Passport Program Starts Off With A Boom, Cape Fear NC

Cape Fear Area Attractions (CFAA) started their 2010 season off with a boom as Civil War reenactors at Fort Fisher State Historic Site fired a reproduction 12 lb Napoleon cannon from the hill side!

Over five years ago, several local attractions came together as an initiative to promote tourism amongst the various sites in the Cape Fear Region. From this group a program emerged called the Cape Fear Explorer Passport. The program’s intent is to have your “Passport” stamped by at least six of the destinations (attractions) you have visited. In return for your adventures you receive a souvenir badge specific for that year.

Now, in 2010, there are over 20 participants that joined together in promoting local attractions that are educational, historical, scientific and cultural in nature.

“It’s like we have created an around the world trip in our own backyard,” say Heather Loftin, Promotions Director of Battleship NORTH CAROLINA and active member of CFAA. “We want families to get out, explore and have fun while also learning more of what is available in and around their own communities.”

The program, however, does not just focus on the local groups but tourist as well. Loftin says, “This is also a means of marketing the Cape Fear Region to let tourists know what a great destination we really are, with so many fun filled activities to participate in.”

Jacob Rudolph, Public Relations Officer of the Cape Fear Museum as well as acting Chair of the CFAA, “What has been fun for our group (CFAA) as well, is that we have also learned more about what there is to offer. We had the opportunity to visit Ingram Planetarium at Ocean Isle Beach and were thrilled to know that there were these unique ventures right around the corner.”

Group participants are excited to see more educational sites interested in the program as well as a larger interest from the public who are becoming aware of and participating in Passport.

If you are ready to go exploring and to see a list of visitation sites, please visit www.capefearexplorer.com. Fun is right around the corner at Airlie Gardens, Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, Bellamy Mansion, Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson, Cape Fear Museum, The Children’s Museum, Dram Tree Tours, Fort Fisher State Historic Site, Ghost Walk, Henrietta III, Ingram Planetarium, Missiles and More Museum, Moore’s Creek National Battlefield, Museum of Coastal Carolina, NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, NC Museum of Forestry, New Hanover County Arboretum, Orton Plantation, Poplar Grove Plantation, Wilmington Trolley Tours and Wrightsville Beach Museum of History.