North Carolina Family & Heritage Events

March 27-28, 2009

Back to the Beach 2009 Car Show - Sun Coast Cruisers present their annual Car Show Preview and Cruise. On Friday, March 27 cars to line up at Food Lion parking lot at 7pm and cruise down to the Fort Fisher Recreation Area. Saturday, March 28 we expect to display 250+ vehicles at Fort Fisher Recreation Area. This show is FREE to the general public. Registration is from 8am until noon opens to the public at 9am. Come on down and see all types of cars and trucks. We will have specialty automotive displays and a live demonstration by local fire companies of accident scene techniques. Craft and commercial vendors will be on hand displaying their goods. Holiday Band will be there providing entertainment. This is a rain or shine event. There will be plenty of parking for trailers. For more information call (910) 231-6877 or (910) 452-3211. Fort Fisher Military Recreation Area, 118 Riverfront Rd, Kure Beach, NC 28449, www.suncoastcruisers.com.

April 3-4, 2009

Newport Pig Cookin’ Contest - It’s ‘swine time’ down in Newport at this tasty annual tradition. Come sample the best of eastern North Carolina BBQ. With a variety of crafts, rides and, most importantly, food, this is a fantastic festival for everyone. Call (252)241-3488 or email fleetman@eastnc.twcbc.com for more information.

April 4, 2009

Lake Junaluska Duathlon - 9:00am, Located at Lake Junaluska Conference Center; The race will feature an 18 mile bike leg sandwiched between two 2.2 mile runs on the path around the lake. Glory Hound Events; 828-400-5868; Greg Duff

April 18, 2009

Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-Off, 13th Annual - Attendees can enjoy and vote on chowder from various restaurants and groups. In addition to serving up the area's best chowder, this daylong event includes live music and the Kidz Zone which will have face painting, balloon art, giant inflatable slide and more. There will also be fudge, hotdogs, funnel cakes, luna pops, pizza, bloom'n onions, soft drinks and beer and wine for sale. (No coolers, no pets please!). Contact Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce at (910) 458-8434, Carolina Beach Lake Park, Hwy 421 & Atlanta Ave., Carolina Beach, NC 28428, www.pleasureislandnc.org.

April 24-26, 2009

Thunder in the Smokies Spring Motorcycle Rally - 10am – 11pm; Located at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds; 828-246-2101

April 25, 2009

Haymwd.org Triathlon - Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center; This race features a 300 yard pool swim, 11.5 bike and 5K run.

May 3, 2009

USA CRITS Finals and Global BMW Sandy Springs Cycling Challenge - Run, ride, race! Outdoor fun for everyone! In the heart of Sandy Springs at City Walk. Join us for the participants 5K run and/or 60K bicycle ride. Then watch the best pro cycling that the region will see in 2009 with the last stop in the seven city USA CRIT series. Lots to see and do for the entire family: Pro bike races, children’s bike rodeo, art show, and track side dinner throughout the entire day. The 5K begins at 8am and the 60 mile ride begins at 8:45am, CRIT Series races from 10am – 6pm, Pro CRIT Races 3pm – 6pm. For more information visit www.sandyspringschallenge.org; Run the run, Ride the ride, Watch the race, Sandy Springs is the place!

May 10, 2009

North Carolina Symphony - Enjoy a classical music concert performance by the North Carolina Symphony at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center. For more information please the North Carolina Symphony at 877-627-6724 or log onto www.ncsymphony.org.

May 15-17, 2009

MCAS Cherry Point Air Show - NC’s largest air show featuring the latest and greatest in military aviation and technology. Highlights include: Canadian Snowbird jet team, Skyhawks skydiving team, USMC task force demo, rocket truck, variety of aerobatic stunt planes, historic and modern static displays, children’s area and much more. Free admission! For more information please log onto www.cherrypointairshow.com or call 1-866-WINGS-NC.

May 21, 24 & 28, 2009

Carolina Beach Film & Fireworks Series - The town of Carolina Beach, N.C. will be hosting a "Film and Fireworks Series" this summer. The events will take place on Sundays and Thursdays beginning May 21, weather permitting. Family-friendly movies will be held at Carolina Beach Lake Park every Sunday and a fireworks display will be on the beach near the boardwalk each Thursday with a band performing from 6pm-9pm before the fireworks. Both events will be free and concessions will be available. Call 910.458.8434 for more information or visit our web site. Carolina Beach Lake, Hwy 421 & Atlanta Ave., Carolina Beach, NC 28428, www.pleasureislandnc.org.

May 22, 2009

2009 R/C Monster Truck World Finals with Grave Digger - The R/C Monster Truck finals is the freshest, most exciting R/C event around. Have you ever dreamed of driving your R/C monster truck on a course like the full size trucks do? How about a running over scaled down crushed cars? Think you can "drill it into the ground" on our challenging freestyle course like Dennis Anderson does? Poplar Branch, NC. 252-457-0403.

May 30, 2009

Neuse River Day - Join us for this all day event at Union Point Park for canoe/kayak distance and relay races and the Great Twin Rivers Raft Race! Children’s activities and amusements will also be available as well as arts and crafts vendors, environmental education information, food, fun and more! For more information please call the Neuse River Foundation at 252-637-7972 or log onto www.neuseriver.org.

June 1-30, 2009

June 24, 2009

8th Annual "Under the Oaks" Art Festival - Enjoy this annual outdoor art show on the grounds of Currituck Heritage Park with over 100 quality artists showcasing a wide variety of media, musical entertainment, food concessions, and children's activities. Location: The Whalehead Club at Heritage Park, Corolla, NC. 252-453-9040.

July 1-31, 2009

July 7, 2009

6th Annual Wild Horse Days - Go wild during the 6th Annual Wild Horse Days. Don’t miss a single day of fun! This family-oriented event is packed with music, food, crafts, kids’ activities, pony rides, a gentled Spanish Mustang, horse painting, an amateur photography contest and lots more. Funds raised are used to provide care for horses needing medical attention and to care for other horses waiting for adoption. The event will be held at Wild Horse Museum on Tuesday, July 7 and Thursday, July 9; and at the Corolla Light Town Center on Wednesday, July 8. Location: Corolla, NC. 252-453-8002.

July 11-12, 2009

Maggie Valley Summer Arts & Crafts Festival - Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 9am-4pm; Located at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds; Talented artisans from throughout the southeast present a varied collection of arts, crafts, & unique merchandise. Outdoor show includes live music, delicious food, craft demonstrations & more. 828-926-1686