Johnston County in eastern North Carolina is historically an agricultural area, known for its tobacco farms. There’s a museum depicting life on a turn-of-the-century tobacco farm. There’s yet another museum dedicated to film star Ava Gardner, likewise a coveted export from the county.
Born in a crossroads farming community near the county seat of Smithfield in 1922, Gardner, with her exotic good looks and natural acting ability, escaped her hardscrabble Carolina farm girl roots and achieved worldwide fame in the mid-20th century. She returned to her birthplace for extended visits, and her final resting place is beside her parents and siblings in Sunset Memorial Park in Smithfield.
The community is so proud of its deep connection to Gardner that it hosts a festival each year to honor her. The Ava Gardner Museum in downtown Smithfield will be the focal point in early October of the Ava Gardner Festival, which coincides with the unveiling of the museum’s latest exhibit -- “Frank & Ava: Their Lives, Love and Friendship.”
Mention the names Frank and Ava together in any conversation about celebrity romances and most people of a certain age will know who that is. The passionate and rocky 1950s relationship between Frank Sinatra and Gardner has been pop culture fodder for decades. This year marks the first time the Ava Gardner Festival will pay tribute to Sinatra, whom Gardner once described as the love of her life.
Even after their 1957 divorce, the two remained friends until Gardner’s death in 1990. The new exhibit will feature plenty of artifacts from Sinatra’s and Gardner’s life together. Movie buffs will want to explore the entire museum with its extensive collection of Hollywood memorabilia related to Gardner’s film career. It covers the time she was an unknown B-movie vixen to leading lady, one said to be “the most photographed woman in the world” at the peak of her success.
The festival kicks off on Oct. 7 with a cake and champagne reception in the new exhibit gallery at the museum. The cake will be provided by Carlo’s Bakery from Sinatra’s hometown of Hoboken, N.J.; reception tickets are $25. The Smithfield Cinema 10 multiplex will screen Gardner and Sinatra movies all weekend, giving festival goers the rare opportunity to see classic films on the big screen. Another festival highlight will be the Heritage Tour that inspects notable sites in the area, including Gardner’s birthplace and burial site. Heritage Tour tickets are $12.
2011 Ava Gardner Festival, October 7-9. Ava Gardner Museum. 325 E. Market St., Smithfield. 919-934-5830, www.avagardner.org.
Other attractions
Muscadine Heritage Wine Trail
The soil in Johnston County is suitable for growing Muscadine grapes, as well as tobacco. Many family farms not only grow the grapes but also produce Muscadine and other fruit wines. This has led to the creation of the Muscadine Heritage Wine Trail, featuring tours and tastings at four family farm wineries in the area. The wineries are located within 30 minutes of each other and the trail can be completed in a day, or over a weekend if you’d like more time for exploring the bucolic countryside. For more info about the Muscadine Heritage Wine Trail and the participating wineries visit the website www.muscadineheritagewinetrail.com.
Bentonville Battlefield
One of the last major battles of the Civil War was fought in Johnston County on March 19-21, 1865. Today, the Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site is a National Historic Landmark in the town of Four Oaks that includes a visitor center with exhibits, the Harper House -- a home that became a field hospital for the Union -- earthworks with walking trails and several driving pull-offs chronicling the battle that took place on 6,000 acres of farm land. Admission is free (donations accepted). Website: www.nchistoricsites.org/bentonvi/.
If you go
Smithfield, N.C. is approximately a seven-hour drive from Atlanta via I-20 east and I-95 north.
Stay
Preston-Woodall House. Historic bed and breakfast inn and cottages 18 miles south of Smithfield on I-95, also a popular wedding and special event facility. Rates $150-$300. 201 E. Hill St., Benson. 919-894-7025, www.woodallhouse.com.
Two Smithfield hotels are offering discounts for the weekend of the Ava Gardner Festival. Best Western Inn (919-989-4047) has a special rate of $67.99, and Sleep Inn & Suites (919-209-2360) is offering a 15 percent discount. Call the hotels directly and mention the Ava Gardner Festival to take advantage of the offers.
Eat
The Diner. Breakfast and lunch spot directly across the street from the Ava Gardner Museum in downtown Smithfield, serves entree and sandwich specials daily (closed Sundays). Under $10. 314 E. Market St. Smithfield. 919-934-6644.
Eden’s Vegetarian. Healthy gourmet farm-fresh vegetarian and vegan cuisine; open for lunch and dinner. Reservations required for dinner. Entrees start at $9.95. 709 S. 3rd St., Smithfield. 919-938-3880, www.edensvegetarian.com.
Visitor info
Johnston County Convention & Visitors Bureau. 1-800-441-7829, www.johnstoncountync.org.
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