Unique holiday events in New Bern bring the community together
By Pamela O’Brien
Ghostwalk
Hearing the word Ghostwalk, one might mistakenly think the New Bern Historical Society’s 33rd annual event is just an ordinary Halloween haunted house. Instead, Mickey Miller, executive director at the Historical Society, describes it as an “edu-tainment,” family-friendly experience.
Miller explained, “Here are some of the things we often hear: folks think they’re just coming to a Halloween related event only to find they learn so much about local history. And visitors often ask how we can afford to pay all those professional actors, who are of course, all volunteers.
“Often kids become so fascinated with a character or event that they research it for school and write a paper about it,” Miller said.
But don’t get the wrong idea, New Bern’s Ghostwalk rousted spirited stories of days gone by throughout the town’s historical homes, theaters and cemetery. And like years past, history and a bit of spirited fiction came to life throughout the historic town, but nowhere more than through the “weeping arch” and into the wooded Cedar Grove Cemetery with its live oaks bearded with eerily hanging Spanish moss.
Upon entering Cedar Grove Cemetery, the “town mortician” and his wife greet hundreds of ghost-hikers to ground zero of the phantom fun, Tales from the ’20s — A Decade of Decadence, an homage to the Historical Society’s 100th anniversary. As legend has it, those who pass through the grand brick entrance and are “wept” upon by the infamous arch, will become Cedar Grove’s next resident!
Throughout the cemetery, visitors are engrossed by tales from the period-costumed storytellers at five separate sites. Creepers, costumed wanderers lurking about the grounds, add goosebumps to the family-friendly event.
Once in the graveyard, laden with history dating back to the 1700s, visitors explore five different Ghost Walk sites, rich with a storied history. Kathy Morrison, first vice president of New Bern Historical Society, said characters are based on real people and events but with the stories perhaps embellished for fun.
“This is our signature storytelling event which focuses on history and stories about colorful characters from New Bern,” Morrison said. “For instance, did you know Elvis was here, twice, and Babe Ruth used to come here all the time hunting and fishing?”
The Earls of Craven Questers, a volunteer group dedicated to the restoration and preservation of Cedar Grove Cemetery, offer a free historical tour of Cedar Grove Cemetery during Ghostwalk weekend and also act as costumed docents at the site.
Along with the stories ghost-hikers are regaled with at the cemetery, eight other ghost-walkable sites are scattered throughout town making for an ominous 13 sites. The other sites on the walk are self-guided including family-friendly skits at two historic theaters. In recent years, the event has raised $50,000, and attracts nearly 3,000 visitors, which Morrison admits is only a small percentage of the budget needed to fund the historical society and all its endeavors.
Best of all, Miller added, “Visitors may think it’s just a fun Halloween-themed event but because the stories are based on real historical characters and events, they’re actually learning about local history.”
The Holly & the Ivy Holiday Homes Tour
Festive events abound, as do worthy causes during the holidays. The New Bern Women’s Club is hosting its annual scholarship fundraiser, this beloved tradition,The Holly & The Ivy Holiday Homes Tour, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. The event raises holiday spirits, along with funds for scholarships to four deserving local students and for other charitable local causes annually since 1998, at this highly anticipated event.
Four scholarships, each valued at $2,500, are awarded. At least one scholarship goes to a current student enrolled at Craven Community College; another scholarship is awarded to a high school senior based on academic excellence which can be used at the local community college; a third is for women who are either working full or part time, often single mothers working toward finishing up a two-year degree or certificate; and a fourth is targeted to any student within Craven County, applied to any college or university, said The Holly & the Ivy Chair, Lori Carlblom, who is also membership vice president of the Women’s Club,
At Christmas, there is nothing quite like walking through a festively appointed home warmed by the hearth and the piney scent of smoke-wood. The Holy and the Ivy, which draws in visitors from the greater Raleigh area, Wilmington, Greenville and Jacksonville, will feature self-paced tours of seven uniquely decorated homes in the historic district and on National Avenue, all within walking distance.
New this year, “Christmas in the Country,” a hobby farm just minutes from downtown New Bern, on Old Airport Road boasts a wraparound porch where friends can chat and enjoy listening to live musical performances. “Christmas in the Country” will feature horses in the paddock to pet, a fire pit to warm by, antique trucks on display and a tour of the first floor of this home.
“Everything there will be decorated to the hilt!” Carlblom said.
Docents will enhance the holiday experience giving tours and brief talks at each location.
Adding to the ambiance seven musical groups ranging from Bluegrass to ukulele to Sweet Adelines groups to Dulcimer will be entertaining from the porches of each home. Enjoy memorable holiday tunes from Bonafides, Silver Linings Singers, Downeast Dulcimers and New Bern High School choral. Wander to the “Sugar Plum Treats House,” for cider and traditional holiday cookies. Unique to the walk this year is an open house tour at the Temple B’nai Shalom, and also St. Paul’s Church on Middle Street.
The scholarships would not be possible without the event sponsor, The Brokerage Real Estate Advisors, Christi Petrides, and other businesses and individuals who step up. Carlblom said the committee of eight NBWC members, who plan and initial the fundraising event, rely on the generosity of the some 300 to 400 volunteers to make it happen. Last year, more than 850 tickets were sold. The club looks for donations from local bakeries and florists to ensure all the money that comes in, in Carlblom’s words, goes out to deserving students and causes.
Carlblom said because The Holly and the Ivy is held the same day as Candlelight at Tryon Palace, but earlier in the day, many folks from the surrounding areas make a weekend of it and stay at one of the many fine lodging accommodations.
Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 the day of the tour. Tickets go on sale Nov. 1, 2023 via PayPal through www.newbernwomensclub.com
“Will-call” online ticket sales will take place at the First Presbyterian Church on 400 New Street, the day of the event. Beginning on Nov. 18, tickets will go on sale at Harris Teeter Stores in New Bern.
