Mike Parker: ‘Breakfast on the Boat’ set for Oct. 18
Saturday, October 18, will be an event-packed day. When Mother Earth Brewing established the Ironclad Races Half-Marathon in 2015, representatives of Mother Earth Brewing and the CSS Neuse Foundation decided to collaborate to make the day special. The Neuse Foundation would host “Breakfast on the Boat” while runners were beginning the 13.1-mile half-marathon run.
During that first race, 132 runners undertook the 13.1-mile challenge. From that time on, the Mother Earth Half-Marathon has been called, “The most welcoming Half Marathon in Eastern North Carolina!” In 2016, Ironclad Races added a 5K run to the event.
Half-marathon runners take off at 7:30 a.m. with 5K runners beginning their course at 8 a.m. The course for both races takes runners right by the CSS Neuse II. In 2024, 344 runners competed in the half-marathon, and 284 runners ran in the 5K race – a total of 628 runners.
Ironclad Races Inc. is a Kinston based non-profit corporation with a mission to produce sporting events in Kinston and donate all proceeds to local non-profit organizations and charities benefiting our community.
Beneficiaries of these proceeds include the American Legion, the CSS Neuse Foundation, Common Ground of Eastern North Carolina, the Community Council for the Arts, Deep Run Volunteer Fire Department, Grainger Hill Performing Arts, The CSS Neuse Gunboat Association, HOPE Restorations, Hugo Volunteer Fire Department, Mary’s Soup Kitchen, North Lenoir Volunteer Fire Department, S.A.F.E. in Lenoir County, smART Kinston, and Andrea Thorne – to name but a few.
The CSS Neuse II will be hosting its fall “Breakfast on the Boat” in conjunction with the races. After the races begin, spectators can meander to the CSS Neuse II for an old-fashioned country breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, biscuit, and beverage.
You may eat breakfast either inside the boat or on the dock – weather permitting.
The Gunboat Boys will perform their lively renditions of Civil War period music, as well as popular bluegrass tunes. This musical group is composed of the Farm and Home Bluegrass Band that Jim Gaddis and Bob Gaddis put together years ago. They are kind enough to let me sit in with them to complete what we call “The Gunboat Boys” in tribute to the CSS Neuse II.
Period tunes include “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” “Rose of Alabamy,” “Cindy,” “The Vacant Cahir,” “Two Little Boys,” and a host of others.
The galley crew will be showing up at dawn to begin working their magic. By 7:30 a.m. breakfast will be ready. Volunteers will continue serving breakfast until 10:30 a.m. or so.
Kick your day off by joining the Neuse II galley crew and volunteers to begin with “Breakfast on the Boat.” Moms everywhere say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Make your mom proud this coming Saturday.
While eating breakfast, catch a little of the races. Then prepare for the third annual Brad-Fest, a music festival honoring local entrepreneur Brad Elmore. The festival kicks off at noon at Pearson Park. Performers scheduled to perform are: Wicked Shimmies (12-1:20), Barefoot Manner (1:40-3:30), Thankfully Departed (3:50-5:10), and 54 Bicycles (5:30-8). Vendors and food trucks will be on hand.
Plan to join in these all-day activities. You will be glad you did.
Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.
Info on The Gunboat Boys: (front l-r) Jeff Haddock, Mike Parker, (rear, l-r) Jim Gaddis, Nathan Bingham, Bob Gaddis
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