AURORA — The Beaufort County town of Aurora’s traditional celebration of fossils combined with Memorial Day festivities kept crowds entertained over the weekend.

Saturday’s highlights included a visit from N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory, educational lectures and exhibits hosted by the Aurora Fossil Museum, musical entertainment, Civil War encampment, classic car cruise-in, lawn mower pull, helicopter rides, fireworks and a parade, along with tours of the local phosphate mine.

Materials from the PotashCorp-Aurora mines offered a chance to search for fossils, while vendors did a brisk business selling everything from funnel cakes to shark tooth necklaces.

Andrea Stilley, who immersed herself in Fossil Festival activities during her eight-year stint as Fossil Museum director, likened the event to a homecoming of sorts.

“The festival is a chance to see people you haven’t seen in a while,” said Stilley, who now volunteers part of her retirement time helping out in the Aurora Chamber of Commerce’s festival booth.”I love it. It’s family friendly and there’s always something new.”