Our Blog
May 06, 2013
If the great April events around Duplin County are any indication of the fun that is in store for the rest of the spring season, then you are in for a real treat!
Saturday, April 20th marked Duplin Winery’s ?Our Main Squeeze Wine and Music Festival? at Duplin Winery?s I-40 Vineyard. Talk about a full-on, all day celebration of music and delicious vino! And it was a military appreciation event, to boot, treating more than 2000 military guests to complimentary entry. With the American flag waving high overhead on a gorgeous spring day, everyone from the guests to the food and craft vendors were rocking to performances by Spare Change, Classic Collection, and The Tams. Whether you wanted to tap your toes to the latest hits, or show off your best shag moves, this was the time to do it all.
Not to be outdone by the great tunes, the Winery featured three of its seasonal favorites – Carolina Country wine, Goin’ Coastal wine, and Raspberry Mango Lemonade Sweetzer. And for those more interested in the eats than the sips, event sponsor Bright Leaf featured a hot dog eating contest that was open to all who dared. The full day was surely entertaining for all, and it was one that gave back, too. Duplin Winery was pleased to present a $5000.00 donation to Vidant Children’s Hospital. Job well done!
So, what’s on tap next, you ask? Come on out this Sunday, April 28th for the Beatles tribute band, The Return, at the Duplin County Events Center, and be sure to check out the events calendar (insert link here) for all Duplin County has in store for May!
March 27, 2013
Anybody spot some blooms out and about? Thanks to longer days, shorter nights, and warmer sun rays, it?s time to say farewell to the winter blues and hello to the spring hues in Duplin County!
First things first ? Easter egg hunts and preparations for everyone?s favorite bunny, Peter Cottontail, finish out the month of March, then April and May usher in outdoor festivities that take advantage of our fantastic Duplin County climate with warm days and breezy eves.
A couple of highlights to put on your list of Duplin to-dos for April include the ?Carolina Strawberry Golf Classic? in Wallace on April 12th and Duplin Winery?s ?Our Main Squeeze Wine and Music Festival? on April 20th at Duplin Winery?s I-40 Vineyard. So, get your drivers ready, and your wine glasses picked out, because spring fun is definitely in season. Be sure to check out the events calendar for Duplin County, as it will be updated regularly with more events and highlights to come.
Happy Easter and happy spring! Wishing you all the beauty of this new, energizing season!
February 06, 2013
Ahh, February. Time to do something extra special for the ones you love and to reflect on the moments and people that make your life that extra bit of sweet. From special wine tastings and love month menus to an evening of music and dance, here are a few ideas of how to entertain your number one valentine this month throughout Duplin County.
Get a head start on the Valentine?s evening rush, and begin your celebration a weekend early at the Country Squire in Kenansville on Saturday, February 9th for an evening of dance and music during the annual ?Call of the Drums? fundraiser. The Barefoot Gypsies along with special guest dancers and musicians will perform with all funds raised benefitting ?Pet Friends of Duplin County?. Find out more and purchase your tickets here.
As for dining on Valentine?s Day, make a date at the Mad Boar in Wallace or Southern Exposure in Faison and enjoy a special Valentine?s menu for you and your sweetheart, or reserve a romantic table at the Duplin Winery which will feature a specially prepared dinner for the occasion from 5pm-9pm.
But, the ways to say I love you don?t end after Valentine’s Day. Make a double date with Duplin Winery for an additional evening on Saturday, February 16th for their production of The Golden Oldies Show. And to satisfy your craving for some sweet sips, the Winery will be featuring a special tasting sheet and will offer special discounts for the occasion.
How’s that for spreading a little love around Duplin County? Cheers! xoxo
February 04, 2013
Just one month into this new year, and the events are already stacking up and underway throughout Duplin County.
Just this past weekend, the Mad Boar Restaurant along with Umbrella Events hosted the inaugural Frozen Beach Ball Concert in Celtic Court. The weather was cold, but the event — complete with home-grown blues and tunes from Wilmington’s Jim Quick & Coastline along with DJ Joey Warren – was hot! The party kicked-off at Murphy’s Irish Pub for drinks and dinner, and rocked on into the evening.
This past Saturday was a popular night in Warsaw, too. January 26 marked a favorite Duplin County event — the 12th Annual Robert Burns Supper and Scottish Celebration at the well-known County Squire Restaurant. The winter chill didn’t hinder the celebration or the full Scottish attire – kilts and all! There was more than a “wee bit of Scottish Culture” exchanged, with plenty of fun and fellowship shared to last until next year’s celebration.
Stay tuned for a calendar loaded with fun ahead in Duplin County, as we plan to make 2013 our best year yet. See you out and about!
December 21, 2012
The grounds were aglow at Liberty Hall Plantation earlier this month during the annual Christmas Candlelight Tour. Duplin County is home to this sprawling plantation and historic home of the venerable Kenan family that has been kept in pristine condition since the 1800?s.
And this year, on December 7th and 8th, visitors were transported back to Christmas time in the 1860s — a trying time in the South?s history, when Confederate troops and the Union army were at war. While Civil War re-enactments took place outside, visitors saw that even in a time of strife, it was still Christmas, and it was a time to remember the reason for the season.
Visitors were escorted by period-costumed guides giving tours of the holiday decorated, restored Greek revival house and its grounds, while special holiday music played and refreshments made from original Kenan family recipes were served. By all accounts, this year?s Christmas Candlelight Tour did not disappoint and has proven itself to be one of the must-attend holiday events of the season in Duplin County.
But you can?t say ?must-attend holiday event? without mentioning the December 9 th Oak Ridge Boys concert at the Duplin County Events Center! For the second year in a row, Duplin County was fortunate to play host to this legendary band ? this time in support of their Christmas Time?s A Comin? tour. Surrounded by decorative Christmas trees, their four-part harmonies filled the evening with joy, covering everything from their own well-known tunes to Christmas classics.
The intimate evening was full of song and story ? complete with a fireplace and rocking chairs where the band shared some of their favorite Christmas memories. Even Santa couldn?t resist making an appearance. But there were no reindeer for this Santa. Instead, he surprised the crowd on an eighteen wheeler! Leave it to Santa to steal the show ? and he made sure to leave the kids with ?Santa hats? of their own. Ho-ho ? oh what a night!
Happy holidays from all of us here in Duplin County. If you missed it this year, be sure to come celebrate with us next Christmas!
November 26, 2012
To say Duplin County was swelling with pride on Saturday, November 10th would be an understatement. Indeed it was a celebration of honor many experienced in Warsaw during this year?s 92 nd Veterans Day Celebration.
Started in 1921, Duplin County can lay claim to “The Oldest Consecutive Veterans Day Celebration in America.” And this year, to add to its remarkable distinction, Warsaw was also designated as a Veterans Day Regional Site for 2012 by the Veterans Day National Committee.
So much to be thankful for during this season of thanks and giving, and who better to honor than our service heroes? The tradition of the day-long celebration began with a pancake breakfast at the Masonic Lodge, followed by a community sidewalk sale in the downtown, and led up to a moving memorial service at Veteran?s Park.
Then, the clock struck 11am with a rousing Fly Over and Special Forces Jump Team, kicking off the annual parade. Thousands of onlookers lined the streets and cheered on the 103 parade entries complete with clowns, vintage cars, the signature Giant Shopping Cart, and of course the ultimate highlight of the parade ? our honored veterans.
Warsaw Fire Station was the site for mouth-watering southern BBQ plates for lunch, and then it was onto the Duplin County Veterans Museum for sharing memories from 1pm-4pm intermixed with an afternoon of fun activities ranging from a community-wide Corn Hole Tournament to street dancing.
Truly a day to celebrate our heroes.
Remember, as it is said ? if you can?t serve, serve those that do.
To all of our United States Veterans, Duplin County thanks you all! We look forward to honoring you and your service again next year!
October 11, 2012
Duplin County knows how to celebrate, and one such festival of southern delight is the annual Poultry Jubilee!
September 12, 2012
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Plans to visit North Carolina? Duplin County should be a plot on your map as you make your way throughout the Tarheel state ? especially if you want to experience the home of America?s first cultivated grape!
When it comes to visiting North Carolina vineyards, Duplin County should be on the top of your must-see list.
June 29, 2012
With such hard economic times, it may be difficult to plan a family vacation without emptying your wallet. Let?s be honest- most of us can?t afford to fly to an exotic beach and lounge in a luxury suite, but we do want to get away for a little while. Why not go camping? Chesnut Farm & Campground is the perfect little retreat to get away from the overwhelming day to day chores.
Chestnut is open to RV?s, tents, pop-up?s, and primitive camping. They have 50 AMP/30 AMP hookups and quick connect water/sewer, and restroom facilities for other campers. There are laundry facilities, firepits, a playground, pet area, and even WI-FI for those that just can?t go completely of the grid.
Chesnut Farm & Campground is also a great location for your next celebration. They have facilities and the perfect scenery for weddings, receptions, birthdays, and reunions that can be handled through Berry Nice Events at 910-249-0074. For more information on Chesnut Farms & Campground, visit www.24-40campground.info
Chesnut Farm & Campground
113 John Williams Evans Rd.
Warsaw, NC
910-289-2200
June 29, 2012
Wish you could find your favorite North Carolina products sold in one place? The Got to Be N.C. Store offers just that. Lee Swinson, owner of the Golden Grove Peanut Company, opened this special store that offers goods from Duplin County, Winston Salem, Fayetteville, Elizabeth City, Boone, Apex, and Burgaw with more products added every day.
The Got to Be N.C. Store has been managed by Janice Sessoms since opening in early Fall of 2011. She is in charge of selling products like peanuts, beef jerky, barbeque sauces, soap, honey, cake mixes, preserves, lip balm, country cured hams, and art. They are continuously looking for new producers offering a variety of goods from North Carolina. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10AM until 3PM. For more information visit their website at www.goldengrove.com
Got to Be N.C.
1632 West Wards Bridge Road
Warsaw, NC 28398
910-293-4215
