May 24 Sunday
Tryon Palace is excited to once again host the artwork of popular photographer and beekeeper Deana B Marion to the North Carolina History Center. We will be showcasing a new exhibit of her photography of pollinators – bees, butterflies, and insects on a variety of flowering blooms. Her photography technique is macro photography with amazing detail!
The exhibit will also include video clips of activity at her beehives.
This exhibit is FREE and available to the public during our posted business hours at the North Carolina History Center.
Artist's Exhibit DescriptionThe collection of macro images of bees and blooms in their native environment celebrates the art of nature, the beauty and wonder God created in the bees and blooms. The colorful images showcase the features of the small natural world as photographed in blooming trees and flower gardens.
The plight of pollinators, their value to our food supply, and the causes for their declining population are receiving national attention, with pollination by honeybees responsible for one-third of our food and nearly $20 billion in value to agricultural crops each year in the United States. Deana B understands the issues are extremely important and has witnessed the alarming population decline firsthand.
Deana B’s macro photography commenced in the 2002 with weekend classes taught by Barbara Brundege through the University of California Extension, Santa Cruz, along with numerous workshops where she was encouraged to “get closer, get closer.” She gained tremendous insight from a mentorship with Barbara focusing on enhancing the images to capture the intricate features of flowers with bees. Since 2010, she has specialized in photographing bees on blooms in exquisite detail at a distance of several inches.
This unique body of images focus upon the beauty of bees in nature, all different but sharing a common theme, with attention to microscopic level features, use of color, and position of blooms.
The festival, with free admission and parking, will highlight the legacy of “the ancient ocean just under our feet” and the North Carolina state fossil, the Megalodon Shark tooth.
Over 70 vendors will be on site providing a wide variety of food items, fossils, jewelry, rocks and minerals, natural history collectibles, and crafts. Weekend activities include Dinosaur shows, live music, fossil displays, mining equipment displays, Teen Science Café, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) exhibits and hands-on activities. Attendees can also enjoy activities for children, fossil digging, a Silent Auction, a Brew Zone, a Jurassic Classic Bike Ride, and a 5K Fossil Run. The sure-to-sell-out official N.C. Fossil Festival t-shirt featuring newly created artwork will be on sale to benefit the nonprofit Aurora Fossil Museum.
To view the festival schedule of events and activities, please see www.ncfossilfest.com
The Aurora Fossil Museum exhibits and Gift Shop will be open during the festival. Proceeds from the North Carolina Fossil Festival support the nonprofit museum’s mission to provide educational and scientific outreach throughout North Carolina.
May 25 Monday
The Carteret Community Sunshine Band is starting rehearsals for its spring concert season and is looking for new musicians to join.The Sunshine Band is a volunteer wind ensemble made up of local residents, from students to retirees, who love performing concert band music. The band is especially seeking trombone players, and also needs clarinet and trumpet players, though musicians on all concert band instruments are welcome.Directed by Ritchel Lawson, the band rehearses Monday nights at Newport Middle School and performs community concerts throughout the year.Spring rehearsals begin January 26, 2026For more information, find us on Facebook, Instagram, or visit our website. Interested new members should contact Ritchel Lawson at ritchellawson@hotmail.com
May 26 Tuesday
Jordan B. Hughes, P.E., Director of Water Resources for the City of New Bern will speak on where the City of New Bern gets its drinking water and how the local water supply is managed. He will provide an overview of the City’s water treatment process, including the steps taken to provide safe, reliable drinking water. There will be a discussion of emerging contaminants, including PFAS and PFOA, and how they may impact drinking water systems, as well as ongoing efforts by the City to maintain water quality, protect public health, and plan for future regulatory requirements.
May 27 Wednesday
May 28 Thursday
Come Again is a social respite program where people in early to middle stages of dementia spend time with trusted, trained volunteers in a safe, judgment-free space. We aim to bring joy, friendship, and purpose to everyone while giving care partners a chance to rest. Activities include fellowship, music, art, movement, and service projects, plus a hot lunch. Starting May 1, Come Again meets every Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2311 Elizabeth Ave. There is a small fee to attend. Come Again honors our loved ones living with dementia by lifting up their remaining strengths in a supportive, creative and purposeful way. For more information about joining Come Again or volunteering, contact director Lindsay Roberts at lindsayroberts@newbernrespite.org, 919.428.0618 or www.newbernrespite.org.
Music series beginning on Thursday, May 21, 2026 -- held every Thursday until August 6 -- hosted by the Town of Beaufort in John Newton Park. This event is sponsored by the Dock House Restaurant and Freedom Boat Club. This will be different genres of music during this series. General info and FAQ's are attached below.
Rock the Docks:No outside alcohol permitted at this eventAlcohol can be purchased and consumed in John Newton Park, provided by the Dock House RestaurantSignage will be placed to indicate restrictions on where this can be purchased and consumedParking next to John Newton Park will be closed from 2pm-8pm.This is a pet and family-friendly event The stage will be 24-feet long, placed in the adjacent parking lot.Spectators will be able to park golf carts behind the stage in the west side of the parking lotAttendees are encouraged to bring food and non-alcoholic beverages from nearby businessesMusic of all different genres will be presented across the 12-week seriesTown will have tent along with other sponsors/vendors at event