Southport NC – Get Ready for Some Red White and Blue!

If you fancy a simpler time… if you still like parades and pageantry, arts and crafts, music and street dances, the smell of greasy food, kids and parents in their finest patriotic colors, well you might just like what the Southport 4th of July festival has to offer. I'm pretty sure there's not a birthday celebration anywhere quite like it.

Come down today and see the crowd favorite Fireman’s Competition… It will be a heated one this year… literally. The forecast calls for a little break in the heat, with a chance of thunderstorms to cool things off. This is good news for the firemen in full turn-out gear. On July 2-4, there will be musical entertainment starting at 1 pm at the Garrison and the Waterfront Stage. The popular Kid’s Games on the Garrison lawn for 5 and under and the Waterfront Park for kids 6-11 is Thursday, with registration at 8am and free t-shirts to the early birds.  Also on Thursday at the Garrison is the always moving Naturalization Ceremony starting at 4pm. This year the 4th falls on a Friday and North Carolina's largest and oldest 4th of July Parade starts at 11AM. No matter how many times you see it, it is ALWAYS a huge crowd-pleaser. The bands, the belles, the clowns, the Shriners, the dancers, and much more, make for an all around old-fashioned good time. And then for my favorite event of all, there is nothing like lying on a blanket by the water, looking out at all the boats anchored in the river, listening to the last band, waiting on darkness to fall, and hearing that first BOOOOM… and the fireworks begin! After 30 years, I never get tired of it. One little insider tip for those driving in, park on the EAST side of Howe St. facing out of town so you'll be making rights headed out. You'll find your traffic time cut in half when you are getting out after the fireworks. Click HERE to see a map of this year's traffic flow patterns. Be safe out there and "let freedom ring." Happy Birthday America.

     

              

        

As always, if you are looking to call Southport home, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me. Everyone needs a good buyer's agent, right? I'm you girl… southportsoundings@gmail.com  910-540-0551

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Southport NC - Halloween Happenings for All

With Halloween just a couple days away, I thought I'd do a quick run down of some of the options available to kids as well as adults who still love a costume party or a haunted carriage ride.

I can't resist starting out with Old South Tour and Carriage Company's Haunted Ghost Tour in and around Downtown Southport on Halloween night. Something tells me that the Old Smithville Burial Grounds will be involved. Learn about Southport's history and be scared out of your wits...a perfect combination. Tickets available starting at 7pm on Halloween night at the Whittler's Bench at the foot of Howe St. on the water. Tour starts at 7:30. Advance tickets also available at Stewart Hardware. $12/Adults - $5/under 12.

The City of Southport and Downtown Southport, Inc. is putting on a Fall Festival. Among the many activities planned are Stories Beneath the Silent Stones with Pat Kirkman of Southport Historical Society at the Old Smithville Burying Ground from 5-7. Stage II Productions will host a "Monster Mash" with music and entertainment at the Waterfront Park from 6-8. Also don't miss Southport's last outdoor movie of the season! Bring a chair or blanket to the Garrison lawn and watch Monster House at 7:30. Looks like the weather will be clear ... highs/60s ... lows/mid 40s ...put on your woollies!

Don't miss Brunswick Little Theatre's production of Dracula to be performed Halloween weekend only at Odell Williamson Auditorium. This is not the campy Dracula of the 1931 Bela Lugosi movie. It is rather the story of a man's undying love with his dead wife, who had died almost 500 years earlier. It is a story of obsession and passion. Portion of the proceeds will go to the Cape Fear Red Cross. Tickets $15/adults - $6 students at the door or by calling the Odell Williamson box office. For more information call Ron Lee at 294-2184.

The Brunswick Co. Sheriff's Office is having it's 1st annual Halloween Carnival at the Government Complex in Bolivia. It will be held on Halloween night from 6:30 - 9pm. The Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce will be co-sponsoring the carnival and helping with donations, games, and various booths. It sounds like there will be a multitude of activities offered ... hay rides, cake walks, a pumkin decorating contest, fishing, bag tossing, ringing the bottle, and more. Goodie bags for all kids plus hot dogs, popcorn, clowns, and pony rides. Sounds like a winner!

Sponsored by the Benedict Foundation, there is even a Halloween event for dogs to be held Friday, Oct. 31 from 2-4pm at 1013 E. Moore St. Bring your dog and a box of dog biscuits to be donated to local animal rescue. Prizes awarded for best costumes. For a $5 donation, have your pooches picture taken with a scarecrow. Sound like fun? For more info call 200-2244.

Boiling Spring Lakes Parks and Rec. is once again sponsoring a "Trunk or Treat" as a safer alternative to traditional trick or treating. Come out and register your vehicle and give out candy between 5:30 and 7:30. Click here for detailed information and registration form or call 845-3693.

Southport Baptist Church Women's Group's Holly Days, will be at the Southport City gym on Saturday, Nov. 1st. It is their annual arts and crafts fair to get you in the spirit for the upcoming holiday season. For more information, call Kathy Holbrook at 278-3134.

And finally, having nothing to do with Halloween, but one of Brunswick County's best Fall traditions is the Dixon Chapel Oyster Roast in Varnumtown. I'll admit it's been years since we've been but if you don't mind the crowds and enjoy the warm comradery of hovering over a table of of steaming, hissing oysters cooked over a slow wood fire, with your fellow man ... then by all means grab a mitt and an oyster knife and head that way. The ladies of the church provide all the "fixins." You won't be disappointed. Call Carson Varnum at 842.6425.

For me, this is the start of the very best time of year in Southport, no doubt about it. Come out and enjoy! And the sunsets just can't be beat ..... James Taylor says it best "Hey babe the sky's on fire, I'm dyin' ain't I ... I'm gone to Carolina in my mind."

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Southport NC Events - October Starts with a Bang

SOUTHPORT - There is so much happening locally and in the area this weekend that I feel the need to hit the high spots for those deciding what they might like to do. The biggest of the events snuck up on me this year. The 30th Annual US Open King Mackerel Tournament got underway in Southport yesterday. With over $100,000 in prize money given to 55 winners, the tournament easily attracts 400 boats every year. I haven't done it in awhile, but it's well worth it to get up before dawn and head down to the the Waterfront and watch the boats head out to hallowed fishing grounds. Don't forget the fish fry on Saturday night at the Marina. The public is welcome and plates are $7.


As a sidekick on Saturday at 10:00, there's Captain Charlie's Kid's Fishing Tournament for kids 16 years of age & under at the City Pier. A free t-shirt & food goes to the 1st 100 children to register. Bring your own rod & bait. Co-Sponsored by: Southport Parks & Recreation & Southport Lions Club. 910-457-7945




Backing up a day, tonight Downtown Southport hosts its First Friday Gallery Walk from 5-7. Enjoy refreshments and special events at each participating gallery: Franklin Square Gallery, 130 E. West Street; The Ricky Evans Gallery, 211 N. Howe Street; Lantana's Gallery & Fine Gifts, 110 E. Nash Street & Cape Fear Coppershop, 111-B S. Howe Street. And it's FREE!


Back to Saturday, from 9AM - 2PM is the 16th Annual Street of Shops -Fall Craft Bonanza. It has become quite an event that is held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church every year. It benefits both in and out-reach programs, offering a wide range of locally hand made goods. Bake Sale, raffle and light lunch available.


From there you might want to head over to Stage II Production's first ever Oktoberfest - "Celebration of Beer, Brautwurst, and Ballyhoo" from 3-7:30. It's in Southport behind Smithville Commons at 807 N Howe. (Behind the Adventure Company) The Harbour Town Fest Band will perform. 910-363-4274.


If you're still in the spirit, a benefit concert with Anne Haley and Friends will be at St. Peter's Lutheran Church just north of Long Beach Road on Highway 211. It starts at 7:30 and includes a former resident of Oak Island, Anne Haley, who has an extensive performing history. Friends and fellow musicians, singers, and songwriters John Golden, Catesby Jones, and Mark Teachey will join the show. Two special guests included phenomenal mandolin player, Gerald Hampton, of Franklinville, NC and Wilmington's Kent Knorr and his ukulele talents. Proceeds will benefit the Southport-Oak Island Food Pantry. 910-842-5160.


And finally, last but not least is this weekend only's run of the spectacular Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The Sunday matinee will be the perfect time to see Brunswick Little Theatre's ambitious and infectious rendition of this timeless classic. With shows at Odell Williamson Auditorium, the curtain goes up tonight at 7:30, followed by a matinee on both Saturday and Sunday at 3pm. I am helping out with tech on this show and I can say unabashedly that kid's of ALL ages will LOVE is show. The special effects will have everyone on the edge of their seats. Amazing set and lighting designer from New York, Paul Bertelsen, elevates the show, bringing 25-years of professional work to our local stage. Director Debbie Skillman has once again put together a terrific show with a talented bunch of kids. All tickets/$6 ... don't miss it!
Contact: Thom Clemmons - 910-524-4869
The weather looks to be absolutely perfect all weekend. Let's get out and enjoy!
*** Results are in ...Southport's native son Buck Smith, on Second Time Around, takes the $25,000 top prize with a 40.2 lb.fish. Chris Edens from Wilmington takes second, and Bryan Rowley from Southport reels in third place. Nine Southport boats placed in the top fifty ... 18 total from Brunswick County ... best local showing I remember.


contact: southportsoundings@gmail.com
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