CRAVEN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA – Still recovering from the damages brought by Hurricane Florence, New Bern hosted the 38th annual Mumfest.
- Friday night's kick-off concert was made a benefit for local hurricane relief efforts
- The town's main street organization Swiss Bear, Inc. was determined to hold the festival as a revitalization effort
- The proceeds will go back to home and business owners in all of New Bern
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: New Bern's Mumfest to Go On in Wake of Hurricane Florence
Friday night's kick-off concert was made a benefit for local hurricane relief efforts. Many are still rebuilding their homes and businesses, but the town's main street organization Swiss Bear, Inc. was determined to hold the festival as a revitalization effort.
"Seeing the result of people coming out smiling, being happy, really getting their minds off [the damage]," said Swiss Bear board member Buddy Bengel. "That was one of the comments I heard from the concert is that it helped people take their minds off things. I spoke to a number of people at the concert who lost everything," he said.
The concert, headlined by country artists Dan and Shay, saw at least 3,700 people. The proceeds will go back to home and business owners in all of New Bern. The Swiss Bear is currently working out the best way to distribute funds to those in need.