| Wilmington,
NC – November 2014 / Newsmaker Alert / ‘Tis the season for holiday
flotillas! Coastal flotillas are highly anticipated holiday traditions
for residents and visitors of Wilmington,
North Carolina and the island beaches of Carolina
Beach,
Kure Beach and Wrightsville
Beach. Each year, thousands of spectators line the waterways to marvel
over the brightly lit boats as they sail along the waterways vying for
the coveted “Best in Show” prize. Captains and their crews go all-out to
please the crowds, decorating their boats from stem to stern in themes
that range from traditional to contemporary. This originality reflects
the independent spirit and creativity that’s ever-present in Wilmington,
N.C.’s historic river district and island beaches.
Flotillas are cause for celebration
and the lively outdoor parties are not to be missed. Two colorful nighttime
flotillas will illuminate Wrightsville
Beach and Carolina Beach
waterways during the holiday season: the 31st Annual North
Carolina Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach on Saturday, November
29 and the Island of Lights Holiday
Flotilla at Carolina Beach on Saturday, December 6. The boat parades
feature brightly lit sailing vessels, ranging from tiny rowboats to luxury
yachts.
The time-honored North Carolina
Holiday Flotilla kicks off the holiday season the weekend after Thanksgiving
(Nov. 28-29) and always delivers an impressive show of glimmering boats.
Visitors can celebrate all weekend, beginning Friday night when the island’s
official Christmas tree is lit at 5:45 p.m., followed by visits with Mr.
and Mrs. Claus at Town Hall. At 7:00 p.m., there’s an Atlantic Marine Launch
Party at the Blockade-Runner Beach Resort with live beach music by The
Embers and heavy hors d’oeuvres (admission charge for gala). 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 bluegrass
music, arts and crafts vendors, antique / classic car show, kids’ activities
and amusements, food and entertainment. Then, at 6:00 p.m. the main attraction—the
holiday flotilla—gets underway along Banks Channel, beginning with a fireworks
volley, followed by the boat parade and a stunning 21-minute fireworks
show. This year’s judges include celebrity radio personality John Boy of
the nationally syndicated John Boy & Billy’s Big Show. Text-voting
returns, with the Crowd Favorite and People’s Choice Awards determined
by spectators. Visitors who wish to make the most of their beach weekend
can also enjoy the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, narrated 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,
email info@ncholidayflotilla.org
or call 910-256-2120.
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On the first Saturday in
December (December 6th), 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. 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 can usher in the holidays during the annual Island
of Lights Nighttime Christmas Parade on Friday evening (December 5th).
Santa’s official arrival in Pleasure Island is preceded by an elaborate
procession of electrical floats, marching bands, queens, and more. The
Friday night 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 visit to
the Carolina Beach Boardwalk for this year’s Christmas by the Sea festivities.
While on the island, you can enjoy Kure Beach’s Ocean Front Park and visit
the Fort Fisher State Historic Site & Civil War Museum, Carolina Beach
State Park, 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.
For details about the Island of Lights Christmas Flotilla and Nighttime
Parade: www.islandoflights.org.
See where the water takes
you this holiday season when you visit in Wilmington, North and its island
beaches. Events such as the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla and the Island
of Lights Festival light up our waterfront, along with more than 50 holiday
events that celebrate the season. For seasonal specials and a link to the
free Holiday Events guide: www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/seasonal-page.
For a free Official Visitors Guide, call 1-866-266-9690, 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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