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!

Shop Local - It’s Easy to Find Great Holiday Gifts on Pleasure Island!

There’s a special feeling many folks get when they cross the Snow’s Cut Bridge and head towards the quaint island communities of Carolina and Kure beaches. Of course it is directly related to the coastal vibe and instant tranquility that being minutes from the ocean provides. Prior to settling in, plenty of residents and visitors make an extra effort to “have everything they need” with a goal of leaving the island as little possible-and who can blame them?


As the holiday season quickly nears, there’s no need to waste time, energy and gas, endlessly searching for holiday must-haves for your friends, family and home decorating needs because it’s all right here! This year, we encourage you to shop local and discover the amazing variety of unique finds offered by the island’s charming shops and boutiques.

Upcoming Holiday Events on Pleasure Island

We can not take the credit, however, for the past few days the unseasonably mild temps and gorgeous blue skies are certainly what could be called, “Chamber of Commerce Weather”. The warm temps are predicted to last for a few more days and will make it easy to take in the holiday sights and sounds along beautiful Pleasure Island. Along with all of the holiday goings-on, there are fun and funky shops, outstanding restaurants and cafes, high-rise hotels, charming inns and cottages. It’s an idyllic place any time of year, but especially during the holidays!

Sometimes taking advantage of what an area has to offer requires a little extra planning, so here are a few ideas to consider for your holiday fun:

The Kure Beach Christmas Show

• Saturday, December 12th, 6:30-8 pm

This FREE event is a local favorite, especially among the younger crowd! From 6:30 until 8 pm, on K Avenue, right next to the Kure Beach Fishing Pier, costumed holiday characters will be performing seasonal tunes sung by an all-local cast. There will also be appearances by Frosty, Harriet the Hippo, the Grinch, Olaf, Anna, Elsa and Rudolph! Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be on hand with a group of their most talented elves. For utmost in enjoyment, please bring a chair and wear appropriate clothing, because it always seems to snow during this very special event. Call 910-458-8216 for more information.

Shop Pleasure Island and Discover Unique Gift Ideas!

If you stop a moment and consider last year’s holiday gifts, both the ones you purchased and received, are there any standouts? Chances are, you’ll be hard pressed to recall just one memorable item! Finding unique presents for friends and family is tough, especially in this age of online shopping. However, sometimes the solution to finding a few “wow factor” gifts is right in your own backyard. This year, please consider buying local and supporting many of our valued chamber members. Not only will you save on time, money and gas, you’ll also find a wonderful selection of unique things to choose from!

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.

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!

Pleasure Island Branch Library Grand Opening

You are cordially invited to the grand opening of the Pleasure Island Branch Library on Saturday, November 21, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Please feel free to join our community celebration during any or all of the day.

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.

PICC Photo Contest

Do you have a favorite photograph you want to share with the world?

The Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce is holding a photography contest to showcase our beautiful and vibrant beach community! Whether you're a pro or just learning, this contest is open to all skill levels.

Details

All images must be of the Pleasure Island area, meaning images taken in Carolina Beach, Kure Beach or Fort Fisher. Images can include events held on Pleasure Island.

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.

Spotlight on Business - Hinson Business Consultants, LLP

Dr. Ann Hinson Nivens

I'm so excited to be a new resident and business owner of Carolina Beach!! My name is Dr. Ann Hinson Nivens and I'm the co-owner of Hinson Business Consultants, LLP. My partner, Beth Hinson Phillips and I provide professional business services in two important areas: Sales and Communication Trainings and Business Expense Reductions and Savings.

Our consulting firm is affiliated with Stryde Savings out of Fenton, MI. We offer SAVINGS SOLUTIONS FOR VIRTUALLY EVERY INDUSTRY.

With Stryde, we have helped thousands of companies reduce expenses and obtain federal tax incentives that would otherwise go uncaptured.

Be a part of the Christmas Flotilla and Christmas Parade

Christmas Parade

How would you like to be part of the Christmas Flotilla or the Island of Lights Christmas Parade in Carolina Beach this year?!

To be in the Island of Lights Christmas Parade in Carolina Beach, you must submit an application online (new for 2015). Area residents young and old look forward to the annual Christmas Parade every year, and this year is sure not to disappoint! The Parade is always the second Friday after Thanksgiving and begins at 7:30 pm.

Holiday Craft Show

The American Legion Post 129 Auxiliary presents the 3rd Annual Holiday Craft Show! The event will take place November 14, 2015 from 9 am until 4 pm at the Post 129 Events Pavilion, 1500 Bridge Barrier Road, Carolina Beach. Come enjoy snacks, beverages, door prizes and of course plenty of fantastic holiday crafts to get you in the spirit of the season!

Free Day at the Aquarium

Looking for something fun to do with the family on Veteran's Day? Take the kids to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher for an entertaining and educational experience - and best of all, it's free!

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is celebrating Veteran's Day by waiving admission fees for everyone on Wednesday, November 11, 2015. 

CVS Vaccine Clinic

Have you been putting off getting your flu shot? Come down to the Flu Vaccine Clinic next week to get protected against the nasty influenza virus and enjoy giveaways and shopping passes!

The CVS Health Flu Blitz will take place Monday, November 9th and Thursday November 12 at the CVS located at 901 Dow Road in Carolina Beach.

Hours for both clinics are 8:30 am to 7:00 pm, with a closing from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm for lunch.

Fall Outdoor Activities on Pleasure Island

Autumn is one of the best times of year to get out and get active on Pleasure Island. The air is cool and crisp, and the humidity and summertime crowds have eased up. While the ocean waters may be a little brisker this time of year, there are still plenty of ways to frolic and stay fit in the fall. Here are our top picks for outdoor pursuits during the coast’s finest season:

Biking

Whether you bring your own bicycle or rent one here, you'll find miles of well-maintained, flat roads on which to explore the entire island. The 16-mile round trip Pleasure Island Pedal Route starts at the state boat launch site at Snow's Cut and traverses down to Fort Fisher State Park. Along the way, you can ride the bike trail at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, which winds through a maritime forest near the Ft. Fisher-to-Southport Ferry Landing.

Spotlight on Business - Joe's Oasis

Welcome to Joe’s!

We are embarking on the 2nd anniversary of business in Masonboro Commons shopping center! Thank you to the members of Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce for your continued support in the last 24 months.

We have some exciting things planned for this fall including the return of the always fun football cowbells. To start the season in style, we are doing a pig roast tailgate party and fundraiser with Step up for Soldiers on Thursday September 10th 7:00pm. Bring your cowbell back to Joe’s and cheer on your favorite team!

October 8th is National Pierogi Day. Many of you have fallen in love with our potato filled dumplings. In celebration we are planning to roll out a pierogi eating contest. Follow us on Facebook as we iron out the details.

The All Star Break is over and MLB playoff picture is shaping up. On your next visit, answer the daily MLB trivia question for a chance to win a free meal! All entries will qualify for grand prizes at our baseball themed Halloween party.

Save the date! November 28th is the big celebration as Joe’s turns 3!