The Swansboro Mullet Festival of North Carolina, the oldest festival in the Crystal Coast, began in 1954. The weekend centers around the small, bony fish that appears as having a purplish-blue tint when found in Eastern North Carolina waters. Swansboro natives remember days long ago when mullets were hauled to shore in nets hooked to tractors along the beach.

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In 1954, mullet fed the workers building the White Oak River Bridge that later became a vital link between Onslow and Carteret counties. Upon its completion, the conception of the Mullet Festival began. It was a way to celebrate the arrival of the modern era in bridge form. The event started as a potluck-type event with the town coming together and contributing to the celebration.

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The 70th Mullet Festival of North Carolina celebrates the rich history of the Swansboro area and its deep connection to marine fisheries traditions. The event highlights the early days of the Mullet Festival, symbolized by the festival logo, which features the iconic bridge that played a pivotal role in the first event. The logo also showcases the abundant mullet fish, once fried and shared with the bridge builders, and a traditional mullet hut. These hemispherical huts, made of woven rushes, were constructed by fishermen on the barrier islands during mullet season, a practice common from 1870 to 1885. Reflecting West African architectural influences, the camps fostered collaboration between black and white fishermen, preserving a unique part of Swansboro's maritime heritage.