Mumfest organizers look back at festival's early days

It won’t be long now: New Bern’s Mumfest, which started 34 years ago as a small street festival and is now the city’s premier event, will be here Oct. 11-12.

Susan Moffat-Thomas, executive director of Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp., who is marking her 29th Mumfest, said the festival has grown so much it touches many people year-round.

“There are so many people who participate and benefit,” Moffat-Thomas said. “The economic impact is tremendous with hotels, restaurants and stores. But I think a lot of people don’t realize there are a lot of people who come from outside New Bern and spend their time here and on gas and food. There are many dollars spent here.”

There are also nonprofits, such as the New Bern Lions Club, that sell carbonated drinks to raise funds for its blindness program, she said.

An economic study done on Mumfest in 2002 found that 55,000 people attended and the economic impact was $2.5 million, Moffat-Thomas said.

“We know the crowd has doubled since then,” she said. “This is good for our community in many ways. It is a grand community effort, and I think everyone is very proud of it.”

Mumfest grew initially from a strategic event to draw people downtown when it was being revitalized in the 1980s, Moffat-Thomas said.

It won’t be long now: New Bern’s Mumfest, which started 34 years ago as a small street festival and is now the city’s premier event, will be here Oct. 11-12.

Susan Moffat-Thomas, executive director of Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp., who is marking her 29th Mumfest, said the festival has grown so much it touches many people year-round.

“There are so many people who participate and benefit,” Moffat-Thomas said. “The economic impact is tremendous with hotels, restaurants and stores. But I think a lot of people don’t realize there are a lot of people who come from outside New Bern and spend their time here and on gas and food. There are many dollars spent here.”

There are also nonprofits, such as the New Bern Lions Club, that sell carbonated drinks to raise funds for its blindness program, she said.

An economic study done on Mumfest in 2002 found that 55,000 people attended and the economic impact was $2.5 million, Moffat-Thomas said.

“We know the crowd has doubled since then,” she said. “This is good for our community in many ways. It is a grand community effort, and I think everyone is very proud of it.”

Mumfest grew initially from a strategic event to draw people downtown when it was being revitalized in the 1980s, Moffat-Thomas said.

“By partnering with the city, it allow us to really grow,” she said. “Then we began recruiting sponsors. We partnered with all the media to really market the festival because tourism was such an important part of the revitalization project. We wanted to market the festival so people would come in and stay overnight and enjoy the city.”

As the Bicentennial Park was developed and the revitalization of downtown started filling the empty buildings, venues for the festival were getting restricted.

“The density of the crowds was becoming too much,” Moffat-Thomas said. “We were beginning to worry about the safety of the people.”

But after the new drawbridge was completed, Swiss Bear was able to work with the Department of Transportation and get East Front Street and two blocks of Pollock Street closed, linking the Board Street area with Union Point Park for the two-day festival, Moffat-Thomas said.

“There have been a lot of partnerships and organizations helping us; the city and nonprofits,” she said. “We’ve grown from a little festival of maybe 10,000 in the 1980s to probably more than 100,000. I’m very proud of that. We have received many awards over the years. We have worked hard and we are going to make darn sure we live up to our reputation and quality.”

Some of this year’s newer attractions that promise “Something for Everyone” will include: Signora Bella, the Great Italian Equilibrist; a longer water taxi from Lawson Creek Park to Union Point park (small fee); a pirate Skallywag School; and the late Dale Earnhardt’s No. 3 GM Goodwrench Service Plus Chevrolet Monte Carlo and two other races care from Richard Childress Racing for NASCAR fans; and many other staples of the festival.

This year there will be 23 venues at Mumfest and a lot of entertainment for young people, Moffat-Thomas said.

MUMFEST Street Entertainment...meet and greet Willy the Hillbilly!

In addition to Gary Shelton, Steve Wille, the Silver Drummer Girl, Alex Clark and other street entertainers, Willy the Hillbilly will be at MUMFEST to meet and greet, compliments of the Pepsi Minges Bottling Group.

In the l960s 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 your innards!". In the early 1970s 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 Mount Dew jug shooting through his hat, making a hole.

Festival-goers can meet Willy the Hillbilly in person, shake his hands and pose with him for photo ops!

For those old enough to remember the 1960s and would enjoy jogging their memory with a 1966 Willy the Hillbilly commercial, click here: youtube Willy the Hillbilly

New MUMFEST Trolley Sponsor

Special thanks to Steve Woolard, Vice President and City Executive, for the little bank’s sponsorship of the Mumfest 2012 trolley.  

We began providing continuous shuttle service festival weekend  to alleviate some of the traffic and parking concerns with finding a parking space in the downtown area. Festival-goers are picked up and dropped off from the parking area behind Penny’s at the New Bern Mall and are dropped off or picked up at four locations in the downtown area, compliments of our sponsors. Without the trolley sponsors and support of the management at the New Bern Mall, we would not be able to provide this service.

Founded in 1998, the little bank’s guiding principal, old fashioned service, is the perfect fit for the trolley sponsorship.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

Promoting Their Mission/Enriching the Festival

MUMfest provides an opportunity for nonprofit organizations, in and out of the area, to participate as a vendor and promote their mission, further cultural, educational, religious, professional or public service objectives, generate funds, recruit members and volunteers and have fun in the process. Its success and popularity has led to more and more nonprofits participation, which enriches the festival.

A cross-section of those participating include: Salvation Army, Staff House Maternity Home, Woodmen of the World, National Active Retired Federal Employees, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Carolina Donor Services, Interfaith Refugee Ministry, Craven Department of Social Services, New Bern Rotary Club, Onslow Vietnam Memorial Foundation, Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA), Morehead City Noon Rotary Club, New Bern Outdoor Adventure Club, Pals for Paws, Two Rivers Health Care Center, VFW 2514, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Craven County Democratic Party, New Bern Lady Bruins Lacrosse, Coastal Carolina Taxpayers Association, Angels for Animals, Craven County Republican Party, CarolinaEast Health System, Craven Community College, Mount Olive College, New Bern Lion's Club and numerous area churches.

It is a great way to meet the good folks who are manning their organization’s booths, become familiar with their goals and objectives and gain an understanding of how various nonprofits contribute and enhance the quality of life for area citizens. 

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

MUMFEST Brochure...catching the excitment

Nancy Hawley, who handled the PR and Marketing for Tryon Palace, agreed to handle our publicity and marketing when she retired. She is currently writing copy for the mumfest brochure.

Twenty thousand copies of this colorful advance promotional piece are distributed throughout the state to welcome centers, hotels, restaurants and area businesses in mid-summer. In addition to the website, press releases, articles, ads, interviews, TV and radio commercials and the festival tab, the brochure is an important promotional piece in our PR/Marketing Plan.

Funding for the brochure was originally made possible by Sprint’s sponsorship. With the transition to CenturyLink, they continue to be our Brochure Sponsor. They, like our many other sponsors, made it possible to grow the festival, now a major signature award-winning event that offers something for everyone.

The pictures posted with this blog are being considered for inclusion in the brochure. We take hundreds of pictures during festival week-end to use the following year, however, of the hundreds only a small number actually capture the excitement and energy needed for promotional use. Festival-goers who took pictures they feel would be suitable…and are willing to share…please email them to swissbear@swissbear.org. We would be most appreciative.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Alex Clark - Street Performer at Mumfest

BMX Bike Stunt Show

Having fun on amusement rides

Chaz the Magician performing at Mumfest

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

New Bern (Noon) Rotary - MUMFEST Banner Sponsorship Project Underway

The Noon Rotary Club in partnership with Swiss Bear has kicked off their annual Mumfest Banner Sponsorship Project to raise funds to support their community service projects. For the past five or six years, the Rotary Club of New Bern contacts area businesses, individuals and organizations to sponsor a Mumfest banner that displays the company’s name on both sides of the banner for only $160. The 22” x 27” vinyl banners hang from the banner arms of the downtown streetlights for approximately six weeks beginning in mid-September and are then given to the sponsor’s which can be displayed in their respective businesses.

The sale of the banner ends July 30, 2012. Businesses or individuals interested in sponsoring a banner can contact Tammy Sherron (252.633.8880), call Swiss Bear (252.638.5781) or download an application from www.mumfest.com by clicking on the banner-merchandising button near the top of the homepage.

Rotary Club members use the funds raised for community service projects such as a four year college scholarship, Craven Community College scholarship, Salvation Army, Religious Community Services (RCS), Merci Clinic, YMCA, Creekside Park, Habitat for Humanity and other worthy community needs.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Great News! Mumfest 2012 a Top 20 Event in the Southeast

We just received word Mumfest has been selected as one of Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for the month of October 2012.

This is the third time we have seen selected for this prestigious award and we are thrilled…as it is a big deal!! In addition to our advertising, press releases etc., we will receive tremendous exposure through the Southeast Tourism Society which covers 12 states.

The Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Events publication receives extensive exposure in print media, web, television and radio in the U.S. and Canada. Over 16,000 newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations, AAA and others receive the listings.  If you are interested, all the Top 20 Events are listed on the STS website  http://www.southeasttourism.org/ and on their consumer web site http://www.escapetothesoutheast.com/.

Mumfest 2012 promises to be the best yet .. Seafair, Outdoor Life and the many other venues are sure to attract huge crowds. The addition of being selected as a Top 20 Event in October 2012 and being promoted in 12 Southern states will certainly ensure record crowds.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Purina Incredible Dog Team: If you missed this venue last year, you have a second chance.



Mumfest 2011

Last year’s new attraction, the high-flying Purina Incredible Dog Team was brought to the festival by Wells Fargo. The dog team is simply amazing and we plan to bring them back again this year as the intense crowds at each performance indicated this was an absolute hit. The team is comprised of more than eight trainers and 30 canines that travel across the country to perform at major events. These athletic canines demonstrate rolling back catches, two-legged balancing acts on the trainer’s feet and jumping nearly 10 feet in the air to snare flying discs. This high energy performance is set to music and trainers and dogs entertain the crowds while educating the crowds about responsible pet care and how to bring out the best in any dog, at any life stage.

The show times (4 on Saturday and 3 on Sunday) will be posted closer to the festival, October 13 – 14.

Alex Clark/Project Dynamite returns to MUMFEST 2012

Alex Clark was a great hit at MUMFEST 2011, so much so that we are bringing him back again. He was at the corner of Middle and Broad doing jaw dropping feats that were matched by his award-winning improvised comedy. He is a very talented young man with a great personality and a world traveled street performer. He has performed in China, Australia, Canada and all over the United States. He won best street performer and runner up once at The Seaport Village Busker Festival, the largest and longest running street performing festival in the country.  

Alex lives on the West Coast and last year was the first time he had been to Eastern North Carolina.

Here’s what he has to say about MUMFEST and downtown New Bern.

“Mumfest is the best festival in North Carolina.  It has great entertainment, great food, and wonderful people working at the event.  New Bern itself is a very cool little town. I often found myself walking around long after I was done working checking out all the little shops and stores that it had to offer.  The picturesque views of the water and the historical architecture were an absolute treat.   I am so glad that I'm coming back because I'll have a chance to look into all the stores that I missed last time.  If you haven't been to New Bern yet definitely check it out! It's a small town with a big heart.”

Of course we agreee and know festival goers will look forward to seeing him perform again at MUMFEST 2012.

                                                                                                                                                      

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director 

Plans for Mumfest 2012

Plans for mumfest 2012 (October 13 – 14) are well underway with new attractions and old favorites. We will keep everyone updated on mumfest happenings as they are finalized. Our newest venue is the mega 228' yacht SeaFair, filled with three decks of art from local area, national and international artists. The yacht will be moored at the Hilton Marina for the festival week-end, arriving October 10.  Go to www.expoships.com for more information. Their calendar does not include mumfest yet, but should be posted within the next month or so.

So far, everyone we’ve talked to is excited about this as a new venue and feel it will be a great addition to the many other venues at the festival. We would like to hear from artists if they will consider participating as a vendor and if people will be willing to pay a nominal admission fee to tour through the yacht.

More details will be posted as we go through the planning process.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director