Back by Popular Demand...King BMX Stunt Show

BMX Bike Stunt Show
Mumfest

Thanks to BSH Appliances who are sponsoring the King BMX Stunt Show, Mumfest festival-goers can enjoy watching this professional level stunt show. BSH has sponsored the show for the past five years, a festival favorite that entertains audiences with high-flying aerial maneuvers that leave your jaws gaping.

Because of the close proximity to Greenville, known as Pro-Town for having more BMX pro’s in residence than any other place in the world, Keith King is able to pull top riders in the United States. His riders are professionals who have competed at the Pro-level in major games such as X Games, Dew Action Sports Tour, Gravity Games etc.

In addition to the BMX Stunt Show, festival-goers can enjoy the B/S/H/ exhibit  that has Bosch appliances and other Bosch products on display. To add to the fun, sign up for the drawing in which a lucky festival-goer will win a major appliance.

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

The Evolution of New Bern's Waterfront... changing with the times

Although there are few indications left that New Bern was a major port that relied on its rivers for its livelihood in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, the downtown business district remains in close proximity to the Neuse and Trent Rivers. In the early 1800’s, a steam-powered saw mill operated in Union Point and the banks of the Neuse River was lined with turpentine distilleries and tank yards. All the businesses, industries and residences were clustered around that commercial area. Following a severe depression from the late 1820’s into the early 1840’s, three major fires devastated the economy. However, by the late 1840’s and  early 1850’s, the national demand for turpentine, lumber and naval stores brought renewed growth and development.

In the early 1860’s, during the Civil War, New Bern became an active commercial and waterfront district due to the occupation of the Union Forces for the duration of the war. As a center for Union operations, the town maintained an active commercial and waterfront district.  Three more fires and lumber based economic growth in the post Civil Wars years led to intense building activity. In the early 1900’s, the economic prosperity led to expanded growth and construction away from the waterfront into what is now the business district. The downtown began to assume its recognizable landscape between the 1880’s and 1920. The mishmash of older frame and brick commercial buildings and residences, irregularly sited along the downtown streets, were demolished as the intense building activity in the expanded business district continued. More than 50 major brick buildings were constructed and in 1909-1910, the city paved 35 blocks of streets with bricks and constructed 25 miles of concrete sidewalks with granite curbing.  Downtown was then the place most people went to shop, bank, worship, recreate, or participate in the political life of the community whether they went there every day or once a season.

Trent Waterfront late 1960

Aerial View of Waterfront - 1960

In the 1920’s the decline of the lumber industry led to an economic downturn and New Bern’s decline as a port city.  The growth of trucking and the auto industry led to the post WWII exodus to the suburbs and further deterioration of the downtown and its waterfront. In the late 1960’s, early 1970’s, 14 acres of commercial buildings on the Trent waterfront were demolished through a federal urban renewal program. The objective was to redevelop the waterfront and a Development Commission was established.

Throughout the decade of the 1950’s, the waterfront was used for fishing boating and sailing and outboard motor races. By the 1970’s the sport of sailing in the Neuse led to the creation of two yacht clubs.   

Union Point Park Today

Aerial View of New Bern Today

In 1977, the Downtown Revitalization Plan commissioned by local officials and business leaders, articulated the goal of transforming the entire downtown waterfront…taking it from its slum conditions to a place of beauty, a place where people of all ages, races, and walks of life could enjoy the spectacular beauty of the two rivers joining forces. The Plan pointed out  expanding tourism, developing recreational opportunities and attracting retirees could be the catalyst for the revitalization of the  downtown and the redevelopment of its waterfront.  Swiss Bear, a private nonprofit, was organized to stimulate and coordinate the downtown revitalization effort in partnership with the public sector. Many partners joined in the effort. Over the past 30 years, four hotels, three marinas, a riverfront convention center, Farmers Market, and the NC History Center, redevelopment of Union Point Park and Council Bluff Green, removal of the old Neuse River Bridge, development of the Riverwalk along the two rivers (to provide public access to the waterfront ) the new Neuse River Bridge and replacement of the Alfred Cunningham Bridge transformed the downtown and waterfront. Tourism is a major industry and downtown and its waterfront is a destination.

New Bern’s willingness to adapt to the needs of the time, led to its growth and development in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, and  again in the late twentieth and early twenty first century. The spectacular waterfront setting, convenient accessibility to boat traffic and public access to the waterfront has made this area increasingly valuable to the on-going development of New Bern and Craven County.

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

The Baxter Clock...a new lease on life

City Hall Clock Tower and
Baxter Street Clock Today

The ticking and chiming of a clock is both fascinating and mesmeric to a great many people. When a clock has the special attribute of being a very prominent feature and important landmark, it becomes a highly prized possession to the community. In New Bern we are fortunate to have two such clocks, the City Hall Clock Tower, visible for miles, serves as a symbol of city government and the Baxter Street Clock on Pollock Street.

The Baxter Street, now a public landmark, was built in 1920 by the Seth Thomas Company for the J.O. Baxter family who erected the clock in front of the Baxter Jewelry Store to advertise their business. The four faces were decorated with painted advertisements. In 1973, it was formally recognized as a significant historic asset when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  

On May 9, 1977, disaster struck and the shock was felt throughout the state.

Excerpts from a letter written on May 10, 1977 by Dabney Coddington, then Curator of Education at Tryon Palace to Janet Seapher, a historian in the state’s Historic Preservation Section, Archives and History, provides a personal account and reaction….

Dear Janet:

I hate reporting things like this. The enclosed Sun Journal article covers it fully. The Baxter Street Clock was first knocked loose from its pedestal by a truck very early in the morning, it appears. In righting the clock the next day, you can see what happened. A comedy of accident and error, but one that has upset a number of people.

Della and Bunny Baxter are, as you may guess, quite stunned by the whole happening. The cast iron casing of the clock remains intact, and the upper parts of the workings were what spilled into the street. They have been collected and kept. A letter from you and A. & H. expressing sympathy and offering any advice on repair, would be most fitting. They were very proud of this landmark and I hope they will restore it, even with new modern workings inside. That block of Pollock Street really looks naked, believe me.

Wish I had better news.

For the next fourteen years, the ornamental paneled base stood as a constant reminder of the tragic accident and attempts to replace the clock by the Baxter family were unsuccessful.

In 1990, I contacted the Verdin firm in Ohio, a company founded in 1842 committed to producing the highest quality cast bronze clocks, bells and towers. They had the original patterns of the clock case and agreed to do the restoration project for $28,000. The Baxter family agreed to give Swiss Bear the clock  and remaining parts if we would could raise the funds to restore it. The City agreed to accept ownership and on-going maintenance if Swiss Bear raised all the funds and coordinated the project. We initiated a fundraising campaign, raised $28,000, coordinated the project and the Baxter Street Clock was again ticking away.

Dedication Ceremony 1991

On April 20, 1991, Swiss Bear transferred clock ownership formally to the City at a dedication ceremony with special guest Patricia Dorsey, NC Secretary of Cultural Resources.

Baxter Street Clock on
Pollock St. Today

Like so many of Swiss Bear’s projects, interested citizens rose to the challenge and their contributions gave this historic landmark a new lease on life.

Tell us what you think.

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

MUMFEST = Community Development



East Front Street - Mumfest 2011

 




"Flash Mob" spontaneous dance - Mumfest 2011

 


Mumfest on Broad Street





In October 2002, to obtain data on what Mumfest's actual economic impact was on the local economy,  Swiss Bear hired a consultant with the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) to conduct an economic impact study (EIS) for Mumfest. IFEA is an association of worldwide festival and event professionals dedicated to the promotion and strengthening of the festival and events industry. The purpose of the EIS was to acquire information we could use to create more informed marketing on-going development of the festival.

Two of the goals of the study was top obtain a demographic profile of the festival-goer and the overall economic impact from all festival goers, vendors, and organizational spending to the festival.

Four hundred survey forms (based on the estimated number of visitors) were filled out by festival-goers via random selection by trained volunteers. A survey manager oversaw the project to ensure the process of completing surveys was done properly.

Based on the results of the survey, using the New Money Model, Visitors contributed $2,698,820, Vendor spending was $52,511, Local taxes $68,783. Vendor leak $237,651…total after leak $2,582,463. Using the 1.5 multiplier, the total economic impact of MUMFEST was $3,873,695.

Using the 1.5 multiplier the calculated direct overall economic impact was $3,873,695.                                    

Demographics:

·         The percentage of individuals who attended the festival in

            a group was 96%.

·          For those who came in a group, 31% indicated that they

            brought their children, 38% came with friends or relatives

            over 18, 13% came with children of friends, and 67% came

            with a spouse.

·          Among adults, largest age group attending the event was

            36-50.

·          60% of attendees were female, 40% were male.

·          The most common marital status among festival-goers was

            married.

·          The most common level of education among festival-goers

            was college grad. 

·          The most common level of household income among

            festival-goers was $50,001-$75,000.

·          The most common occupational category among festival- 

            goers was professional/tech.

·          60% of attendees were female, 40% were male.

·          In order, the 7 most common zip codes from highest to

            lowest were:  28562, 28560, 28532, 28570, 27858, 28504,

            and 28519.

·          The overall estimated attendance of the festival including

            repeat visits was 82,000.  The total estimated number of
       individual attendees to the festival, including those who
       visited multiple times, was 57,335.
          

Certainly, the number of attendees has grown and the demographics may have changed due to marketing to a much broader area since the survey/study was completed 10 years ago and the festival has expanded to take in a much larger area with many more venues. Even though outdated, the numbers do show promoting and hosting festivals and special events are major contributors to the City and County’s economic and community development. Built on our public private partnership with the City, mumfest has gained recognition for its ability to highlight our community assets and local culture. This benefits the local economy with the infusion of expenditures over the festival weekend as well enhancing downtown’s revitalization effort.

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Lest We Forget...Memorial Day, A Day of Remembrance and Reflection

Although everyone is looking forward to a fun filled holiday week-end we frequently forget its real meaning. Memorial Day, an official holiday originally called Decoration Day, was first observed on May 30, 1868 when flowers were placed on Union and Confederate graves in Arlington National Cemetery.  By 1890, the holiday was recognized in all of the northern states. The South chose to honor the fallen on separate days until post WWII. At that time, the holiday honored Americans who died fighting in the many American war’s beginning with the American Revolution.

The tradition of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who died serving the nation was inspired by the poem written in 1915 by Canadian doctor, Lt. Col. John McCrae while serving in France during WWI.

    In Flanders Fields

    In Flanders fields the poppies blow

      Between the crosses, row on row,

      That mark our place; and in the sky

     The larks, still bravely singing, fly

        Scarce heard among the guns below.

Moina Michael  followed up with her own poem

       We cherish too, the Poppy red,

          That grows on fields where valor led,

     It seems to signal to the skies,

     That blood of heroes never dies.

She is also responsible for the custom of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day to honor those who died serving our nation during a war. She donated the money she made selling poppies to friends and family to benefit needy servicemen. The tradition spread to other countries. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922, the VFW became the first veteran’s organization to sell poppies nationally.

To remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day,  the flag is flown at half-staff until noon. In 2000, the government passed the National Moment of Remembrance resolution on December 2000 which asks Americans to pause for a moment of observance at 3 p.m. to reflect and honor those who have given their lives for our country.

A small price to pay to honor the memory of the men and women who lost their lives while serving our country.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director