I was surprised to learn this little tidbit, and perhaps you will be, too. Since 1987, the official state beverage of North Carolina is milk. Over 143 million gallons of milk are consumed in the state every year. We are the the 20th ranked state in milk production, with 179 million gallons produced per year. We produce more milk than we drink.
I think the General Assembly has made an error here. Clearly, sweet iced tea should be the official state drink.
What’s going on in the Ol’ North State next month?
3/1-3/27 Quilt Extravaganza on Roanoke Island
3/2-3/3 Rumba on the Lumber Festival
3/3-3/4 Civil War Living History Weekend on Roanoke Island
3/9-3/10 Back to the Beach Car Show at Fort Fisher
3/10 Hilton Head WineFest
3/15-3/18 NC Auto Expo at the State Fairgrounds
3/10-3/11 and 3/16-3/18 Southern Pines Horse Trials
3/17 Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Festival
3/17 Irish Festival in Ocean Isle Beach
3/17 St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival in Charlotte
3/17 St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Chili Cook-off in Henderson
3/17-3/18 India Fest in Raleigh
3/17-3/18 Johnston County Horse Show Series in Four Oaks
3/19 Home and Garden Show in Newbern
3/23 The Art’s Council’s Fourth Friday in Fayettville
3/23-3/25 Gem and Mineral Show in Morganton
3/26-3/31 Collie Club of America Show in Concord
3/30-3/31 Newport Pig Cookin’ Contest
3/31-4/1 Coastal Living Show in Wilmington
3/31-4/7 Easter Bunny Express (Easter Egg Hunt 3/31) in Spencer
3/31,4/1, 4/ 6 - 8, AND 4/14 - 15 North Carolina Renaissance Faire in Raliegh
I know I planned to bring you a list of festivals for the weekend, but the truth us that there aren’t any big ones that I can track down info on. Instead we are going to talk about berries, red and blue.
In 2001, the General Assembly adopted the [tag]blueberry[/tag] as the state’s official Blue Berry. North Carolina ranks 5th in blueberry production among the 50 states, and that berry contributed over $18,000,000 to the state economy in 2000.
In the same year, the [tag]strawberry[/tag] was selected as the state’s official Red Berry. Our state is the 8th ranked in the nation for strawberry production, and the strawberry added $17,000,000 in revenues
Both berries are grown throughout the state, and you can pick your own berries at farms from one end of the North Carolina to the other. to bring this back around to festivals, I happen to know that there are festivals celebrating both berries, and I will be telling you about them when the time comes.
I’ve added some new categories today. I’ll be exploring North Carolina festivals, schools and places in the days to come. I did spend quite a bit of time this afternoon looking to see what was going on in the state this weekend, and I found several small events, but not any festivals per se. I’m hoping to get some fun stuff together for you for Thursday’s post. I’m also looking forward to exploring our colleges and universities with you. North Carolina has some fabulous schools, both small and large. And finally, we have a plethora of interesting places to explore.
Have I mentioned how much I love questions and comments? If there is something about the state you wish to know, drop me a comment, and I’ll do my best to find an answer for you!
I am making this post also by request. I have to be truthful, and tell you that although wikipedia has some good things to say about the Longleaf Pine, and it is the state tree, it is a tree I really dislike. The first thing I did when I moved into my house was to clear it of pines, and this spring, I will be having to clear some saplings.
If you read the wiki, you will discover that this pine is very fire resistant. What they don’t add is that a pine tree, being so tall and straight is a lightening magnet. The trees may not combust when stricken by lightning; however, they are a very sappy tree, and that sap will get super hot, and the trees will actually explode. Picture that for a moment: boiling hot sap flying through the air, accompanied by large jagged chunks of tree. Yeah, not my favorite.
I’m posting this at my mother’s request. She even brought it over for me so I didn’t have to look online for it.
Here’s to the land
Of the long leaf pine,
The summer land where
The sun doth shine,
Where the weak grow strong
And the strong grow great,
Here’s to “down home”
The Old North State!
I am admitting up front that this post is here just to jibe on my northern readers, Today’s weather is marvelous. It is currently 71 degrees here, and I am going outside to sit and watch my children play.
Muhahahahahahahaha
North Carolina was settled heavily by Scots, and I am in fact descended from Scot forebears. We have our very own state tartan (which I did not know about until today). This tartan was adopted in 1991.
I think Native North Carolinian is pretty self-explanatory, so it’s this part I want to address today: Old North State. You might think that name would more aptly descibe New England, so here’s why it doesn’t.
When Carolina (notice the singular) was founded, it was just that. It was named for King Charles (whether French or English, and which one is fodder for another post). In 1710 the colony was divided into northern and southern sections, and that’s how this southern state came to be called the Old North State.