Looking for something to do this weekend? Every Thursday, the Visit North Carolina Blog will be taking a quick look at things to do around the state to help you plan your adventure. For even more events and happenings around North Carolina, go to VisitNC and click on 'events'.Easter Sunrises
It's Easter weekend, and for many people the highlight of an Easter Sunday is a sunrise service in a spectacular location. In North Carolina, we've got just the backdrop for whatever type of Easter experience you're looking for. Out on the Outer Banks' Hatteras Island, there are at least three places to see the sun rise over the Atlantic to celebrate Easter: in Rodanthe, at the beach behind the Chicamocomico Lifesaving Station at 6:20 a.m., at the Avon Pier in Avon at 6:30, and in Buxton near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, also at 6:30.
Of course, Easter is always an important day for Moravians in Old Salem, and the Easter Sunrise service at God's Acre has been a tradition here in Winston-Salem since the 1770s. At about 2 a.m., bands from the individual churches in Salem Congregation go throughout the city playing chorales to awaken people and remind all of the service. The musicians make their way back to Home Moravian Church where they gather and prepare to play for the Easter Sunrise Service. At 6:30 a.m. the presiding minister begins the first part of the Easter service in front of the church, then the congregation walks to God's Acre. After all have entered, the Band members come together again en masse and play Beethoven's "Creation Hymn" to begin the second part of the service. The Liturgy concludes as the sun rises over the graves of God's Acre.
A newer tradition in the mountains is the non-denominational service at Chimney Rock Park. It began as a small community gathering more than 50 years ago, but has grown to a celebration involving more than a thousand people from around the southeast. Also starting at 6:30, the highlight of the service is watching the sun rise over Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. Gates at the park will open from 5-6 a.m for the service, there is no admission charge, and guests are welcome to stay and enjoy the park for the day.
Of course, Easter is always an important day for Moravians in Old Salem, and the Easter Sunrise service at God's Acre has been a tradition here in Winston-Salem since the 1770s. At about 2 a.m., bands from the individual churches in Salem Congregation go throughout the city playing chorales to awaken people and remind all of the service. The musicians make their way back to Home Moravian Church where they gather and prepare to play for the Easter Sunrise Service. At 6:30 a.m. the presiding minister begins the first part of the Easter service in front of the church, then the congregation walks to God's Acre. After all have entered, the Band members come together again en masse and play Beethoven's "Creation Hymn" to begin the second part of the service. The Liturgy concludes as the sun rises over the graves of God's Acre.
A newer tradition in the mountains is the non-denominational service at Chimney Rock Park. It began as a small community gathering more than 50 years ago, but has grown to a celebration involving more than a thousand people from around the southeast. Also starting at 6:30, the highlight of the service is watching the sun rise over Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. Gates at the park will open from 5-6 a.m for the service, there is no admission charge, and guests are welcome to stay and enjoy the park for the day.
Horses, Hats, and Halifax
If you're not a "morning person", there are still plenty of other things to do this weekend in North Carolina. Fans of equestrian events need to climb onto their saddles and head to Charlotte, where the annual Charlotte Jumper Classic is being held all weekend at the Time-Warner Cable Arena. Up in Dillsboro, the quirky Easter Hat Parade takes place on Saturday, and the Halifax State Historic Site celebrates the 233rd anniversary of the Halifax Resolves on Sunday. The Resolves were signed April 12, 1776, and were the first official action by an entire colony recommending independence from Great Britian.
Diamond Days
In a sure sign that spring is here, Minor League Baseball returns to NC this weekend in a big way. Six of the state's ten teams are homestanding this weekend, including the Charlotte Knights, Durham Bulls, Greensboro Grasshoppers, Hickory Crawdads, Kannapolis Intimidators, and Kinston Indians.
Meanwhile, the boys of winter are wrapping up their regular seasons and heading for the playoffs. The NHL's Carolina Hurricanes play their regular-season home finale Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres at the RBC Center in Raleigh, while the Charlotte Checkers begin their quest for an ECHL title with two home playoff games versus the South Carolina Stingrays at the Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail.
High temperatures look to be in the 60s and 70s across the board this weekend. There may be a few scattered showers across some of the eastern sections of the state on Saturday, but forecasters expect everyone to see sunny skies for your Easter Sunday. Perfect sunrise service weather.
Enjoy your weekend! Get out and play!
Meanwhile, the boys of winter are wrapping up their regular seasons and heading for the playoffs. The NHL's Carolina Hurricanes play their regular-season home finale Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres at the RBC Center in Raleigh, while the Charlotte Checkers begin their quest for an ECHL title with two home playoff games versus the South Carolina Stingrays at the Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail.
Weather
High temperatures look to be in the 60s and 70s across the board this weekend. There may be a few scattered showers across some of the eastern sections of the state on Saturday, but forecasters expect everyone to see sunny skies for your Easter Sunday. Perfect sunrise service weather.
Enjoy your weekend! Get out and play!
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