RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 10/11/2022 — PBS North Carolina’s iconic series NC Weekend kicked off its twentieth season on Thursday, October 6, 9 PM, on PBS NC and the PBS Video App. Hosted by Deborah Holt Noel, NC Weekend takes viewers to the best sites and attractions our state has to offer. The new season premieres with a mountain escape to the orchards, wineries and inns of Henderson County and the Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage Center in Old Fort.
Additional highlights this season include an Oktoberfest tour of unique NC breweries, an overnight stay on the Frying Pan Tower (a lighthouse found 30 miles offshore), a “Savor the Flavor” episode from the nation’s first roadside food hall, a visit to Pittsboro’s Fearrington House Inn for its fortieth anniversary and a peek at“The Power of Women in Country Music” exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of History in downtown Raleigh. See the full fall schedule below.
“North Carolina is a fascinating state for stories because of its rich history and culture developed by natives and newcomers, and a diverse landscape that has provided natural resources for both industry and glorious vacation escapes,” says NC Weekend Host Deborah Holt Noel. “Hosting NC Weekend has opened to me a world of hidden gems in local travel. Incredible experiences are often right in our back door, and it’s so rewarding to share those discoveries with family, friends and fans of the show.”
“Over the course of 20 seasons, we’ve highlighted countless communities, businesses and sites, each with something special to offer and many that were suggested by our dedicated fans,” says NC Weekend Executive Producer David Hardy. “We feel so honored to explore the rich diversity of our state for our viewers every week and look forward to sharing new stories in the years to come.”
NC Weekend first debuted Friday, July 4, 2003, with a live broadcast from the North Carolina Fourth of July Festival in Southport with host Marla Roth. Since then, the program has visited hundreds of towns across the state to find the most intriguing eateries, local businesses, nature spots and cultural attractions. For 18 seasons, food writer and barbecue enthusiast Bob Garner (now retired) sampled the best of NC’s flavors and delighted audiences with his signature “mmm-mmm” stamp of approval.
Some of Deborah Holt Noel’s most memorable NC Weekend experiences include the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn in Asheville; the beautiful Bed & Breakfast on Tiffany Hill in Mills River; spectacular waterfalls in Brevard; wine tours in Saluda; kayaking along the Blueways of Gaston County; exploring the theaters and nightlife in Winston-Salem and Durham; splashing in the beaches at Topsail, Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington; adventuring in the Outer Banks; exploring Main Street shops and breweries in Rocky Mount; zip lining in Fayetteville; Christmas at Tryon Palace; and cheering the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
“I’ve learned enough about this state to realize there’s a lot more to learn,” says Deborah Holt Noel. “I’m excited to discover more of it along with our audience.”
Fall Broadcast Schedule
NC Weekend airs Thursdays, 9 PM, on PBS NC. The series will also be available on the PBS Video App. Visit pbsnc.org/schedule for the latest scheduling information.
Episode 1: “Mountain Escapes”
Premieres Thursday, October 6, 9 PM
A visit to apple orchards, wineries, inns and restaurants in Henderson County, plus a trip to the Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage Center in Old Fort.
Episode 2: “Bucket List Ideas”
Premieres Thursday, October 13, 9 PM
Ideas for your “bucket list,” like sleeping in a lighthouse 30 miles offshore, journeying down an ancient river with members of the Coharie Tribe and owning a winery. Stops include visits to the Frying Pan Tower off the coast of NC, the Coharie River in Sampson County and Parker-Binns Vineyards in the Tryon foothills.
Episode 3: “Remembering John”
Premieres Thursday, October 20, 9 PM
A tribute to one of NC Weekend’s longtime storytellers, John Litschke, with five of his favorite stories, including a segment on the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, a co-op that promotes Cherokee arts and culture.
Episode 4: “Brewery Tour”
Premieres Thursday, October 27, 9 PM
A brewery tour just in time for Oktoberfest. Stops include visits to Olde Mecklenburg Brewing in Charlotte, Afrofuturism-inspired Spaceway Brewing in Rocky Mount, Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills, the Lost Colony Brewery and Cafe in downtown Manteo and Wicked Weed in Asheville.
Episode 5: “Savor the Flavor”
Premieres Thursday, November 3, 9 PM
Bring your appetite for this food-themed episode. Stops include Old North State Food Hall (the nation’s first roadside food hall) in Johnston County, BeefMastor Inn in Wilson, Buxton Barbecue in Asheville, Magnolia 23 in Asheboro and Saltbox Seafood Joint from James Beard Award–winning chef Ricky Moore.
Episode 6: “Come Together”
Premieres Thursday, November 10, 9 PM
A focus on civic-minded businesses that bring communities together, including Weaver Street Market in Carrboro, Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom in Hope Mills, the soccer-loving coffee roastery Little Guatemala in Morganton, Community Matters Cafe in Charlotte, Citizen Vinyl in Asheville and Melanated Wine, Durham’s first Black-owned winery.
Episode 7: “Creative State”
Premieres Thursday, November 17, 9 PM
A celebration of the rich arts scene in North Carolina. Stops include the Carolina Bronze Sculpture Park in Seagrove, the Mangum-Cater on Main pottery studio and gallery in Sparta, Tryon Arts and Crafts School, “The Power of Women in Country Music” exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh and the “Chrome Dreams and Infinite Reflections: American Photorealism” exhibit at Reynolda House in Winston-Salem.
Episode 8: “Holiday Weekend”
Premieres Thursday, November 24, 9 PM
Start the holidays right with visits to the Fearrington Inn House in Pittsboro, GreenLife Inn at the Mimosa in Tryon, the town of Clinton and a hiker’s paradise in Elkin.
NC Weekend is proudly supported by Visit NC. Explore episodes from past seasons at video.pbsnc.org/show/nc-weekend.
Deborah Holt Noel is the host of NC Weekend and senior producer at PBS North Carolina. She has produced numerous PBS North Carolina projects and programs covering topics from arts and education to history and science, and she is the senior producer and host of the long-running public affairs series Black Issues Forum.
Noel is a proud graduate of Saint Augustine’s College (now University) and earned her Master of Arts degree from the University of Maryland at College Park. She is the granddaughter of Civil Rights pioneers Joseph and Elwyna Holt, the first family to challenge the segregated public school system. Noel produced a historical 37-minute documentary titled Exhausted Remedies: The Joe Holt Story about her family’s pioneering effort to integrate Raleigh Public Schools. This documentary won a prestigious CINE Eagle award and was featured in the Visions series on PBS NC.
Noel enjoys life in the Triangle as a wife and mother. When she’s not out discovering fun and beautiful places across the state, she likes to visit with local family and friends.
As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS Kids and the Explorer Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS NC serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit pbsnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
-PBS NC-
Media Contact
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