By Associated Press - Friday, May 31, 2019

SMITHFIELD, N.C. (AP) - The Ava Gardner Festival is returning to North Carolina for the first time in five years.

The Wilson Times reports the festival is scheduled to return Friday and Saturday at the Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield.

Museum director Lynell Seabold says several family members are expected to attend, as is Carmen Vargas, who was the actress’ personal assistant for the last 13 years of her life.



Gardner was born in 1922 in Grabtown, a community outside Smithfield. She died Jan. 25, 1990, at the age of 67 and is buried near Smithfield.

A new exhibit, “Ava: My Real Story,” will be unveiled Friday night. Seabold says it’s a photo essay-style display with an interactive kiosk.

The festival begins Friday morning and runs through Saturday afternoon.

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Information from: The Wilson Daily Times, http://www.wilsondaily.com

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