Salute To Soldiers

Saturday, May 21st - 6:00 until 9:00 PM
Armed Forces Day
Bertie Celebration - "Salute to Soldiers"

Navy Jet Landing at Night

The Bertie County Arts Council is looking for names of Bertie men and women serving in all branches of the military to be honored at their Salute to Soldiers! This will be held at Hope Plantation on May 21st from 6:00 to 9:00 PM

Training in Kirkuk, Iraq

The North Carolina National Guard Band will perform at the celebration. The full band, including the Patriots, who perform big band and jazz music; the Minute Men, who perform music from the 50s to the 80s; and the concert band will offer every kind of music the public could want.

War in Afghanistan Continues

The celebration will allow the public to show its appreciation for the sacrifices made on behalf of America. We owe them our freedom.

Air Force F15 Deploys

Bertie County Arts Council is asking the public to help spread the word and get members of the military and their families to the gathering. Military service people with I.D. will be admitted free. This includes spouse and dependents. For others, there will be a $3 admittance fee ($5 at the gate) to help defray expenses for the evening celebration.

Dangerous Work

There will be pork dinners and homemade desserts for sale during the concert. As part of the effort to make this a family event, no alcohol will be allowed. The audience is asked to bring lawn chairs.

Night Refueling Requires Precision

Anyone with a family member or friend serving his/her country in any military capacity is asked to call Bertie County Arts Council, 794-9402, or email us. If no one is in BCAC office when you call, please leave a message with name, service and rank.

Long Months at Sea

Please help us identify military personnel from Bertie County so those names can be listed in the program.

Paddle For The Border - April 30th

The annual “Paddle For The Border” event has been enlarged this year in celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Dismal Swamp Canal. Paddle the historic waterway from Chesapeake, VA, to South Mills, NC, in the 2nd annual PADDLE FOR THE BORDER on April 30, 2005. A really great event, the DEADLINE to register is fast approaching - the dealine has been moved up to April 8th. If you want to attend you need to act now.

"Paddle For The Border" participants in last year's event

This event between two states will be hosted by the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center and Dismal Swamp State Natural Area, South Mills, NC; the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Suffolk, VA; and the City of Chesapeake Parks & Recreation Department, Chesapeake, VA;

Approximately 150 boats (canoes/kayaks) will participate on a first-come basis from the launch point at the Great Dismal Swamp boat launch in Chesapeake, VA, paddling 7.5 miles to the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center in South Mills, NC. Lunch for all participants will be provided at the Welcome Center by the Great Dismal Swamp Coalition following conclusion of the event.

Legislators and media representatives from both states have been invited to ride this beautiful waterway aboard the pilot boats.

All boats must be pre-registered. A Registration Fee of $30.00 per person (add $5 after deadline) will cover all costs, including an event T-shirt and hat, lunch and shuttle service. The Registration Package download will be available at the following websites: dismalswamp.com and cityofchesapeake.net. You may also contact the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center at (252) 771-8333 or the City of Chesapeake, Parks and Recreation Department (757) 382-6411