New Bern has an amazing community of Veterans from all branches of service. We appreciate all that they have done for our country and our town. This Veterans Day, we have two special events to show our appreciation.

Race to the Finish

Saturday, November 11 is the Second Annual Trail to Tryon, a foot race through New Bern’s historic downtown and riverfront. Participants have the choice of running or walking a 5K, 10K or half-marathon. In addition to the in-person events, you can join the fun virtually for any of the races. Weyerhaeuser is proud to again serve as the presenting sponsor, with a portion of the event proceeds benefitting American Legion Post 539. Festivities begin at 7 a.m. at Tryon Palace, with a post-celebration from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the N.C. History Center, full of fun, prizes and excitement. For more details, click here.

March to the Finish

Now in its fourth year, the Annual March for the 22 takes place on Veterans Day with the option of a 22-mile, 22-kilometer or two-kilometer walk route. The finish line for all distances is at Union Point Park. The event is intentional in that it is a walk, so participants are doing it together to build friendships and support systems. Tickets to participate are only $22. The number 22 is very significant to the Veteran community, as an average of 22 commit suicide each day. American Legion Post 539 utilizes proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships to provide financial support and other services to Veterans throughout Craven County. For more details, click here.

While these two events support our area Veterans, there is more we can all do throughout the year. Let’s show our appreciation of what they have done for us, so we have the freedom to do all the things we do.

August is going to be another hot month in New Bern, and we are not just referring to the weather. Our hometown has a jam-packed calendar of events. Here are three, super-hot stand-outs to enjoy:

Music All Around

Three Footloose on the Neuse performances for the City of New Bern Parks and Recreation Department’s outdoor concert series are on tap for the month (and a day). On August 11, a tribute band to Fleetwood Mac, Landslide, is set to take the stage. On August 25, a tribute band of Chicago songs, Chicago Rewind, performs. The series kicks off Labor Day Weekend on September 1 in style with Riggsbee Road, an all-female bluegrass band out of Raleigh. Each concert takes place on these select Friday dates, beginning 6:30 p.m. at Union Point Park. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs or picnic blanket! For the full schedule, click here.

Just Say Ahh

If you want to beat the heat and truly cool off, set up a day of ultimate relaxation at Rinnova Spa & Wellness Center at the New Bern Aesthetic Center. Located in West New Bern, the spa boasts an extensive menu of services, from facials and massages to nail care. For an extra treat, schedule the float pad to decompress or the salt facial for an enhanced glow. To schedule an appointment, click here.

Look Back in Time

Tryon Palace is our favorite place for history. A wonderful exhibit at the North Carolina History Center at the Palace, “Through the Looking Glass: A Journey with the Storytellers,” celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the New Bern Historical Society. Visitors will enjoy stories of individuals and events of the past to present day. Presented with a combination of photos, artifacts and narration, you will truly take a look back in time. For more information, click here.

In addition to these three ideas, there are tons more of enjoyment awaiting you. Click here for Visit New Bern’s calendar of events.

July is one hot month in New Bern, and I am not just referring to the temperatures! If you are looking for activities offering enjoyment and air conditioning, here are three hot performances that are really cool.

Again and Again

The Teen Players production of “Rehearsals” is a must-see, tour-de-force comedy. Set in a small town, a community theatre is preparing a production of Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband.” But with a tiny budget, forgotten lines and overall chaos, a miracle will be necessary for the show to go on! This antics-filled play pulls the curtain back on what could happen at local theatre productions. Performances are July 14-16 and July 21-23 at the New Bern Civic Theatre. For tickets, click here.

Take Flight

You likely know that the Wright brothers are the inventors of modern flight. But do you know why? Orville and Wilbur had an amazing support system of family, friends and mentors, plus an incredible inventive spirit. The brothers made their living fixing bicycles, to which they used parts along with other materials to build their first flying machine. The performance is a mixture of music, comedy and drama to present the story of how our nation took flight. Presented at the North Carolina History Theater, the show runs July 21-23 and July 28-30. Get your tickets here.

A Fest of Films

Whether you prefer documentaries, dramas, comedies or all the above, you can have your fill of films on July 29 at the North Carolina Film Festival, being held at the New Bern Civic Theatre. For only $20, event goers will have a seat to view films from North Carolinians and artists around the world. For more information on this annual event, click here.

To enjoy all three events, a great way to plan is to buy tickets for Rehearsals the weekend of July 14; Flight the weekend of July 21; and the North Carolina Film Festival on July 29. Your weekends are covered, and you’ll be covered from the outdoor heat!

While Tryon Palace has special activities throughout the year, March is a beautiful time to enjoy the palace and gardens. The weather is cool, the days are sunny and the flowers are blooming. Here are three special events to “march” to this month.

The Other Set of Stairs

When you think of the residents of Tryon Palace in historical times, you likely think of Governors and their families who called the building home. But that is only one side of the story. Every Thursday in March at 10:30 a.m., you can tour the palace, stables and kitchen to learn about the other stairs. To keep the estate running, there was a multitude of staff who cooked the food, cared for the horses, emptied the chamber pots (yikes) and anything else to make a life of luxury possible. “Life on the Lesser Stairs” sheds light on the individuals who also called the palace home, but whose lives were anything but luxurious. Space is limited; get more details here.

A Garden in Bloom

For the palace’s garden lecture series on March 12, Jennifer Knight, community gardener and owner of Knightscapes Enterprises, and Hadley Cheris, Tryon Palace Gardens and Greenhouse Manager, cohost “Heirloom Vegetables for Eastern North Carolina.” The lecture will focus on heirloom vegetables and edible plants best adapted to face the weather challenges of Eastern North Carolina. You will also get a sneak peek of the plants available at the Spring Plant Sale. The lecture begins at the North Carolina History Center at 10:30 a.m.

Feast for Your Eyes

Be ready to roll up your sleeves on Saturday, March 26. That is the date for “Winterfeast: Spring Edition,” a new twist to Tryon Palace’s traditional event held annually in January. Taking place on the South Lawn, the event is sure to please, with a feast of oysters, shrimp and grits, jambalaya, chowder, pig roast and sides. And, there will be live music by North Carolina’s Molasses Creek to enjoy during your feasting. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Get tickets here.

March is a wonderful time to enjoy the sights and sounds of Tryon Palace and Gardens. March on over there!