Dog-Friendly Spots on Pleasure Island

It can be tough leaving your furry family member behind when you go on vacation, but that doesn’t have to be the case when you visit the beautiful coastal towns on Pleasure Island in North Carolina. With a variety of pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, parks, and activities in our area, your family dog can enjoy a beach vacation too.

Hotels

Pleasure Island offers an abundance of classic beach-style hotels and cottages on the beautiful Atlantic Ocean or with close beach access that are pet-friendly. TheBeacon House Inn Bed & Breakfast is one such hotel that’s located just a across the street from the beach at 715 Carolina Beach Ave N. The Beacon House Cottages welcomes a maximum of two pets in each cottage. Drifters Reef Motel, located in the heart of Carolina Beach also welcomes two dogs per room. Both hotels have pet fees and may have breed and size restrictions, so be sure and inquire when making your vacation plans.

Mobile Hazwagon Comes to Carolina Beach

Sometimes it’s not always easy to do the right thing when it comes to doing what’s best for the environment — like properly disposing of household chemicals and other toxic products. It can be tempting to pour solvents and hazardous liquids down the drain or on the ground, or toss them in the trash, but these waste products can be harmful to our health and to the environment if they are absorbed into the ground or into our water supply. Fortunately, New Hanover County Environmental Management and UNCW’s Sustainability Committee have partnered to bring residents a more convenient way to dispose of household hazardous waste, making it easier to do what’s right.

Carolina Beach Street Arts Festival Annual Art Auction Dinner

Come enjoy the spirit and spectacle of Mardi Gras while supporting the arts in Pleasure Island!

The Annual Carolina Beach Street Arts Festival Art Auction is a fun- and art-filled event to help support the overall Festival. With costumes, music, appetizers, raffles and opportunities to bid on fantastic works of art from all around the country, it's no wonder the event has already sold out of advance tickets! But don't worry -- tickets will still be available at the door.

Surfrider Foundation to Hold Dune Re-Building Event Jan. 28

For the past several years, the Surfrider Foundation has spearheaded a cheap and resourceful way to help rebuild our area dunes: recycled Christmas trees. On Saturday, January 28, The Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches, is coordinating with the town of Carolina Beach and a slew of volunteers to partake in the fourth annual dune rebuilding program using the discarded trees.

Registration Now Open for 2016 Christmas Flotilla

See more photos of previous Flotilla participants here.

Ready to deck the masts and stern with boughs of holly and strands of light to give spectators an ooh-la-la experience they’ll be glad to skip the neighborhood light tours for?

Boat parades are big part of holiday celebrations along coastal communities, and the annual Pleasure Island Christmas Flotilla is no exception. The flotilla means gathering together along the banks of the basin with friends and family watching fishing boats, pontoons, sail boats, and the like light up the waterway as part of the 25^th annual Island of Lights celebration. And now is your chance to be part of the action.

Moving to Carolina Beach or Kure Beach? Here's what you need to know

Want to experience that laid-back beach attitude on a permanent basis?  Our community has grown by nearly 30% since the millennium. There is a reason for that. Visitors come to our beautiful beachfront towns for a summer getaway, and then get bitten by that magical beach bug.

Who wouldn't want to watch sunsets and sunrises over the beautiful coastal waters of Eastern North Carolina every day? Or take a dip in the refreshing waters of the Atlantic anytime you want? Or stroll the boardwalk at Carolina Beach every weekend? Or visit the amazing restaurants, art galleries, and cultural amenities the Pleasure Island communities have to offer?  Carolina Beach and Kure Beach are not only great places to visit and vacation, but they are wonderful places to live, work, or retire.

Art Appreciation Along Pleasure Island…

Many are often surprised to discover that Pleasure Island is a mecca for artists and those in search of artistic pursuits.

Test Your Pleasure Island IQ!

1. In what year was the high-rise bridge built over Snow’s Cut to connect the island to the mainland?

1959
1962
1964

2. What local dancer is credited with developing and popularizing the dance known as the “shag”?

Chicken Hicks
Shaggie Smith
Rooster Parker

3. Kure Beach takes its name from one of the first families to visit and buy property in the area. It is pronounced “Cure-ee” and the family was originally from:

Minnesota
Denmark
Germany

4. The man, Robert Harrill, who became known as the legendary Fort Fisher Hermit was originally from:

Athens, GA
Gaffney, SC
Lincoln, NE

5. In its heyday during the Civil War, Fort Fisher was known as:

The Gibraltar of the South
The Sand Castle Fortress
The Iron Mermaid

6. When the Astor Hotel burned to the ground in 1985, it was how old?

42 years
69 years
120 years

7. Kure Beach boasts its own natural wonder. What is it?

An artesian well
A coquina outcrop
A rocky sea cave

8. Which hurricane did the most recent damage to the Kure Beach Pier?

Dianne
Fran
Bertha

9. Which Native American tribal group predominately populated the area now known as the Cape Fear Coast, which includes Pleasure Island?

Shawnee
Tuscarora
Blackfoot

10. What is the name of the albino alligator at the Fort Fisher Aquarium?

Jack White
Luna
Elsa



(answers: 1962, Chicken Hicks, Denmark, Gaffney, SC, Gibraltar of the South, 69 years, coquina outcrop, Bertha, Tuscarora, Luna)

Coming Soon, In June! 31st Annual Carolina Beach Music Festival!

Some pretty epic things happened in 1985, but around these parts, 1985 marks the year that the Carolina Beach Music Festival was created. Who could have predicted then what an incredible event it would become?

Just as the Cape Fear Coast has experienced tremendous growth, so has our homegrown beach music festival! Of course, we are not surprised by its increasing popularity or by the fact that it is the longest running music festival of its kind!

Vote for Carolina Beach Boardwalk in USA Today's 10 Best Boardwalks

Photo courtesy of Southern Digital Art.com

We're so excited to see the Carolina Beach Boardwalk as a nominee for USA Today's list of the 10 Best Boardwalks in America! And what's even more exciting? You get to vote for your favorite boardwalk every day, now until May 23, 2016! And not that we're biased...well, maybe a little...but we sure hope you vote for our very own Carolina Beach Boardwalk!

Right now, our beloved boardwalk is ranked second out of 20! Share this with your friends to help get  the Carolina Beach Boardwalk to the number one spot!

Click this link to cast your vote: 

http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-boardwalk/?csp=Newsletter-Readers-Choice&csp=

The Current Leaderboard (as of May 9, 2016)

1. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - Santa Cruz, Calif.

2. Carolina Beach Boardwalk - Carolina Beach, N.C.

3. Ocean City Boardwalk - Ocean City, Md.

4. Wildwoods Boardwalk - Wildwoods, N.J.

5. Virginia Beach Boardwalk - Virginia Beach, Va.

6. Jenkinson's Boardwalk - Point Pleasant Beach, N.J.

7. Seaside Heights Boardwalk - Seaside Heights, N.J. 

8. Atlantic City Beach and Boardwalk - Atlantic City, N.J.

9. Old Orchard Beach Pier - Orchard Beach, Maine

10. Hampton Beach Boardwalk - Hampton Beach, N.H.

Take the Pleasure Island Plunge and Try Something New!

Have you heard the old saying, “Variety is the spice of life?” We couldn’t agree more and believe that springtime is an excellent time to try something new and different. You can always blame it on spring fever! There’s another saying that we like in these parts: “Do something that’s a little bit dangerous every day.” Of course, should you choose to take a walk on the wild side, we encourage you to proceed with caution while maintaining your sense of adventure. Finally, to provide you with that extra nudge, here is a quote from Mark Twain: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

So there will be no excuses, here’s a handy list of possibilities to get you started:

* The world is your oyster! Common culinary lore holds that oysters should be consumed only in those months that contain the letter "R." With March and April on the way, it’s high time to get your fill before the season is over. In the quest to try something new, consider consuming a raw oyster with just a dot of Texas Pete or Sriracha. The truly brave ones in the bunch could opt for a popular new underground trend-oyster s’mores! We thinks these folks can help you out: http://www.theshuckinshack.com/

* Experience the natural beauty of Carolina Beach State Park. Spring’s warmer weather and longer days means it’s the perfect time to pitch a tent, hike, bike the trails, fish or kayak. Have you ever tried the 25-ft hike to the top of Sugar Loaf Trail? It’s a great vantage point for bird watching and spotting vessels of all shapes and sizes making their way through Snow’s Cut.

12th Annual Steve Haydu St. Patrick's Day Lo Tide Run

Mark Your Calendars for the 12th Annual Steve Haydu St. Patrick’s Lo Tide Run to be held Saturday, March 12th, 2016 in Carolina Beach!

This fun and inspiring 5K and 10K race brings the community together for a great cause - helping New Hanover County residents who are battling cancer. Through an all volunteer board, generous donations and special fundraising events like this, the Lo Tide Run organization can provide financial assistance to cancer warriors in our area.

If you'd like to participate in the run, you can click here to register early before March 1st. If you want to mail in a registration form, do so quickly, as forms must be received by March 1st!

You can still register at Omega Sports on Oleander Drive Friday, March 11th from 12-6pm during early packet pick-up and on Race Day at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk from 7am-7:45am.

For more race details and the schedule of events click here.

2016 Summer Movies at the Lake Schedule Announced

The Sunday Night Movies at Carolina Beach Lake are a popular, family-friendly event that both residents and visitors look forward to year after year. This year, we'll be featuring 15 different family-friendly films, including both recent releases like Inside Out, and classics like The Sandlot.

Our Sunday Night Movies will run from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. As always, the Sunday Night Movies at Carolina Beach Lake are absolutely FREE!

Here's the 2016 schedule. Feel free to print it out to help you plan your summer weekends at Carolina Beach!

2016 Free Sunday Movies at Carolina Beach Lake

• Movies start at dusk (around 8:45)
• Movies are subject to change and weather permitting

May 29 - MINIONS (PG-2015)
June 5 - MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS (PG-2011)
June 12 - RIO-2 (G-2014)
June 19 - CINDERELLA (PG-2015)
June 26 - HOME (PG-2015)
July 3 - THE SANDLOT (PG-1993)
July 10 - HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 (PG-2015)
July 17 - STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS (PG-2015)
July 24 - THE GOOD DINOSAUR (PG-2015)
July 31 - INSIDE OUT (PG-2015)
August 7 - NORM OF THE NORTH (PG-2016)
August 14 - CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (PG-2013)
August 21 - THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR
August 28 - MR. HOBBS TAKES A VACATION (1962)
September 4 - THE PEANUTS MOVIE (PG-2015)

Remember, popcorn, candy and refreshments will be available for sale! You are also welcome to bring your own food and drinks.

12th Annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge at Carolina Beach

Are you brave enough to face the frigid waters of Carolina Beach in February? If so, you could help raise money and awareness for a very good cause next month!

The 12th Annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge, 5K Run-N-Plunge, and 1 Mile Fun Walk takes place Saturday, February 13, 2016 at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, next to the Courtyard Marriott. Contestants can choose to participate in the 5K Run-N-Plunge, a 1-mile fun walk, or just the plunge by itself.

Children's Valentine's Day Dance in Carolina Beach

If your youngsters would enjoy a special evening of fun, food, dancing and prizes, be sure to bring them to the Valentine's Dance at the Carolina Beach Recreation Center!

The Valentine's Dance will take place on Saturday, February 13, 2016 from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Kids age 6-12 years old are invited to attend.

Ring in 2016 on Pleasure Island!

Photo by Southern Digital Art.com

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to set your watch to “island time”, then you will not want to miss these Pleasure Island activities set for Thursday, December 31st and Friday, January 1st

The Island of Lights New Year’s Eve Celebration

• December 31, 2015
• 9:00 pm
• Carolina Beach Boardwalk

Time Square has nothing on this celebration! Please join us and bring your friends and family for an incredible blastoff into 2016. There will be a variety of ways to ring in the New Year all along the boardwalk, including raffles, party favors, a DJ, dancing and of course the big beach ball will drop precisely at midnight! This is another wonderful FREE event!

Food Donations Needed for the Help Center of Federal Point

The holidays are a time of friends, family, peace and giving - and with your help, we can give more to our less fortunate friends and families in our community.

The Help Center of Federal Point,  an emergency, short term assistance center for residents of Carolina Beach, is currently in need of non-perishable food items. There will be a food drive taking place during the Island of Lights Christmas Parade this Friday, December 4 at 7:30 pm.

Spotlight on Business - Cape Fear Bedding

Cape Fear Bedding is celebrating the opening of their second store located at 6331 Carolina Beach Road.

Cape Fear Bedding has been in business going on five years and is the only locally owned, independent mattress retailer that is only on Wilmington, NC.

Plan a Holiday Getaway on Pleasure Island

Some beach communities roll up the streets after Labor Day, but nothing could be further from the truth on Pleasure Island!

The holiday season is a magical time here, and if you’re planning a late-season visit to Pleasure Island, you’ll find a whole host of activities that will surely put you in the Christmas spirit. Use this handy guide to plan the perfect holiday getaway to our cozy beach towns.

Encore Best of 2015

Vote for Pleasure Island businesses in Encore Best of 2015; every vote counts!

• We ask that our readers vote in at least 25 categories. One ballot per person. A valid email address is required.
• Winners will be announced at our annual Best of Wilmington awards party, held at the Brooklyn Arts Center on Saturday, February 28th. The awards will celebrate and benefit DREAMS Center for Arts Education.
• All voting will end on January 26th, 2015

Best Sushi - Nikki’s Gourmet Sushi
Best Salads - Rucker John’s
Best New Restaurant - Wake N Bake
Best Chef -  Brandon Stark (Michael’s Seafood)
Best Food Truck - Flaming Amy’s
Best Seafood - Michael’s Seafood
Best Fast Food - Chick-Fil-A
Best Burrito - Flaming Amy’s
Best Homemade Soup - Michael’s Seafood
Best Oysters - Shuckin’ Shack
Best Japanese Restaurant - Nikki’s Gourmet Sushi
Best Hot Dog - Island Hots
Best Arcade/Game Room - Jungle Rapids
Best Dentist - Bozart Family Dentistry
Best Farmer’s Market - Carolina Beach
Best Alternative Medicine - Community Acupuncture of Carolina Beach
Best Print Shop - Dock Street Printing
Best Real Estate - Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty or Intracoastal Realty
Best Auto Mechanic - Superior Automotive
Best Jeweler - Perry’s Emporium
Best Grocery Store - Harris Teeter
Best Local Radio Station - Z107.5 or The Penguin
Best Local Tourist Attraction - NC Aquarium at Ft. Fisher
Best Morning Radio Show - Foz and Laura (Z107.5) or Bob and Sherri (WGNI) or The Morning Chill (The Penguin)
Best Place for Karaoke - Silver Dollar-Carolina Beach
Best Local Website - PortCityDaily.com or EncorePub.com 
Best Local Newscast - WECT or WSFX or WWAY
(Write-In Category)
Best Donuts - Wake N Bake
Best Nonprofit - Nourish NC or Good Shepherd Center