Laura Johnson met with Susan Moffat-Thomas to find out more about MUMFEST 2013. The interview will air on Radio Free ENC’s WNOS 105.9FM and 1450AM. Listen to the audio here:
The below information was provided by: Nancy Hawley, MUMFEST produced by Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corporation:
MUMFEST weekend, October 12 -13, attracts festival goers from across the southeast to experience this award winning festival located in the beautifully restored historic downtown of New Bern, NC. Festival goers can spend a little or a lot with over 300 commercial and non-profit exhibitors to choose from including pottery, crafts, and art. Some might say the temptation is too much when they discover dozens of booths filled with a wide variety of delicious food tempt to tempt anyone’s appetite.
MUMFEST fits everyone’s budget with two days of free entertainment including live bands with music ranging from beach to barbershop, dance troupes, magicians, roving street performers, face painters, and clowns. In addition to all the free entertainment there’s a riverfront amusement park with lots of exciting rides ($).
The Richard Childress Racing Team knows all about exciting rides and Title Sponsor, Joe Alcoke Auto and Truck Center, is bringing NASCAR to MUMFEST in the form of the Richard Childress Racing Team. This exhibit will feature three famous stock cars, #3, #29, #31 and two racing simulators. That’s right, legendary No. 3 will be at MUMFEST. The two simulators will allow racecar fans to experience what it is like to drive one of these cars in a race.
Free family entertainment also features the X-POGO Stunt Team performing the most talented extreme pogo exhibitions in the world! The team is coming straight from POGOPALOOZA in New York City where they just won several world championship titles. These world class athletes fly up to 9 feet in the air, doing flips and other stunts on their high-powered pogo sticks.
Everyone’s MUMFEST favorites are back this year, including Alex Clark, the super funny comedian who will be performing jaw dropping stunts, the Purina Incredible Dog Team with amazing aerial disc catches, the Silver Drummer Girl, a huge Model Train Show, NBPD’s K-9s will be back along with Weller Kennels Labrador retriever demonstrations.
The out of water 13th Annual Boat Show is a must see for boaters and wannabe boaters. There’s still plenty of good weather to enjoy a new boat and there is nothing like being out on the water letting your boat drift along with the tide listening to relaxing music and writing your own song.
If you are or want to be a songwriter, the NC Songwriters Co-op will be performing on Sunday. The Co-op members are happy to share songwriting tips and critique your songwriting ability, so bring some of your songs with you. The NC Songwriters Co-op will entertain MUMFESTERS with their original songs on Sunday afternoon, so stop and take a listen. For sure you’ll be entertained!
Wine and beer connoisseurs will enjoy sampling a wide variety of craft wines and beers at the Galley Store’s “Juice on the Neuse Festival” with music and hors d’oeuvres at Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant included in the admission fee. NC grown wines may be sampled and purchased in the elegant Little River Wine Tasting Room on Craven Street for an admission fee. The Doubletree by Hilton is hosting its first Beer Garden Festival and everyone is welcome to stroll over for a cold and frosty.
Every Mumfest needs lots of chrysanthemums and Tryon Palace serves them up in their magnificent gardens which are open free Friday through Sunday. The palace also has its bi-annual Heritage Plant Sale on Friday and Saturday. Gardeners will be on hand to answer your planting questions. Inside tours require a ticket but outside tours of the palace’s many gardens are free.
On your walk back from Tryon Palace stroll over to see the New Bern Fireman’s Museum to learn about New Bern’s fascinating firefighting history dating back to before the Civil War.
Make plans now to come to MUMFEST by water taxi, trolley or park downtown – however you get here – come join the fun because there really is something for everyone! Visit www.mumfest.com for more information.
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Wendy Card