By Chase Luker, Eastern 4-H Center Program Director

Spring in eastern North Carolina is a time filled with special events. Festival, parties, and fundraisers dot the Inner and Outer Banks just in time for the weather’s warm breezes. The Eastern 4-H Center in Columbia, North Carolina has just such an event to celebrate its mission and to promote the region it supports and calls home. May’s first Saturday brings the Center’s annual fundraiser, “On the Dock of the Bay” to the southern shore of Albemarle Sound – it’s an event that hosts guests from all over the region and state for an evening of fun, food, and fundraising. This year’s event is May 2nd – and it’s the 12th annual rendition. Some people come for the live beach music, some for the silent auction, and some for the fantastic food. But all who attend play a special part in raising money for the Eastern 4-H Center’s camp scholarship fund!

Considered by many to be a signature event to the area, it suits all of its guests in a variety of ways. Event patrons delight at the locally-sourced seafood, most of which is pulled from the waters that provide the backdrop for the event itself, Albemarle Sound. Blue crab, scallops, and shrimp find their way on to the buffet at every event. A dessert bar, dressed to the nines, includes and chocolate fountain that tempts patrons in to an overdose of chocolate.  A silent auction with items from local, regional, and nationally recognized artisans fills a room with unique goodies and dedicated bidders. The soundtrack for “On the Dock of the Bay” is provided by beach music bands – this year it’s Jonny Waters & Company and The Main Event Band. Visitors have the waterfront to strut and stroll throughout the night! Despite all of the fun, the nights purpose is to raise money for deserving kids to attend camp at the Eastern 4-H Center. Summer Camp, too, is an all-American experience, and the ability to offer children a quintessential childhood memory is what “On the Dock of the Bay” is all about. Tickets to the event are available online at www.eastern4hcenter.org or can be purchased at the Eastern 4-H Center throughout the week.  The event starts at 6:00 pm, on the waterfront at the Eastern 4-H Center – tickets are available at the door, though they’re $65 per guest. Make your plans today for 1, 2, or 20!  For more information, call 252 797-4800.