Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

From Washington Harbor District Alliance

Washington Harbor District Alliance & the Mac Hodges Memorial Committee are excited to announce the ribbon cutting of a bear statue in memory of Washington’s late mayor, Mac Hodges, on Wednesday, September 13th at 4:00pm. The bear will be located by the children’s playground in the Mac “Bear” Hodges Festival Park and will be installed the week of August 28th by Washington’s Parks & Recreation Department.

Hodges earned the nickname of Bear from Coach Choppy Wagner at Washington High School since he looked like a lumbering bear running down the field. The name stuck and it matched his larger-than-life personality. Hodges always looked for fun in life while equally valuing service and community. Besides his love for his family, his true passions were ECU Athletics & the City of Washington. After many years of service with local organizations, Hodges became mayor in 2013 & served until his death in 2020.

Led by close friend, Virginia Finnerty, & the Washington-Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, funds were raised for a swing and a statue in Mac’s honor. In September 2022, the first Mac “Bear” Hodges Music Festival was held bringing local musical talent to the Festival Park’s gazebos. The Park was one of the many projects Hodges championed so people could enjoy life on the river and come together as a community. He recognized that a city’s downtown is the heartbeat where tourism & small business development intersect while being an attraction for local industry.

The statue and swing are just the beginning for projects that will be completed with the Mac Hodges Memorial Fund. Future projects include a dance floor for Mac “Bear” Hodges Festival Park and other improvements for public use.

This year’s Mac “Bear” Hodges Music Festival will be held on Sunday, October 8th from 2pm- 8pm with music from Eli Craig Band, Cathead Biscuit, & Soul Psychadelique plus delicious food from local food trucks, fun activities, and great artwork from local artisans at the Mac “Bear” Hodges Festival Park. Washington’s Civic Center will be the rain location. More information can be found at whda.org.

Donations to the Mac Hodges Memorial fund can be made payable to WHDA with Hodges Fund in the Memo line mailed to PO Box 1988, Washington NC 27889. Downtown Washington on the Waterfront DBA WHDA is a non-profit organization, and all contributions are tax deductible.