Pleasure Island Businesses Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

Photo: ICW by Lexi DiBenedetto

Check out these specials and events courtesy of Pleasure Island restaurants and shops just in time for Memorial Day:

The SeaWitch is open for business! Although a fire recently damaged part of the SeaWitch's Tiki Bar, the remainder of the SeaWitch will continue to be open, serve food and be a hotspot for your favorite bands. The entertainment line up for this weekend includes Hot Water Wagon on Friday Night and Just Woke Up on Saturday Night. According to management, the Tiki Bar will be rebuilt and be even better than before.

The Carolina Beach Seafood Company is celebrating its Grand Opening this Memorial Day Weekend. Featuring fresh local seafood, come in and check out their large assortment of fresh shellfish & fish - including just caught Spanish Mackerel. You will also find an appealing assortment of beer, wine & gourmet food products.

Shanty's II provides you with a week full of entertainment. Friday night will be "Dance Mix" with all of your favorite "Shag" tunes featuring the Island's own DJ Mike Worley Saturday night is "Shag Night". Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. each night. Wednesday, June 2nd is Line Dancing Lessons for $5.00. Thursday night is the first session of beginning Shag lessons which is a four week session for $30. For those who wish to drop in to brush up on a step, it's only $10. Shanty's II is a private club and membership is only $10.00 for the entire year. For more information, please call Shanty's at 910-233-3266.

Island Colors is kicking off the summer with a sidewalk sale on Saturday, May 29th. Select merchandise from some of your favorite brands including Fresh Produce Sportswear will be on sale from 25-75% off. They need to make room for the new merchandise that is arriving at the store. There will be a free gift with purchase on Saturday. For more information, please call (910) 458-7736.

Southern Charm will hold their Memorial Day Sale on Saturday and Sunday, May 29th and 30th. Select jewelry and merchandise will be 20% off. Kick off the summer season looking your best. New summer sundresses just arrived as well as a new shipment of Funky Bandz!

And of course don't forget the live music and fireworks at the boardwalk Friday night, the Carolina Beach Farmers Market Saturday morning, and a free showing of Avatar at the Lake on Sunday night. We might need more than a three day weekend to fit it all in!

Stay Safe In The Water This Holiday Weekend - Watch Out For Rip Currents

Photo: "Kure Beach" by Kelly Lawso

The water off the Pleasure Island coast is beautiful, fun, and refreshing, but it can also be dangerous. Rip currents, or strong channels of water flowing away from the shore, are common along the beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Fort Fisher.

To increase your safety this Memorial Day weekend, or any time you are enjoying the ocean here are a few tips:

• Swim near the lifeguard stands. Lifeguards are on duty from 9:30 am to 4:45 pm seven days a week during the season.
• Pay attention to the flags posted on the lifeguard stands which indicate surf conditions. Green = safe swimming conditions, Yellow = moderate to rough surf, caution is advised, Red = surf conditions are dangerous and swimming is prohibited.
• If caught in a rip current don't panic or attempt to swim against the current. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Learn more from the Town of Carolina Beach Lifeguards.
• Keep a close eye on children playing in the water. Communicate with other adults in your party so everyone is aware of who is watching any children.

Stay safe and have fun!

Get Set For a Great Memorial Day Weekend

The official start to summer is finally here! It is going to be a wonderful weekend on Pleasure Island. Whether you are looking forward to relaxing on the beach, spending time with family and friends, or attending Carolina Beach events you won't be disappointed.

The weather outlook for the weekend is a little iffy - according to weather.com the temperature will be in the low 80s with scattered thunderstorms Friday through Sunday, but sunny and 85 degrees on Monday. There should be plenty of good beach time, but if you do get stuck indoors by a storm here or there check out the many Pleasure Island attractions available for inside fun!

Have a great holiday weekend. Take time to remember the men and women in the military who paid the ultimate sacrifice in serving our country, and be sure to be safe!

Get Your Summer Off To A Great Start On Pleasure Island

Photo By Diane Boissiere

Summer is almost here and there are lots of fun events and activities taking place on Pleasure Island to help you celebrate the start of the season. There is something for everyone. Bookmark the Pleasure Island Event Calendar so you can keep track of the fun events all summer long!

Tuesday, May 25: Boardwalk Blast Family Night Fun for the whole family including karaoke, bouncy toys, line dancing, face painting, and more. At the Carolina Beach Boardwalk.

Wednesday, May 26: Boardwalk Blast Cash Bingo 6:30 - 8:00 pm at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk.

Thursday, May 27: Free Concert - Mojo Collins & FIREWORKS!! Entertainment at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk Gazebo from 6:30 - 9:00 pm, and the fireworks start once it's dark out, around 9:00 pm.

Friday, May 28: Free Concert - Machine Gun & FIREWORKS!! Entertainment at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk Gazebo from 6:30 - 9:00 pm, and the fireworks start once it's dark out, around 9:00 pm.

Saturday, May 29: Farmer's Market & Art Show 8 am - 1 pm at the Carolina Beach Lake

Sunday, May 30: Free Movie at the Lake - Avatar At the Carolina Beach Lake starting at dusk (around 8:45 pm.)

The best part is that these Carolina Beach events continue each week all summer long!

6th Annual Battle for the North End Cup Volleyball Tournament - Saturday, May 22 in Carolina Beach

Come down to the Carolina Beach Fishing Pier on May 22nd and enjoy a day of fun in the sun and sand as our lifeguards compete for the Battle of the North End Cup.  Proceeds help support your Pleasure Island Lifeguard Association.  

Sponsor a lifeguard team for $50 or form your own team.  There will also be a Paintball Human Target Shooting and a 50/50 drawing.  

Applications can be picked up at The High Tide Lounge or Tangerine Caribbean Grill or call Josh Flemming at 336-830-5876.

Big Print Block Party Art Festival - Saturday May 22 in Carolina Beach

On May 22nd from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., come see giant 4 x 8 foot woodcuts printed with a steamroller LIVE! This year's visiting artist is Julia Morrisroe of Florida.  

Come and see local and regional art of many mediums. Free art projects for kids and there will be plenty of Arts and Crafts booths as well.  

Visit www.capefearpress.com for more information.

Announcing the 2010 Seafood, Blues, and Jazz Headliner...Leon Russell!

Leon Russell

Known first mostly as a session musician, Russell has played with artists as varied as Jerry Lee Lewis, George Harrison, Delaney Bramlett, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Eric Clapton, The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Willie Nelson, Badfinger, Tijuana Brass, Frank Sinatra, The Band, Glen Campbell, and The Rolling Stones. With a solo career involving the genres of rock and roll, blues, and gospel music, Russell began his musical career at the age of 14 years in the nightclubs of Tulsa, OK. He and his group "The Starlighters", were instrumental in creating the style of music known as the Tulsa Sound.

It is an honor to have Leon Russell grace the stage at the 17th Annual Seafood, Blues, and Jazz Festival which will be held October 9th and 10th, 2010 on Pleasure Island at the Fort Fisher Military Recreational Area in Kure Beach, NC.

For more information visit www.pleasureislandnc.org or call 910-458-8434. Tickets will go on sale in July.