Press Releases

The "First Family of Country Music" A.P. Carter, his wife Sarah and sister Maybelle learned a lot from Lesley Riddle, an African American musician born in Burnsville in 1905. He will be recognized with a N.C. Highway Historical Marker to be dedicated at RiddleFest July 3, 8:30 p.m., at the Mountain Heritage Center, Burnsville. Eventually it will stand on U.S. Highway 19 near Main Street in Burnsville.

Cary's Booth Amphitheatre will come alive with the hot sounds of the New York City-based band the Hot Sardines on Thursday, July 9, at 7:30 p.m., in the season finale of the 2015  Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series.  Gates open for the concert series at 5:30 p.m.  Children 12 and under are free on the lawn.  The North Carolina Symphony is presenting, but will not perform at the concert.

A stunning exhibition focusing on the bride and her dress will open Saturday, June 27, at the Museum of the Albemarle. "I DO! Weddings in the Albemarle, 1831-2015" also gives a nod to top hats, trousseaus, suits, vests and other wedding trimmings. The free exhibit runs until December 2017.

Looking for something to do in downtown Kinston on the holiday weekend? The CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center will be open the 4th of July.Visit the museum to learn about the building, operation, destruction and recovery of the CSS Neuse, the only remaining commissioned Confederate ironclad ram above the water and view exhibits regarding the region's Civil War history. In honor of our nation's independence, the staff will be dressed in Civil War-era clothing and providing demonstrations throughout the day.

Tryon Palace will celebrate the anniversary of America’s birth with a wide range of special events and activities planned for The Glorious Fourth, Saturday, July 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Second Marine Aircraft Wing Band, stationed at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, will perform in the Outdoor Pavilion at Roanoke Island Festival Park beginning at 8 p.m. Fireworks will begin at dark. Gates open at 6 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Parking will be available at the Park until the lot is full with additional parking in Downtown Manteo. Handicap parking will be available at the Park. Pack up the lawn chairs, blankets and picnic and bring family and friends and join us as our nation celebrates.

N.C. Department of Cultural Resources Secretary Susan Kluttz will host a discussion of the new bond proposal Thursday, June 25 at 11 a.m. at a celebration of the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, appropriately named for shipwrecks that play a major role in the area's history. Exhibits tell stories of major wrecks including that of the USS Monitor, Titanic, U-85, USS Huron, and Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge. If the Connect NC bonds are approved by voters this November, the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum may receive $3.5 million to fabricate and install permanent

The North Carolina Symphony will celebrate America’s 239th birthday with a free concert of patriotic favorites and high-spirited classics in its traditional Independence Day concert, with fireworks afterward, at Garner’s Lake Benson Park, Friday, July 3, at 8:30 p.m. 

Duke Homestead celebrates North Carolina's food history and culture July 11at "Pork, Pickles and Peanuts: Tastes of North Carolina." This free, family fun event focuses on everything that makes the state taste great with the highly competitive and extremely tasty annual Barbecue Cook-Off followed by the sweet treat that is the Pie Competition July 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Children between the ages of 5-12 are invited to the North Carolina History Center for a free art workshop inspired by the Fourth of July on Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to noon. Space is limited for this workshop and reservations are recommended.