Permission granted for redistribution – Photo credits required

WILMINGTON / WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC – Thanksgiving week, known as flotilla week in Wrightsville Beach, will launch the coastal Carolina holiday season with two long-running traditions, the 38th North Carolina Holiday Flotilla and Airlie Gardens’ 16th annual Enchanted Airlie.

Organizers of both events revised their programs to mitigate public safety concerns surrounding COVID-19. “It’s important for us to do whatever we can to keep these North Carolina holiday traditions in place,” said Bill Baggett, co-owner of Blockade Runner Beach Resort and a founding supporter of the Flotilla.

“The Flotilla is happening with a little twist this year,” said Linda Brown, Committee Chair. “Instead of a boat-judging contest with 50,000 people on the shoreline, it’s going to be a dock judging competition from the water. We encourage all residents and businesses on the Flotilla route to decorate their docks with seasonal lighting. However, floodlights and spotlights will impair navigation on the waterways and are not permitted.

“The judges, instead of scoring a parade of boats from home-base Blockade Runner, will be on the Carolina Runner, judging the docks and homes on the parade route. There will be two nights of judging, Friday and Saturday nights, Thanksgiving weekend. Winners will be announced on Sunday with prizes for the top docks.

“We invite our flotilla captains and all owners to decorate their boats and come and see the beautiful docks and homes from the water. See the holiday lights and place your votes for the People’s Choice Award,” said Brown.

“We’ll absolutely light up our two docks and the boats that are on them,” said Baggett. “Our new tour boat, The Carolina Runner, has plenty of space for social distancing. We plan to take people to view the homes and docks on the parade route throughout the holiday season.”

Airlie Gardens’ Enchanted Airlie also begins Thanksgiving weekend, bringing to life 35-acres of night-time forest with more than one million sparkling lights, walking trails, holiday displays, and seasonal music.

“Enchanted Airlie is a beloved tradition and we have worked hard to ensure that we continue that tradition in the safest way possible,” said Janine Powell, Director of Donor Relations. “Tickets will sell out in advance.”

Enchanted Airlie tickets are available online only, beginning Oct. 29 for the public. The garden gates open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Nov. 27-29, and reopen each night, Dec. 4-22. This year there are four one-hour event times each evening – 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 PM. Blockade Runner will offer Enchanted Airlie packages for hotel guests.

Adapting to public safety needs, Santa will not be on site this year, and face coverings will be required, according to Powell. No food or drinks will be sold at Airlie Gardens, but guests may bring their own. Airlie’s gift shop will only accept credit cards. Pathways are wheelchair accessible, and guests may bring their own. Wheelchairs will not be available onsite.

Proceeds from Enchanted Airlie benefit the preservation and improvement of New Hanover County’s historic Airlie Gardens.

Contacts:

Janine Powell, Director of Donor Relations

Enchanted Airlie, Airlie Gardens

910-798-7703

Linda Brown                                                       

North Carolina Holiday Flotilla

910-256-2120

Robert B Butler

Communications | Public Relations

Permission granted for reprint and redistribution

#NCHolidayFlotilla #EnchantedAirlie #WrightsvilleBeach #BlockadeRunner #AirlieGardens #Wilmington #NorthCarolina #CarolinaRunner #FlotillaWeek #Flotilla #Gardens #HolidayLights

WILMINGTON / WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC – Thanksgiving week, known as flotilla week in Wrightsville Beach, launches the coastal Carolina holiday season with two long-running traditions, the 37th annual North Carolina Holiday Flotilla, and Airlie Gardens’ 15th annual Enchanted Airlie.

A highlight of the weekend, Saturday night’s flotilla unveils a procession of beautifully decorated yachts and watercraft, each glittering with thousands of lights, slowly motoring past an estimated crowd of 50,000 revelers. Immediately following the parade, a stunning and captivating 20-minute, 4,000-round fireworks display illuminates the night sky and showers the waterway with sound and color.

The North Carolina Holiday Flotilla weekend is filled with family options, including Friday’s tree lighting ceremony with a visit from Santa, and the evening’s Flotilla Launch Party featuring the Jack Jack 180 dance band.

Saturday’s schedule includes the well-known Festival in the Park with nearly 100 pop-ups featuring arts, crafts, treats, and local merchants. Activities onsite offer bouncy houses for the children, slides, climbing walls, the Shriner’s Arab Choo Choo, live music, and The Antique, Classic, and Special Interest Car Show.

Early arrivals during Flotilla week begin the celebration Thanksgiving Day with a seafood-centric feast at host hotel Blockade Runner Beach Resort. Harbor Island tours depart the resort’s docks 3-times per day with Cape Fear Naturalist, Captain Joe Abbate. Prominently located on the flotilla parade route, Blockade Runner is within easy walking distance of all activities on the island.

Airlie Gardens’ Enchanted Airlie is open 19 evenings this year, including Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29 and 30 during flotilla week, and every night Dec. 6 thru 22. There are two event times per night, 5-7 PM, and 7-9 PM.  Enchanted Airlie tickets are available on the Airlie Gardens website, or Blockade Runner guests may contact the hotel to make arrangements.

“We are very excited to be celebrating our 15th year for Enchanted Airlie,” said Janine Powell of Airlie Gardens. “Each year, we sell out faster and faster, and this year we’re approaching the half-million mark for cumulative attendance.”

Created by the Airlie Gardens Foundation, Enchanted Airlie brings to life 35-acres of night-time forest with more than one million sparkling lights, holiday displays, and seasonal music. The walking trails offer an indoor visit with Santa, plus food and beverage vendors with hot chocolate, coffee, popcorn, cookies, unique local brews, and more.

“Enchanted Airlie has gained national and international prominence, attracting visitors from across the country and many nations,” said Powell.

“Visitors should make a plan. We will sell out all dates and times.”

Proceeds from Enchanted Airlie benefit the preservation and improvement of New Hanover County’s historic Airlie Gardens.

Contacts:

Janine Powell, Director of Donor Relations

Enchanted Airlie, Airlie Gardens

Office: 910-798-7703

Linda Brown

North Carolina Holiday Flotilla

910-256-2120

Robert B Butler

Communications | Public Relations

Permission granted for reprint and redistribution

#NCHolidayFlotilla #EnchantedAirlie #WrightsvilleBeach #BlockadeRunner #AirlieGardens #Wilmington #NorthCarolina #CapeFearNaturalist #FlotillaWeek #Flotilla #Gardens #TreeLighting #Santa #HolidayLights #AntiqueCarShow #JackJack180

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NORTH CAROLINA – Following a record-breaking downpour on Saturday, plus two hurricanes and almost 33-inches of rain since September 1, the skies cleared and the 35th annual North Carolina Holiday Flotilla officially launched the Carolina holiday season.

“We are Wrightsville Beach strong,” said Linda Brown, Committee Chair of the Flotilla, after enduring several hours of heavy rain with 30-mph winds earlier in the day.

“We are all survivors and will not give up,” said Mary Baggett, of Blockade Runner Beach Resort. “Hurricane Florence tried her best, but the flotilla goes on.”

Saturday’s rainfall of 1.64-inches surpassed the previous record set in 1983. Combined with wind gusts up to 39-mph, staging conditions were challenging for crew members of world-renowned Zambelli Fireworks. In spite of the day’s obstacles, the fireworks display was “a show of a lifetime,” said. Brown.

Saturday night’s North Carolina Holiday Flotilla featured a procession of twenty creatively decorated yachts and watercraft, each glittering with thousands of lights, slowly motoring past an estimated crowd more than 50,000. The flotilla ended with a massive and dazzling Zambelli fireworks display.

“I want people to know that you can have a devastating storm and no matter how tough you think it is to get back to “normal,” it can be done,” said Brown.

(see 2018 winners and photos below)

The 14th annual Airlie Gardens’ Enchanted Airlie, another holiday tradition with international prominence, began Friday, Nov. 23, and is open for 20-nights through Dec. 22. A limited number of tickets are available for the 2018 season.

Contacts:

Linda Brown, Committee Chair

North Carolina Holiday Flotilla

910-256-2120

Janine Powell, Director of Donor Relations

Enchanted Airlie, Airlie Gardens

Office: 910-798-7703

Robert B Butler

Communications | Public Relations

More photos of the 2018 North Carolina Holiday Flotilla by Ken Oots of Star-News Online at this link:   https://www.starnewsonline.com/photogallery/NC/20181124/NEWS/112409983/PH/1 

More photos of the 2018 North Carolina Holiday Flotilla by Mark Darrough of Port City Daily at this link:

WILMINGTON / WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NORTH CAROLINA – Just two months following a direct hit by Hurricane Florence, two nationally renowned holiday attractions return to Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, in November.

“The show will go on,” stated Linda Brown, Committee Chair of the 35th annual North Carolina Holiday Flotilla, presented by Blockade Runner Beach Resort. “We need this for Wrightsville Beach Strong and the communities that surround us. The flotilla will go on.”

Undeterred by the loss of an estimated 275 trees during the hurricane, “Enchanted Airlie will not miss a beat this year,” said Tara Duckworth, Director of Parks and Gardens for New Hanover County, owner of Airlie Gardens.

The 14th annual Airlie Gardens’ Enchanted Airlie begins Friday, Nov. 23, and will open for 20-nights through Dec. 22, 2018. The 35th annual North Carolina Holiday Flotilla, another Thanksgiving week tradition, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 24.

“Following the hurricane, the scene in Airlie Gardens was incredible with debris everywhere. The staff and volunteers were amazing. I commend them for all of their hard work, their dedication, and their passion for Airlie to reopen in November.

“I think the average visitor won’t know the difference. The iconic structures and Airlie Oak survived the storm. We’ve redone all the lighting with LEDs, and the displays will be even brighter; our signature attractions, including the mesmerizing Singing Christmas Trees are returning; and, we have a lot of new things planned. The Gnome Invasion art exhibit was cut short by the hurricane in September. Some of the gnomes will make an appearance Enchanted Airlie,” said Duckworth.

Enchanted Airlie has gained national and international prominence, attracting visitors from 50 states and over 40 nations. 2017’s sold out attendance exceeded 53,000. With one more night on the calendar in 2018, Duckworth anticipates another sold-out year.

“Festival in the Park, a prelude to the flotilla, opens from 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturday,” said Linda Brown. “This year’s festival includes 75 to 90 vendors; a large play area for the children with bouncy houses and slides; the popular and relaxing Arab Choo-Choo train ride; arts and crafts booths; food vendors; and the antique, classic, and special interest car show. The car show has grown tremendously, with over 150 cars expected this year.”

Saturday night’s North Carolina Holiday Flotilla features a procession of creatively decorated yachts and watercraft, each glittering with thousands of lights, slowly motoring past an estimated crowd more than 50,000.

Following the colorful and festive water parade, the flotilla ends with a massive and dazzling Zambelli fireworks display.

Although the hotel is closed for renovations due to damages sustained from Hurricane Florence, Blockade Runner Beach Resort will continue to serve as the host and presenting sponsor for the Holiday Flotilla in 2018.

“The Blockade Runner has been a partner since the very beginning in 1983,” said Brown. “We’re so sorry for their damages during the hurricane, but we are excited to have the flotilla headquarters, sponsor’s tent, and judge’s stand on Blockade Runner’s sound-side lawn and docks again this year.”

A North Carolina landmark locally owned by the Baggett family, Blockade Runner Beach Resort is planning to wrap up repairs and improvements with a grand reopening in early spring 2019.

Text voting continues this year with the People’s Choice Awards selected by spectators. “Text voting is growing substantially,” said Brown. “Four years ago, we had about 5,600 votes; last year, we had over 14,000 text votes,” said Brown. Winners receive flotilla trophies and prizes at the captain’s breakfast on Sunday.

“I want people to know that you can have a devastating storm and no matter how tough you think it is to get back to “normal,” it can be done,” said Brown. “We are making sure that Flotilla is strong this year because we are Wrightsville Beach Strong.”

Contacts:

Janine Powell, Director of Donor Relations

Enchanted Airlie, Airlie Gardens

Office: 910-798-7703

Linda Brown, Committee Chair

North Carolina Holiday Flotilla

910-256-2120

Robert B Butler

Communications | Public Relations

Permission granted for reprint and redistribution – photo credits required

#NCHolidayFlotilla #EnchantedAirlie #WrightsvilleBeach #BlockadeRunner #AirlieGardens #Wilmington #NorthCarolina #AirlieGardens #FlotillaWeek #WBStrong #WrightsvilleBeachStrong #WilmingtonStrong

*Airlie Gardens’ Enchanted Airlie was named a Top 20 Event in Fall 2015 and North Carolina Holiday Flotilla was named a Top 20 Event in Fall 2016, 2017, and 2018.

Wrightsville Beach, NC – Thanksgiving week, known as flotilla week in Wrightsville Beach, launched the Carolina holiday season with two long-running traditions, the 34th annual North Carolina Holiday Flotilla, including a massive 20-minute Zambelli Fireworks display, and the 13th annual Airlie Gardens’ Enchanted Airlie.

Mark and Leslie Armstrong of Hampstead won the People's Choice Award, using the holiday flotilla to promote animal adoption to more than 50,000 people on the parade route. The Armstrong's also won the text voting People's Choice Award in 2016, donating the $1,500 prize money to nonprofit Rescue Connect.

The North Carolina Holiday Flotilla and Enchanted Airlie attract over 100,000 spectators during the holidays and have been distinguished as *Top 20 Events by the Southeast Tourism Society. The flotilla is based at host hotel Blockade Runner Beach Resort.

Category: People's Choice Award

Name of boat: C'Mon Cletus (#2)

Captains: Mark and Leslie Armstrong, Hampstead, NC

Theme: Seahound Sleigh (For non-profit Rescue Connect, encouraging animal adoption and prevention of abuse)

Category: Best in Show Award 

Name of boat: J&B #10

Captain: Bob Bleecker, Fayetteville, NC

Theme: Lumina, Trolley, Grinch who stole Christmas

Category: Best Powerboat 23' to 31'

Name of boat: Charlie #16

Captains: Patrick and Christina Hudson, Wilmington, NC

Theme: Sleigh Boat

Category: Best Powerboat  31' and over

Name of boat: Collision Course #3

Captain: Michael Lucas, Wilmington, NC

Theme: All American Christmas

Category: Best Powerboat 22' and under

Name of boat: Craigcat (#7)

Captains: Brent and Craig Jernigan, Waccamaw, NC

Theme: Star Spangled Christmas

Category: Best Costumes & Crew Spirit

Name of boat: Sea Biscuit #11

Captain: Dean Brennan, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Theme: Dinos Rock

Category: Paula Sturdy Award

Name of boat: (No Name) #19

Captain: Jon Shellem

Theme: Palm Tree Island Tribute

Category: Best Sailboat

Name of boat: Piping Plover #21

Captain: Jud Watkins, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Theme: Pint Night, Wrightsville Beach Brewery

Love those Zambelli fireworks!

13th annual Airlie Gardens' Enchanted Airlie

​​​​​​​

Wrightsville Beach, NC – Thanksgiving week, known as flotilla week in Wrightsville Beach, will launch the Carolina holiday season with two long-running traditions, both distinguished as *Top 20 Events by the Southeast Tourism Society.

Flotilla week, packed with festivities and family activities, highlights the 34th annual North Carolina Holiday Flotilla, including a massive 20-minute Zambelli Fireworks display, and the 13th annual Airlie Gardens’ Enchanted Airlie. Both events combined attract over 100,000 spectators during the holidays.

Located on the flotilla parade route and providing transportation and tickets to Enchanted Airlie, host hotel Blockade Runner Beach Resort begins the celebration with a traditional and coastal feast on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, 2017. During flotilla week the Holiday Harbor Island Tour departs the docks 3-times per day with Cape Fear Naturalist Captain Joe Abbate, and features a historical narrative of the Wrightsville Beach Harbor and surrounding barrier islands.

Flotilla week’s itinerary is packed with Friday’s tree lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa, and the Holiday Flotilla Launch Party featuring the Embers. Saturday’s schedule includes Festival In the Park, bustling with bouncy houses, slides, climbing walls, the Arab Choo Choo, live music, an antique auto show, and an estimated 100 booths featuring local merchants and arts and crafts vendors. Enchanted Airlie will open both Friday and Saturday.

Created by Airlie Gardens Foundation, Enchanted Airlie brings to life 35-acres of walking trails in the nighttime forest with an estimated one million colorful lights, holiday displays, and seasonal music. The half-mile stroll also offers an indoor visit with Santa plus food and beverage vendors with hot chocolate, coffee, popcorn, cookies, a unique local brew, and more.

Enchanted Airlie has gained national and international prominence, attracting visitors from 50 states and over 40 nations.

Saturday night’s North Carolina Holiday Flotilla features a procession of creatively decorated yachts and watercraft, each glittering with thousands of lights, slowly motoring past an estimated crowd of 50,000 revelers. Text voting continues this year with the People’s Choice Awards determined by spectators and presented to the winners on Sunday.

Immediately following the flotilla, a 20-minute, 4,000-round fireworks display illuminates the night sky, showering the waterway with sound and color.

Enchanted Airlie is open to the public Nov. 24-25, Dec. 1-2, 8-10, and 13-22, 2017. There are two reservation times each evening, 5-7 and 7-9 p.m.  Enchanted Airlie tickets are available on the Airlie Gardens website, or Blockade Runner guests can call the hotel to make arrangements.

Airlie visitors should plan ahead. “We will sell out all dates and times,” said Janine Powell, Airlie Gardens Director of Donor Relations.

Proceeds from Enchanted Airlie benefit the preservation and improvement of New Hanover County’s historic Airlie Gardens.

Contacts:

Janine Powell, Director of Donor Relations

Enchanted Airlie, Airlie Gardens

Office: 910-798-7700

Shannon Friedrichs

Linda Brown

North Carolina Holiday Flotilla

910-256-2120

Robert B Butler

Communications | Public Relations

Permission granted for reprint and redistribution

#NCHolidayFlotilla #EnchantedAirlie #WrightsvilleBeach #BlockadeRunner #AirlieGardens #Wilmington #NorthCarolina #CapeFearNaturalist #FlotillaWeek

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC - Thanksgiving week, known as flotilla week in Wrightsville Beach, launched the Carolina holiday season with the 33rd annual North Carolina Holiday Flotilla, including a 4,000-round Zambelli Fireworks display, and the season opening for Airlie Gardens' 12th annual Enchanted Airlie. ​​​​​​​

Proceeds from Enchanted Airlie benefit the preservation and improvement of New Hanover County’s historic Airlie Gardens.​​​​​​​