County celebrates longest day of the year

The longest day of the year ended too soon for many area music lovers who took advantage of Make Music Bertie and enjoyed selections of jazz, classical, gospel, metal, rock, country and Afrobeats throughout the day at select venues.

Bertie County participated in the nationwide musical celebration on the year’s longest day and was one of only 14 North Carolina counties participating, and the only county in Eastern North Carolina.

Artisan’s Alley, the newest feature to downtown Windsor, was one of the main venues throughout the day. Music lovers could also hear tunes at the Bertie Beach Pavilion and also at Blue Jay Recreation, Make Music Bertie joined almost 5,000 venues and musicians across the country celebrating music and the year’s longest day.

Each Make Music chapter is independently organized. Often it’s a local community group, music institution or civic leader who champions the musical holiday in their hometown. The Bertie County event was organized by Nicole Outlaw.

“Make Music Bertie County and Artisan’s Alley are proof that creativity and vibrancy exist here,” Outlaw said. “Our inaugural Make Music Day brought community members together to enjoy music, but it also shed light on the possibilities for Bertie County.

“Events like this attract visitors and generate tourism dollars,” she continued. “Bertie County was the only county in the northeast to participate this year. I am proud of the outcome, and I look forward to growing Make Music Bertie County in the years to come.”

Outlaw is a behind the scene driving force in Bertie County and has made numerous accomplishments throughout the county. Aside from Make Music, she is actively involved with the Pecan Pickling Film Festival and the Bertie County Arts Council.

Seventeen years ago, the Fête de la Musique crossed the Atlantic with the debut of Make Music New York. Starting as a grassroots initiative, the event became a critical and popular success.

Recently, cities across the country have joined the movement. On June 21, 2023 there were 4,791 free concerts across the country.

This year, Bertie County musicians Mickey Clement, Nayland Collier, Matt Blakeslee and Robert Rucker joined the select group of national musicians welcoming the longest day of the year. Make Music Bertie ended with a successful community Karaoke night in Artisan’s Alley.

Artisan’s Alley is located next to the Bertie County Arts Council. The mural highlighting the space was created by artist Michael Bennett and depicts the assets of the county. The council has future plans for the space which proved to be acoustically inviting.

“I am beaming with joy, and my heart is so full to see the vision come to life. This is proof that creativity and vibrancy exist in Bertie. We just need to create the space for our people to enjoy our county and one another,” said Outlaw.