SeaFair Arrives...



SeaFair 228' Yacht

What a treat it will be to watch the colossal 228 foot SeaFair maneuver through the Cunningham Bridge and dock at the New Bern Grand Marina. Captain Craig Matthews expects the yacht (ship) to arrive in New Bern around 2:30 pm.  Although SeaFair is one of the largest commercial vessels that travels in the Intercoastal Waterway, it can dock at the New Bern Grand Marina as it was designed to have a draft of only 6.5 feet,  the depth at the Marina.  

It will be a spectacular sight and the newest major venue for MUMFEST.

The opening gala, Arts Ahoy will be held Thursday evening, an elegant casual affair  celebrating the unveiling of the SeaFair Collection, 28 galleries filled with art by nationally known artists and photographers. Butlered canapés, fine champagne and wine, guests can mingle with Governor Perdue and Larry Wheeler, Director of the North Carolina Art Museum and enjoy an evening unlike any other that has ever  been held in New Bern.


SeaFair Yacht

Tickets can be purchased through  http://www.cravenarts.org/  or at the Bank of the Arts. This fundraising event benefits the Craven Arts Council and Swiss Bear, organizations committed to the betterment of downtown and the community.

Special thanks to this outstanding community for supporting our many events, projects and MUMFEST. We are looking forward to an outstanding week.

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

JOIN US FOR THE ART EVENT OF THE YEAR IN OCTOBER!!

ARTS AHOY OPENING NIGHT PREVIEW ABOARD SEAFAIR    

Our SeaFair Arts Ahoy Committee is busy making plans for the Arts Ahoy Opening Night inaugural preview on October 11 of the New Bern Art Fest and official MUMFEST kick-off party to benefit Swiss Bear and the Craven Arts Council & Gallery. The invitations are being design and invitation lists developed.

This event of the year aboard the 228' mega yacht SEAFAIR, docked at the New Bern Grand Marina, begins with a First View 5:00-7:30 pm and Collector's Invitational 7:30-10:00 pm. First View, $150 per person includes live entertainment, butlered canapes and heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine and champagne and valet service. Collector's Invitational, $100 per person includes butlered canapes and wine. Other special features are being planned will be listed in the invitations as they are confirmed.

The ship has three decks of international galleries filled with art, jewelry and sculpture, two outdoor bars and open-air bistro on the Sky Deck.

For those interested in attending and want to insure their name is on the invitation list, please email your name and address to swissbear@swissbear.org.

The following are good links to check out and get a real sense of what the evening will offer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPOPBz0FudI

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7403948n&tag=contentBody;storyMediaBox

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t3q0dmJgwQ


Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

A Private Tour of SeaFair

SeaFair at Morehead City
Photo by Alan Welch

On Tuesday, May 15, Danielle Glynn, Linda Mattocks and myself had the pleasure of climbing aboard the 228” mega yacht, SeaFair, for a guided tour by Captain’s Sam Carroll and Craig Matthews. Owner’s David and LeeAnn Lester invited us to tour the vessel during its layover in Morhead City to re-fuel  en-route to Greenwich, CT for a art show over the Memorial Day weekend, May 24 – 28.

We accepted the invitation so we could get a first-hand look at what will be a mega highlight and new venue for Mumfest, October 13-14.

SeaFair, the world’s first mobile mega yacht venue, will remain dockside at the Doubletree Hilton Marina during Mumfest. The $40 million yacht requires a draft of on 6.6 feet which makes it possible to dock at the Hilton facility…in the heart of the festival.

Deck 1 features a formal entry, 10 exhibit spaces and a coffee bar.

Deck 2 had 12 exhibit spaces, Luxe Lounge an open air champagne and caviar lounge on the aft deck.

Deck 3 has six exhibit spaces and a glass walled lounge.

The Sky Deck (4) has an open-air lounge, bar and cocktail reception area.

With a basic crew of eight, for the week/week-end of the show, additional staff will be hired locally and all the goods and services needed such as food, plants, catering, room accommodations etc. will be purchased in New Bern.

It was a fun experience and we appreciated their gracious and hospitality. Captain’s Matthews and Carroll confirmed, having looked at the site on May 14, the yacht will be in a perfect location and they are looking forward to being at Mumfest…we are too.

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

Pictured left to right
Captain Sam Carroll
Captain Craig Matthews

Pictured left to right
Linda Mattocks, Danielle Glynn, Susan Moffat Thomas

SeaFair, the Mega Yacht, MUMFEST Venue

SeaFair in Morehead City 2011
Photo by Alan Welch

Last Thursday, Judy Avery, Carol Takarski, Jim Bisbee, Nancy Wyatt, Linda Mattocks, Danielle Glynn and me met to discuss developing plans for a fundraising reception, October 11 on the 228' mega yacht that will be a major venue at mumfest and how we can involve and promote the local art community as another festival venue to take advantage of this opportunity.

A major part of the meeting was talking with owners David and Leigh Anne Lester, owners of the yacht, via a conference call. They are looking forward to being in New Bern and are as excited as we are about the possibilities of making this a new memorable experience for festival goers and our community in general.

SeaFair 228' Mega Yacht
Photo by Alan Welch

The yacht will leave Florida en route to other ports on May 9, arriving in Morehead City to re-fuel along the way. Weather permitting they will arrive May 11 or 12. We accepted his  invitation to go aboard and tour the five floors so we have a better idea and understanding what will be open to the public.

As New Bern develops its reputation as a cultural and art center, this opportunity to attract visitors from the western part of the state and adjoining states, will enhance that reputation.

If you are interested in seeing pictures of SeaFair, go to http://www.expoships.com/

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director