Topics Related to Things to Do

First Lady Kristin Cooper will welcome visitors to the Governor’s Western Residence, 45 Patton Mountain Rd, Asheville, for an open house Sunday, July 1, from 2-4 p.m.
 

Duke Homestead celebrates North Carolina’s food history and culture July 14 at “Pork, Pickles and Peanuts: Tastes of North Carolina.” This free, fun family event focuses on everything that makes the state taste great with the highly competitive and extremely tasty annual Barbecue Cook-Off and Pie

Music and melon will accent the Old-Fashioned July 4 Ice Cream Social celebration at Mountain Gateway Museum (MGM). Red watermelon, white vanilla ice cream and bluegrass music are a formula for a fun-filled, family friendly free celebration Wednesday, July 4, 2 to 4 p.m. – or until the food runs out.

Find a fun-filled celebration with history, music and nature for the Fourth of July! Enjoy authentic experiences at attractions of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources this year.
 

The art of barbecuing has evolved in the Americas as explorers, pirates and even Sir Walter Raleigh discovered the natives outdoor cooking technique. Residents of Bath and environs can test their grill skills during the free BBQ Fest, Saturday, June 16, 10 a.m. The time-honored tradition of beer also will be recognized with a beer garden featuring domestic and craft beer and wine that opens at noon.

Genealogy research is a complex subject that involves finding the right resources, keen detective work, and enduring patience.

The deep-water robotic investigation of an unidentified shipwreck off the North Carolina coast will be shown live to guests at the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island on June 25. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will conduct the dive 40 miles off the coast of Hatteras Island via a robotic submersible launched from the research vessel Okeanos Explorer.

North Carolina law in the 1750s required able-bodied men ages 16-60 to serve in the colony’s militia. They gathered for military training several times a year and could be called away at any time, leaving their homes and businesses to defend the colony. Fort Dobbs State Historic Site will feature living history interpreters recreating an 18th century militia muster June 30-July 1.

June is Pride Month, when the LGBT community plans commemorations and celebrations across the country. James Miller, executive director of the LGBT Center of Raleigh, will speak on “Why Pride Matters,” June 21, 12:30 p.m., at the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, 109 E. Jones St. Raleigh.

From wood burning pits to high tech grills with ceramic briquettes, North Carolina is in love with barbecue. Historic Bath will host an exhibit June 1 to Aug. 31, which examines barbecue from the Caribbean in the 1500s up to today. The free exhibit debunks some common myths, such as “more is better,” and whether the cooked meat needs to “rest.”