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Each of New Bern’s festivals and events play a role in shaping the city and have an impact on its future perhaps an even greater one post-COVID-19.
“I think these events are critically important to the vibrancy of the downtown and to the economy of downtown,” said Lynne Harakal, executive director of Swiss Bear Inc. “We need the resurgence of activities, we need you know, the large conventions coming back into the area, that’s all critical to the overall continued health of our businesses in the downtown area.”
The town of River Bend planned and canceled its first-ever firework show this year due to anticipated bad weather. Historically putting a parade on for residents, the total cost of the firework show would have been $7,500, however, they only had to pay the vendor compensation fee of $800.
New Bern’s travel industry, which employed more than 1,180 Craven County residents in 2019, is working to mitigate labor shortage challenges while gearing up for what is projected to be a good summer.
“I think we are going to have as good a summer as we’ve had in a long time, I think the world is opening back up, some people are anxious to get out, not just tourists, but everybody,” said Kevin Roberts, president of the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce.
According to the Occupancy Tax Collections Report for Craven County, overnight stays in February were only down 18 percent from last year and in March they were up 41.6 percent since 2020.