Connection

Confusion

One of the first things that pop up on an online search for Sneads Ferry is "SneadsFerryNorthCarolina.com" - the home page for the Sneads Ferry Community Center (SFCC), 126 Park Lane, Sneads Ferry, NC 28460 and the Sneads Ferry Community Council - an organization that has been around and active for more than fifty years (also SFCC). I've been participating with them for a few years and I'm always amazed at how many people - both long-time residents and new arrivals - don't know what SFCC is, what is does ... or that it even exists!

Clarity

Let's get some understanding of who the Sneads Ferry Community Council is - and what they do.

And what the Sneads Ferry Community Center is - and what it offers the province.

For clarity within this article, they will be simply be referred to as the "Council" and the "Center".

SFCC - The Council

The Council is NOT a political body. The word "Council" was inherited when the non-profit 501C(4) was created and named over fifty years ago with donations from the community. Its purpose was to advance the civic, charitable, social, historic, educational and economic interests of its residents with a broader purpose focused on promoting the well-being of the community - and that is what the Council does to this day.

It (the Council) is operated by a volunteer board of directors that include 4 executive positions, 5 at-large positions and 10 positions filled by other local organizations and non-profits. They currently produce the annual Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival (officially known as The NC Shrimp Festival) which is attending by locals and visitors from all over the country and Christmas in the Ferry which is a joyful family friendly event that kicks off the holiday season in the community.

Throughout the year the Council sponsors fundraising events to maintain the Community Center grounds and building, provide enrichment opportunities for other charities and non-profits within the province and fund scholarships to area students.

The Council holds monthly open to the public meetings so everyone can learn what is happening through their efforts at the Center and around the area with other local organizations listed on the agenda stating what they are doing within the neighborhood.

It's an environment where local organizations come together for their endeavors to be shared and discovered. An "Announcement" and "Event" recap from each meeting is distributed in the Council's monthly E-Newsletter.

You can join their E-Newsletter list at: www.SneadsFerryNorthCarolina.comThe Council also has an active Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SneadsFerryCommunity

SFCC - The Center

In the early 1970's local fishing families came together to celebrate their industry. From those celebrations grew a desire to create something more substantial that would serve the community.

The Sneads Ferry Community Center property and building were established by the Council with the intention of giving the annual Shrimp Festival a permanent home and providing indoor facilities to accommodate the growing need for such a building to serve the residents of the "Turkey Creek Fire District.

Through the years it has also become home to Christmas in the Ferry along with a variety of public events sponsored by the Council and other local businesses and organizations. The Center is located in "Old" Sneads Ferry at 126 Park Lane, Sneads Ferry, NC 28460.

The 35 year-old building is one-story with a covered entrance, open space meeting room, stage, and full kitchen and has a capacity of 250 people. The grounds boast a sprawling ten acres surrounded by trees with two pavilions, picnic tables, and electricity onsite.

The Center is available to rent for private, public, and corporate special events such as weddings, reunions and meetings. Rectangle and round tables, chairs, and room dividers are on premise and available for use.For Rental Information Contact: Rentals@SneadsFerryNorthCarolina.com

Then & Now

This excerpt from an article found in the archives at the Center:

"The first festival was held where C.J. Jones presently lives. In 1972, it moved to the riverfront property where the Saratoga Restaurant is on Highway 172. In 1973, it was held at the end of Peru Road near the water. In 1974, it was held in the field across the road from Jack Mills's House. Traffic caused such a problem at the earlier sites that the committee needed to find a place that could accommodate all of the events at the same place. then in 1975 it moved to the west side of the Highway 172 near the bridge to the base. In 1976 the committee elected to purchase a wooded 10 acres tract of land to provide "permanent grass roots" for the festival and to be used also as a community park."

Here's a Brief History of Council's Shrimp Festival and the Center:

• 1971 First Annual Shrimp Festival

• 1972 Incorporated "Sneads Ferry Community Council" as 501C3

• 1976 Grounds Were Acquired

• 1982 Scholarships Established

• 1990 SF Community Center Built

• 2023 Designated as a Natural Disaster Relief Center

• 2025 Celebrated 54 Years of Shrimp Festival

Currently

In addition to various Standing Committees and Sub-Committees that meet during the year ...the Council welcomes everyone to their monthly OPEN TO THE PUBLIC meetings in the Community Center at 126 Park Lane, Sneads Ferry, NC on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm

SFC Council Motto:

It Takes a Village ... Come Join Ours

For General Information Contact: Council@SneadsFerryNorthCarolina.com

May All Thrive in the Province,

Dottie