Celebrating Gullah Geechee Heritage at the North Carolina Rice Festival

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Rice Festival took place on Saturday at the historic Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson site, attracting a large crowd eager to celebrate the region’s rich history and culture.

The event was free and open to the public, featuring a wide array of vendors offering everything from food trucks to handmade trinkets. Rice vendors from both North and South Carolina provided samples and shared insights into the various types of rice, educating attendees on the significance of this crop in the region’s history.

Informational booths and signage helped festivalgoers learn more about the Gullah Geechee culture, a unique and deeply rooted community along the southeastern coast. Tyanna West, a board member for the festival and a Gullah Geechee descendant, expressed her excitement over the community’s response this year. She shared that in order to talk about the rice, it’s crucial to recognize the people behind its history.

“For something like this to be a cultural event that’s successful, sustainable, and giving back, you really have to get out there and speak with the community. You have to engage with them and learn from them. So there’s been a lot more of that this year, and honestly, it’s just really beautiful to see.”

This year’s festival also featured cultural performances, historical presentations, and a variety of educational activities.