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MumFeast 2020 Every Saturday in October Downtown New Bern
To keep its highly successful MumFest going in the time of COVID-19, organizers have modified this year’s festival to a month-long weekends only event will be an expansion of Downtown New Bern’s dining in the streets. Downtown streets will close at 5 p.m. Fridays and remain closed through 9:30 p.m. Saturdays so participating restaurants can provide “Feasting in the Streets.” Not only will you be able to walk through the maze and take pictures by the arch, but downtown streets will be decorated with mums as they have for the past five years. There will be local live music to enjoy outside to keep a highlight of prior years safely in place. Face masks and social distancing are highly recommended. Visit mumfest.com for more.
IMPORTANT NOTE ON UPCOMING EVENTS:
Many festivals, concerts and other events have been canceled for the forseeable future due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. 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.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused the cancellation of a number of festivals and events that have become part of the autumn experience in Southeastern North Carolina. Following is a listing of some of the major events that have been canceled for 2020, due to coronavirus. As mentioned above, if a festival or event you are interested in is not listed here, please check with the individual venue or website for the latest information. • The North Carolina Muscadine Festival in Kenansville, usually held the last weekend in September, has been canceled and is scheduled to return in 2021. Duplin Winery, one of the major sponsors of the festival, still has events and activities available for those who would like more than a taste of Duplin Wines. Visit www.duplinwinery.com/upcoming-events for more. • The International Folk Festival, originally slated for September 25-27, has been postponed by the The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. “We look forward to a stronger, more vibrant International Folk Festival in 2021,” says UniQue Webster, the Arts Council’s director of engagement and strategic partnerships. For more on the 2021 event, visit www. theinternationalfolkfestival.com.
Skyline Drive-In Movies (sponsored by the Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts and the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College) Hanover Parking Garage Roof • Across from Wilson Center @ CFCC 703 North Third St., Wilmington 8 p.m., gates open at 7 p.m. Tickets: $30-40 per carload The Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts and the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College are hosting a new Drive-In series — Skyline Drive-in Movies. This unique new entertainment experience will elevate the concept of the drive-in cinema to an entirely new level — specifically, the top level of the Hanover Street Student Parking Deck, just opposite the Wilson Center. The series will highlight the history of cinema in Wilmington, and will feature films made in Wilmington and the surrounding Cape Fear region. “Blue Velvet” will be shown Sept. 28-30, while “Stephen King’s Firestarter” will show Oct. 1, 3 and 4. Both movies are Rated R. For tickets and more information, visit https:// wilsoncentertickets.com/skyline.
OCT
23-24
FRI-SAT
40
Ghost Walk of Pender’s Past | Downtown Burgaw The Ghosts of Pender’s Past Ghost Walk will feature historical legends, lore and tales from Pender’s beaches to Moores Creek National Battlefield. This year come hear the stories of Train Depot ghosts, pirates, local legends, horror movies filmed in Burgaw, Poplar Grove Plantation ghosts, a Scottish Fairy of Death, a mysterious plane disappearance and more. For tickets, call 910-259-1278 or visit www.facebook.com/ PenderCountyGhostWalk.
• The North Carolina Seafood Festival in Morehead City, usually held in October, has been canceled. Next year’s event is set for Oct. 1-3, 2021. However, festival organizers have come up with a way to continue to celebrate North Carolina’s seafood industry throughout the month of October. One box of fresh seafood prepared by local chefs will be delivered each week in October to celebrate National Seafood Month. To place an order, visit www.ncseafoodfestival.org. • Wilmington’s Riverfest 2020, scheduled for October 2-4 in downtown Wilmington, has been canceled. The two-day festival usually draws tens of thousands of people to the downtown riverfront, with street vendors, live music, fun activities and more. https:// wilmingtonriverfest.com/. • Autumn with Topsail. The Autumn with Topsail Festival is typically held on the grounds of the Historical Society of Topsail Island, and features a juried Artists’ and Crafts Court with over 120 regional artists displaying and selling their work. For more on this annual event, visit www.autumnwithtopsail.com.
