This is a fundraiser for the Museum of Coastal Carolina, Ingram Planetarium, and individual tree sponsors. The museum raises funds through admission to the festival and selling votes for favorite tree. Sponsors accrue funds through a silent auction for each tree’s lights and decorations. If the winning bidder also wants the tree, it is an additional $50 for the museum.
The Festival of Trees opens on Nov. 11 and closes on January 1, 2022. During that time the Festival will be open to the public on Thursday thru Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. Additional public hours from 1 pm to 4 pm will be offered on the following Sundays: Nov. 14, 21, 28 and Dec. 5, 12, 19.
HoliDAY at the Museum is on Nov. 26. This is a family friendly event including all day activities for children.
Come and enjoy an array of stories inspired by the stars in this relaxing Sunday afternoon star show.
Join this sensory experience unlike any other as live lighting and laser effects accompany classic hits heard through the area’s best sound system.
Experience what it might be like to work on a moon base in this unique immersive game. This is a free event (donations welcome) but reservations are required – call Ingram Planetarium at 910-575-0033 to reserve your spot.
This program concerns North Carolina ocean animal rescue efforts including the Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter and the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. The program will also include a discussion of the largest marine mammal hospital in the world in California that has rescued over 25,000 sea lions and seals. All of these rescue efforts have a similar purpose: rescue, rehabilitation, and release. The program will detail why an animal needs to be rescued, how it is rescued, and what determines if and when the animal is released. The program will have a brief discussion of how the health of ocean animals is connected to the health of the ocean. The program will include an art activity for children.
Gary Baird presents a program called Winter Birds You Can Count On at 6 PM on December 14 at the Museum of Coastal Carolina. Mr. Baird, a well-known local photographer and avid birder, will offer an informative and entertaining program that focuses on the winter birds that can be seen in the Carolinas. He will use some of his outstanding photography to supplement bird identification and bird behaviors. He’ll also share some of his favorite sites for viewing birds. Mr. Baird notes that the “off season” is a great time to view birds. This program has something for everyone, from “bird nerds” who can tell a Swamp Sparrow from a Savannah Sparrow just by their songs to those who would like to learn the name of that mysterious bird that shows up at their backyard feeders.
Gary Baird became interested in nature and photography during his early years in California and Colorado. After college, he spent 40 years as an elementary school teacher, continuing his love of nature and photography as time allowed. Mr. Baird and his wife retired to Carolina Shores, NC in 2015. He writes: “It is such a joy to be able to go out and shoot every day in such a beautiful part of the country. There are awe-inspiring events taking place every day in nature. I try to use my vision and skill to capture those magical moments.” Mr. Baird’s award-winning work has been displayed in five states and numerous galleries and museums in the Carolinas.
This is a fundraiser for the Museum of Coastal Carolina, Ingram Planetarium, and individual tree sponsors. The museum raises funds through admission to the festival and selling votes for favorite tree. Sponsors accrue funds through a silent auction for each tree’s lights and decorations. If the winning bidder also wants the tree, it is an additional $50 for the museum.
The Festival of Trees opens on Nov. 11 and closes on January 1, 2022. During that time the Festival will be open to the public on Thursday thru Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. Additional public hours from 1 pm to 4 pm will be offered on the following Sundays: Nov. 14, 21, 28 and Dec. 5, 12, 19.
HoliDAY at the Museum is on Nov. 26. This is a family friendly event including all day activities for children.
This fall, on Thursdays at 11:00, the Museum of Coastal Carolina invites preschoolers to a fun, educational series of programs called Budding Scientists. Do you know a child who loves to explore outside, collect bugs and plants, or dig for shells at the beach? Bring him or her to the museum where young science lovers can learn all about our local environment through fun science experiments.
Each month, the program focuses on a different theme:
September – Budding Scientists become Super Earth Protectors by learning about different types of pollution and how to help protect the environment.
October – Budding Scientists learn Spooky Science by making a ghoulish potion, learning all about pumpkins, and performing some creepy chemistry experiments.
November – Budding Scientists learn about Backyard Science by investigating different types of soil, birds, and bugs.
December – Budding Scientists become Budding Meteorologists by learning how thunderstorms form, how to make snow, and how the ocean affects weather.
These programs will be hosted by Jamie Justice, the Education Coordinator for the Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium. She received her Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from Bowling Green State University and her Master of Science in Environmental Science with concentrations in Marine and Coastal Education and Coastal Management from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Jamie is originally from Portsmouth, Ohio and moved to Wilmington, North Carolina for graduate school in 2017. Before coming to the Museum, she worked in a variety of educational positions at summer camps and schools.
This beautifully produced feature film has a child-centered story that will enchant family audiences. A little girl named Mia discovers a mysterious piece of astronomical equipment whose secret powers can be used to change the world’s seasons. This engaging story is designed to interest and challenge children from 5 to 12 years old. A live star show follows the movie.
This non-traditional holiday feature explores some of the most unique, fantastical, and even quirky holiday traditions that bring people together around the globe during the holiday season. After the program, one of our skilled presenters will take you on a tour of the winter sky’s highlights.