FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 9/25/2023 — PBS North Carolina announces the 21st season of its flagship series NC Weekend. Host Deborah Holt Noel treks across North Carolina to discover all the best things to see and do. From restaurants, breweries and wineries to scenic getaways, music festivals and family-friendly excursions, NC Weekend celebrates the state’s must-see locales and happenings. The new season of NC Weekend premieres Thursday, October 5, at 9 PM, on PBS NC, online and on the free PBS App.
The season kicks off with a trip to the beautiful Lake Norman area just outside Charlotte. Celebrate North Carolina’s Year of the Trail with a visit to the Emerald Necklace, a greenway in Cornelius that’s popular with cyclists, joggers and families. Birkdale Village in Huntersville will offer a free sneak preview of this episode on Wednesday, September 27, at 3 PM. This screening is presented by Visit Lake Norman.
“On NC Weekend, we’re always looking for sights and sounds that are unique to our state,” says David Hardy, the series’ executive producer. “This season, we’ll visit Biltmore Winery in the Blue Ridge Mountains and head to the coast for stops in Ocracoke, Edenton and Wilmington. We’ll also see exotic birds from all over the world at Sylvan Heights Bird Park, plus enjoy outdoor adventures at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte.”
“I’m super excited for our ‘Spirited Destinations’ episode, which features a story about ZincHouse, Durham’s impressive, new 87-acre winery and brewery,” says host Deborah Holt Noel. “And just in time for the winter holidays, we’ll visit Old Salem to explore festive Moravian traditions.”
Also this season, famed foodie Bob Garner will profile eateries across the state in his ongoing quest for flavors that will make you go “mmm-mmm.”
“One of the best parts of hosting NC Weekend is meeting the delightful people who live in or visit our state’s towns and cities,” says Noel. “They’re always so welcoming and eager to share their recommendations on spots to visit. Their insight is invaluable.”
Funding for NC Weekend is provided in part by Visit NC. NC Year of the Trail stories are supported by funding from the SECU Foundation.
Watch NC Weekend Thursdays, at 9 PM, on PBS NC, or stream online or on the PBS App. Visit pbsnc.org/schedule for the latest broadcast information.
Episode 1: Exploring Lake Norman and Beyond
Premieres Thursday, October 5, 9 PM
Discover exciting attractions around Lake Norman and in the nearby towns of Cornelius, Huntersville and Davidson. Experience the area’s art, food and lake culture, and visit the Emerald Necklace, a greenway in Cornelius, to celebrate North Carolina’s Year of the Trail.
Episode 2: Mountain Journeys
Premieres Thursday, October 12, 9 PM
Explore popular mountain destinations, including a renewable energy art studio in Dillsboro and a historic house museum in Haywood County. Also check out The Bluffs, the newly restored, home-style restaurant that first opened its doors on the Blue Ridge Parkway in 1949.
Episode 3: Spirited Destinations
Premieres Thursday, October 19, 9 PM
Come along as we sample wineries, distilleries and breweries across the state, including ZincHouse Winery and Brewery in Durham, Olde Raleigh Distillery, Casita Brewing Company in Wilson, Point Lookout Vineyard in Hendersonville and Biltmore Winery in Asheville.
Episode 4: Connect with Nature
Premieres Thursday, October 26, 9 PM
Explore an expansive park for endangered birds from around the world in Halifax County and a flowering bridge in Lake Lure. Then zipline through the mountains of Asheville with Navitat Adventures.
Episode 5: Eats & Treats
Premieres Thursday, November 2, 9 PM
Get ready to whet your appetite as we explore food destinations across the state, including Native Fine Diner in Greenville and Bones Jones Burgers and Butchery in Morganton.
Episode 6: Coastal Vibes
Premieres Thursday, November 9, 9 PM
Explore hidden coastal gems in Ocracoke, New Bern and Wilmington.
Episode 7: History in the Making
Premieres Thursday, November 16, 9 PM
Dig into North Carolina’s past with an exploration of the Oberlin Rising sculpture park in Raleigh, a visit to a community theater in Valdese and a look at the upcoming centennial of the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill.
Episode 8: Family Finds
Premieres Thursday, November 23, 9 PM
Discover family-friendly destinations, including the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte.
Episode 9: NC Art and Soul
Premieres Thursday, November 30, 9 PM
Get a taste of the state’s diverse arts and music scene, and go behind the scenes at Bernstein Glass, an artist studio in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Additional new episodes will premiere through December and April through June. Visit pbsnc.org to catch up on previous episodes.
Deborah Holt Noel is the host and a contributing producer of NC Weekend and a senior producer at PBS North Carolina. Over the years, she has produced numerous PBS North Carolina projects and programs covering topics from arts and education to history and science. She is also the executive producer of the long-running public affairs series Black Issues Forum.
Through her work at PBS North Carolina, Noel is dedicated to lifting up stories that honor history, heritage and culture inclusively so that everyone may enjoy the riches North Carolina has to offer.
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 channel and the Explorer Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS North Carolina 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, LinkedIn and YouTube.
-PBS NC-
Media Contact
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PBS North Carolina
press@pbsnc.org