Celebrate NC Rice History and Culture! Since 2019, the mission of the nonprofit North Carolina Rice Festival, Inc., has been to live up to its motto of “Education Through Celebration.” by providing enlightening, family-friendly events focused on the history of rice production in southeastern North Carolina and the contributions of the Gullah Geechee—the enslaved Africans and their descendants, who, for three centuries from the 1600s to the late 1800s toiled in the region’s rice fields, cultivating the crop that became known as “Carolina Gold.” The impact of rice and Gullah Geechee culture on the fates, fortunes, and foodways of the American South, the nation, and the world has been significant and enduring, and our mission is to bring that history to light in the present day, for today’s and tomorrow’s generations. In 2025, four days of events have been planned, from March 5 through March 8, to attract families, history/cultural enthusiasts, educators, tourists, and residents to various locations throughout northern Brunswick County. Events begin in Leland with a screening of two documentary films, both locally produced by the Festival organizers, on rice cultivation and cuisine (5/5/25). That event is followed by an evening DNA Reveal program in Navassa (5/6/25). The next day (5/7/25) will see two events: the dedication of an historic chapel in a traditionally Gullah Geechee community, also in Navassa; and the annual North Carolina Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Gala Dinner, an elegant, Gullah Geechee-themed evening celebration, held in Leland. The 2025 festivities will culminate on 3/8/25 with the day-long North Carolina Rice Festival, featuring music, performers, speakers, vendors, and food at the Brunswick Town/Ft. Anderson State Historic Site in Winnabow. All events are free and open to the public (seat reservations via EventBrite recommended) with the exception of the Reaves Chapel Dedication (by invitation only) and the Gala Dinner ($130/person tickets, available on EventBrite beginning January 2025). All are invited to attend, learn, and enjoy, but reserve your seat or get your tickets ASAP because these events sell out early! For more information, visit our website at http://www.northcarolinaricefestival.org.