etc.
“THE FLOTILLA WILL FLOAT”
Hurricane Florence
damaged and destroyed
homes and businesses on
the beaches and along the
waterways and recovery
could take months, but
one Wrightsville Beach
tradition refuses to be
The 2018 North Carolina Holiday
Flotilla, scheduled for the Saturday after
Thanksgiving, will proceed as planned.
“The flotilla will float,” says Linda Brown,
this year’s chair. “We are Wrightsville Beach
strong. Wrightsville Beach will have their
annual flotilla. We’ll make sure it rolls.”
The hurricane is necessitating changes.
The Blockade Runner has closed until next spring
because of damage from Florence — the hotel will
make use of the down time to repair and refurbish —
causing the cancellation of the Friday night party.
Brown was concerned the flotilla would need a new
judging stand because of damage to the dock, but says
the dock will be rebuilt in time for the event.
Brown also says Florence might affect the number of
entries in the annual boat parade.
“It’s expensive to decorate those boats,” she says.
“If they have had extensive damage to
their home, they’re probably not going to
spend money on their boat.”
But it’s all systems go for the many other
events that make up the flotilla weekend.
The lighting of the town Christmas tree
and visit from Santa is still on for Friday.
Saturday activities include the Festival in
sunk by the storm.
the Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wrightsville Beach Park,
with a children’s play area featuring inflatable slides and
bounce houses, festival food, arts and crafts retail booths,
and the classic car show.
“The day in the park will be as good as ever,” Brown
says.
The parade of boats colorfully decorated for the holi-days
is scheduled for 6 p.m., followed by the much antici-pated
fireworks show. The route will be announced closer
to the event. — Simon Gonzalez
WBM FILE PHOTO
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