03/24/2026
Last week, the North Carolina Rice Festival was recognized with a proclamation signed by Mayor Brenda Bozeman and presented by Councilwoman veronica Carter (attached).
As NCRFI board chair Kamili Anderson stated upon receipt of that Proclamation:
"We are excited—and relieved—to announce that once again, the Brunswick County-based North Carolina Rice Festival drew—by official state count—over 5,000 attendees from Winnabow to Washington DC, from Leland to London, Belville to Baltimore, Southport to South Carolina, all across the state and southeastern seaboard, and from all up and down the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor."
She specifically pointed out the ongoing support of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor's supportive role as one of the Festival's major funders, along with the Brunswick and North Carolina Arts Councils, among "the over 40 local, state, and federal organizations, foundations, businesses, and individual sponsors who provided financial and material support."
"But mostly," she added, "we thank all those folks who weathered some of the most wonderful weather conditions on March 7th, visited the Brunswick Town/Ft. Anderson state historic site—many for the first time--and attended our four other special events before the festival. Also those who watched, listened, and learned just what our organization’s motto: 'Education Through Celebration' means to them, their past, and most importantly their future."
Anderson concluded her remarks with this: "I thank my Board members and volunteers and anybody who has attended, vended, or recommended our events. I thank the citizens of this wonderful County. And we thank the Town of Leland for this recognition."
