Burgaw’s Blueberry Bash: Everything You Need to Know About the NC Blueberry Festival — From Sweet Sounds to Juicy Berries Each summer, the charming town of Burgaw, North Carolina, transforms into a vibrant celebration of one of the state’s sweetest treasures — the blueberry. The North Carolina Blueberry Festival is more than just a fruit-themed event; it's a cultural tradition, a showcase...
The North Carolina Blueberry Scholarship Pageant proudly celebrates its 12th anniversary in 2025, continuing its mission to honor the area's rich blueberry heritage and empower young women through scholarship and community engagement. This year's event will feature 23 talented contestants from the area. The pageant, scheduled for Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 6:00 PM, will take place at the Penderlea Auditorium. The...
WILMINGTON, NC –The Pender Arts Council, the Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover County, and Thalian Association Community Theatre proudly present, for one weekend only, Home, the Tony Award nominated play by Pender County’s own Samm-Art Williams. Part of Pender County's 150th Anniversary Celebration, the production will be held on Thalian Hall’s Historic Main Stage, October 17 - 19, 2025....
Ranked #8 in USA TODAY’s list of North Carolina’s top beaches, Topsail beckons with quiet sands, sea turtle rescue, pirate lore, and WWII missile towers. Topsail Beach has claimed the #8 spot on USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice list for Best Beaches in North Carolina. This acclaim underscores its appeal as a treasured coastal gem—ideal for families, nature lovers, and anyone seeking...
June is the perfect time to visit the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City, NC! This wonderful facility is open 7 days a week throughout the month and is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing sick and injured sea turtles that call our coastal waters home. 🕐 Public Tour HoursMonday – Friday: 12 PM – 4 PM Saturday – Sunday: 11 AM – 4 PM Please...
Celebrate 22 Years of Blueberry Fun at the North Carolina Blueberry Festival! Join us this summer as the North Carolina Blueberry Festival returns for its 22nd annual celebration in charming downtown Burgaw, centered around the town’s historic courthouse square. Festival Weekend Highlights:Kickoff Concert – Friday June 20: The fun begins that evening at 7 PM with a free concert featuring the legendary...
Explore Responsibly with the Outdoor NC Leave No Trace Principles North Carolina’s breathtaking landscapes—from our rolling mountains to scenic coasts—are treasures worth preserving. That’s why Outdoor NC, in partnership with Leave No Trace, promotes a set of principles designed to protect and sustain our natural spaces for generations to come. Whether you're hiking, paddling, fishing, or...
Surf City Live NC, the beloved annual community music festival set against the scenic backdrop of the SURF CITY BRIDGE, is thrilled to announce its expansion to a two-night event in 2025. This exciting development comes as the concert series continues to grow in popularity, drawing music enthusiasts from across the nation to Surf City, North Carolina. SURF CITY LIVE NC The 2025 edition of Surf City Live NC will take...
There’s nothing quite like the taste of a fresh-picked blueberry—sweet, juicy, and warm from the summer sun. In Pender County, we celebrate this delicious fruit with an entire season dedicated to the joy of blueberry picking. Whether you’re a longtime local or visiting for the first time, blueberry picking is a perfect way to soak in the charm of our countryside and enjoy a fun, family-friendly activity. Blueberries...
From sunny beach days to scenic backroads and family-friendly festivals, summer in Pender County is nothing short of magical. Whether you’re a local looking for new adventures or a visitor exploring coastal Carolina. 1. Hit the Beaches of Topsail Island Whether you're sunbathing, surfing, or searching for seashells, the pristine shores of Surf City and Topsail Beach, offer the ultimate seaside escape. 2....
SURF CITY, NC – Surf City Live NC is back with a splash, and the 2025 lineup is bigger than ever! Organizers have announced an unforgettable two-day music festival set to take place November 7-8 in the heart of Surf City. With legendary performers and rising stars taking the stage, music fans from all over are expected to flock to the coast for an epic celebration of sound and community. The weekend kicks off...
Looking for meaningful and memorable ways to spend Memorial Day weekend? Pender County offers the perfect mix of reflection, relaxation, and small-town charm: 1. Attend a Local Memorial Ceremony Honor our heroes by participating in local observances. Check with area VFW posts or town offices for ceremonies in Burgaw, Surf City, or Hampstead. 2. Explore Historic Sites Visit the Pender County Courthouse Square,...
Nestled in the heart of Pender County, Burgaw has earned its title as North Carolina’s “Blueberry Town.” What began as a bold agricultural experiment nearly a century ago has blossomed into a thriving industry and a source of deep community pride. A Berry Bold Beginning In the late 1920s, Harold Graham Huntington, a World War I veteran and visionary farmer from New Jersey, saw the sandy, acidic soil...
The North Carolina Blueberry Festival will be hosting their 22nd annual festival this summer. The festival will take place on and around Burgaw’s historic courthouse square. On June 20th, we will have a kickoff concert featuring The Tams starting at 7 p.m., and on June 21st, a full day of festival activities from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. This event is free to the public and includes more than 175 artisan vendors,...
Governor Josh Stein announced today that the overall North Carolina tourism economy held strong against the headwinds of Hurricane Helene. Travelers spent more than $36.7 billion on trips to and within the state in 2024. The previous record of $35.6 billion was set in 2023. “Today’s news underscores what we all know: North Carolina is a fantastic place to visit,” said Governor Josh Stein. “As...
The Cape Fear Hospitality & Tourism Sector Partnership is a new regional initiative designed to bring together hospitality, tourism, and economic development stakeholders to address shared challenges and leverage opportunities. This collaborative partnership spans across the Cape Fear region—including Pender, New Hanover, and Brunswick counties—and serves as a proactive platform to ensure the long-term...
Each year, National Travel & Tourism Week (NTTW) reminds us of the powerful impact that travel and tourism have on our local communities, our economy, and our quality of life. From May 4-10, we join destinations across the nation in recognizing the important role tourism plays—not just in driving economic growth, but in connecting us to the people, places, and stories that make our communities special. This...
This week, we proudly celebrate National Small Business Week, a time to recognize the backbone of our economy — the small businesses that bring heart, creativity, and vitality to our communities. From the charming boutiques in downtown Burgaw to the coastal shops of Surf City and the farm stands of rural Pender County, our local entrepreneurs are more than business owners — they are our neighbors, friends,...
8 Ways to Welcome Spring in Pender County, NC Where Small-Town Charm Meets Fresh-Air Adventures Spring has sprung in Pender County, and there’s no better place to shake off winter and embrace the season of new beginnings. Whether you’re strolling through historic downtowns, indulging in fresh-picked produce, or catching coastal breezes, here are eight unforgettable ways to welcome spring in Pender County: 1....
At Pender County Tourism, we know there’s something truly special about Topsail Island—and we’re not the only ones! Recently featured by Southern Living, our beloved island continues to shine as one of the best-kept secrets along the North Carolina coast. Stretching 26 miles, Topsail Island is home to three unique communities: North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Topsail Beach. Each one offers its...
April 19, 2025—America250 Program—The events of April 19, 1775, marked a turning point in history. The first shots of the American Revolution were fired in Lexington, Massachusetts—an act that would ignite the struggle for independence. Known as the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World,” this moment signified the beginning of open conflict between colonial militias and British forces. Just...
In partnership with Pender County Tourism, the Pender Arts Council, the Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover County, and Thalian Association Community Theatre proudly present, for one weekend only, Home, the Tony Award-nominated play by Pender County’s own Samm-Art Williams. Part of Pender County's 150th Anniversary Celebration, the production will be held on Thalian Hall’s Historic Main Stage,...
Celebrating the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's ride TOPSAIL BEACH – The Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism and the Historical Society of Topsail Island are teaming up to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of Paul Revere’s Ride on April 18, beginning at 7 p.m. at The Assembly Building, 720 Channel Blvd. “Nationwide state capitals and town halls will shine lights in commemoration...
The highly anticipated summer concert series is officially here, bringing a fantastic lineup of live music to our area! Kicking off this season of fun-filled evenings are three exciting performances you won’t want to miss. The Entertainers will take the stage first at Hampstead Alive After Five on Friday, May 16. Get ready to enjoy their iconic beach music sound and feel the rhythm for some classic shagging....
Our 2025 Visitor Guide: Discover the Best of Pender County Pender County Tourism is thrilled to announce the release of the 2025 Pender County Visitor Guide! This new edition is packed with everything visitors need to explore, experience, and enjoy all that Pender County has to offer. The 2025 Visitor Guide will soon be available at visitor centers, local businesses, and online, providing a comprehensive resource...
