13
PEOPLE | CULTURE | HAPPENINGS | TRENDS
beachbites
Oh What Fun!
Jingle All the Way
By HUNTER HOUTZER
Participants in the fourth annual Jingle Bell Run, benefitting the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, start the race on Dec. 15, 2012.
www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALLISON POTTER
For many families in the Wilmington area, Christmas
traditions include hanging ornaments, sugar cookie
baking and running in the annual Jingle Bell 5k. This
is the fifth year the Jingle Bell Run will benefit the
Wrightsville Beach Museum of History as well as provide families with a
festive way to burn extra holiday-induced calories. Runners will gather,
rain or shine, to run the John Nesbitt Loop, possibly meeting Santa and
his reindeer along the way.
The first race was led by outgoing Wrightsville Beach Mayor, David
Cignotti.
“From the beginning, we wanted it to be a fun race,” Cignotti says,
“not a serious race, because it’s a family race. People from both in and
out of town come to have a great time.”
The Wrightsville Beach Museum board members have held the reigns
for the last four years. As always, informality is emphasized and holiday
apparel is encouraged. The bright, cheerful outfits of runners are great
for getting all who attend into the spirit.
“It’s a great fundraiser that does so much good for the museum,” says
first year board member John Sideris, who is heading the event. “It’s a lot
of fun for men, women and four-legged creatures.”
Madeline Flagler, museum executive director, has also watched the
event grow in numbers every year, and she expects 500 runners during
the upcoming race. The costume contest is something she especially
looks forward to this year, where for the first time decorated pets and
strollers will be featured in their own categories.
“We have photographs at the museum of strollers actually in Lumina
from the 1920s,” Flagler says. “We thought that we could capitalize on
that history. Strollers now look and work so differently, but they do the
same thing. They hold babies. The stroller decorating contest is a great
way to tie in that history.”
Timing of the 5k will be kept by Go Time, run by local meteorologist
Colin Hackman, and his wife, Michelle.
“We are excited for the race,” Michelle Hackman says. “It’s one of our
favorite races to time of the year. People come dressed as all different things,
like Christmas trees, reindeers, snowmen. Everyone is in a festive spirit.”
The December 14 race begins at 9 a.m. and festivities conclude at 11 a.m.
Registration is available online or at the Wrightsville Beach Museum.
Family rates are available. Registration closes at 8:45 a.m. before race time.