The Toughest Sport on Dirt Thunders into the Duplin County Events Center

East of Mesquite Rodeo’s professional bull riding competition is thundering into the Duplin County Events Center on July 10 and 11.  Don’t miss the hard-hitting, non-stop action, when professional bull riders take on their dangerous animal counterparts.

“The Toughest Sport on Dirt—bull riding is the most challenging and dangerous sport in the world and we will have two hours of action packed excitement at the Duplin County Events Center ,” says Don Jones of East of Mesquite Rodeo.

The show will feature pro bull riders from throughout the southeast vying for cash and prizes. “These cowboys are serious about their bull riding and they always give 100%.  They risk life and limb fighting these fierce animals and those who witness the excitement will also feel the adrenaline from two action packed hours” says Jones.

Bull riding is one of the fastest growing professional sports and has quickly become one of the most recognizable and well-respected extreme sports in the country.

Bull riding, which is intentionally climbing on the back of a 2,000-pound bull, emerged from the fearless and possibly foolhardy nature of the cowboy.  The risks are obvious.  Serious injury is always a possibility for those fearless enough to sit astride an animal that literally weighs a ton and is usually equipped with dangerous horns.

Regardless, cowboys do it, fans love it and bull riding ranks as one of rodeo’s most popular events.

Don’t miss out on any of the action for the 2009 East of Mesquite bull ride.  Tickets for this exciting event are $12 for adults and $8 for children aged 4-12.  Friday is Military Night with tickets for active duty military personnel costing only $8.00 (with ID).

Tickets may be purchased in person at the Duplin County Events Center Box Office, online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1.800.745.3000 (standard ticket fees may apply).

What:   East of Mesquite Bull Riding

When:  Friday, July 10, Doors open at 6:00 PM, Show starts at 7:30 PM

                Saturday, July 11, Doors open at 6:00 PM, Show starts at 7:30 PM

Where:  Duplin County Events Center

                 195 Fairgrounds Drive

                Kenansville, North Carolina 28349

 

Tickets:  $12.00 Adults

                   $8.00 Children aged 4 to 12

                   $8.00 Military (Friday night only with valid ID)

 

Tickets are available in person at the Duplin County Events Center (910.275.0009), at all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 1.800.745.3000.

Duplin County Grant Calendar and Application Available Online
Anyone wishing to fill out an application for a Duplin County grant may now take advantage of our convenient printable PDF's of the application and the 2009 grant calendar listed below.  For more information, contact Robb Wells at robw@duplintourism.org or by calling (910) 296-2181.

LAZAREX CANCER FOUNDATION TO HOST HOGS AND HENS FOR HOPE  BBQ FESTIVAL AND COOK-OFF SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17TH AT  DUPLIN COUNTY EVENT CENTER.
 The Lazarex Cancer Foundation, an organization dedicated to changing the face of cancer, will host the first annual Carolina BBQ Festival and Cook-Off, Saturday afternoon, October 17th, from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., at the Duplin County Event Center, to celebrate the launch of their new North Carolina chapter. The family-friendly inaugural event will feature live music and entertainment by local bands, arts and crafts, special activities for children, and a variety of food vendors, along with plenty of beer, wine, and other refreshments. Local celebrity judges will be on hand to judge the pork and poultry competition.

Chapter founders Erin Miller and Holly Webster are chairing the event. The Lazarex Foundation provides resources for cancer patients who have been told they have no more options, but who are not yet done with their journey in life, and refuse to give up now. The organization provides financial assistance to defray the costs associated with participating in FDA clinical trials, and also helps patients navigate their clinical trial options, building a bridge to hope, dignity, and life, for cancer patients and their families.  Additionally, the group also provides community education and outreach services.

For further information on the BBQ Cook-of or the Lazarex Foundation, call 1-877-866-9523, or visit www.lazarex.org .   

 Duplin Winery's Muscadine Wines Recognized by Industry as a TRUE Contender for Market Share with TWO Internationally Recognized Brand Awards
Duplin Winery's Muscadine wines (both red and white!) have the HIGHEST level of Resveratrol when compared with any other wine in the world and, with increasing interest in wines’ health benefits and Muscadines in particular, Duplin Winery only stands to surpass the powerhouse corporately managed vineyards. 

Duplin Winery is about to make a few heads turn in the wine industry this month when they receive two prestigious brand growth awards, normally reserved for the larger ‘corporate-controlled’ family of brands and west coast wineries.  Duplin Winery will be receiving the Beverage Dynamics (formerly Adams Beverage Group) Fast Track Award, and the prestigious Impact Hot Brands Award given by M.Shanken and the Wine Spectator family of publications. Duplin Winery is  the first North Carolina winery and the first Muscadine winery to receive these awards. 

Duplin Winery is the oldest and largest Muscadine winery in the world and is located in Rose Hill, North Carolina.  While Duplin Winery started the wine industry in North Carolina, they are often left behind with the state’s promotions of Yadkin Valley and the state’s non-Muscadine wines.  This award solidifies their presence not only in North Carolina as the premier NC winery, but also as an international contender in the world of wine.

Duplin Winery traces its roots back to the early 1970’s and has remained family owned and run.  The Duplin Winery story is fitting for these uncertain times.  There was a period when the family lost nearly everything, except their faith and love for each other, had to run everything by themselves and sell the equipment that provided their livelihood to pay back banks and make the last payrolls.  This helped them through the toughest and darkest times and they have succeeded beyond anyone’s imagination, single-handedly leading the revolution of winemaking in North Carolina.  Duplin Winery is a winery of “firsts” and with the receipt of the two highly recognized awards this month, the rest of the United States and the world will recognize that North Carolina’s wine industry is something to be aware of.

With all of the news and press regarding Resveratrol, anti aging properties, anti oxidants, and red wine, no national news media has reported on the fact that the Muscadine grape, native to North Carolina, has the highest levels of all of these when compared with any other grape or fruit in the world.

Where other North Carolina wineries are struggling, Duplin Winery has the best selling wine in North Carolina – Hatteras Red.  Hatteras Red outsells all national and international brands of wine in the state of North Carolina and is said to be the best compliment to Carolina barbeque.

Duplin Winery is different than other wineries.  When you walk through their doors, stroll their vineyards, and take a free tour and tasting of their award winning wines, you become a part of the family.  People are continuing to discover Duplin Winery, and they are sticking around – enjoying all Duplin Wines and discovering North Carolina wine.  Duplin Winery has a state-of-the-art production and bottling facility selling over 275,000 cases of wine per year, and a tank capacity of over 1,000,000 gallons.  This is not something people expect to find in the state of North Carolina.

Duplin Winery’s history is a wonderful story of success and perseverance.  In today’s economic environment, people will be ‘giving up’ and the Duplin Winery family is the perfect example of all that one can achieve with faith and resolve.  Their wines are cool, sweet, and easy and are made from nature’s number one source of Resveratrol – the Muscadine grape, native to North Carolina.

 Duplin County Tourism Takes Home the Gold at the DMANC Annual Meeting

The Destination Marketing Association of North Carolina (DMANC) recently held its annual awards banquet in Asheville, NC and Duplin County Tourism came home with some hardware.  Duplin County Tourism received two awards, Gold for Best Publications – Visitor’s Guide and Gold for Best Print Advertising – Leisure Marketing.

Duplin County Tourism hosts North Carolina Motorcoach Association Bus Rodeo

The North Carolina Motorcoach Association (NCMA) recently held its annual Bus Rodeo in Kenansville, NC at the Duplin Events Center. Over 70 motorcoach operators, drivers, and guests came out to watch the drivers challenge their skills on one of the toughest test the industry has to offer. Duplin County Tourism hosted the event with the aid of several key members in the tourism industry in the county.   “I want to thank everyone who participated in making this event a great success,” said Robb Wells, Director of Duplin County Tourism.  Event participants were Wallace Chamber of Commerce, Warsaw Chamber of Commerce, Duplin Winery, Country Squire Restaurant and Winery, Wallace Holiday Inn Express, and Onslow County Tourism.   “Without our partners, this event would not have been the showcase that it was for our county and region.”  This is the second time that Duplin County has hosted the event

Duplin County Tourism Launches New Website
Duplin County Tourism welcomes our visitors to browse through our new website for information on our area and everything we have to offer.  Please send us comments using our convenient contact form on our contact us page.

Duplin County Attractions Reach Top 10
The Historic L.P. Best House/Duplin County Veterans Museum ranked 3rd on the Top Ten Small Town Coastal Museums List and Liberty Hall ranked 8th on the same list.  Stop by and walk around 3 of NC best small town museums.

For more information call 910-296-2181.