What's New At Mumfest

Mumfester’s for the most part love tradition…funnel cakes, amusement rides (especially the Ferris wheel), the many vendors with a large assortment of unique items and the long standing festival attractions. They also look forward to something new, a venue that will become a tradition, like the Incredible Purina Dog Show and they won’t be disappointed! Here’s what’s new at MUMFEST 2012

On the Water

SEAFAIR, one of the ten largest privately owned mega yachts in the United States, is a floating art gallery with three decks of fine art, sculpture and photography for sale; docked at the New Bern Grand Marina behind the Doubletree Hilton Hotel it is open for tours Friday through Sunday.

CRYSTAL COAST LADY offers one and a half hour fully narrated scenic nature and history tours aboard the 75’ super cruiser with enclosed and open air seating on the upper and lower decks, a kids steering station, giant bow viewing area, full snack bar and galley and clean, modern restrooms.

LOOKOUT LADY, the 49 passenger ecology tour vessel offers a relaxing getaway from the hectic excitement of the festival with two hour historic and scenic nature river tours. 

In the Midway

The INDY TOUR features the Detroit Chevrolet Grand Prix of Belle Isle Indy show car, a 4L85 transmission, several high performance engines, plus a display of Chevrolet accessories and performance parts.

RING CITY ROLLERGIRLS, a female flat track roller derby team based in Kinston, will be demonstrating the skills and tricks used in the world of roller derby.

Willy the Hillbilly, the popular character representing Mountain Dew in the 1960s, will entertain crowds on Saturday and Sunday.

New Stage

On Sunday, the NC Songwriters Co-op will entertain crowds with newly written songs performed by members of the Songwriters’ Cooperative. 

New Eats

Pumpkin funnel cakes, deep fried butter, alligator bites, shrimp and grits, bacon wrapped scallops, Shawarma and crab fritters, in addition the all the traditional favorites.

In The Park

Expansion of the Boat Show will include Outdoor Recreation exhibits and on-going demonstrations of standup paddle boarding, canoes, kayaks, cycling, motor cross sports, spas, jet ski dealers, outdoor adventure clubs and the Gables Run Equestrian Center is bringing Peanut the Pony for photo opps with children.

On the Downtown Streets

ARTZONE features artists working in different genres with art demonstrations and exhibits en plein air (outside) and in galleries along the 300 block of Pollock Street and throughout the downtown.

QR code signage throughout the festival for smart phone owners to check on schedules and locations.

For a full list of activities, attractions and performance schedules go to mumfest.com. For your convenience, you can download the map of the festival area and/or pull out the center section of the Sun Journal tab delivered to subscribers on Thursday.

See you at MUMFEST…pray for good weather!

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

MUMFEST 2012....biggest and best

As the days fly by and we move closer and closer to MUMFEST weekend, Danielle and I are very appreciative of the City, sponsor’s and volunteers' support. Needless to say, there is a long list of “to do’s” with deadlines that seem impossible to make, however we meet the challenge and get everything completed on time…sometimes, much to our amazement!

SeaFair 228' mega yacht

The on-going calls from businesses wanting to participate is welcomed as we always look for new venues to keep it fresh, along with old favorites. New this year is SeaFair, the 228 foot mega yacht. Docked at the New Bern Grand Marina, this exceptional venue will attract people near and far. Race car fans can get revved up with the Indy Tour featuring the Detroit Chevrolet Grand Prix of Belle Isle Indy show car. On Sunday, the NC Songwriter’s Co-op's stage (in the area between the Sudan Temple and County Administration building) showcases talented songwriters in Eastern NC.    



Artist painting en plein air

To promote the many talented artists in this area, ARTZONE will be located on the 300 block of Pollock Street with artists painting en plein air on the sidewalks and in the galleries. It offers an opportunity for artists to showcase their work, talk with festival-goers about their art and serve as ambassadors to encourage visitors to return and enjoy downtown’s beauty and  “sense of place” at a later date.

The Crystal Coast Lady Cruises will provide one and a half hour cruises on Lookout Lady, a 49 passenger Eco-Tour vessel leaving from Union Point Parks docks and the Crystal Coast Lady, a 75’ super cruiser with narrated tours from the New Bern Grand Marina Dock F… a nice opportunity to take a break from the hubbub and excitement on the streets and enjoy relaxing leisurely cruises on the Neuse and Trent River.

Stand up paddle boarding
photo courtesy of Stand Up Outfitters

The decision to expand the Boat Show to include Outdoor Life & Recreation is coming together. Big Kahuna Pools Spas & More is providing a 12’ x 24’ pool (located in the area behind the Union Point restrooms) for demos on stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and canoeing, an addition we are happy to have as a part of this new venue.

Chaz the Magician at Mumfest

Additional roving street entertainment, adding color to the street…Willie the Hillbilly Mountain Dew mascot and the possibility of having the Chick-fil-A Cow playing a set of drums and dancing and mingling with kids of all ages.

There’s no doubt, MUMFEST 2012 promises to be the best yet and we are working as hard as we can to live up to that promise.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Mumfest 2011

MUMFEST ARTZONE

Painting by Dan Nelson - Downtown New Bern

Every year we look for new venues for mumfest to keep it fresh and interesting. Our goal is of course, to produce a festival that attracts thousands to our downtown area. It is also a goal to entice visitors to come back and shop, dine and enjoy our many attractions at a later date. Certainly, as our downtown has developed as a cultural center with an abundance of artists, museums, theatre and other attractions, it is easy to do.

To highlight the many working artists and galleries, this year's mumfest will feature an ARTZONE. Jim Bisbee is chairing a committee to encourage the galleries to have artists working in their studio’s or on the sidewalk in the 300 block of Pollock Street so they can interface with festival-goers, discuss their painting styles and sell their work. It will be listed on the festival map, on the website and in the festival program.

We expect to see a good mix of painting styles, pottery and jewelry being created and other art forms demonstrated which will add to the streetscape and festivities that fill the downtown on this fun-filled weekend.

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

All Aboard for MUMFEST...and SeaFair

Three cheers for Charlie Hall and his article in the Sunday, July 15 Sun Journal. article

Needless to say, we are thrilled to have SEAFAIR as our newest attraction. This specially built 228 foot mega-yacht, nearly six stories high, will dock for the festival week-end at the New Bern Grand Marina and be open for tours October 12, 13, and 14.

As stated in the article, we will launch the festival with an opening gala, New Bern Art Fest, October 11 to benefit our organization along with the Craven Arts Council & Gallery. The two-tiered opening includes a First View Cocktail Reception ($150 per person) and a Collector’s Invitational Reception ($100 per person). We  have organized a committee to  move this forward and will be sending invitations in mid-to-late August to people throughout the state.

Anyone interested in receiving an invitation is asked to email their name and address to swissbear@swissbear.org.

We believe this event and attraction is a great opportunity to showcase our beautiful city and encourage those who come for the Gala and/or week-end will return and enjoy the many attractions, galleries, unique shops and dining opportunities at another time.

SEAFAIR has 28 galleries filled with art, jewelry and sculpture, two outdoor bars, coffee bar, formal dining area and open-air bistro on the Sky Deck.

Tickets for the week-end are $15 at the door for a one day pass; $20 for a priority/multiple-day ticket.

Advance discounted tickets are available on-line at expoships.com. By U.S. Coast Guard guidelines, all attendees must show a photo ID to enter the yacht.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Mumfest 2012 Poster Design

Here’s a sneak preview of the poster/logo Lisa Bisbee designed for mumfest 2012. We love it and hope everyone does too. We up-dated our mumfest.com website with the new banner and she up-dated the graphic for the street banners and T-shirts. After reviewing several proposals, we chose hers…the charge was…design something classy that relates to our newest attraction

(the SeaFair art filled mega yacht) that exudes fun and festivity with an explosion of color.  We think she met the challenge and then some….what do you think!

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director