PLYMOUTH, N.C. (WITN) -The annual North Carolina Black Bear Festival returns this weekend in Plymouth with an overbearing amount of family fun.

It was a ‘beary’ exciting start to the weekend as things got underway Friday night for the 10th edition of the highly anticipated festival.

From tasty vendors to jamming live music and anything black bear related, the festival has it all.

The festival offers all the bear-themed events you could think of to help entertain and educate everyone on the significance of black bears.

Thomas Harrison, who’s the founder of the NC Black Bear Festival, says he’s happy to see its growth over the past 10 years.

“We’re just really excited to put Plymouth on the map and showcase our community,” Harrison said. “It’s really something we all can be proud of.”

Festivities will resume bright and early Saturday morning at 6 a.m. before concluding Sunday evening at 8 p.m.