| Wilmington,
NC – November 2015 / Newsmaker Alert / Nothing says “Happy Holidays”
like a maritime parade of brightly lit boats with costumed crews, cheering
onlookers and lively parties along the parade route. This is the festive
island vibe that welcomes visitors on back-to-back holiday flotilla weekends
at the island beaches of Wrightsville
Beach (Saturday, Nov. 28) and Carolina
Beach (Saturday, Dec. 5). From the tiniest of rowboats to the grandest
luxury yachts, captains and their crews go all-out to please the crowds
and impress the judges, decorating their boats in traditional and contemporary
themes. Enthusiastic spectators line the waterways to ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ over
the twinkling sailing vessels that illuminate the waterways. Arrive early
and stay an extra day or two to take in all the seasonal festivities.
The weekend after Thanksgiving
(Nov. 27-28), the 32nd North
Carolina Holiday Flotilla & Festival
in the Park ushers in the holiday season with a daytime festival
and an evening showcase of glimmering boats and fireworks. Visitors can
celebrate all weekend beginning Friday night when the island’s Christmas
tree is lit at 5:45 p.m., followed by visits with Santa at Town Hall. At
7:00 p.m. the celebration continues with the Atlantic Marine Launch Party
and silent auction at the Blockade-Runner Beach Resort with live beach
music by The Embers (featuring Craig Woolard) and heavy hors d’oeuvres
(admission charge for party). On Saturday, a full day of entertainment
begins with a free Festival
in the Park from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Wrightsville Beach Park
featuring live music, an antique car show, arts and crafts by local artisans
and merchants. For children, there’s a large play area with inflatable
slides, bounce houses, a coloring contest and the ever-popular Arab Choo-Choo.
Then, at 6:00 p.m. the main attraction—the holiday flotilla—gets underway
with a newly expanded route that will sail by restaurants lining
the Intracoastal Waterway, making its way along Banks Channel toward Waynick
Blvd. A fireworks volley across from the Blockade Runner Resort signals
the beginning of the boat parade and a celebratory fireworks show follows
the last boat. In addition to judges’ favorites, spectators can vote via
text to determine the Crowd Favorite and People’s Choice awards. Visitors
who wish to make the most of their beach weekend can enjoy exhibits at
the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, narrated harbor cruises, fresh
seafood at island restaurants, and shopping at surf and specialty shops.
For details about the N.C. Holiday Flotilla, visit www.ncholidayflotilla.org
or call 910-256-2120.
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On the first Saturday in
December (December 5th), the Island
of Lights Christmas Flotilla in Carolina Beach features electrically
decorated fishing boats and pleasure crafts in a spectacular display of
light and sound. The friendly boat competition adds to the island’s holiday
spirit. Beginning at 6:00 p.m. the merry boat parade cruises from Snows
Cut to Carolina Beach Boat Basin and back. The best viewing station is
at Carolina Beach Boat Basin. Visitors who arrive on Friday are in for
a treat when the annual Island of Lights Nighttime Christmas Parade kicks
off the weekend on December 4th. Santa’s official arrival in Pleasure Island
on Friday night is preceded by an elaborate procession of electrical floats,
marching bands, queens and more. The parade begins at 7:30 p.m. along Lake
Park Blvd. from Atlantic Avenue to Federal Point Shopping Center in Carolina
Beach. Plan a weekend getaway that includes the parade and the flotilla,
as well as a walk around Carolina Beach Lake to see the light displays
and a visit to the newly renovated Carolina Beach Boardwalk for Christmas
by the Sea festivities. While on the island, you can also enjoy Carolina
Beach State Park, Kure Beach’s Ocean Front Park, the Fort Fisher State
Historic Site & Civil War Museum and the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher.
You’ll also find unique gifts in museum shops and beach boutiques at Carolina
and Kure beaches. It’s oyster season, so be sure to dine at of the island’s
seafood restaurants. For details about the Island of Lights Christmas Flotilla,
the Nighttime Parade and other events: www.islandoflights.org.
See where the water takes
you this holiday season when you visit in Wilmington, North Carolina and
its island beaches. Events such as the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla
and the Island of Lights Festival Christmas Flotilla light up our waterfront,
along with more than 50 holiday events that celebrate the season from the
river to the sea. For seasonal specials and a link to the free Holiday
Events guide visit www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/seasonal-page.
For a free Official Visitors Guide, call 866-266-9690, or email visit@wilmingtonandbeaches.com,
or stop by the year-round Visitors Information Center located at 505 Nutt
Street, Unit A, in Wilmington’s historic river district.
Media
Contact:
Wilmington
and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau
Connie
Nelson
Communications/PR
Director
910-332-8751
866-266-9690
ext. 120
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The
New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority d/b/a Wilmington and Beaches
Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization
of New Hanover County, North Carolina that stimulates economic development
through the promotion of travel and tourism.
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