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 Music Mania!

MUMFEST Music Mania will be everywhere in downtown New Bern on October 11-12. Come prepared to hear a  great variety of talented musicians and enjoy watching the dancing stars on Broad Street. Don’t worry about spending any money because MUMFEST’s musical entertainment is free, as it has been for the past 34 years.

SATURDAY

DNA: A Band of Brothers

We are thrilled to bring this talented group to MUMFEST all the way from Nashville, TN. The fluidity to their pop-rock sound strikes the listener as something new, fresh and different. The band strives to give their music positive and creative lyrics, great harmonies and musical excellence. This band of brothers has a promotional tour in the works that will be in music hot-spots all over the country. For more information, follow their tour or hear their music including their full length album Plenty of Thoughts, visit: dnaofficialmusic.com/.

Gaylon Pope & SweetWater

A sweet taste of country, good-time oldies, Gospel & down home humor describes Gaylon Pope & SweetWater, a trio of vocalists committed to excellence. You will find their harmonies tight and their energy contagious with productions ranging from a Country Variety Stage Show to Oldies & Beach Music to a gospel.  For more information or to hear their music, visit: gaylonpopeandsweetwater.com

Billy Holton and the Soul Shakers... a favorite NC dance band

Billy Holton, founder of the SOUL SHAKERS, along with some very talented musicians has formed one of Eastern N.C favorite dance bands. Billy’s soulful sound produces some very cool lead and funky rhythm’s. Listen to Billy Holton and the Soul Shakers music at: reverbnation.com or check them out at billyholtonandthesoulshakers.com

Saturday - Dancing with the Stars

MUMFEST has its very own version of Dancing with the Stars with performances from local dance studios. Check MUMFEST.com for a complete listing of the very talented groups performing on Saturday.

Saturday - Ministry Center Entertainment - 305 Middle Street              

Rachel Harmatuk PIno's New Bern Suzuki Strings and Dee Dricks Down East Dulcimers are joining forces again this year at Christ Episcopal Ministry Center at 11 a.m. There will be a wide range of music from traditional Suzuki songs, to classical, fiddle tunes and songs from "around the world". Enjoy the Suzuki violin played by the children, the mountain dulcimer group playing their traditional instruments as well as both groups combining talents for a really unique blend. 

ENCORE, Craven Community College Chorus will perform at noon in the Ministry Center following the Suzuki Strings and Down East Dulcimers.

Sunday - The North Carolina Songwriters Co-op takes over as Eastern NC songwriters (members and non-members) perform. Listen to many new original songs and music. Songwriters who are interested in performing can send a recording and website link to bdsyndrome@earthlink.net with a brief bio and contact information. More info coming soon on the exciting lineup of talent performing on Sunday.

Come to MUMFEST by water, trolley or park downtown – however you get here – come join in the fun because there really is something for everyone!

Visit www.mumfest.com to learn more.

Title Sponsor: Joe Alcoke Auto & Truck Center
MUMFEST is produced by: Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp. – 252-638-5781
www.swissbear@swissbear.org

Swiss Bear Executive Director Announces Retirement

Sun Journal - July 16, 2014

Susan Moffat Thomas, executive director of the Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp., is retiring at the end of December.

Thomas, a key figure in the growth of downtown New Bern since joining Swiss Bear in 1985, turned in her resignation a week ago to her executive board of directors.

Swiss Bear, a nonprofit, was established in 1979 to spearhead and coordinate the revitalization of downtown New Bern and its waterfront. It is widely recognized throughout the state and nation for its award-winning program working in partnership with local government.

Thomas McGraw, chairman of Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp., said he has worked with Thomas for more than seven years and remains amazed at her ability to develop ideas into projects, raise needed funds and see projects to completion.

“Susan has literally built what people remember about us as a city,” McGraw said. “She has substantially improved our economy, created jobs and brought in new businesses. People want to live in a dynamic, lively, robust area which is a special place, and Susan has been instrumental in creating that.”

Bob Mattocks, former Swiss Bear chairman, agreed.

“The community will not have to take many steps in downtown New Bern to view the accomplishments of her leadership,” Mattocks said. “My two years of working with her while I was chairman of the organization have been a highlight. In observing and working with her when I was a member of the N.C. Board of Transportation in the mid-1990s, I was pleased to dedicate a plaque in Council Bluff Green in her honor.”

Through Swiss Bear’s efforts and Thomas’ leadership, $320 million in private and public economic investment has been made in the greater downtown area with 252 new business openings since mid-1980.

When asked to name her favorite project, Thomas could not.

“It is like having children,” she said; “each one of them was special.”

But one thing Thomas said stands out has nothing to do with downtown New Bern.

Years ago, she initiated the improvements to the Richard Dobb Spaight grave site off Madam Moore’s Lane.

“As a history major, I was excited we had the grave site of one of the signers of the Constitution here,” she said

The grave site used to be on private property owned by Hughrena MacDonald and Thomas got permission from her to fix it up and acquired a $1,000 grant for a marker. She also got the county involved in the project by putting in a road and a bench. It later became part of Tryon Palace and the once neglected grave now attracts bus-loads of tourists, she said.

“I’ve always been proud of that,” Thomas said. “How many cities do you know that have grave sites of signers of the Constitution? It is really an attraction for the community. …I wish more people were aware of that site and what a historic figure we have buried right in New Bern.”

Under Thomas’ leadership, Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp. has won numerous national and state awards from the International Downtown Association, North Carolina Downtown Development Association and the North Carolina Main Street Center. Under her leadership, Mumfest, a signature family fall festival celebrating 34 years, now attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually to the historic downtown and its waterfront.

Thomas has been recognized with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the most prestigious award presented by the governor of North Carolina to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state.

Other awards include the Gertrude S. Carraway Award of Merit from the Historic Preservation Foundation of North Carolina, N.C. Festival & Events Association Best Director of the Year, Special Recognition Award from the N.C. Board of Transportation, N.C. Main Street Champion Award and New Bern Rotarian of the Year Award.

Thomas has served on numerous local and state organizations throughout her career. She now serves on the boards of the N.C. Museum of History Associates, the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce and the New Bern Historical Society.

“After 32 years (of working for nonprofits), it just seemed it was time to look at retirement,” Thomas said. “I plan to do a lot of things I haven’t been able to in the past: spend time with my husband, travel and probably do some volunteering, maybe write a book about the revitalization of the city.”

Thomas has plenty of material for a book after 29 years with Swiss Bear. She spent two years before that as executive director of the New Bern Preservation Foundation and worked as a membership administrator for the New Bern Chamber of Commerce before that, she said.

Thomas said she still has projects to finish before retiring, like the dedication of the Ship Hauling Machine at Lawson Creek Park in September, the annual Mumfest in October, and fund-raising efforts for a small park in the Duffyfield area.

“I’m particularly grateful to have had the opportunity all these years to work for an organization that has done so much to help this community,” Thomas said. “The role I’ve played with Swiss Bear has been extremely rewarding.”

Thomas said the decision by New Bern aldermen during budget deliberations in May to cut funding to Swiss Bear and all nonprofits did not affect her decision to retire.

“Funding has been a challenge all these years,” she said. “It’s nothing new. It’s just one more hurdle to jump over and we have jumped many hurdles over the years. We have always come up with solutions and I have no doubt that will be the case this time, too. Swiss Bear will continue to work as it has, an asset to the community, and I have no reason to think otherwise.”

Thomas said she realized while working for the Chamber of Commerce that she was “mission oriented.”

“Nonprofits seemed to suit me,” she said. “I’ve been passionate about what I’ve done and how it has made such a difference. I’m just lucky I found myself.”

Thomas said she appreciates all the support the community has extended to Swiss Bear, to her and all of the projects.

“You can walk around town and see people’s names on bricks who have contributed to the projects and enhanced the quality of life for everyone in the community,” Thomas said. “I hope everyone will continue to support other projects in this community.”

Originally from Michigan, Moffat Thomas received a Bachelor of Arts from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va. She is married to John Thomas and they have four adult children, David, Robert, Jennifer and Charlotte, and nine grandchildren.

MUMFEST has Scalawags and Pirates, Puppets, Magicians, Trains and Rides for Kids of All Ages!

With two days of free entertainment including live bands, dance troupes, magicians, roving street performers and face painters it’s no wonder over 100,000 festival goers attend MUMFEST every year. 

Everyone’s favorites will be back this year!  The amazing Alex Clark in Project Dynamite will make you laugh while he performs jaw dropping stunts. Also back is the Purina Incredible Dog Team with the talented canines that make amazing aerial disc catches. The Silver Drummer Girl, a Model Train Show and NBPD’s K-9s will also be back along with Weller Retriever demonstrations.

The Carolina Puppet Theatre with Ms. Poly and Ms. Ester, the wacky Gabardine sisters are bringing Puddles the Duck, Bartlet, the super-duper star and other unusual puppet friends. Steve Myott, a master storyteller, will also be entertaining everyone with wonderful tales and striking masks.

New this year! Pirates in training take heed! The Scalawag Skool for Aspiring Pirates can be found at Union Point Park. Lads and lassies ages 6-12 will be schooled in pirate vocabulary and cutlass skills on how not to lose your head. All Scalawags are furnished with a plastic cutlass, paper pirate hat, eye patch and earring. Upon graduation they are presented with a copy of the Krew Rules before being sent off to plunder the towne. 

The Twin Rivers Artist Assoc. will feature “Building Creative Minds” on Sunday at  the Bank of the Arts for children ages 5 and up. They will make clay ornaments, paintings, sculptures and charm bracelets. This free project is led by Arts Council Volunteers. Donations are accepted for art supplies in the Craven County Schools.

Many Mumfesters will choose to kick off the day with a waterfront ferry boat ride from Lawson Creek; others will arrive downtown by trolley. Arriving at MUMFEST on foot also works well. Come to MUMFEST by water, trolley or park downtown – however you get here – come join in the fun because there really is something for everyone!

Title Sponsor: Joe Alcoke Auto & Truck Center
MUMFEST is produced by Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp. – 252-638-5781
swissbear@swissbear.org

Mumfest adds acts to October lineup

Aerial pogo team, daring juggler come on board for outdoor festival October 11-12. Organizers of New Bern's largest outdoor festival have added two familiar acts to the talent pool for October's Mumfest.

The XPOGO team each heights of 10 feet on next
generation pogo sticks.

Signora Bella juggles knives and swords
while walking a slack rope.

     








The XPOGO team and Signora Bella, the great Italian equilibrist will perform during the October 11 and 12 festival in downtown New Bern.

     The XOGO team currently holds 15 world records and several Guinness records, It is touted as "the most talented and experienced extreme pogo team in the world."

     Their past performances range from Rio to Beijing to Hong Kong and later this year, they will entertain in Sweden and France.

     Extreme Pogo, or Xpogo, is an action sport performed on next-generation pogo sticks that have the potential o bounce more than 10 feet in the air, measuring from the ground to the bottom of the tip of the pogo stick.

     Signora Bella juggles flaming swords while balancing on the slack rope.  She has entertained audiences of all ages since her arrival on the eastern seaboard several years ago. She has performed on the streets of Williamsburg, Mount Vernon and at Poplar Forest, retreat home of President Thomas Jefferson. She also has performed locally at Tryon Palace.

     Bella brings to life the tradition of the traveling performers of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. She traces her roots to the Italian theatrical style of Commedia Dell'Arte.

     Mumfest is two days of free entertainment, including live bands with music from beach to rock, dance troupes, magicians, roving street performers and face painters, along with hundreds of vendors and craftsmen.

     It will also feature the 13th annual Boat Show.  

     Times for all performances will be on the web at mumfest.com prior to the October event.

Sun Journal, July 3, 2014

MUMFEST is non-stop free family fun!

       

MUMFEST will fill New Bern’s historic downtown with free family entertainment this coming October 11-12. Non-stop entertainment includes the 2014 Corvette Show, the 13-time world champion X-POGO Stunt Team, the Incredible Purina Dog Show, Signora Bella, (the great Italian equilibrist who juggles knives and balances on the orb of doom), and Alex Clark in Project Dynamite is simply amazing, JuggleStuff with Rick Hubbard, Poly and Ester, the Gabardine Sisters and the master storyteller and mask maker, Steve Myott!  

Festival goers will also enjoy climbing aboard the trailerable boats found at the Boat Show at Union Point Park.

MUMFEST fits everyone’s budget with two days of free entertainment including a wide variety of music from several new and exciting bands, dance troupes, magicians, roving street performers, puppeteers, face painters and clowns.

MUMFEST weekend in New Bern, NC attracts festival goers from across the southeast to experience this award winning festival located in the beautiful historic downtown and along the waterfront. Mumfesters can spend a little or spend a lot with over 300 commercial and nonprofit exhibitors to choose from including pottery, crafts, art, and a tasty variety of savory food. 

Take a free ride on the trolley car or park downtown, however you get here, come join the fun because there really is something for everyone! Check frequently on the MUMFEST website to learn all about this year’s festival:  www.mumfest.com 

MUMFEST Title Sponsor: Joe Alcoke Auto & Truck Center

MUMFEST is produced by Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp. www.swissbear@swissbear.org

Media contact: Nancy Hawley   nancy.hawley.nh@gmail.com  252-349-4741

Wayfinding Sign System: enhancing the visitor's stay

The New Bern Board of Aldermen’s recent acceptance of the bid from Signs Etc. of Charlotte for fabrication of a wayfinding sign system brings to conclusion a project originally initiated in 1993.

In the Post World War II era, with the increase of auto and truck mobility, the widening of Broad Street and removal of parking on East Front to accommodate traffic on the state roads, the proliferation of signs with no uniformity leading to and through the downtown made it confusing and difficult for visitors to navigate and reach their downtown destination.

From the beginning, the downtown effort focused on restructuring downtown’s economic base by establishing a new market of recreation and tourism. By the late 1980’s, downtown New Bern was becoming a “destination” and tourism was now the County’s fourth largest industry.

In 1993, Design Guidelines for the streetscape improvements recommended in the1990 Urban Design Plan were designed by Allison Platt & Associates.  In conjunction with this project, at Swiss Bear’s request, the *Municipal Service District Advisory Committee (MSD) approved funding to hire Mortar&ink, a graphic design firm in Columbia, MD to develop a wayfinding sign system to include gateway entry monument signs, vehicular directional signs, trail blazer signs (one or two destinations with an arrow), pedestrian directional signs, identity signs for streets and places and street banners.

Funding to implement the system was key and every potential opportunity was explored including approaching NCDOT. On July 29, 1993, through the efforts of Bob Mattocks, NCDOT Division II Board of Transportation member, he, myself and Eileen Tennor of Mortar&ink, met with officials with the N.C. Department of Transportation, the Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Travel and Tourism and the Division of Parks and Recreation.

In our presentation we asked the state to consider adapting the concept of New Bern’s wayfinding sign system for state-wide application to promote the state tourism program by using New Bern as a model project.  Uniform state wayfinding sign systems, picking up where highway signs end on the interstate and state roads, would guide visitors from the periphery to featured tourist attractions/destinations throughout the state and communities. 

To our delight, they were interested and created a task force with representatives from each department to explore the state’s participation and/or development of this concept. In the end the project was deemed unfeasible, requiring changes to existing regulations that was cost prohibitive.

However, when the streetscape improvements were completed on Middle Street in mid-1990, the design for street banners (as part of the sign system) was embraced and the MSD Advisory Committee approved funding for production costs. The red and gold banners and pendants and bear logo, hanging from the banner arms on the new street lights have added festivity and color to the downtown streetscape for many years.

The completion of the new Neuse River Bridge in 1997 and removal of the old John Lawson Bridge in 2000 dramatically altered the dynamics of circulation and arrival downtown creating new gateways and traffic patterns. In addition, the new New Bern Riverfront Convention Center, construction of the new NC History Center and an increase in tourist and convention trade, were creating issues for visitors and citizens alike.

In 2007, thanks to, then, State Rep. Alice Underhill, the City’s 300 Celebration Committee was awarded a $50,000 grant from N.C. Department of Cultural Resources to be used for anniversary celebration projects. Since a major goal in preparation for the 300th Celebration was developing projects that would have lasting outcomes, the Committee used the grant to engage Allison Platt & Associates to prepare a master plan for the completion of the Riverwalk and hire Mortar&ink to develop a comprehensive visitor wayfinding sign system incorporating the bear motif on the city flag honoring New Bern’s relationship with Bern, Switzerland.

Steering Committee members, Susan Moffat-Thomas, project chair, Danny Meadows, Mike Avery, Annette Stone, Kay Williams, Tom McGraw, Linda Staunch, Sandy Chamberlain, Nelson McDaniel and Bill Naumann worked with Mortar&ink over the course of two years.  The scope of the plan was immense. In addition to approving the graphic designs for the system of signs, all visitor destinations (government, parks and trails, museums and historic sites, parking, attractions and public facilities) had to be identified.

Both the selection of sites for the signs and the nomenclature used to name them required careful consideration as visitors are directed from interstate roads from specific exits into the city along designated visitor corridors. In the end, a total of 132 signs were approved and an implementation plan completed. By 2009, the comprehensive package was ready for the city to bid out for fabrication and installation; however, the economy’s downturn put funding for the project on hold. Costs for fabrication and installation were estimated at $210,000. Installation by the city would reduce the cost to approximately $140,000.

In 2012, Bob Mattocks and I met with NCDOT Division II Board member, Hugh Overholt and Division II Engineer, Neil Lassiter requesting financial assistance to help fund this City project. With DOT’s commitment of $100,000, Swiss Bear submitted a grant request to the Craven County Tourism Development Authority and received a commitment of $35,000. 

In 2013, when the City initiated the Branding project, implementation of the sign system project was put on hold. With the City’s adoption of the new brand, the graphic designs (with the bear motif) were replaced with the new logo, although the implementation plan, defining locations for signage etc. remained in place.

Visitor wayfinding signage, a project envisioned 20 years ago will soon be installed. Through the signage, the Five Points area will become an adjunct to the downtown retail core. The cultural texture of the City will be enriched, visitor destinations will multiply, and expanding options will increase visitorship and pedestrian connections. 

*Defined 12 block area downtown in which property owners are assessed an additional $.13 per hundred ad valorum tax to fund downtown public improvements.  

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director