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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Flotilla committee seeks grand prize sponsor, silent auction items

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The North Carolina Holiday Flotilla committee is still seeking a title sponsor for its yearly parade of decorated boats.

Each year, the captain of the boat that wins the Best in Show category at the flotilla parade receives a prize worth $5,000. During its Oct. 26 meeting, committee members expressed their need for a grand prize sponsor for this year’s parade. The 2015 grand prize is yet to be determined.

“Last year, we gave $5,000 in cash. In the past, we’ve given a trip. We’ve done a lot of different things,” said committee member Linda Brown.

The grand prize sponsor will receive 10 tickets to the Anchors Away Friday Party at the Blockade Runner on Nov. 27, along with 10 tickets for the 32nd Annual Holiday Flotilla on Nov. 28. The sponsorship cutoff date is Monday, Nov. 16.

The Friday party will include a fireworks display and a silent auction. This year’s items include a three-month membership to Crossfit Wilmington, a Sluice hammock, attire from Aussie Island surf shop, dinner for four at South Beach Grill and a Yeti cooler.

Committee member Shannon Freidich is still seeking item donations.

“Last year, we had about 40 items in the silent auction, so that’s what I’m shooting for this year,” she said.

Committee member Nancy Faye Craig said last year’s auction raised $2,500.

The 2015 host sponsors are the Blockade Runner and the Town of Wrightsville Beach.

“You couldn’t get a dollar value on what the Blockade Runner does for us. They host the Friday night party,” Brown said.

The other sponsor levels include commodore ($2,500), captain ($1,000), commander ($500), lieutenant ($250) and friend ($25).

Ten boat captains have already registered for the parade.

“We are in great shape,” Brown said. “Last year, I think we had 16 or 18 boats. We usually get the most boats in November. We’ve had people enter the night before the flotilla.  I think people like to wait and see how the weather is going to be.”

D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy, CastleBranch consulting firm and Rescue Connect pet adoption agency have entered boats. The rest of the boats entered are owned privately.

D.C. Virgo will give a few students from their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) program an opportunity to ride the boat in the parade. Students will use the skills they are learning in STEM programs to assemble lights and other decorations for the boat.

This year, the flotilla committee will donate a portion of its proceeds to Virgo’s STEM operations.

“Last year, we gave about $5,000 to D.C. Virgo,” said Pres Davenport, committee chair. “We’d love to get one or two more donors so we can surpass what we gave last year.”

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