“2nd Saturdays” across N.C. This Summer Will Offer Family Fun Second to None

March 23, 2011 - PRLog -- RALEIGH, N.C. -- The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources will present a varied mix of artists, musicians, re-enactors, historic sites, and museums in the second year of its popular “2nd Saturdays” summer program.  The 2011 dates are June 11, July 9, and Aug. 13, 2011, at all 37 museums and Historic Sites across the state that are part of the Department of Cultural Resources.

“Our 2nd Saturdays program offers families lots of fun things to do, whether they are making a day trip, or as part of a longer vacation,” said Cultural Resources Secretary Linda A. Carlisle.  “It’s a great way for folks see history up close.”  

Many of the historic sites will feature costumed re-enactors who step out of the pages of history into today.  In many rural counties, the State Historic Site or museum is a main tourist destination.  Most events are free; a few participating sites charge admission but offer discounted rates for 2nd Saturdays programs.

The inaugural 2nd Saturdays program last summer brought increased visitation by 50 percent overall and involved more than 600 artists who sold their work -- potters, weavers, photographers, painters, metalworkers, papermakers, jewelers -- as well as farmers with produce or value-added products such as honey, goat cheese, soy candle makers, or bakers.

Partners in 2nd Saturdays include Our State magazine, the Division of Tourism within the N.C. Department of Commerce, and the AT&T Real Yellow Pages.

For information visit http://news.ncdcr.gov/2011/01/25/2nd-saturdays-family-fun... .

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The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources is the state agency with the mission to enrich lives and communities, and the vision to harness the state’s cultural resources to build North Carolina’s social, cultural and economic future. www.ncculture.com