New Bern's
300th Birthday Celebration
In 2010, New Bern, the second oldest town in North Carolina, will turn
300 years old. A year-long slate of events is scheduled and projects are
planned in celebration.
The year-long festivities kick off on December 31, 2009, with New Bern’s
First Night celebration. The downtown area will welcome patrons from
afternoon until midnight to bring in the New Year with music and
entertainment galore.
Some of the year’s activities will involve the opening of the new Alfred
Cunningham Bridge across the Trent River and the debut of the new
48,000-square-foot N.C. History Center at Tryon Palace Historic Sites and
Gardens. Other events will focus on history through reenactments and
re-creations, lectures and movies.
In March, to celebrate the Battle of New Bern (March 14, 1862) and the
resulting Northern occupation, Tryon Palace will present "A Union City in
the Midst of the Confederacy: New Bern Occupied." In May, there will be a
Civil War naval bombardment at Union Point Park. The national assembly of
the U.S. Colored Troops will convene in New Bern that same month. A
production of 1776 will be mounted by the New Bern Civic Theatre in April.
July brings a special Independence Day celebration. The African-American
community will celebrate Juneteenth with a choral festival, a homecoming and
a ball in June. Each month will have something going on that is geared
historically to that time.
The 300th celebration events calendar is available at www.newbern300th.com
and, according to the organizers, will continue to be updated.
It will be a great year for New Bern. Come and share.
Here is a sampling of events for the New Bern 300th Celebration. Check the
website (www.newbern300th.com)
for the full list of events.
December 31, 2009
First Night Celebration
New Bern's 300th Celebration kicks off with a spectacular public party.
Ticketed events will also be available. Buttons for the event are $8 in
advance, $10 at the event.
March 13-15, 2010
A Union City in the Midst of the Confederacy: New Bern Occupied
A Civil War weekend at Tryon Palace, concentrating on the Union occupation
of New Bern and the civilian aspects of the Civil War.
June 18, 2010
Juneteenth Celebration at New Bernian Heritage Ball
June 19, 2010
Juneteenth Choral Festival of African-American Music
June 20, 2010
Juneteenth Homecoming Picnic and Family Gathering
September 16-19, 2010
300th Jubilee Weekend
September 16, 2010
Rededication of the Federal Courthouse
Reenactment of Bayard vs. Singleton
September 17, 2010
Official Welcome Ceremony
Activities throughout downtown area
Family Picnic
North Carolina Symphony
Fireworks
September 18, 2010
Heritage Parade
Cultural Street Festival
Flotilla
Street Concerts
Jubilation Ball (Ticketed Event)
September 19, 2010
-Pancakes in the Park (Ticketed Event)
-Synchronized Church Bells
-Closing Ceremony
