Boogie in the Park Concert Series Returns This Sunday!

Kure Beach's popular annual concert series, Boogie in the Park, returns in 2017 with a fantastic line up of musical acts. The series kicks off this weekend with Selah Dubb, a surf/reggae group performing on Sunday, May 7.

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.

Volunteers Needed for Kure Beach 70th Anniversary Celebration & Street Festival!

The Town of Kure Beach is turning 70 years old! To help celebrate this great milestone, the Town of Kure Beach is looking for volunteers to make the event extra special. If you or someone you know might be interested in donating some time and offering a helping hand, please review the details below and contact the organizers via the phone number and/or email address provided.

What: The Town of Kure Beach is turning 70 and with that comes a town-wide celebration! Extra hands are needed to help bring this event to life - if you're willing to lend a hand, we'd love to have you!

When: Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM or 1:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Where: Ocean Front Park (105 Atlantic Avenue in Kure Beach)

How: Provide your contact info and availability via email at parks@tokb.org or via phone at (910) 707-2015

Town of Kure Beach to Hold American Cross Blood Drive

Donating blood is a way to give back. Whether you’re donating for a friend or a family member, or just because you feel it’s the right thing to do to help someone else out, giving blood can be a rewarding experience; knowing that you’ve helped change or save a life. Not to mention, blood is something most people have to spare, so when you give blood you’re helping keep blood on the shelf for those who need it an emergency. And if that’s not enough, donors get free juice and yummy cookies!

2017 Special Olympics Polar Plunge

The 13th Annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge, 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk (aka the 5K Run-N-Plunge) will take place in Kure Beach on Saturday, February 11, 2017. This fun, family-friendly event encourages contestants to brave the cold conditions of the Atlantic Ocean by plunging into the shore after completing a 5K (or 1 Mile Walk) that winds through the beach.

Contestants are also encouraged to come to the event dressed as their favorite super hero, with an awards given for the day's Costume Contest. And did we mention this event is dog-friendly? In fact, there will be a special "Pooch Plunge" just for brave Plungers who want their canine companions to participate, too!

Contestants can opt for the 5K Run-N-Plunge, the 1 Mile Fun Walk or just the plunge. No matter what you choose to do, you're sure to have a great time supporting the Special Olympics of New Hanover County!

Take a look at the following schedule for an overview of the day's events:

Kure Beach Vehicle Re-Entry Decals To Go On Sale Jan. 3

According to a news release from the Town of Kure Beach, the 2017 Kure Beach Vehicle Re-entry Decals for residents and non-resident property owners will go on sale at Town Hall beginning Tuesday, January 3, 2017.

These decals are not mandatory, but serve as an aid to identify Kure Beach residents and property owners in order to expedite the re-entry process over Snow's Cut Bridge onto the island in the event of a natural disaster.

Between January 3 and March 31, a re-entry decal costs $5. After March 31, the cost of a re-entry decal increases to $15, so it's best to get one before spring.

For more information on obtaining a decal, click here.

Kure Beach Holiday Market & Toys for Tots Donation Drive

Tired of the big box stores with the same ‘ole ho-hum gift ideas year after year? Shop local this year at The Kure Beach Holiday Market, your one-stop holiday shopping experience by the sea for unique gift ideas. Come browse for spectacular presents from over 35 amazingly talented local designers, artists, crafters, and merchants offering hand-crafted fashions, jewelry and accessories, soaps, skin scare, décor, gourmet foods, sweets, and wine.

Don't Miss Your Last Chance for the Kure Beach Market!

While fall brings with it enjoyable cooler temperatures, quiet beaches, and patio fire pits, it also means the weekly Kure Beach Market comes to a close for the season.

Tuesday, August 30th is your last chance to shop for locally grown fruits and vegetables, hand crafted goods, jewelry, cooking sauces and spices, fine art, and much more, at the Ocean Front Park. Visiting the open air market is a favorite activity for visitors and residents alike.

From mid-June to the end of August, the Kure Beach Market is open every Tuesday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Shoppers can browse products from more than thirty vendors while taking in the amazing Atlantic Ocean views at the popular Kure Beach Ocean Front Park & Pavilion. Local farmers and culinary professionals sell fresh baked goods, local wine, fresh peaches, watermelon, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and a variety of other fresh, seasonal produce to encourage and promote locally grown, sustainable, healthy eating. North Carolina artisans are also on hand with their homemade crafts, jewelry, pottery, painted glass, textiles, and metal art.

The Kure Beach Market brings awareness to our southern history of agriculture, supports the local economy, and promotes the spirit of community. Admission is free, and the venue is pet-friendly and family-friendly. The park itself features a playground, benches, swings, raingardens, and a “tot lot” playground for small children. So come help support our local growers and artisans. Don’t miss out on the last chance of the season! On August 30, visit the market as you take in the fresh air and breathtaking water views while you shop, wander, and enjoy!

For more information, please visit the Kure Beach Market’s Facebook page here.

Join us at the 2016 Boogie in the Park Concert Series

On the first and third Sundays, from May through October, the Ocean Front Park at 105 Atlantic Avenue in Kure Beach hosts a free summer concert series from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, featuring some of the area's most talented entertainers in rock, pop, jazz, and crossover country.

Bring the family, bring your guests, or just come by yourself with your chair or blanket and park it by the sea. The 2016 concert lineup features performers to suit every musical taste, and those in between. For more details visit us at www.pleasureislandnc.org. Here is what's in store for the next few weeks...

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.

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)

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.

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!

Kure Beach Holiday Market

The Town of Kure Beach is proud to present its Holiday Market, where visitors can find one-of-a-kind handmade treasures just in time for the gift-giving season!

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.

Battle of Fort Fisher 150th Anniversary

The Gibraltar of The South

Take a step back in time as we commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Fisher. Enjoy period music, 1865 battle reenactments and much more during this very special weekend of history and celebration. 

WHEN: January 17-18, 2015, from 10:00 A.M.- 4:00 P.M.

WHERE: Fort Fisher State Historic Site, Kure Beach, NC

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

Kure Beach Community Center

Classes & Events

The Community Center of Kure Beach offers lots of different classes and events for area residents. 

Aikido 

Aikido is a martial art based on traditional Japanese Samurai arts. It is traditionally considered a "soft" martial art because it includes throws and joint locks instead of kicks and punches. Aikido is an excellent martial art for kids to learn discipline and respect.

• Classes held every Tuesday and Thursday evening at the Kure Beach Community Center
• TIME: 5:00-6:00 PM (Youth) 6:00-9:00 PM (Adult)
• Call 919-465-0403 to register

Line Dance

Ron Griffin is the Line Dance Instructor at both the Carolina Beach and Kure Beach locations. Ron is an 18 year resident of Kure Beach and is retired from a career in Aerospace Engineering. He was introduced to Line Dancing over 15 years ago and has been instructing for over 10 years.

• TIME: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
• Cost of class is $1 per person. 
• Ron Griffin: Instructor

Pleasure Island Disc Golf Club Workday

Following hurricane Rita, the course was been restored complete with signs, baskets, and a well manicured lawn. The course is right by the ship channel which supplies a scenic view.

Join the Pleasure Island Disc Golf Club on the first Saturday of every month for a Course Workday. Each workday consists of general maintenance and cleanup around the 18-Hole Disc Golf Course.

• December 6, 2014 
• TIME: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

FALL is right around the corner!

Fall is a great time to visit Pleasure Island.

Carolina Beach and Kure Beach on Pleasure Island, NC offer tons of attractions and fun things to do for visitors and residents of all ages. Come enjoy the beautiful Fall weather for a family vacation or a weekend getaway.  Enjoy our fun events and festivals, and discover all the unique and wonderful attractions we have to offer! 


Find lodging off-season specials and things to do in Carolina Beach & Kure Beach on the Pleasure Island Event Calendar.

Kure Beach Ocean Front Park Grand Opening - Friday, April 26th

Kure Beach Ocean Front Park Grand Opening

Friday, April 26th
11:30 am - 10:00 pm
105 Atlantic Avenue

Opening Ceremony

Flag Raising, Ribbon Cutting
Performance by Carolina Beach Elementary School 3rd Grade Class
and Thank You to Grant Partners

On Stage @ The Pavilion

12:30 pm - Educational Talks & Recreational Demonstrations
Shipwrecks, Civil War Anchor & History, Local Fishing, Ballet, Yoga & Zumba

3:00 pm - South of K

4:30 pm - The Imitations
with Free Shag Lessons provided by Babs McDance

8:00 pm - Wilmington Big Band
with Free Swing Lessons provided by Babs McDance

For The Kids

1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Pirate Magicians from No Sleeves Magic, Story Time, Craft Table, Treasure Chest of Surprises

For All Ages

1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Informational Tables: Storm Water Dune Infiltration, Fort Fisher State Historic Site, Watercolor Painting, Local Agencies, Town Committees, and more!

1:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Disc Golf, Sumo Wrestling, Bouncy Obstacle Course, & Jousting

Bring a beach chair or blanket and enjoy the entertainment from the lawn!