The North Carolina Holiday Flotilla is known for its Saturday evening boat parade, during which spectators line the bridges and docks overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway to watch the array of colorful, decorated boats float past.
While the boat parade might be the highlight of the weekend, the flotilla is actually a two-day event, with activities throughout the weekend to entertain all ages.
The weekend’s events begin Friday, Nov. 28 with a tree-lighting ceremony and visit from Santa Claus at Wrightsville Beach Park. At 5:30 p.m., the Elf Patrol, a group of children enrolled in the Performance Club Studio Theater, will sing Christmas carols.
The 30-foot Christmas tree will be illuminated at 5:45 p.m. when Santa Claus arrives. As Santa and Mrs. Claus preside from their festive lifeguard stand, children are invited to come forward one by one to share their Christmas wishes.
The Wrightsville United Methodist Church Youth will offer hot chocolate and baked goods for a donation with proceeds benefitting their youth mission trip.
At 7 p.m., shortly after the tree-lighting ceremony, the Launch Party kicks off at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort. Tickets are available for the event, which includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and live music by the Embers Featuring Craig Woolard.
At 10 a.m. Saturday, nearly 100 vendors will display their crafts and goods in Wrightsville Beach Park. Flotilla committee member Linda Brown said artisans from as far away as Louisiana will participate in this year’s Day in the Park, selling a wide variety of items including baskets, jewelry, wood carvings and rain barrels.
“It’s a good show for them, they enjoy coming here;” Brown said during a Nov. 20 phone interview, “any excuse to come to the beach for the weekend after Thanksgiving.”
There will also be around 50 classic and antique cars on display. Brown said the car show typically features Austin-Healey’s and other British automobiles.
Children will have no shortage of entertainment, either. There will be bouncy houses, inflatable slides and a coloring contest.
“We had over 200 kids last year do the coloring contest,” Brown said. “It’s pretty fun.”
The festival is also introducing a new kids’ activity this year. Home Depot is providing kits for children to assemble and paint their own miniature boats.
Day in the Park closes at 4 p.m. in time for families to grab dinner and find gather along the parade route. For more information about the schedule of events, visit ncholidayflotilla.org
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