Summer is well underway here in the "Harbor of Hospitality," and we couldn't be happier. This is the season to take your lunch break on a bench by the Pasquotank River, immerse yourself in the arts during our monthly First Friday ArtWalk series, stock up on fresh fruits and veggies (locally grown!) on Saturdays at the Downtown Waterfront Market and take your kids, grandchildren or children you know to Port Discover Hands-on Science Center, where it's okay to touch and play with the exhibits while investigating the everyday science around you. And if you don't have plans for Aug. 10, you do now! Join us at the Museum of the Albemarle for a free viewing of "Gone with the Wind" and free admission to Real to Reel: The Making of Gone with the Wind exhibit. Our summer schedule is contagious, don't you think? Come for a visit! We look forward to seeing you here.

 

Happy Traveling,  

Charlotte Underwood

Director, Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Wondering "Where will I go, what will I do?" on Aug. 10? Come to the Museum of the Albemarle for a free showing of "Gone with the Wind" and see the exhibit that takes you behind the scenes of the blockbuster film. Both the film and admission to Real to Reel: The Making of Gone with the Wind are free on this special day, as part of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources "Second Saturday" programming. The day's lineup includes:

• 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Guest curator tours by Katie Edwards, Museum of History
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Children's activities, including games and crafts of the 19th century
• 2-6 p.m. Film, "Gone with the Wind," Gaither Auditorium

The Real to Reel exhibit features memorabilia, costumes, scene props and sketches from the collection of James Tumblin, the former head of the Universal Studios makeup and hair department. Movie buffs will recognize costumes worn by Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia de Havilland, Leslie Howard and other actors from the film. In addition, visitors can tour a related exhibit Under Both Flags: Civil War in the Albemarle;  enjoy pony rides ($3 per child, Circle S Stables) and carriage rides ($5 per person, Carolina Carriages); and shop the Museum Gift Shop for "Gone with the Wind" items at a 10 percent discount-on this day only. For additional info, call the Museum at (252) 335-1453 and check their facebook page.

The first Friday of every month is fun and fabulous in Elizabeth City, thanks to a progressive evening event that is turning the downtown area into a showcase for the arts. The First Friday ArtWalk series was launched in 2011 as a way to draw residents downtown to see local artwork in neighboring galleries, meet with friends and celebrate the weekend ahead. Today, the audience is growing, and out-of-towners are now marking their calendars to join in the festivities. On a recent First Friday ArtWalk event, The Center at Arts of the Albemarle was buzzing. Patrons perused new works by artist Mary Crutchfield in the 516 Gallery. They took in a delightful studio show, featuring paintings from a host of regional artists including Kelly Cameron, Carolyn Peel and Fred Saunders. Nags Head artist Glenn Eure held court as he signed copies of a new book, Glenn Eure:  Artful Rogue of the Outer Banks. And upstairs in the Maguire Theatre, a summer concert hummed as guitarist and vocalist Phil Watson took the stage as a featured after-ArtWalk event. So what are you waiting for? Plan your own art-inspired getaway around one of these upcoming "walks"- Aug. 2, Sept. 6, Oct. 4, Nov. 1, Dec. 6. The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. Wear your walking shoes, and expect a great time.  

What's summer without a ripe, red tomato sandwich or a fruit cobbler bursting with peaches fresh from the farm? A Saturday trip to Elizabeth City will yield these seasonal fruits along with a bounty of veggies, dairy goods, prepared foods and more at Elizabeth City's Downtown Waterfront Market. Held Saturdays through October from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.at Mariners' Wharf, the market is in full swing this month with beets, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, peppers, potatoes, snap beans, squash, sweet corn and zucchini for the veggie lovers. Fresh seasonal fruits now include blueberries, cantaloupe, figs, peaches, tomatoes (yes, it's a fruit!) and watermelon. Once your tote is brimming with produce, pick up farm-raised eggs, honey, jams, jellies and fresh baked goods to round out your shopping. Check the market's weekly, online calendar or facebook page for a list of participating vendors. Come early to check out one-of-a-kind finds at the Downtown Elizabeth City boutiques and specialty shops or take a self-guided Elizabeth City Historic Walking Tour. A day-trip to Elizabeth City is a great chance to buy fresh and buy local, while experiencing a fun summer excursion! 

Looking for a ghostly good time this fall? Mark your calendar for Elizabeth City's 17th Annual Historic Ghost Walk, Oct. 11-12!  Equal parts homes tour, history lesson and lively theatre, this year's Historic Ghost Walk puts the spotlight on "The Entertainers," featuring the "ghosts" of well-known Elizabeth City residents and visitors who made their mark in the entertainment industry. On this self-guided tour, you'll hear from actors portraying stage and screen star Andy Griffith, Broadway ing�nue Lucy Vaughan, disc jockey Wolfman Jack, and band leader Scott Calloway, among others. A Ghost Walk highlight will be a musical show based on author Edna Ferber's travels to North Carolina to experience the James Adams Floating Theatre. Her research resulted in the popular 1926 novel, "Show Boat," which went on to Broadway and film fame. Tickets are $12, or $10 with a military ID and good for both nights. Let us entertain you this fall! Book your accommodations, and plan your Ghost Walk getaway today!

If you're traveling with children in Elizabeth City, there's one site that's a must-see and must-get-messy kind of place-Port Discover Hands-on Science Center. Geared for the short set, kids can fly an airplane, observe sea life, examine rocks and minerals and dig in the "Kids Grow" garden (all in the name of science, of course). There are creatures to observe, including resident rats Ruby and Ebony, as well as Angus, a bearded dragon. And check out the "Getting off the Ground" aviation-themed exhibit, with ties to Elizabeth City's burgeoning aviation and avionics industry. Port Discover likes to keep things lively, so there's a variety of special programming, including Toddler Time, Second Saturday Science programs and summer camps. There's even a Science Caf� series for adults, during which participants delve into science topics presented by an expert over a drink or dinner at a local restaurant. Admission to Port Discover is free, with fees for some programs. Next time you're in the area, stop in and take a look around. Your kids-and you-will be glad you did!

Elizabeth City is the "Harbor of Hospitality�," located in Northeastern North Carolina on the Intracoastal Waterway, halfway between Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks. Situated on the Pasquotank River, the city has six National Register Historic Districts and is home to the Museum of the Albemarle, The Center at Arts of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City State University Planetarium, Port Discover Hands-on Science Center and one of the largest U.S. Coast Guard air stations in the Continental United States. Nature-based travelers are drawn to the area's proximity to Dismal Swamp and the abundance of outdoor recreational offerings. For additional information, call Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-866-ECity-4U (1-866-324-8948) or visit DiscoverElizabethCity.com. For up-to-the-minute info on happenings and events visit ElizabethCityHASIt.com.