With Halloween behind us, it’s time to turn our attention to the upcoming holiday festivities. On Veterans Day weekend, a ceremony to honor our military will take place in Burgaw at the Historic Train Depot on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. That evening, turn your attention to the heroes of the Revolutionary War at the very site where the first victory was won by those seeking independence from British rule. Moores Creek...
TOPSAIL BEACH- The Topsail Beach Top Secret Hike was among the most popular hikes during the Year of the Trail celebration in Pender County. Due to popular demand, The Historical Society of Topsail Island, Missiles and More Museum, and Pender County Tourism will present the Topsail Beach Top Secret Hike again on Nov. 4. Hikes will step off from the Missiles and More Museum at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. ...
For the sixth year in a row the Ghost Walk: The Ghosts of Pender's Past was a sell-out on Oct. 28. "Its success can only be attributed to the almost 100 volunteers who make this event happen," said Stephanie Key, the Walk's artist director. Key is quick to add, without volunteers from the Historical Society of Topsail Island, the Pender County Historical Society, the Pender Arts Council, the...
Clint Smith, Brian Hemenway, and Reynaldo Gomez opened Surf City Brewing on Friday, Oct. 13. It’s not an unlucky thing for the community. The veteran-owned and operated brewery calls this area home and in 2019 they developed a business plan to bring high-quality beer in a community-friendly atmosphere. “This is home,” said Rey. “We’re engaged with the community.” “We...
34th Autumn With Topsail Festival October 20th, 21st & 22nd, 2023 The Autumn With Topsail Festival is held on the grounds of the Historical Society of Topsail Island and the Assembly Building which houses the Missiles & More Museum in Topsail Beach, NC. The festival features an Artists’ and Crafts Court with over 100 regional artists displaying and selling their work. Enjoy exciting live musical entertainment,...
We love every turtle that comes to us for care and hopefully a second chance. But right now a sizable adult loggerhead lady has stolen our hearts. “Titanite” was rescued from a research pound net on July 15th and it was immediately apparent that she had been the victim of a brutal shark attack, and a fairly recent one at that. She was missing a portion of her right front flipper, had large bite marks in...
Ocean Fest, To Surf & Protect October 13 & 14 Surf City, NC - FREE admission! An Award-winning, Nonprofit eco-friendly, surf, arts, & music festival. Ocean Fest continues to strive toward educating the community about the ocean and the ecological threats that exist for our marine environments while teaching and incorporating ways we all can better protect those environments. Ocean Fest is a two-day...
Take the Turkey Trek at Miller’s Pond Park ROCKY POINT- Have you ever called a wild turkey? It’s almost Thanksgiving and it’s time to learn how to call a turkey. Join Pender County Tourism and Pender County Parks and Recreation for the November family fun hike in celebration of the NC Year of the Trail and learn to gobble like a turkey along the way. The Turkey Trek hike will begin in the...
You don’t have to travel from Pender County to enjoy a wide selection of events and festivals. October features two of the nation’s best, the award-winning Ocean Fest in Surf City Oct. 13-14, and Autum with Topsail in Topsail Beach on Oct. 20-22. These two festivals are family fun. Both feature a great selection of live music, food, and beverages. As far as October events, our local farmers are gearing...
Tickets are on sale now for the award-winning Ghost Walk, Ghost Walk of Pender’s Past , a haunting tour around Burgaw’s historic cemetery. Tickets may be purchased online here . Tickets may also be ordered via phone with a credit card by calling 910-259-1278. Tickets are $15 per adult; admission for students ages 5-17 are $10 each. Children aged 4 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. The...
The Old Pender County Jail in downtown Burgaw at 106 East Wilmington St. is the home of the Pender County Tourism office. The newly restored Jail is right on the Courthouse Square, and as a visitor, you will have no problem finding the new Visitor Center. You will find information about what there is to see and do in Pender County with plenty of parking in front or behind the Jail. The building was built in 1924...
The greater Topsail area has a new watering hole. Hidden Ships Distillery, the first distillery to open in Pender County, is the creation of Amy and Andy Szwejbka. Their story sets sail when Andy retired from the Marines after a 20-year career. They loaded their four children and a dog into an RV and navigated the nation for one year. As the Szwejbka family visited unique breweries and distilleries, the idea of...
The Town of Burgaw is pleased to announce the first-ever Autumn Fest to be hosted in downtown Burgaw on October 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The event is currently being sponsored by Burgaw Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Pender County Parks and Recreation, and the Burgaw Tourism Development Authority. Autumn Fest will feature numerous activities including craft vendors, kids’ activities and candy, pumpkin...
“Shellebrate” North Carolina Oyster Month all October long with a wide range of activities spanning our state. Connect with local oyster growers and harvesters, enjoy seafood restaurants, markets, and festivals, and support coastal conservation and education organizations as we kick off the start of the wild-caught oyster season. As a keystone species, oysters are crucial to North Carolina’s marine...
Attention Outlander Fans Join us on the Outlander Hike at Moores Creek National Battlefield! Fans of the Outlander series, based on novels by Diana Gabaldon, will want to walk the history of the popular television series. Gabaldon wrote about the American Revolution and Colonial North Carolina, noting the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge. Wear your tartan and join Jason Howell on Oct. 14, at 11 a.m. for this fall Year...
Come learn about Pender's Haunted History on the grounds of the Historic Burgaw Cemetery. Hear tales of mysterious lights, river haunts, Pirate legends, ghost sightings, Revolutionary War soldiers, and more. Tours will start at 5:30 pm. Tours are expected to last roughly an hour. The last tour will start at 9:00 p.m. Please dress according to the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Tickets are $15 for Adults, and...
Sea Turtle Hospital News It’s been a busy year at our hospital, and an especially busy summer. To date, in 2023 we’ve cared for 147 turtles and have already released 110. It’s our second-highest year ever in number of turtles cared for. And since the waters around here are exceptionally warm any turtles still hanging around near shore are not in a hurry to leave. The eating is still good, and the water...
In September 1977 then Secretary of the NC Department of Natural Resources and Community Development Howard Lee proposed “establishing a state trail between the mountains and the seashore in North Carolina.” The Mountains to Sea Trail was born. Stretching 1,175 miles from Clingman’s Dome in the Great Smokey Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks, the Mountains to Sea Trail traverses...
Tidal Wave Auto Spa Partners with Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center for 15th Annual Charity Day Tidal Wave Auto Spa in Hampstead to donate proceeds to \ Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center for September 15th Event Hampstead, NC, August 25, 2023 -- Tidal Wave Auto Spa, one of the fastest-growing express car wash companies in the country, is pleased to announce its fifteenth...
Lenovo partnered with the Mountains-To-Sea Trail and Elizabeth City State University through its Work for Humankind initiative to place a tech-enabled interactive trailhead marker in the Burgaw Train Depot to help preserve Pender County’s diverse history. “Lenovo selected three sites with a rich history in diversity,” said Tammy Proctor, Pender County Tourism director. Documented history, such...
Pender County spending increases by 14.7 percent to $189.66 million PENDER COUNTY – Domestic and international visitors to and within Pender County spent $189.66 million in 2022, an increase of 14.7 percent from 2021. The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. “The tourism industry in Pender County continues...
Question: Why did the hatchlings cross the road? Answer: a) They heard there was a great band playing at the Trailer Bar. b) They wanted a hot dog from Friendly Mart. c) They saw the playground and wanted to try out the slide. d) They followed the light. Easy question, especially if you’re a fan of sea turtles and our hospital. The answer is: d) They followed...
Art and music lovers will gather in Topsail Beach, North Carolina at the Autumn with Topsail (AWT) Festival. The festival takes place, rain or shine, Oct.20 from 5 – 8:30 p.m., Oct. 21 from 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Oct. 22 from 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Historic Assembly Building, 720 Channel Blvd. Proceeds from the festival support the Historical Society of Topsail Island, a volunteer non-profit...
Explore Penderlea with Eleanor Roosevelt PENDERLEA- Join Eleanor Roosevelt and Pender County Tourism for the Year of the Trail hike on Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This family-friendly one-mile hike will explore the New Deal farm community of Penderlea. It will be led by the most famous visitor to Penderlea, Eleanor Roosevelt, who visited on behalf of her husband, President Franklin D. Roosevelt. “This...
Although our turtle mamas are still technically “on the clock” with the official nesting season continuing through August it’s their babies that are moving into the spotlight. With over a hundred nests on Topsail and the pitter-patter of tiny flippers, it’s time for a quick review of some of the FAQs for our island visitors. When will a nest hatch? By far it’s the question we’re...
