Permission granted for publishing, sharing, redistribution – Photo credits required
Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
WILMINGTON / WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC – Two long-running traditions, the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla and Airlie Gardens' Enchanted Airlie, launched the coastal holiday season this weekend.
"Our 36th-anniversary brought perfect weather with thousands of excited visitors and residents who came to see what the NC Holiday Flotilla is all about," said Linda Brown, Flotilla Chair. "Eighteen uniquely decorated boats and a spectacular fireworks display capped a weekend full of family-oriented events. Our 36th Flotilla was a huge success."
Saturday night’s Flotilla, Zambelli fireworks, and Enchanted Airlie attracted an estimated combined crowd above 50,000.
2019 North Carolina Holiday Flotilla winners:
2019 Best In Show
Theme: Stick Man Christmas
Captain Chuck Ohnmacht, Boat name: La Pachanga Tres
2019 People's Choice
Theme: Santa Sleigh
Captain Joshua Reda, Boat name: Chaos
2019 Costumes and Crew Spirit
Theme: Stellar Nights
Captain Dean Brennan, Boat name: Stellar
2019 Best 31 and over
Theme: Palm Tree Island
Captain Bob Bleecker, Boat name: J&B
2019 Best 23-31
Theme: Grandma's Walk
Captain Zac Schnell, Boat name: Escape
2019 Best 22 and under
Theme: Baby Shark
Captain Lisa and Andy Almeter, Boat name: HR Nightmare
2019 Best Sailboat
Theme: Peace on Earth
Captain: Billy McGrew, Boat name: Stress Relief
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla Fireworks - Wrightsville Beach - Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla Fireworks – Courtesy of William Baggett
2019 Best In Show
Theme: Stick Man Christmas
Captain Chuck Ohnmacht
Boat name: La Pachanga Tres
Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
2019 Best In Show
Theme: Stick Man Christmas
Captain Chuck Ohnmacht
Boat name: La Pachanga Tres
Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
2019 Best In Show
Theme: Stick Man Christmas
Captain Chuck Ohnmacht
Boat name: La Pachanga Tres
Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
2019 Best In Show
Theme: Stick Man Christmas
Captain Chuck Ohnmacht
Boat name: La Pachanga Tres
Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
2019 Best 23-31
Theme: Grandma's Walk
Captain Zac Schnell
Boat name: Escape
Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
2019 Costumes and Crew Spirit
Theme: Stellar Nights
Captain Dean Brennan
Boat name: Stellar
Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla - Stellar Nights - Courtesy of Anna Pennington
2019 Best Sailboat
Theme: Peace on Earth
Captain: Billy McGrew
Boat name: Stress Relief
Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
2019 People's Choice
Theme: Santa Sleigh
Captain Joshua Reda
Boat name: Chaos
Photo courtesy of Beth Hedgepeth
2019 Best 31 and over
Theme: Palm Tree Island
Captain Bob Bleecker
Boat name: J&B
Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla - Palm Tree Island - Courtesy of Anna Pennington
2019 Best 22 and under
Theme: Baby Shark
Captain Lisa and Andy Almeter
Boat name: HR Nightmare
Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla and Fireworks – Courtesy Eric Soderquist
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla and Fireworks – Courtesy Eric Soderquist
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla Fireworks - Wrightsville Beach - Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla Fireworks - Wrightsville Beach - Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla Fireworks - Wrightsville Beach - Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla Fireworks - Wrightsville Beach - Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla Fireworks - Wrightsville Beach - Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla & Fireworks - Wrightsville Beach - Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla & Fireworks - Wrightsville Beach - Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla & Fireworks - Wrightsville Beach - Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla & Fireworks - Wrightsville Beach - Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla & Fireworks - Wrightsville Beach - Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla & Fireworks - Wrightsville Beach - Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla & Fireworks - Wrightsville Beach - Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla & Fireworks - Wrightsville Beach - Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
Many thanks to the US Coast Guard at Wrightsville Beach, NC - Photo courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
Friday night Flotilla Party - Courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
Friday night Flotilla Party - Courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
Friday night Flotilla Party - Courtesy of Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla 'Day in the Park' – Courtesy Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla 'Day in the Park' – Courtesy Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla 'Day in the Park' – Courtesy Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla 'Day in the Park' – Courtesy Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla 'Day in the Park' – Courtesy Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla 'Day in the Park' – Courtesy Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla 'Day in the Park' – Courtesy Beth W. Hedgepeth
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla Weekend Sponsors– Courtesy Beth W. Hedgepeth
Airlie Gardens’ Enchanted Airlie unveiled the opening of their 15th season on Friday and Saturday night. Enchanted Airlie brings to life 35-acres of night-time forest with more than one million sparkling lights, holiday displays, and seasonal music. Showings continue Dec. 6-22.
"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."
Although sold out for the season, a limited number of Enchanted Airlie tickets are available to guests at Blockade Runner Beach Resort, host hotel for the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla. Guests may contact the hotel to make arrangements.
Contacts:
Linda Brown
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
Blockade Runner Beach Resort – Host hotel for the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla
