THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 28, 1994 TAG: 9407280531
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
The South's beauty and bounty will be celebrated at summer festivals in Edenton and Murfreesboro.
The 1st Crape Myrtle Festival will be held Friday and Saturday in the historic town of Edenton, located off U.S. 17 about 35 miles from Elizabeth City, and the ninth annual Watermelon Festival is set for next week in Murfreesboro.
At the Edenton celebration, Friday and Saturday events will include an all-day crafts fair, art show, boat show, food booths and one-hour sailboat tours for $6 per person.
A unique attraction will be the ``Tiny Dwellings'' walking tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors will view nine backyard buildings, such as playhouses, greenhouses and guest rooms. Advance tickets are $5 per person and will be sold at the Edenton Police Department. Door passes are $1 each.
Canoes will be raced along Edenton Bay from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, followed by a new, two-mile trail dedication at 2 p.m. The evening will wrap up with an 8 p.m. Crape Myrtle Play and Old Fashion Talent Show at Swain Auditorium. Tickets are $5 a person at the door.
Saturday features the Children's Crape Myrtle Parade at 10 a.m. along Broad Street. An hour later the waterfront parks will be taken over with children's games, clowns, storytellers, jugglers, trains and local talent.
Water activities will include a Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue at 1 p.m. and one-man sailboat races at 2. Another competitive event will be the ``Fastest Arm in the South Baseball Throw Contest'' 2 p.m. at New Waterfront Park.
The festival will come to a close with a free dance from 9 to 11 p.m. at Waterfront Park and Parade of Lights over Edenton Bay at 9:30.
For more information on the Crape Myrtle Festival call 482-3400 or 1-800-775-0111.
The Watermelon Festival in Murfreesboro's historic district will kick off Wednesday evening, Aug. 3, with a street dance featuring The Band of Oz. Similar street parties on Thursday and Friday evenings will include music by The Harborlights and Bill Agans.
North Carolina's largest agricultural parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, with a procession along Murfreesboro's Main Street.
The parade will be followed by a crafts show, helicopter rides, magic shows, amusement rides, clogging demonstrations and a Watermelon Fashion Parade.
The evening will be capped by a fireworks display around 9 p.m. and a final street dance featuring The Continental Cowboys.
Murfreesboro is on U.S. 158 and about a 65- to 75-minute drive from Elizabeth City. For more festival information, call 919-398-5922. by CNB