FIRST FRIDAY, BEER TASTING & FOUNDERS’ DAY

The First Friday Gallery Walk in Southport, NC has become an institution. The walk always offers interesting artistic treasures, featured artists, good food, wine and spirits to all who attend. But at the gallery walk this Friday (September 7, 2018) Franklin Square Gallery, a non-profit, cooperative gallery, will have something very special going on. It will focus on the upcoming (September 29) Wooden Boat Show. Earlier in the year, members of the gallery were busy painting images of wooden boats in the hopes that their painting might be chosen to be displayed on the Wooden Boat Show T-shirts. All entries were submitted and a winner was chosen. This year’s winner is Tony Alderman, for “She Stood the Test” – a painting of one of the iconic, and slowly disappearing, shrimp boats that we are privileged to see plying the waters in Southeastern NC. You will be able to see the original painting, meet the artist and enjoy a display of the other entries at this Friday’s gallery walk from 5 PM until 7 PM.

The Silver Coast winery Tasting Room in Southport, NC is known, of course, for its wines. However, this Friday they will be offering something a little bit different. From 4 PM until 7 PM you will be able to enjoy their Victory Brewing Company of PA Beer Tasting. Mike Yeley will be providing live music from 6 PM until 8 PM as well.

This Saturday you can celebrate Leland’s Founders’ Day in Leland, NC from 3 PM until 9 PM. A veterans recognition will be held and the event will include live music, a carnival, arts & crafts, food trucks and fireworks. Parking will be located at North Brunswick High School and a shuttle will be provided.

SURF OFF, CRAFT SHOW, 5K & CRAB DERBY

Labor Day Weekend is for everyone. Labor Day was created to pay tribute to the achievements made by American workers and to their contributions to the well being of the country. You will find many events planned for this special weekend and luckily, they are not all planned on the same day or at the same time.

Saturday morning will start off at 8 AM with a Paddle Out for the Labor Day Surf Off at Ocean Crest Pier in Oak Island, NC, which will begin at 8:30 AM. Pre-registration is required for this event. 9 AM will kick off the Oak Island Art Guild Labor Day Arts & Crafts Festival which will run until 4 PM. This fun event will be held on the soccer field of Middleton Park and will offer a day of beautiful handcrafted items as well as food.

On Sunday, you can Go Jump in the Lake, literally, in Boiling Spring Lakes, NC. There is a catch. First you have to take part in either the 5K or the 1.5 mile run/walk – then you can jump in the lake. There will be live music also, from 4 PM until 6 PM, featuring 17 South Band. The concert will be held at Spring Lake Park and food trucks will be there as well.

On Monday, in Southport, NC, kids up to 14 years of age will be able to take part in the Children’s Crab Derby  Registration will begin at 8:30 AM with the derby beginning at 9 AM. Prizes will be given. That will leave the rest of the day for beach time.

1ST FRIDAY, NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE WEEKEND AND MARITIME CLASSIC RUN FOR THE LIGHT

Image: Painting by Ann Thompson

The days keep zipping by and it’s time again for the 1st Friday Gallery Walk – for the month of August. From 5 PM until 7 PM you can stroll from gallery to gallery to enjoy the artwork as well as some munchies and drinks. Each gallery will include special features in their presentations. Lantana’s Gallery & Fine Gifts will feature whimsical witch paintings by Ann Thompson done in her Original American Art style. Franklin Square Gallery will feature a painter as well as a clay artist. The paintings of Robin Sboto will be part of the special display accompanied by the creative clay art of Linda Drye. At Ricky Evans Gallery, new products featuring local charts and signal flags will hold pride of place.

Image: Linda Drye at work in a pottery studio

On Saturday and Sunday, Bald Head Island, NC will celebrate National Lighthouse Weekend with fun and interesting events. On Sunday evening, winding up this auspicious weekend, the island will hold its annual Maritime Classic Run for the Light with a one mile fun run, a 5K and a 10K.

Image: Painting by Robin Sboto

JOLLY MON, SONGWRITING & PIRATES

Fishing and pirates and songs, oh my! And the fun begins at 6 PM today, Thursday, June 14, in Franklin Square Park in Southport, NC with the first event of the Southport Songwriter Festival. At this event you can enjoy the music of Louisa Branscomb and Friends of Distinction with Jeanette and Johnny Williams until 8 PM.

Registrations for the Jolly Mon King Classic fishing tournament also begin this evening in Ocean Isle Beach, NC . The tournament runs through Sunday and offers a Junior Jolly Mon as well.

Tomorrow evening (Friday, June 15) check out the scenes in the free movie, Safe Haven, and see if you can match them to your surroundings. Yes, the movie will be shown outdoors on the Garrison Lawn in Southport, NC beginning at 8:45 PM. Bring your own chairs or a blanket to sit on and some snacks – and enjoy.

Bald Head Island, NC will be the place where the action is this weekend and the action will begin on Friday. What action? Why, the Pirate Invasion, of course. Aargh! Don’t miss out on the adventure – food, fun and games – activities, music and magic. (If you have a choice, always choose magic in your life)

 

GALLERY WALK, BANDFEST & COUNTRY MUSIC

It’s First Friday again and the weekend will kick off with the 1st Friday Gallery Walk in Southport, NC. Franklin Square Gallery will feature artist Marta McCallum and Potter, Dona Kanich, this month. The Ricky Evans Gallery will feature the unique style of Susan Dade and at Lantana’s, you will find original art by Jillian Boivin. Each location will offer snacks and drinks as well.

After the gallery walk you can head on over to Brunswick Little Theatre for their Open Mic Poetry Reading to read your original poetry, listen to others read theirs – or both. Sign-up will begin at 7 PM, with readings beginning at 7:30 PM. The reading will be held in room 1B, which is the building behind the main building. This is a free event but will include a donation box to defray the cost of cookies that will be available. For information, you can contact Ken Greenman at 914-456-0132 or greenman46@aol.com.

If country music is more your style, you can find that on Friday evening as well. The Oak Island Country Boys will be playing and singing at the Oak Island Recreation Center in Oak island, NC beginning at 6 PM. This also is a free event.

On Sunday afternoon beginning at 12:30 PM, you can enjoy the Paws-Ability BandFest in Sunset Beach, NC until 6PM. This event will take place at the Sunset Beach Waterfront Park and will include food and fun in addition to the music. You might even decide to adopt a pet. Proceeds will support local animal welfare.

TREE LIGHTINGS & PARADES

Tomorrow is December 1st, the Christmas season is upon us and it will be starting with a busy first weekend. The Oak Island Christmas Tree Lighting events will begin at 5:30 PM tomorrow at Middleton Park in the Town of Oak Island, NC. If your kids participate in the Gingerbread Beach House Contest (four divisions: ages 6-12, 1-17, 18 & up, and families) at the Oak Island Recreation Center, they will receive their prizes at the tree lighting and their gingerbread houses will be on display from 12/1 through 12/56.

The last 1st Friday Gallery Walk of the year will take place in Southport, NC on Friday as well Beginning at 5 PM you can stroll the streets enjoying the holiday decorations and stop in each gallery for food, drink and that special Christmas gift you have not been able to find anywhere else.

If you live in or near Calabash, NC, on Friday evening you can enjoy the Calabash Tree Lighting & Spirit of Calabash Parade all rolled into one.

On Saturday, December 2, you and your family can head out to Oak Island, NC to enjoy the Christmas by the Sea Parade beginning at 2 PM. You can head on out to the Boiling Spring Lakes Community Center at 5 PM to take part in their Christmas Festival until 8 PM. Don’t forget the Sea Notes Holiday Concert, Peace on Earth. Don’t worry if you can’t make the 3 PM Concert on Saturday, December 2 at the Odell Williamson Auditorium in Bolivia, NC – they will be doing it all again on Sunday December 3, same time, same place.

Also, on Sunday, December 3, the Oak Island Beautification Club will hold a holiday bake sale and craft bazaar at the Oak Island Recreation Center in Oak Island, NC, from noon until 4 PM.

GET YOUR FANCY ON

(Image courtesy Pinterest.com)

Who needs to endure the trials of traveling to Nevada? Who needs to endure the long lines at the airport, the embarrassment of having your belongings and even your self vetted, the uncomfortable seats on the plane, or, alternatively, the long car ride? None of that is necessary. You can brighten up your winter doldrums right here in Brunswick County, NC. Put on your fancy duds (not required – but fun) and prepare yourself for a fun night of games of chance. Where? When? I’m talking about Las Vegas Night – this year held at Planet Fun in Shallotte, NC. Saturday night, starting at 6 PM, you can take your chances with Roulette, Black Jack, Craps and more. You can enjoy scrumptious food and cocktails. You might even win a prize. Best of all, you will be supporting local charities.

For those of you who have never been to Planet Fun and Starz Grille, you will discover a whole new world of entertainment and good food for the whole family. If you can’t make Las Vegas Night, why not check out Planet Fun on your next family outing or stop at Starz Grille for your next meal.

GIFTS, FOOD & MUSIC

No, it’s not too early, especially if you, like me, need to send your gifts and greetings to other parts of the country – or even the world. There are several events coming up this weekend where you can begin your search right here in Brunswick County, NC for the perfect gift – and the perfect food – which, may turn out to be one and the same. Take Sunday afternoon, for example, and head out to the St. James Community Center in Southport, NC for the Christmas Gift Show. All of the vendor at this free show will be local merchants – check it out.

On Saturday morning from 9AM until 1 PM you can stop by the Shallotte Holiday Market at Mulberry Park in Shallotte, NC. There you will find 40 vendors offering locally grown food, and locally made food products as well as arts and crafts. This open air market also offer live music and a bike rodeo for kids ages 12 and under.

(Image courtesy Southport Magazine)

Saturday, from 11AM until 1:30PM is also a good time to stop by Greenlands Farm Store in Bolivia, NC where you can participate in food tastings at their ‘A Taste of the Holidays’ event. You may want to place orders at that time for their ‘Gourmet Farm to Go Holiday Meals and Sweets’ for yummy holidays with a bit less work.

You might want to begin your weekend at 7PM at Hatch Auditorium in Caswell Beach, NC. The Brunswick Concert Band will be performing and honoring the original members of the band. This 80 member band began with only 14 members – something to celebrate. There will be a second performance on Sunday at 3PM at the Odell Williamson Auditorium in Bolivia, NC.

HOLY MACKEREL!

Yep. It’s that time again. Time for the U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament in Southport, NC. Time for 400 boats in the ocean waters. Time for prizes. Time for food. Time for entertainment. Time for drinks. Time for fun. Time for a whole lotta fishin’ goin’ on. Speaking of fishing. It’s time, too, for the Captain Charlie’s Kids Fishing Tournament – on Saturday. From 10 AM until noon you will see the Southport City Pier lined with kids on one end of fishing rods, hoping to find fish on the other ends. There will be pizza and drinks for everyone as well as loads of prizes.

Need Tackle? Check out these Brunswick County, NC fishing and tackle shops:

Drift Brothers Tackle and Custom Rods

Leland, NC 28451
(910) 599-4054

Dutchman Creek Bait & Tackle

Cape Fear Regional Jetport

4019 Long Beach Rd. SE

Southport, NC 28461

(910) 457-1221

Oak Island Pier

705 Ocean Dr.

Oak Island, NC 28465

(910) 278-6464

Ocean Crest Pier

1411 E. Beach Dr.

Oak Island, NC 28465

(910) 278-6674

BIG TOYS, CULTURE AND PEACE

(Image courtesy Star News Online)

There are lots of fun things to do this weekend in Brunswick County, NC – from the Rice Festival in Belville, NC to the Purple Feet Festival in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. The Rice Festival is a two day festival, held in the Riverwalk that celebrates the heritage of rice growing in the area. The Purple Feet Festival is held at the Silver Coast Winery and includes grape stomping and a Lucy look-alike contest. On Saturday, you will find fun for the whole family at Big Toy Day at the Cape Fear Regional Jetport in the Town of Oak Island, NC. Your kids and grandkids can earn their wings and be introduced to the fun of flying with free small aircraft flights at this event.

The Brunswick County Intercultural Festival will be held at Brunswick Community College in Supply, NC on Saturday with their fare of food, dance, arts, drumming, storytelling and more. A special addition this year will be held at the Odell Williamson Auditorium on Sunday evening at 7 PM with the presentation of the African Children’s Choir in a free concert.

I would like to personally invite everyone to come out on Sunday afternoon to the celebration of International Peace Day on the Fort Johnston lawn in Southport, NC. With all the turmoil in the nation and in the world, it is important that we take every opportunity we can to send peace out into the universe. Please join me.