Movie at “The Circle”: Every Wednesday night from June 1 – Aug. 31 the town of Atlantic Beach invites everyone to grab a lawn chair, picnic basket and cooler for a movie at “The Circle.” Located near the gazebo area by the pavilion, the movies begin around sundown and with five Wednesdays in August there are still plenty of chances to catch such favorites as Pirates of the Caribbean, Finding Nemo and Toy Story 3 so be sure to stop by for a free evening of entertainment under the stars.

Concert in the Park: A short drive across the Atlantic Beach Bridge sits Morehead City where every Saturday from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day weekend you’re invited for a free evening of  live music. Held from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Jaycee Park, the concert series features the best of local and regional musicians from gospel, jazz, beach and world music, guaranteeing there is something for everyone so grab the family and head out for a jubilant time.

Beach Jive After Five & Friday Free Flix: A few miles south of Atlantic Beach is the cozy town of Emerald Isle where you can find even more free live music at the Beach Jive After Five, which still has two performances remaining on Aug. 18 and Sept. 15. The event is held from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the main beach access where picnic tables, volleyball courts and restrooms are available to guests. Another exciting event in Emerald Isle is the Friday Free Flick series which is held at 7 p.m. the second Friday of each month in the gymnasium at Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation. Enjoy family friendly movies like Diary of a Wimpy Kid while enjoying popcorn and a soda for only $1.

Artists on Arendell: A new event for 2011, Artists on Arendell will hold their first event on Friday Aug. 5 from 3 – 8 p.m. on Arendell Street inMorehead City. The area’s most talented sculptures, jewelers and painters will demonstrate their craft and offer some of their finest work at this exciting new event. The art demonstration will be held every Friday until “the weather turns cold” so be sure to stop by and enjoy watching art being made.

Located just across the Atlantic Beach Bridge in Morehead City,  the Morehead City Marlins play all their home games at Big Rock Stadium and feature multiple promotional events throughout the game such as the dizzy bat race, stroller race, push-up contest and more. Best of all with adult tickets at $6 and children tickets at $4 taking the entire family out for a night of entertainment won’t break the wallet.

Of course you expect good baseball in addition to all of the family-friendly promotions, and after winning the Coastal Plain League Southern Division Championship in their inaugural season the Marlins have already won enough games in 2011 to guarantee a winning record for the second time in only two years. Comprised of some of the top collegiate baseball players from across the country, the Coastal Plain League is a wood bat only summer baseball league similar to the famous Cape Cod Baseball League and features 15 teams that are scattered throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

With great baseball, affordable prices and plenty of family entertainment it’s easy to see why families are adding the Morehead City Marlins to their list of Atlantic Beach vacation traditions. For a full team schedule or more information on the Marlins visit www.mhcmarlins.com.

At The Resort

HotSpot Recreation Department – Located on the resort property, the HotSpot Recreation Department is loaded to the gills with an array of programs and activities to keep all ages entertained. An arcade, Ping Pong tables, horse shoes, surfboards and beach volleyball along with hundreds of board games, DVD’s and much more will keep the children going while classes like Gentle Yoga and Water Aerobics will help the adults melt away.

Gentle Yoga - One of many programs offered at the resort, the Gentle Yoga class is a great way to start the day while on vacation. Held every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m., Aerobics and Fitness Association of America certified instructor and Recreation Department Director, Kristen Williams, caters the class to those present as she guides guests on a relaxing and refreshing journey to free the mind and body.

Employee Profile: Don Arthur – A loyal NC State fan, family man and 24 year fixture at Peppertree Atlantic Beach, Don Arthur has come to represent the core values in which Festiva takes so much pride. A true patron to the virtue of loyalty, Arthur believes “the owners are the sole reason we are here, they are who we are,” so stop by his office, say hello and make a new friend on your next trip toAtlanticBeach.

Captain Charles – From May until mid-October Captain Charles and his refrigerated truck can be found at the resort delivering locally caught seafood including Flounder, Grouper, Red Snapper, Little Neck Clams and much more. With fully-equipped kitchens in each unit and fresh seafood available on site a healthy and affordable meal is only moments away.

Out & About

NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores – Only minutes from the resort, The NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores takes guests on a journey from the mountains to the sea as they discover the aquatic wildlife of the state. Over 3 thousand animals residing in 40 exhibits in five galleries are all waiting to be explored at this underwater adventure.

Amos Mosquito’s -  With a fun yet chic atmosphere, attentive wait staff and delectable dishes like “Scalloped” Scallops, it’s clear to see why Amos Mosquito’s Restaurant & Bar is all the buzz around Atlantic Beach. Arrive early though as reservations are not accepted and when the food is this good, a wait can be expected.

If you enjoyed reading about the resort and all of the exciting attractions in Atlantic Beach be sure to look for the Summer 2011 issue of Journeys due out in July. The exciting double feature will highlight Festiva’s family-friendly Mirror Lake & Tamarack Resort in Wisconsin Dells, W.I., and the lively Frenchmen Orleans at 519 in New Orleans.

The week-long program enjoyed such a successful first year in 2010 they decided to expand from 40 children to a total of 94, creating a need to also expand the program’s curriculum.

“We received such positive feedback from the community that this year we decided to add to the number of sessions as well as integrate ocean kayaking skills,” said Chief Snyder. “The Atlantic Beach Volunteer Fire Department donated two of the three kayaks we were seeking, and that’s where Festiva stepped in.”

Dave Jones, Project Director for Festiva’s Atlantic Beach Sales operations, saw an opportunity to give back to the community when he heard the fire department was in need of a third kayak.

“Last year my 12-year-old daughter Meghan attended the program and thoroughly enjoyed it. It also helps protect our guests by having more eyes on the beach,” said Jones. “By donating the kayak we feel like we are helping make our beach safer for everyone and it was just the right thing to do.”

Chief Snyder echoes the sentiment.

“With a population of around 45 thousand in the peak months our 14 full-time lifeguards cannot see everything. Once these children finish the program they become like first responders and can identify and safely rescue someone in trouble which is beneficial to the people who come here and visit us.”

The Frenzy kayak, which will feature the Festiva logo, is specifically designed for riding the ocean surf and due to its short base can easily turn in rough waters, making it a vital tool for the future success of the program in years to come. Anyone staying at Peppertree Atlantice Beach can catch the children and kayaks in action on the beach each morning from June 13-17 and June 27 through July 1.

For more information on the Atlantic Beach Junior Lifeguard Program or to sign up for the 2012 program visit www.atlanticbeach-nc.com or contact Fire Chief Snyder at 252-726-7361.

Whether you are a new comer or an experienced paddler Pirate Queen Paddling offers a variety of tours and kayaks to accommodate your needs. The two hour guided tour is perfect for those just learning or on a tight schedule and will circumnavigate Sugarloaf Island in search of wildlife. Half-day tours, which run around four hours, will explore Taylor’s Creek before making a visit to Carrot Island to search for wild ponies. In the evening watch a sunset where legendary pirate Blackbeard came to get away from it all with the two hour Sunset Festival which last two hours. Of course anyone seeking to head out on their own will have a large selection of kayaks to chose from to fit your personal adventure.

Parents will enjoy an array of tours and programs that Pirate Queen Paddling has to offer for the children. Recommended for children 4-12 years old, the Wee Pirate Treasure Hunt will have your “pirates-in-training” paddling over to a secret island armed with a treasure map and a sense of adventure while they search for hidden pirate “booty”. For those 8-14 years old there is the Sea Kayak Day Camp and the Pirate Overnight Camp, both of which teach proper paddling technique while educating participants on the surrounding ecosystems and environment.

Anglers looking for a more unique experience will enjoy fishing from a customized kayak designed specifically for the needs of the fisherman. Armed with local fishing knowledge guides from Pirate Queen Paddling will direct guests to the best location for catching a variety of fish such as Flounder, Drum, Spanish Mackerel and Trout. Each trip last around five hours, providing plenty of time for fishing and relaxing on the calm waters of the surrounding creeks and waterways of the Crystal Coast.

With a variety of tours, camps and fishing trips available for all ages Pirate Queen Paddling is a perfect daytime activity while staying in the Atlantic Beach area. For pricing and more information be sure to visit online at www.piratequeenpaddling.com. For accommodations be sure to check out Festiva Hospitality Group’s Peppertree Atlantic Beach, offering fully-equipped condominiums with beach access.

Festiva Hospitality Group and Festiva Adventure Club recently launched a new web presence, Festiva Complaints Resolution Center, aimed at resolving online Festiva Resorts complaints and providing information to owners and guests trying to resolve their various Festiva complaints.  Festiva has experienced an immediate positive reaction from its resort guests who have used the new service

“Since the launch of the Festiva Resorts Complaints Resolution site we have seen an overall decrease of complaints submitted to third-party websites as our customers are finding that when they contact us directly, their issues are resolved much faster and more effectively than when they submit their complaints to a third-party site that offers no resolution,” says Sara Little, Festiva’s Director of Corporate Communications.

One of the most significant accomplishments of the new site is the facilitated direction of complaints to the proper departments within the company for quicker resolution and away from false “Festiva scam” websites which were set up in the past to masquerade as the company’s complaints department.

Little explains, “We realized several years ago that in order to keep up with the fast-paced and ever-changing world of the internet, and specifically social media, we need to actively participate in the online conversations that are already taking place within our industry. We have since taken several steps to utilize various forms of technology to improve customer service and communication with our owners and guests, and festivacomplaints.com is the latest tool we are using to reach out to our web-savvy customers.”

Festiva Hospitality Group and Festiva Adventure Club’s family of resorts include a wide range of properties across the U.S. and Caribbean, including a fleet of luxury yachts.  Festiva resorts include such premium properties as the Church Street Inn, the Atrium Resort, and Ellington at Wachesaw Plantation East.

Visit Festiva Complaints Resolution Center at http://www.festivacomplaints.com.

The timeshare industry’s online reputation has been inundated in recent years with various “consumer scam” and complaint sites, claiming to help consumer solve their problems.  In reality, these scam sites are set up to produce ill-gotten advertising revenue for their owners and offer little value to the consumer trying to open a dialogue that ends in their complaint being resolved or to obtain more information about their issue.

“We’re trying to make a proactive effort to meet online complaints “head-on”.  We are able to resolve an overwhelming majority of the issues that our guests bring to our attention, and we constantly strive to improve our methodology and service as it applies to consumer complaints”, says Sara B. Little, Festiva’s Director of Corporate Communications.

Guests are able to read special announcements from Festiva; for instance, a recent letter to members regarding special assessment has been posted on the site, along with updated comments from members, in order to dispel confusion about the program.  Along with various resolved Festiva complaints, member-specific information specially suited to resolving common issues can be found throughout the site.

Festiva Hospitality Group and Festiva Adventure Club operate a chain of resorts located in destinations across the United States and Caribbean.  Offering a full range of resort locales from luxurious beaches to historic neighborhoods, Festiva’s timeshare resorts provide the utmost in comfort, service, and luxury, while maintaining a family-oriented environment.

Visit Festiva’s Complaints Resolution Center at http://www.festivacomplaints.com

Located on the North Carolina Crystal Coast near Atlantic Beach, the N.C. Maritime Museum is stuffed with artifacts, relics and exhibits. The museum’s auditorium consists of a multitude of displays including the Watson Shell Collection which consists of over 5 thousand seashells from 100 countries. Additional displays such as Science by the Sea: Stories of Local Marine Research, educate visitors on the region’s aquatic life and the important roles these animals play in maintaining the fragile ecosystem. Currently on display through November 2010, the exhibit features artifacts and fossils on loan from the Smithsonian Institute that are returning to the area for the first time in 140 years. The exhibit also includes a hands-on microscope station as well as a multitude of games and quizzes.

Perhaps the most intriguing exhibit at the museum is that of Blackbeard, the most infamous pirate of all time. Blackbeard’s ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge, was believed to be discovered off the coast of North Carolina in 1996 near Beaufort Inlet and the museum. Since the discovery the state has been awarded the rights to the shipwreck and archaeologists have recovered such artifacts as an English Blunderbuss gun barrel, a bronze bell, and cannon balls. As Queen Anne’s Revenge continues to be excavated additional artifacts will be added to the exhibit. With the allure and mystique that surround pirates, Blackbeard and Queens Anne’s Revenge is one exhibit that should not be missed. 

Adjacent the the maritime museum is the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center where visitors can observe museum volunteers constructing, conserving and restoring wooden boats. All of the restored vessels, ranging from canoes to sailing skiffs, are put on display next door in the Boat Shed. The Watercraft Center also offers a variety of classes from model boat building to the Boat-in-a-Day program where parents and children spend the day building a functioning flat-bottom rowboat. The center also offers an extensive range of boat building classes throughout the year.

The North Carolina Maritime Museum is an ideal place to spend a day when visiting the Crystal Coast. To learn more about the museum programs and hours of operation visit them online at www.ncmaritimemuseum.org. For information on lodging in the area check out Festiva Hospitality’s Atlantic Beach Resort, located only a few minutes away.

The main attraction at the park is the 1834 pentagon-shaped fortress first used to protect the coast against foreign invaders and pirates, then against the Yankees during the Civil War. Once inside the 4.5 foot-thick walls of the fortress visitors can explore the rich and storied history by visiting the museum located in the casements. Exhibits and displays acquaint visitors with the fort’s history and restored quarters offer a look into how soldiers lived while stationed there. Outside of the casements located in the courtyard there are still some of the original 54 heavy cannons on display that were used to fight off invading pirates and armies throughout the years. For a truly in depth look into Fort Macons’ history visitors are encouraged to take one of the guided tours offered 7 days a week by park rangers which includes a Civil War weapons demonstration. There is no admission to the park and guided tours are free as well.

In addition to historical tours of the fort rangers offer a selection of nature hikes through maritime forest, marshes and along the beach that focus on birds, sea life and the surrounding ecosystems. Fort Macon State Park also offers 1.5 miles of public beaches that are perfect for hiking, fishing and swimming. A refreshment stand and seaside bathhouse are also conveniently located on the beach and are open from June through Labor Day. Outdoor grills and numerous picnic tables give visitors the chance to enjoy the ocean breeze while eating outside under the Carolina sky.

Fort Macon State Park is perfect for a look back at American history and also a fun filled day at the beach. For information on vacation rentals in the area be sure to check out Peppertree Atlantic Beach, a Festiva Hospitality resort located only a few minutes away.

Founded in 1976 as part of the North Carolina Aquariums system, the aquarium is located in Carteret County along the N.C. Crystal Coast and is focused on promoting awareness, understanding and appreciation for the bodies of water that make up the ecosystems of the state. To do so the aquarium has many daily activities that are included with the price of admission. At 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. visitors can interact with divers using underwater microphones as they swim with a multitude of sea life in the aquarium’s 306,000 gallon tank. At 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. the divers feed the inhabitants of the tank, including sting rays, eels and sharks. Show some knowledge and finish the day at 3:45 p.m. by winning prizes during Aquarium Jeopardy.

Throughout the year the aquarium offers special events in addition to their regular list of exhibits. On selected Thursdays from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. make sure to visit for the popular Family Night, a theme filled evening with special guest speakers, music and children’s activities. A list of upcoming Family Nights is listed below.

July 1- North Carolina Culture – Enjoy Bluegrass music and other local traditions and culture

July 15- Slime, Scales & Salamander Tails – Amphibians take center stage

July 29- Sharks – Explore the mysteries of the ocean’s top predators

August 12- Birds – Fly with us for a look at the fascinating world of birds

If there are any shark fans in the family make sure to attend this year’s Shark Week from July 25-31. Explore the often misunderstood predators of the sea during this week long series of events.

The Pine Knoll Shores aquarium also offers a selection of special activities for an additional cost to the entrance fee. Visitors can take a variety of lessons from surfing, snorkeling and kayaking to fishing. If being in the water is not your forte check out the different types of behind the scenes feeding sessions available or venture off on a night time guided  tour in search of nesting sea turtles. Prior registration is required for all special activity programs so make sure to show up early or contact the aquarium ahead of time.

To get up close and personal with the aquatic wildlife and take advantage of the educational programs and events offered, or for more information on hours of operation and prices contact the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores toll-free at 1-866-294-3477 or visit online at www.ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores. For lodging in the area check out Festiva Resorts Peppertree Atlantic Beach or visit www.festiva.travel.