Invaders Concert

Olde Towne Square

Swansboro, N.C.

Join British Invaders the SwanFest Concert Series at The Pugliese Pavilion in Olde Towne Square in Swansboro on Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m.

Dos Eddies Concert

624 S. Anderson Blvd.

Topsail Beach, N.C.

Enjoy performances by Dos Eddies on Aug. 22 at the Topsail Sounds, 2023 Summer Concert Series from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Topsail Beach Town Center.

Day4Kids

203 Leisure Lane

Emerald Isle, N.C.

Mark your calendars for the 16th annual Day4Kids on Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Emerald Isle Community Center. This free event runs from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. Some of the attractions and activities this year include DJ Mad Fiddler, in atable rides, a temporary tattoo station, Sparky from the EI Fire Department, the Emerald Isle Sea Turtle Patrol’s mascot, art stations, a photo booth, a U.S. Coast Guard boat, and a real live re truck among others. There will be hot dogs, drinks, cotton candy and vendors giving away gi s and information. The rst 100 kids will receive a free tote bag.

SEPT 22 FRI

Beaufort Pirate Invasion

172 W Beaufort Rd. Beaufort, N.C.

Calling all buccaneers! Parlay with pirates all weekend long at the annual Beaufort Pirate Invasion on Sept. 22-24. This year’s event will be held at the Gallants Channel Complex. From sword ghting and black powder demos with cannons to axe/knife throwing and living history displays and reenactments, this spirited two-day festival o ers fun and entertainment the whole family will enjoy. Event-goers will be able to watch the second annual Pirate Flotilla from shore in many spots in Beaufort.

SEPT 23

Emerald Isle Beach Music Festival

9803 Louise Ave.

Emerald Isle, N.C.

The Emerald Isle Beach Music Festival will be on Sept. 23 at the Western Ocean Regional Access from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. No beer or wine will be sold on site and are prohibited in all areas of the Western Ocean Regional Access, but are permitted on the beach strand. Parking will be permitted along the grassy Highway 58 rightof-way.