Sunday, May 14, is the day to celebrate, honor and treat the moms in your life. We have several wonderful options perfect for your mom (or wife, aunt, grandmother, best friend, etc.), resulting in a memorable day. Here are three standouts to enjoy.

A Day in History

Several churches featuring extraordinary architecture are on the Heritage Homes Tour.

I look forward to the Heritage Homes Tour in New Bern every year. In honor of the New Bern Historical Society’s 100^th Anniversary, the tour takes it to the next level on May 12 and 13. Twenty homes and churches take center stage, and you can enjoy them at your own pace on this self-guided tour. The tour covers homes in the Downtown and Riverside Historic Districts, showcasing amazing architecture of our town’s rich history. For advance tickets and a map of the stops, click here.

A Day to Remember

If you have ever seen Frank Capra’s movie, Arsenic and Old Lace, you surely had a fair share of laughs. Bring your mom out for a hilarious take on the classic. Without giving too much away, a longtime bachelor finally decides to marry, then he discovers on his wedding day that his aunts are murderers. Chaos ensues as you can imagine. Performances are being held at the North Carolina History Theater, May 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m., and May 14 at 2 p.m. Get your tickets here.

A Day to Relax

If you are wanting a truly exceptional way to make it all about her, how about a special day on her time? Rinnova Spa and Wellness Center, located at the New Bern Aesthetic Center in West New Bern, offers an extensive menu of services, each with the goal of ultimate pampering. With a spa gift certificate, she can choose exactly what she wants. Click for details here.

Whether you decide to celebrate with your mom in one of these three ways, treat her to brunch or simply take a long walk along the riverfront, she will appreciate the thought!

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The mums say it best!

Fall has arrived, and that can mean only one thing. Well actually several things, as New Bern is chock full of activities lined up for October. Three of my absolutely favorite events celebrate the beautiful blooms seen throughout our hometown, mums! MumFest, MumFest Concert and MumFeast are set, so now it is just a matter of how to fit in all the fun.

The Best Fest

Mark those calendars for the weekend of October 8 and 9, when the city is in full bloom! The entire downtown is transformed into a massive floral display while you enjoy food, entertainment, arts, crafts and so much more. Last year’s MumFest drew in over 70,000 visitors, and this year it is sure to be even bigger. Stop by the mum arch at Union Point Park for a photo op, along with a trip around the mum maze.

The Music Maker

One of my favorite performers, Jimmie Allen, is the headliner for the MumFest Concert on Friday, October 14. Allen received the CMA New Artist of the Year Award, and he will be ready to show us why he won with his amazing voice and energy! The concert takes place at Lawson Creek Park, with gates opening at 4:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $25; click here to purchase.

And the Feast of It

Now that we have become spoiled with the delicious MumFeast for the past two years, thank goodness it is back again! Taking place the weekend of October 21 and 22, the “Feasting in the Streets” in Downtown New Bern will offer a meal to satisfy any and all your cravings. This year, we have the added bonus of Ghostwalk happening the same days to round out a weekend of food, fright and sights!

Mums are the word for the month, however no one is keeping mum about these fantastic events!

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May is a beautiful time to be in New Bern, and we are fortunate to have a wide variety of activities and events to enjoy. Here are three unique ways to get out and about this month!

Plein Fun

New Bern’s iconic City Hall would be a fantastic subject to paint.

I am just “plein” excited about the return of Plein Air New Bern, an event that leaves the four walls of a studio behind to experience painting and drawing in the landscape. The practice goes back for centuries, but was truly made into an art form by the French Impressionists. Up to 35 artists will participate in the week-long painting competition, officially beginning on May 9. An expansive list of breathtaking locations will be the setting for the artists to complete original works. Paintings will be on display daily, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the New Bern Farmer’s Market. The event’s complete agenda may be found here.

Laughs Guaranteed

If you are looking for a few hours of non-stop laughs, you need to secure a seat at a performance of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” at New Bern Civic Theatre. I have seen the movie based on this Stephen Sondheim musical, and it is truly a farce! With mistaken identities, slapstick fun and a love theme, it is a guaranteed side-splitting time. Performances run on three weekends, beginning May 13. Get your tickets here.

Sleuths Wanted

Oh, how I love a good mystery, so I will be on the hunt for clues on Sunday, May 22. The New Bern Historical Society and Sherlock T. Bear invite teams to test sleuthing skills in the New Bern History Quest. Sponsored by the New Bern Historical Society, the quest will take you all over town for a day to follow clues for a chance to win prizes. For details and to register, click here.

However you enjoy the month of May, you will surely have the fun be with you in New Bern!

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New Bern is rich with history, having been founded in 1710 and serving as the state’s first capital. In April, we have the opportunity to relive some of New Bern’s past while appreciating what those before us experienced. Here are three upcoming events to enjoy, no matter what your age.

Relive the Past #1 – Tour Historical Homes

You are in for a treat on April 8 and 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The 2022 Heritage Homes Tour gains you access into historical homes in the downtown area, ranging from 19th century to renovated residences. Each home represents the amazing architecture of New Bern’s history and its future. But wait; there’s more! This same weekend, your ticket also allows you free admission to the Tryon Palace Gardens. There, you will enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of a variety of blooms, from tulips to irises to roses. Get tickets here.

Your child can experience what it was like for kids back in Colonial times on April 9.

Relive the Past #2 – Play Dress Up

At Tryon Palace that same weekend, your kids can experience how youngsters would have dressed and lived during the time of George Washington and Governor Tryon in Colonial America. “Colonial for a Day” takes place on Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Designed for those seven to 10 years (with an accompanying adult), participants will don 18th century attire, learn more what children’s chores were like and partake in some of the crafts they would have been expected to know. Call 252-639-3524 to reserve a spot.

Relive the Past #3 – Duel to the Finish

The real story behind one of New Bern’s most compelling historic stories is now brought to life. John Stanly accused Richard Dobbs Spaight of misdeeds and more, culminating in a duel to the finish. This historic tale will be brought to life through original dialogue and music, from the signing of the Constitution to the dispute that would lead these bitter rivals to a fight on the field of honor. “Honour, The Musical” is presented by the North Carolina History Theater in partnership with Craven Community College and New Bern Historical Society. Performances run the last two weekends at the college’s Orringer Hall. Tickets available here.

With New Bern’s prominence in North Carolina’s and the country’s history, you can relive the past now and in the future!

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On my most recent visit to New Bern, I had a free afternoon, which offered the perfect opportunity to explore the historic downtown. Here are three sweet spots along my route.

Inside this door awaits yumminess!

Sweet Spot #1 – Bear City Fudge Company

My first sweet spot stop was to fuel up for my afternoon of discovery. I headed over to Bear City Fudge Company, my go-to source for fudge, ice cream and all kinds of treats. I left with a few slabs of deliciousness, perhaps overindulging a bit. The dark-chocolate-caramel-sea-salt fudge is quite simply, pure happiness. Bear City Fudge Company is located just off Middle Street in the courtyard, and it receives high marks (albeit calories) on my list. Go now!

Sweet Spot #2 – New Bern Historical Society

If you want to delve into New Bern’s storied past, the best place to do so is at the New Bern Historical Society. With my fudge in hand, I walked down Middle to Broad Street to the building rumored to have a friendly ghost or two. Once you step inside this home of history, you are transported to a time long ago. The New Bern Historical Society presents displays of furniture, clothing, fine china and silver of the 18^th and 19^th centuries. I was greeted by Curator Jim Hodges, who is basically an encyclopedia of the town’s history and prominent figures. Jim has what appears to be an endless file system of letters, notes and photographs that would impress even the most renowned historian. Jim also presents lunch-and-learn sessions to spread the word about New Bern’s enticing years of the past.

The Unity Project.

Sweet Spot #3 – The Unity Project

As I left the Historical Society, I noticed down the street a familiar piece of artwork. The last time I saw The Unity Project, it was not quite finished. The piece serves as a symbol of harmony and a link between uptown and downtown New Bern. It was constructed and painted by several youth and volunteer organizations in the area. It made my day to see the completed sculpture in person, and even better was to look up and see the New Bern water tower looming in the distance. For more details about The Unity Project, click here.

As I walked back to my hotel room, I thought about these three sweet wonders of New Bern. There is so much more to discover, and I intend to do so. With some additional chocolate, of course!

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MumFest

Get ready for the downtown to be sprinkled with mums!

First, MumFest is just around the corner. The kick-off concert is Friday, October 12, with headliners Dan + Shay! The festival continues throughout the weekend with live music, food, beverages, rides, games, shows and running races, for an incredible couple of days of fun. Downtown will transform with mums and the festivities, so it’s the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends, listen to great music and enjoy the fall weather.

Then it will be time to see “mum-my” like people at the New Bern Ghostwalk!

The second big New Bern October event is the Annual Ghostwalk! When I first heard about this ghoulish event, I was a bit frightened. Eerie houses, cemeteries and ghostly figures lurking around made me recall the one-and-only time I went to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. One of my friends from New Bern assured me this was no haunted house or scary creatures jumping out in front of me enticing a shrilling scream. This was described to me as more of a calm version of Disney World’s Haunted Mansion. I am up for that kind of creepy challenge.

This year’s theme is “Graves’ Anatomy,” and it is sure to chill you down to your bones! Ghostwalk is a family-friendly event that provides access to historic sites not normally open to the public in a fun-filled, creative environment. With 13 ghostly sites to visit, plan a family evening out for lots of laughs and goblin’ up of food! An added bonus is the proceeds benefit the New Bern Historical Society. Ghostwalk is open Thursday through Saturday, October 25 – 27.

Both events provide us an opportunity to enjoy all that this amazing city represents… a beautiful setting, remarkable downtown, lovely waterfront, friendly residents, community spirit and plenty of fun. It is no longer mum’s the word about these two spectacular weekends in New Bern!

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