MUMFEST Street Entertainment...Meet and Greet Willy the Hillbilly!

Willy the Hillbilly

In addition to Chaz the Magician, Gary Shelton, Steve Wille, the Silver Drummer Girl, Alex Clark and other street entertainers, Willy the Hillbilly will join us at MUMFEST. He’ll be on site for the two days, compliments of the Pepsi Minges Bottling Group along with a Pepsi Sampling bus and several inflatable’s.

In the 1960’s, the Mountain Dew bottles were green with red and white labels including a picture of a hillbilly character shooting at a revenuer as the trespasser runs out of an outhouse. Mountain Dew was advertised as “zero proof moonshine” and the saying “It’ll tickle yore innards!”. It the early 1970’s a different marketing agency replaced the label for a more modern look. Thirty seven years later, Willy is back on a new drink called Throwback, this time with the cork of the Mountain Dew jug shooting through his hat, making a hole.

Festival-goers will now have the fun of meeting Willy the Hillbilly in person, shaking his hand  and posing with him for photo ops!

For those old enough to remember the 1960’s and would enjoy jogging their memory with a 1966 Willy the Hillbilly commercial, go to  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnxXwc9HZc8

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

More Great Stage Entertainment at MUMFEST

THE ACHORDANTS - COLLEGIATE A CAPPELLA CHAMPIONS

Founded in Spring 2001, The Achordants formed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with the mission "to entertain and promote the message of diversity through music". Using tight harmonies and a lighthearted appeal that pleases any audience, the groups diverse repertoire, ranging from gospel to Scottish folk songs, is reflective of the group members' individuality.

In 2005 they became the South Regional Champions at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, securing them a spot on the stage at NYC's Lincoln Center.

The group holds a rich tradition of advocating charitable causes and believes the key to Collegiate A Cappella is to have fun and not take oneself too seriously!

The Main Stage is located in front of the Galley Store. Be sure and check the entertainment schedule on mumfest.com, the official program or for those with smart phones, click on the QR code on MUMFEST posters or signage (October 13 – 14) in the festival area.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

MUMFEST & Stage Entertainment...something for everyone

TOM & DAHLIN 

This talented couple has been entertaining audiences for many years.
Tom's musical career began as a lead singer for the Rock N Roll band "Vision". A commercial DJ for radio and television station affiliates, he also writes, produces and directs radio & TV commercials.

Joan, his “Dahlin” wife and partner, has been singing since she was four years old in church choirs, choruses and as a back-up singer and soloist for several groups. She has a natural gift to sing, a melodic voice and the ability to entertain.

Together TOM & DAHLIN bring a new depth to entertainment using their knowledge, talents and love of music and people. They perform regularly at a local restaurant, at weddings, parties and special events.

The Main Stage is located in front of the Galley Store. Be sure and check the entertainment schedule on mumfest.com, the official program or for those with smart phones, click on the QR code on MUMFEST posters or signage (October 13 – 14) in the festival area.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

MUMFEST Stage Entertainment...something for everyone

The Shake Doctors are one of the Carolina's premier party bands. With musical roots reaching back to their high school days, they have performed singularly and together in every genre until 2009 when they locked on The Shake Doctors.

With contagious energy their schedule stays busy playing everything from corporate events, seaside bars, formals, festivals and pool side parties. Five members strong, led by front man Clay Kirschner, passionate pick-man Jim Ray (lead guitar),Wick Wickline (bass), non-stop beating by Jeremy Cayton and Glenn Hubbard surfing 88 keys. They have a play list that spans seven decades from Billy Idol to Chairman of the Board and everything in between continually seeking new ways to challenge the musical norm.

The Main Stage is located in front of the Galley Store. Be sure and check the entertainment schedule on www.mumfest.com, the official program or for those with smart phones, click on the QR code on MUMFEST posters or signage (October 13 – 14) in the festival area.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

MUMFEST Stage Entertainment

3 Day Weekend

MUMFEST offers a diversity of entertainment for the young and old alike! 3 Day Weekend is one of the many bands on the Main Stage in this year’s exciting line-up.

3 Day Weekend delivers all the best in classic and southern rock in a high powered performance. These highly seasoned musical professionals have rocked stages all over the Southeastern US. In 2004, they combined forces in Eastern NC with four part harmonies, thunderous twin lead guitars, rocking keyboards, synthesized horns and the granite city rhythm section. 3 Day Weekend continues to amaze crowds with the classic songs of the era by bands such as The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynrd, Thin Lizzy, The Doors, The Cars and Pink Floyd. With a contagious passion felt immediately by the audience, this band is able to bring the magic of the classic and southern rock era back to the stage for the most memorable and fun show you've experienced in years.

The Main Stage is  located in front of the Galley Store. Be sure and check the entertainment schedule on mumfest.com, the official program or for those with smart phones, click on the QR code on  MUMFEST posters or signage (October 13 – 14) in the festival area.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

NC Songwriters Co-op - MUMFEST

On May 1, Danielle and I met with Penne Sandbeck to discuss having the North Carolina Songwriters Co-op (NCSC) participate in Mumfest. Penne, like her husband Peter Sandbeck, is a writer and researcher currently working at Tryon Palace. Penne is on the NCSC Board which is based in Carrboro. Most of their events and activities take place in the Triangle area, however board members are interested in expanding their outreach to be a resource for singer-songwriters throughout the state. At their last meeting, the board members asked Penne to contact Swiss Bear and explore the possibility of NCSC having a small stage at mumfest to recruit and showcase local singer-songwriters in on-going 15 – 20 minute sets.

At the end of the meeting, we all agreed it would be a great new venue for mumfest. I asked Penne to take our interest and enthusiasm back to her board for approval. At this point, if the NCSC board agrees to move forward with this, it would be held on Sunday in the area where the dance schools perform on Saturday.

The exciting part is it can offer singer/song writers (amateur and professional) in Eastern NC the opportunity to perform in front of a large audience, meet other songwriters and get feed-back on their songs, arrangements and performances from other song writers. It will also add to the wide range of entertainment that is featured at the festival.

For the singer/song writers out there that would like more information on the NCSC, go to ncsongwriters.org.

Would you like to see this venue at mumfest?

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

2nd Annual YPG River Jam Concert...October 13

Last year, several members of the Chamber’s Young Professionals Group (YPG) approached us about our interest in their sponsoring a concert the Saturday evening of festival week. Although we had an evening concert as a venue at MUMFEST many years ago, we were very interested since many visitors are interested in going to an event when the festival mid-way closes at 6:30 pm on Saturday evening.  The YPG group is a reasonably new group, organized by the Chamber of Commerce, to create a networking organization of dedicated, talented young professionals between the ages of 21 and 40.  In addition to networking, the goal is to encourage young professionals to get involved in current issues, develop leadership qualities and provide an outlet to work together on a common goal.

The 1^st Annual YPG River Jam featuring Chairman of the Board was a great success. Approximately 600 people attended the evening concert held on the waterfront adjacent to the BridgePointe Hotel and Marina.

We’re pleased to announce, they are sponsoring the YPG River Jam again. The Band of Oz is the headliner along with Billie Holton and the Soul Shakers and The Switch.  Information on locations to purchase advance tickets and other details will be available in the near future on our website mumfest.com.  

Our hats are off to this energetic group. We are happy to include this venue under the umbrella of mumfest.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

"I didn't know she was real!"

That’s the typical reaction by festival-goers when they see the Silver Drummer Girl standing like a statue at the intersection of Broad and Craven Street during mumfest week-end. She is real and will be at mumfest 2012 as a returning favorite.

Jessica Smith began drumming 15 years ago but started drumming as the Silver Drummer Girl eight years ago. She reinvented her performance as the character Joan of Arc so she could incorporate the snare and be more engaging with the crowds of people that surround her during the festival.



Silver Drummer Girl



People love to see her standing still as a sculpture and wait for someone to throw a dollar in the tip jar. Everyone is surprised and fascinated when she begins to move and play the drums for a few minutes before returning to her stance as a sculpture.

This is a sideline for Jessica, a resident of Ashville, who is in furniture school…her goal is to make custom couches.

Quote from a fascinated festival-goer from Raleigh ... "I just had to comment on the Silver Drummer Girl. I was extremely impressed. I do not know if she ever took a break because every time I walked by that intersection she was there. She played the role of an animated statue, or one person called her a ghost or specter. She must have been exhausted by the end of the day. Thank you for providing such amazing entertainment".

Susan Moffat Thomas