24 May Museum to celebrate Maritime Day with free family-friendly fun

BEAUFORT — A family-friendly event will help showcase the waterfront property designated as the site for the future home of the N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort.

The Friends of the Museum will host Maritime Day on June 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of Gallants Channel, 172 W. Beaufort Road at the foot of the new high-rise bridge. The free community event, held annually on the second Saturday in June, celebrates the maritime industry and stems from the National Maritime Day created by Congress in 1933 and observed annually on May 22.

“Maritime Day at Gallants Channel is a fun, family-friendly, community event that brings people together on the beautiful Gallants Channel waterfront,” Friends Director of Operation Brent Creelman said.

Activities include sailing in the museum’s fleet of traditional wooden boats, cane pole fishing, kite flying, nature trail tours, drone flying, kids activities and games. There will also be a pirate encampment, display from Bonehenge Whale Center, plein air artists, live music and more along the Gallants Channel waterfront. All activities are free; however, donations are appreciated.

“Free traditional sailboats rides are very popular,” Creelman said. “There will also be lots of yard games on the Great Lawn, so come ready to play!”

Food trucks will also be on site, and beer and wine will be available for purchase. There will be a celebration at 2 p.m. on the waterfront to specially recognize those who have purchased bricks for the courtyard by the flagpole.

The event this year comes on the heels of the recent announcement of a study that looked at the economic impact of building a new Maritime Museum and Maritime Center on the Gallants Channel property. The study, conducted by ConsultEcon of Massachusetts, indicated that the annual impact to Carteret County alone would be $46.3 million.

For more information on Maritime Day or the Friends of the North Carolina Maritime Museum, call (252) 728-1638 or visit maritimefriends.org.