Core Sound Means Community Traditions … and when the wind shifts Down East that means Core Sound Season is on its way!
We invite you to come “home” again to Harkers Island as we usher in Core Sound Season … heritage, traditions and Christmas. The first weekend of December has become Down East’s homecoming weekend for friends and neighbors to gather to see some of the region’s finest waterfowl artistry, taste some of the best seafood anywhere, share memories and experience the community spirit that is “Down East.”
The first weekend of December calls all Coresounders (young and old, near and far) to come to Harkers Island to experience all that the weekend means to locals and returning visitors year after year. The Decoy Festival at the school church dinners all over the Island, local crafts along the roadside, auctions at the school and museum, children’s activities, artists and carvers from the entire Mid-Atlantic and community church on Sunday brings in the Christmas Season with a blur of crabpot Christmas trees!
This is our Weekend to celebrate the traditions we love with the people who “keep the lights burning bright” here at the Museum all year round. From decoy carving to boatbuilding, stewed shrimp to scallop fritters, beautiful artwork and more decoys than you can count, the entire Island becomes a showcase of rich traditional art amidst a deep-felt celebration of community.
First-time visitors members, volunteers, contributors, partners and friends are all part of what keeps the “community spirit” alive and growing all year long, and this Weekend reassures us that our shared work, commitment, dedication and investment is truly preserving the heritage of Core Sound.
WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS
Friday, Dec 1
Core Sound Waterfowl Weekend Preview Gala & 3rd Annual Janice M. Smith Champagne Waterfowl Decoy Competition | 6:30PM The Wild Game and Seafood Extravaganza will be followed by a massive dessert party with specialty coffees, live music, silent auction and a preview of more than 60 of the region’s most talented artists, carvers and crafters. Complimentary beer and wine is served.
The 3rd Annual Champagne Decoy Floating Competition will welcome carvers from across the country to compete for this unique decoy carving category. Decoys, detailed and true-to-life, small enough to fit into a champagne glass will be judged and awarded during the Friday Night event.
2017’s Friday Night Honorees are Warren and Joan Davis who have been a key part of the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center’s success from the beginning. We are grateful to Warren and Joan for their dedication to Core Sound.
Tickets are $75 a person. Purchase below or by calling the museum at 252.728.1500. Lifetime members receive two complimentary tickets.
Weekend Long Events
Exhibitors | More than 75 carvers, artists, photographers and crafters of all kinds will fill the education hall, the tent, porches and outside areas with a wide selection of collectibles.
Silent Auction | Not to be confused with the Heritage Auction, the Waterfowl Weekend Silent Auction offers a range of items including vacations, a hand built skiff, a Yeti Cooler, decoys, apparel, home decor, gift certificates and more. The silent auction will close on Sunday at 3 pm. You can bid online, so you don't have to be present to win! Register and bid here or text CORESOUND to 855.735.2437
Core Sound's Anniversary Exhibition | 25 years of memories featuring the faces, places and voices that have built the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center.
Anniversary Film | Core Sound's Anniversary Film, “Core Sound’s Place” will be showing throughout the weekend in the Gallery and in the Education Hall.
Food | Scallop fritters, fried shrimp and stewed shrimp .. Sweet Puppies too!
Watch & Learn | Carving demonstrations, old workboat restoration and retriever demonstrations will be on-going throughout the weekend.
Kids Activities | Children have a place at the end of the road, too. Check out the Education Tent for activities that will make your kids feel at home!
Saturday, December 2
2017 Heritage Auction | Online and live! Saturday, Dec 2nd. Preview starts at 12 noon on, auction begins at 4:30. This is THE auction of the weekend offering 20 select Core Sound decoys, all 100% donations to the work of the CSWM&HC. Bidding begins Nov 17. Visit www.houseauctioncompany.com
Sunday, December 3
Sunday Morning Church | 8am Music, Memories and Fellowship, led by Corey Lawrence and Kerry Willis who give everyone who joins a glimpse of the Harkers Island they knew as children; followed by our very own Core Sound breakfast.
Community Christmas Gathering | 2PM Harkers Island Community Choir, the Nelson’s and the announcement of winners for the “Cab & Barbara Ramsey Island Decorating Contest.”
Shuttles to the Core Sound Decoy Festival throughout Fri & Sat
ANNUAL SPONSORS
GOLD
Wells-Fargo
Chadwick’s Tire
SILVER
Trader Construction
Neuse Sports
B&J Seafood
Island Express Ferry
James C. Briley, CPA
BRONZE
Knott’s Warehouse
First Citizens
Sound Bank
Styron & Styron
Rob & Suzanne Bizzell
King’s
Piggly Wiggly of Kinston
Chalk & Gibbs
Turner Family
NC Department of Agriculture – Seafood Division
Duke Energy
Cape Lookout National Seashore
Carteret NewsTimes
Emerald Isle Realty
Acculink
WATERFOWL WEEKEND FRIENDS
Fishermen’s Creations
First Bank
Mike Toler Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT
Pepsi
Exhibitors
Inside
Mike Hargraves, carver
Ronnie Wade, carver
Lou Doughty, model hunting boats
Ken Humphries, artist
Anthony Brooks, carver
Mark Cunningham, chain saw fish
Gary Freeman, carver, wildlife artist
John Kelley, carver
Tony Craig, artist
Kent Lee, carver/painter
Tent
Bill Ellis, woodcarvings
Lou Ann Sekely, alpaca Products, socks, gloves, scarves and hats
Marty Freeman, pottery
Connie Mason, CDs and handcrafts
Carolyn Temple, coastal photography
Rosalyn Ahner/Ashley Wimberly, burlaped wrapped decoys
Cathy Winborne, handcrafted jewelry
John Brooks & Bill Whitehurst, model boats/shell Art
Jennifer Harvell, Paintings/Fine Art
Eric Shwinn, Hats/T-Shirts/Banquet Tickets
Brent Hood/Gary Weaver, Tees, Hats & Stickers
Don Barbee, Oil and Acrylic on Canvas
Janet Hong, Acrylic painting and prints
Carteret Community College Carving Class – Daniel Nicholson
Jim Canady – Shore Birds & Decoys from Sam Barnes, Dodge Decoy Colin & Jennifer Taylor, Sink-Box Decoys
Falyn Styron – “Banks Bred Clothing Co”
Outside
Marty & Melissa Hodges, Salsa
Keith Hendrickson/Brandon Causey, Vintage styled Foam Decoys
Jeff Buck & Sue Buck, Wood Tables and Gun Carvings
Heidi H Roberts, Minature Fish Boxes
William L. Sauls, Decoys walking sticks
Mike Hiester, Glass
Howard Bauer, New Decoys, Oyster Cans
Donald Robertson, Seaglass, Metal Cutouts
