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

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

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