Summer doesn’t officially begin until June 21, but New Bern is heating up well before then! Check out these three awesome events for the entire family to enjoy.

Get Arty

The Plein Air Art Festival is set for May 12-19.

One of my favorite events of the year is back, and it promises to be better than ever! The Fourth Annual North Carolina Plein Air Art Festival begins Sunday, May 12, and continues through Sunday, May 19. The eight-day festival spotlights 35 nationally and globally acclaimed plein air artists.

Plein air, which is French and translates to “open air” in English, can be traced back to Impressionist artists. It captures any moment in time outdoors rather than detailed representations. For more information about the Plein Air Art Festival, click here.

Get Loose

Our hometown’s summer concert series, Footloose on the Neuse, kicks off its season on Memorial Day Weekend. On Friday, May 24, at 6:30 p.m., bring your blanket and lawn chairs out to Union Point Park for the ultimate Journey tribute band, Trial by Fire. “Don’t stop believing” how amazing this concert will be! A total of seven concerts are planned over the summer. Check out the concert series full lineup here.

Get Racing

When the calendar marks June, you know it is time for The Great Trent River Raft Race is set for Saturday, June 24! A variety of races, from classic to peddle to paddle, will test participants with design capabilities. The category of “anything that floats” always brings out the laughs. This event is a treat for all ages. In addition to the races, you will enjoy food, games and live entertainment. For all the details, click here.

New Bern is an amazing place to live year-round, and this summer is no exception. For other fun activities, check out visitnewbern.com.

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Summertime in New Bern means kids are out of school, vacation time and lots of fun activities for all. Here are three amazing events coming up in June in our hometown.

June Jolly #1

Footloose on the Neuse offers great entertainment for the entire family.

Our favorite summer concert series is back! On Friday, June 9, grab a blanket or chairs and bring the family out for Footloose on the Neuse to kick off the weekend. The headliner is Rivermist, a classic rock, rhythm and blues band well-known throughout North Carolina. Two weeks later, Trial by Fire, a Journey tribute band, performs on June 23. Both performances are at 6:30 p.m., and pets are allowed as long as they are leashed. Food trucks will be on hand for goodies and beverages. Special shout-out to New Bern Parks and Recreation Department for sponsoring these free concerts. For a complete schedule of the series performances, click here.

June Jolly #2

Looking for a distinctive night out, complete with delectable food and libations? We have the perfect event for you at the North Carolina History Center. Chef’s Feast, being held on June 22, will showcase a decadent array of local signature dishes from the area’s most celebrated chefs, including Cork Wine Bar & Bistro, Flavor Hills, The Flame, Sara’s Big Apple, Broad Street Takeout, Bistro 252 and Shortway Brewing Co. In addition to the gastro amazement, guests will enjoy live entertainment, along with live and silent auctions. Proceeds benefit the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. For tickets, click here.

June Jolly #3

The Great Trent River Raft Race is set for Saturday, June 24, at Union Point Park. With a variety of races and categories to enter, there is sure to be the right fit for you and your team. Basically, if it floats, you can race it! If you prefer to keep dry, come out to cheer on your favorites. Either way, you will enjoy live entertainment, food, beverages and lots of activities. For more information, click here.

June is set to be a fantastic month to be in New Bern to get your jollies! Come join the fun!

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We all know the coronavirus has taken its toll on so many things this year. Being able to socially distance is more important than ever, so I have three park recommendations to enjoy the great outdoors in New Bern.

Park #1 – Latham-Whitehurst Nature Park

I love these trails at Latham-Whitehurst Park. So peaceful!

Located east of downtown along the outskirts of New Bern, Latham-Whitehurst is a popular choice for those who love to hike, fish, kayak and birdwatch. I always enjoy walking the boardwalk that runs along Broad Creek to take in the beautiful views. I ventured out there recently to work up a sweat (which I did) for a couple of hours along the nature trails. There are plenty of picnic tables if you choose to pack a lunch (I wish I had).

Park #2 – Glenburnie Park

Now this a fun day in the park! Glenburnie has Frisbee golf!

Glenburnie provides some of the best scenery around. It is situated northeast of downtown, nestled along the Neuse River. The park seems to cater a bit more to locals as it is basically in a residential area. I am not a boater, but I could spend hours watching all the canoers and kayakers launch into the river. While Glenburnie has all the typical attractions, including picnicking, hiking and birdwatching, my favorite is the 18-hole Frisbee golf course. It is amazing how addictive and competitive my childhood pastime becomes once you make it a true game.

Park #3 – Union Point Park

No offense to the other city parks, but my top choice for green space in New Bern is Union Point. The site is surrounded by water, where the Neuse and Trent Rivers converge, providing a breathtaking backdrop. It has plenty of park comforts, and you will even find a few bears to join in the fun (no worries; they are benches). Aside from the river walk and views, a main attraction is the large gazebo located at the point of the two rivers. I have seen people hold weddings and gatherings there. Me, I simply took advantage of its shade the last time I was there.

All three parks offer something for everyone. If you are looking for a place to experience being outdoors, with (or without) your family and perhaps even phone-free, you have these three options, plus many others. New Bern definitely loves being green!

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Last year, The Great Trent River Raft Race returned to New Bern.

Fast forward to June 2018, when much to my surprise and delight, I heard The Great Trent River Raft Race was being resurrected. The town was abuzz with all the festivities planned by the New Bern Chamber of Commerce. I was excited to see what everyone was talking about–these homemade crafts of all shapes and sizes, built by the participating teams. I arranged for my next visit to New Bern to coincide with the race. As the race day approached, the city was full of energy, excitement and enthusiasm. And yes, the race itself was a blast. However, what was even more amazing was how this event created such an electrifying “coming together” of the community. That is what always stands out about New Bern. The community spirit is simply incredible.

This Saturday is the second annual of the return of The Great Trent River Raft Race. Union Point Park is the site of the festivities, including food and beverages, music, vendors, kids’ activities, and of course, the races. The highlight is seeing the creative, homemade rafts and crafts that range from silly to innovative make it across the water.

West New Bern and Weyerhaeuser are each First Mate sponsors of the race. When you attend either the Rockin’ on the Rivers Kickoff Concert on June 21 or the race on June 22, be sure to look for their banner!

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Considering all my visits to New Bern, I thought I knew more than the average person about the area’s history. As I walked through the exhibits, I realized there was so much more to learn.

The North Carolina History Center is one of the greenest buildings in the state!

It was immediately obvious there was extensive thought, research and dedication that went into planning the visitor’s experience. Instead of simple, static displays, there are a variety of ways to learn, explore and discover, from interactive activities to limited-engagement exhibits. I appreciated the detailed narratives throughout, especially the ones about the coast’s history.

You may know Pepsi-Cola was created in New Bern, but there is so much more to the story. The Pepsi Family Center exhibit lets you in on how the beloved soft drink came about. While there was not a performance at the time of my visit, I had to peek into the spectacular Cullman Performance Hall. The hall is an intimate setting for music, plays and lectures.

After all this learning and discovering, I was pretty ravenous. Fortunately, there is an on-site restaurant, Lawson’s Landing. The food was fantastic (be sure to save room for the flourless chocolate cake), and the view of the Trent River added to the flavor.

New Bern has incredible restaurants, recreational activities, popular hotels, charming bed-and-breakfasts, beautiful waterfront views, accessible roadways and a convenient airport. However, what makes New Bern so unique to me is the consistent homage to the city and its origins. Other cities could take a lesson!

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This is the first riverfront park I have been to where you are this close to the water.

I had heard that New Bern boasted several parks and green spaces. However I was still pleasantly surprised that one of the first places I came upon was a riverfront setting to kick my shoes off and enjoy the spectacular view.

The Union Point Park pavilion has been the site of many gatherings, including weddings!

Union Point Park spans six acres along the convergence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. With a pavilion, playground, benches and several shady areas, Union Point Park is a central gathering place for residents and visitors alike. Throughout the park, you’ll find friendly reminders of the city’s bear theme, from some of the Bear Town Bears to the playground benches. You will also receive reminders of why New Bern is such an amazing place… mothers pushing their children on the swing, couples walking along the riverfront and friends catching up on the latest news.

When you visit New Bern, be sure to spend some time in Union Point Park. It is truly the place to park yourself, even if only for a few cherished moments!

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The welcome sign as you enter New Bern says it all.

The first time I visited New Bern, I thought I was reliving a scene from the movie. I immediately felt a sense of inner calmness. New Bern is at the convergence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers, and these two rivers provide a beautiful backdrop for the city.

The New Bern Riverwalk stretches along the two rivers, creating a scenic way to stroll from hotels and restaurants to parks and shops. Every time I visit, I make a point of walking along the amazing riverfront. During these walks, I’ve come across friendly residents, Convention Center attendees and visitors. While they may be in New Bern for different reasons, the impression the Riverwalk has is the same–one of a reenergized, yet relaxed, feeling.

Even the benches at Union Point Park are bears!

As with my previous blog posts, I continue to discover the wonders of New Bern. Whether it is the Bear Town Bears, Tryon Palace, Birthplace of Pepsi, wonderful restaurants and now the Riverwalk, the unique attractions of New Bern keep attracting me back!

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