In Case You Missed It - Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-Off is CANCELLED

The 21st Annual Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-Off is officially CANCELLED.

In case you haven't heard the news, the Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-Off, originally scheduled for April 8, 2017, has officially been cancelled. It is with a sense of pride, remembrance and sorrow that we announce the end of this signature spring event after 20 great years.

The Chowder Cook-Off celebrated delicious area food, great music and fun for the entire family. Chefs from southeast North Carolina's finest restaurants each brought their own unique chowder recipes - seafood or otherwise - and invited guests to sample and judge the selections. Attendees were able to sample a true taste of Cape Fear during this friendly chowder competition, held each spring at Carolina Beach Lake Park in Carolina Beach. Kids were able to play in the park's playground and the Kidz Zone, with face painting, a giant inflatable slide, laser tag and more. The sounds of live music filled the air all day as the children played and the grownups enjoyed a few adult beverages along with scrumptious chowder.

Although the event was much loved by the local community, after careful consideration, the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors decided to officially end the annual event. Unfortunately, the Chowder Cook-Off became a victim of the increasingly high cost of seafood, lack of restaurant participation and the growing complexities of outdoor events.

The Board will be meeting very soon with the assistance of the local restaurant community to determine a future culinary-based event (or events) to showcase our area's restaurants and food purveyors.

In the meantime, the 2017 season will not be without fun events, great food and lively music! The first ever Spring Pleasure Island Seafood Blues and Jazz Festival will be held at the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area on Sunday, April 23, with 12 great bands on two stages with plenty of seafood, face-painting, laser-tag, crafters, artists, beer and wine, and fun for all ages. This inaugural Spring event will feature headliners Jonny Lang and Samantha Fish along with ten other bands overlooking the banks of the might Cape Fear River in Kure Beach, NC.

For more information, please feel free to contact the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce at (910) 458-8434.

The Veggie Wagon at Carolina Beach Now Offering Loose Leaf Tea Bar

Local specialty grocery store and fresh produce delivery company, The Veggie Wagon, is serving up more than fruits, veggies, seafood, North Carolina brews, healthy take and bake comfort foods, and homemade products in the Pleasure Island community—and just in time for the cooling winter temps.

Come experience the Veggie Wagon’s new organic loose leaf tea bar. They have a variety of 8 flavor profiles—including a unique Mexican Chocolate and a classic English Breakfast—there’s something to satisfy every palate. Once you’ve picked your favorite flavor, choose how you would like it served: a cup on the run that’s steeped in house, or ounce and half-ounce quantities to take home and brew yourself. They’ll even throw in some tea bags for home steeping.

Even if you think you’re not a tea drinker, maybe you’ve never tried a good loose leaf tea before. Now is your chance. Let one of the knowledgeable staff help you find a tea that’s right for you. They’ll let you sample them all before you decide.

The Veggie Wagon supports local farming families by purchasing North Carolina produce and products. And now they’re purveyors of amazing organic loose leaf teas. They are located at 608 S. Lake Park Blvd. in the heart of Carolina Beach. So stop by and try their new delicious organic tea bar. For more information, visit their Facebook page here. 

Two New Businesses Come to Pleasure Island

Two new businesses have come to our little corner of Coastal North Carolina, and we wanted to make sure everybody knows about them!

Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome Holy Smoke (that's) BBQ and Wilmington Fit Body Boot Camp - two very different but very exciting businesses!

Let's start with Holy Smoke (that's) BBQ, where residents and visitors can get a taste of slow smoked, NC style barbecue pork and brisket. Smoked for 16+ hours on the sweet, mellow flavor of oak, the barbecue here is sure to satisfy your cravings for true North Carolina cuisine.

Veggie Wagon Hot Chocolate Bar

Looking For Something Different?

The Veggie Wagon is a local family owned produce company located in Wilmington, North Carolina. Specializing in delivery of fresh local NC fruits, vegetables and homemade products to the Wilmington, Kure Beach, Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach areas. The Veggie Wagon travels to all the best local farms and small batch producers to bring you the freshest and tastiest items NC has to offer.

The latest Winter addition to The Veggie Wagon, on Pleasure Island, is the all natural Hot Chocolate Bar! 

The Veggie Wagon has been working on their own blends of spices and mixtures to create 7 amazing and different hot chocolates, without all the preservatives and additives, including Vegan milk options.


Please send any questions of comments to april@theveggiewagon.com

The Veggie Wagon
910.805.3014
608 B South Lake Park Blvd
Carolina Beach, NC, 28428

Great Restaurants on Pleasure Island

Pleasure Island has some serious food! The following is a sampling of just a handful of the wonderful places to eat on Pleasure Island.

Wake N Bake Donuts - For donuts beyond your wildest dreams.

Deck House - Enjoy tip-top service and locally caught seafood in a historic building.

El Cazador - This restaurant was honored as Best Local Restaurant in 2011 accompanied by the Customer Satisfaction Award in 2012.

Gibby's Dock & Dine - Dock your boat for free and catch the sunset at this "beach casual" restaurant.

Ida Thai Cuisine - Feast on authentic herbal Thai dishes along with an original Thai beer.

Island Hots - This hot dog hot spot offers nothing less than top-quality dogs, including vegetarian. 

Michelangelo's Pizza - The epitome of homemade, Michelangelo's makes their dough fresh daily. 

Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar - Grab a tropical cocktail at the Tiki Bar or enjoy panoramic views in Ocean Grill's upstairs dining room.

Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar - Have a good shuckin' time at the restaurant recently named of of Coastal Living's Favorite Seafood Dives. 

Surf House - This unique restaurant knows exactly where all their food and other ingredients derive from, all the way down to the farmers who provide the beef for your cheeseburger. 

You can find even more great places to eat on Pleasure Island by Clicking Here.

Chili Cook-Off Benefit

Chili Cook-Off Benefit

Step Up For Soldiers will team up with the High Tide Lounge for their annual chili cook-off again this November to raise money for Justin Crabbe. 

Justin lost both his legs and some of his fingers when his Marine Corp. unit was attacked in Afghanistan in 2010. Justin's cousin, Tom Crabbe, who lives in Carolina Beach says he his very pleased with all the support that the Crabbe family has received since the 2010 attack. Local residents have sent Justin thousands of dollars to help with his medical expenses. 

WHEN: Saturday, November 8, 2014

WHERE: High Tide Lounge

TIME: 1:00 P.M.

Admission is $10 and all the proceeds go directly to Justin. 

www.stepupforsoldiers.org

Ticket Outlets for the 2014 Seafood Blues & Jazz Festival

Seafood Blues & Jazz Festival - October 11th & 12th, 2014

Don't miss this year's festival featuring the Robert Cray Band and Delbert McClinton! You can grab your tickets at the following locations.

 Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce
1121 N. Lake Park Blvd.
Carolina Beach, NC
910-458-8434

Island Tackle and Hardware
801 N. Lake Park Blvd.
Carolina Beach, NC
910-458-3049

Olde Salty
Carolina Beach Boardwalk
Carolina Beach, NC
910-458-8090

Gravity Records
612 Castle Street
Wilmington, NC
910-392-2414

Southern Sign Company
5649 Carolina Beach Road
Wilmington, NC
910-794-8243

The Silver Dollar
3 Cape Fear Blvd.
on the Boardwalk
Carolina Beach, NC
910-458-0977

Carolina Beach Furniture
1021 N. Lake Park Blvd.
Carolina Beach, NC
910-458-7050

Bank of America
123 Harper Avenue
Carolina Beach, NC
910-458-2822

American Legion Fish Fry

1st Friday of the month (Friday, October 3) from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, the American Legion Post 129 will hold a tasty Fish Fry at 1500 Bridge Barrier Road in Carolina Beach (910.458.4253).

For $8 a plate, you will receive Large Whiting fillet or NC Farm raised catfish nuggets, hush puppies, cole slaw, potato salad, iced tea or coffee. Beer and Wine available for purchase. Captain Ray’s Award Winning Seafood Chowder or Conch Chowder is also available for purchase. October through March. Eat In or Take Out.

For an additional fee, the Ladies Auxiliary will give you choices of dessert.

Find more eats and sweets at the many amazing Carolina Beach and Kure Beach restaurants online at pleasureislandnc.org.