Core Sound Museum at Harker’s Island, Carteret County, will celebrate Down East history, traditions and community spirit this weekend during Waterfowl Weekend.
The event kicks off Friday night (Dec. 4) with a ticketed preview party will be followed by two days of wildlife artists, decoy carvers and collectors, model boat builders and other crafters selling their wares There also will be boat building, oar making, retriever demonstrations, local seafood, children’s activities and more.
Among the activities on Saturday and Sunday are:
Carvers, artists and crafters: More than 40 exhibitors representing the best of the Mid-Atlantic States for carving, waterfowl art, local crafts.
East Carteret County High School boat-building class, led by Core Sound’s own Heber Guthrie, will showcase their latest projects including the 10-foot hydroplane the class designed and built in commemoration of the school’s 50th anniversary, and a one-twelfth-scale model the students are building of a James Gillikin trawler.
Little boat construction by Billy and Landon Merkley, father and son boat building team, will offer a great example of how the Harkers Island boat building tradition continues.
Book signings will be held Saturday and Sunday, including Bland and Ann Simpson and Bland’s new book, “Little Rivers and Waterway Tales,” along with his other favorites. Bob Garner, UNC TV’s favorite food personality, with his “Book of Barbecue” and “Foods That Make You Say Mmm-mmm.” Local author Cecila Faye Styron will be signing copies of her book “The Tides Have Spoken,” about the history of fishing in Beaufort, along with other local writers and historians.
Children are welcome: Miss Teresa will have a full-tent just for the young folks. Santa Science will give kids a chance to paint, create and learn while they are here. The NC Wildlife Commission’s “Mallard Madness” shooting game will be back for a second year and will be located in the museum’s main gallery.
Retriever demonstrations: will be sound side, across from the museum along the shore at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 5), and at noon and 2 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 6).
Seafood and local recipes: Local seafood will once again be the fare of the day with fried soft crabs, shrimp, scallop fritters, seafood chowder and along with those famous Core Sound Sweet Puppies.
SATURDAY EVENING:
New this year, the Core Sound Heritage Auction will start at 4 p.m. on Saturday, featuring a select group of Core Sound carvings from family collections throughout the region. The work of well-known carvers, original art and hand-selected collectibles will be offered.
SUNDAY MORNING
Sunday activities begins at 8 a.m. in Core Sound Community Church, with island native Rev. Kerry Willis leading the service. Wayne Martin, director of the North Carolina Arts Council, will recognize North Carolina Heritage Award winners Jamie Houston and James Lewis, Harkers Island boat builders, for their significant contributions to North Carolina’s traditional arts.
Music by local trios and choirs will also be part of the service. A fellowship breakfast with homemade sausage, cheesy grits and light rolls will follow.
A silent auction will run throughout the weekend featuring decoys, original art, antiques, jewelry, sporting equipment, collectibles and more.
Tickets for this year’s Core Sound Quilters quilt, a beautiful rendition of an old tradition, are $5 each.
The gallery features these special exhibitions:
A Tribute to the Lewis Family Boat builders – 2016 Heritage Award Recipients
The Carlyle Adams Collection: Gerald Davis Decoys
The Roy Willis Collection
Core Sound work boats
Hometown Teams Down East – within the Community Exhibits on the Second Floor
Among the other activities at the museum are
Bob Timberlake’s Sportsman’s Series prints, including the 2015 release of “Post Season Reunion,” the companion print to last year’s “Resting Place.” The full series will be on display with the Museum’s membership table. This is the beginning of a Museum partnership with the North Carolina Habitat Foundation and Bob Timberlake to establish the Purcell & Helen Jones Endowment Fund.
For more information on the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum, click here .
