Source:  NCDA&CS, 9/26/16

Got to Be NC Seafood flags mark food vendors using locally caught seafood at the N.C. Seafood Festival in Morehead City.
This weekend, seafood lovers will flock to Morehead City for the annual N.C. Seafood Festival. The three-day event features live music, cooking demonstrations, and of course, a lot of seafood. One of the goals of the Seafood Festival is to drive awareness about the state’s commercial fishing industry. That’s why Got to Be NC is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 2016 festival.

In fact, Got to Be NC has been presenting sponsor for the past few years. Together, the department’s marketing staff and festival organizers have made it even easier to identify and support vendors using N.C. seafood at the event.

John Aydlett, a seafood marketing specialist with the department, says it’s important to understand the impact of local fishermen on the state’s economy.

“Seafood is a $130 million business in North Carolina,” said Aydlett. “More importantly, it has been the livelihood for generations of fishermen along our coastal communities.”

Here are some of the things you can do to support local seafood at the N.C. Seafood Festival:
1. Visit the “Cooking with the Chefs” tent.
On Saturday, local chefs will prepare original dishes using N.C. seafood. Guests can learn how to prepare each type of fish and sample the finished products. Sunday, the tent will feature the Food Lion Cooking Challenge, where chefs will face off in N.C. seafood cooking competitions for a chance to win the coveted Chefs Hat award.
2. Look for the Got To Be NC Seafood flag.
Festival organizers do not require all food vendors to use N.C. seafood, but the ones that do will be displaying this beautiful flag proudly. Look for it and you’ll know you’re getting a quality product caught in North Carolina waters.
3. Show some love on social.

If you love N.C. seafood, let your friends know on social. Follow the Seafood Festival on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Use the hashtag #NCSEAFOODFEST. And, don’t forget to tag the department on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest.

The N.C. Seafood Festival opens at noon Friday and runs until 5 p.m. Sunday. More information is available at www.ncseafoodfestival.org.