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THURSDAY SCHEDULE

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Downtown New Bern Tours
8:00 - 9:00 AM

Location:

Riverfront Convention Center | 203 S. Front Street | Front Lawn

1 | Art in the Open

Explore the vibrant streets of Downtown New Bern on a Mural Walking Tour showcasing the city’s history, culture, and creative spirit. Each mural tells a story from New Bern’s colonial roots to its riverfront charm and artistic community, turning downtown into an open-air gallery. Discover how local artists have transformed ordinary walls into colorful reflections of the city’s heritage.

2 | Old & New in Downtown

Experience the blend of history and innovation on a walking tour of Downtown New Bern’s newest and oldest businesses. Visit the city’s newest Fair-Trade store, enjoy fresh brews from a local coffee roastery, and explore a hardware store that has served the community for over a century. Meet the owners of a stained-glass shop who quite literally sailed into town—and loved New Bern so much, they bought a building and made it home.

3 | Sights, Sounds, and Shows

Art, theatre, and music are part of what makes Downtown New Bern a destination for both visitors and locals. Visit a theatre and gallery with the Executive Directors that steer New Bern’s arts scene and get a deeper understanding of the programming that makes the city a cultural destination.

4 | City Projects

Discover New Bern’s commitment to community and accessibility through its latest city projects. Union Point Park and the Riverwalk offer scenic waterfront spaces for recreation and relaxation, while the new fishing pier provides prime spots for angling enthusiasts. The City Hall Elevator Annex enhances accessibility, ensuring all residents and visitors can easily navigate downtown’s civic hub.

5 | Five Points: Past, Present & People

Explore New Bern’s Five Points with a fun walk through of The Wood Shop, Freshwater Beer Co., Firefly Café, and Brewery 99—a quick taste of local craft, flavor, and community. The Wood Shop features custom, handmade furniture and classes. Freshwater Beer Co. is a local gathering place for running clubs, friends, and pop-up markets. Firefly Café, one of our newest restaurants is located in the old City Laundry building, and Brewery 99 is a community watering hole that always brings people together.

6 | Upstairs Downtown

Take a peek at several innovative downtown residential spaces. Spaces include fully renovated apartments and condos, some of the most beautiful residences in New Bern. Inspiration is just a staircase away.

7 | Buildings on the Move

Explore Downtown New Bern’s architectural history on a unique tour of houses that have been relocated from their original sites. Discover the stories behind these historic homes, from preservation efforts to creative restorations, as you stroll through charming streets. This tour offers a fascinating look at how the city preserves its heritage while adapting to modern growth.

BREAK

9:00-9:15 AM

MORNING REMARKS

9:15-9:45 AM

 

Liz Parham, Director, NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center

MORNING REMARKS

9:15-9:45 AM

 

Liz Parham, Director, NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center

CHAMPION/GUEST CHECK-IN

10:30-11:30 AM

 

Location: Riverfront Convention Center | 203 S. Front Street

COFFEE WITH THE CHAMPIONS

11:00-11:30 PM


Designed to provide attendees with best practices to build a highly effective

downtown revitalization program and operation. 

NC MAIN STREET CHAMPIONS RECOGNITION CEREMONY

11:30-12:45 PM

 

Location: Riverfront Convention Center | 203 S. Front Street & Downtown New Bern

Main Street Champions are selected by their respective Main Street communities, and the North Carolina Department of Commerce is proud to recognize each nominee submitted by local Main Street leadership at the NC Main Street Champions ceremony.

 

No Ticket Required

Closing Remarks

12:45-1:00 PM

Location: Riverfront Convention Center | 203 S. Front Street

Liz Parham, Director, NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center 

Thursday at a Glance

Day
Start
End
Description
Location
Thurs
8:00
11:30
Registration
Thurs
8:00
9:00
Tours
Thurs
9:00
9:15
Break
Thurs
9:15
9:45
Morning Remarks
Thurs
9:45
10:30
Modern Magnets: Powering Downtowns with Today’s Anchor Destinations
Thurs
10:30
11:00
Main Street Forward: Where Lessons Learned Power the Future
Thurs
10:30
11:30
Champion/Guest Check-In
Thurs
11:00
11:30
Coffee with the Champions 
Thurs
11:30
12:45
NC Main Street Champions Recognition Ceremony
Thurs
12:45
1:00
Closing Remarks
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Thank You for the
Stunning Contributions!

We are grateful to Visit New Bern, Swiss Bear (Downtown New Bern), and Ben Lindemann Photography for providing the beautiful images featured on the conference website and publications.

Their work truly captures the charm and spirit of New Bern.

Take a moment to explore more of their incredible photography and see why New Bern is such a special place:

Thank you for helping us showcase the beauty of New Bern

Thank You to our Conference Partners

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