The Umstead Coalition upcoming events

Special Reception | Award Ceremony for 2026 Photograph & Illustration Contests (08/08/2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to the winners of the Umstead State Park Photo/Illustration Contests. The Exhibit Opening and award Reception is Saturday, August 8, 2 to 4pm. Refreshments served. 2027 Calendar reveal!

The “Capture the Spirit in William B. Umstead State Park” Exhibit features the winning photos from our annual photo and Illustration contests.

All winning entries, including Honorable Mentions, will be exhibited at the William B. Umstead Visitor Center. All the winning photos and illustrations are featured in our annual Park calendar. The Exhibit will remain available in the Visitor Center auditorium through next summer.

We'd like to thank JW Image Labs for printing the winning photos.

The Exhibit Opening Reception is open to the public. The reception will take place on Saturday, August 8 from 2-4 p.m. in the William B. Umstead State Park Visitor’s Center, 8801 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27617.

Our new 16-month photo calendar featuring the winning photos and illustrations will be unveiled and available for sale at this event (complementary to the winners)!

This event is free and open to the public. Folks do not have to register to attend, but it does help us with event planning.

Awards Recognition Program will be from 2:30-3pm.

Concert | Clyde and Catherine Edgerton (08/14/2026)

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 6pm (doors open 5pm)

SYCAMORE MESS HALL, enter park from US70/Glenwood Ave entrance

Clyde and Catherine Edgerton will delight us with a concert of old traditional tunes and stories. Hear songs from their new album here==>

Clyde Edgerton family grew up on what is now William B. Umstead State Park. Clyde is well know as a North Carolina author and professor; Catherine a singer, guitarist, and artist.

Light refreshments will be served. Come see the status of our restoration of the 1937 Sycamore Mess Hall. Tickets are FREE, donations to help William B. Umstead State Park are always appreciated.

CD's by the musicians will be available for purchase.

Tickets: Required for planning and seating limits

Parking: The event will take place at the Sycamore Mess Hall, off the US70/Glenwood Ave Park entrance. Follow signs to the "Multi-use Trailhead" (and temporary signs to the "Sycamore Mess Hall" and then special signs to walk to the Sycamore Mess Hall.

History and Stories Hike by Clyde Edgerton (08/15/2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us for a very special treat of a hike with stories and history by Clyde Edgerton.

The hike will be a leciourly-paced 4-miles from Lapihio Group Camp to the Warren- Haley graveyard. The graveyard is near the Reedy Creek Multi-use Trail in the middle of today's Park.

Come hear the fascinating family stories of Clyde Edgerton's parents, grand parents and great grand parents and relatives who lived in what is now William B. Umstead State Park. His grandparents and great grand parents are buried in the preserved graveyard.

Clyde's mother, Truma was (born 1904) and his aunt, Oma (born 1899) grew up in the farming community.

Clyde Edgerton is a well-know North Carolina author. Clyde's family heritage and the Park's history inspired his novel "The Floatplane Notebooks."

Clyde is a story-teller and he will share history with a few "stories" mixed in.

Parking: Lapihio Group Camp. Enter William B. Umstead State Park off the US70/Glenwood Park entrance and follow signs to Lapihio Group Camp (allow 20 minutes for driving and parking within the Park).

Registration is requested to plan for parking