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.

ARTS, TOURS AND TREES

You are probably aware of the lantern led ghost walk tours given by the Old South Tour Company which include a tour of the Old Smithville Burying Ground, but did you know that you can take a daylight tour as well? These tours, led by Musette Steck, a local historian, take place each Wednesday afternoon starting at 2 PM. You might hear strains of harp music as she tells you about Tony, the ghost who used to play his harp in what is now The Brunswick Inn Bed & Breakfast. You will hear the story of the man whose legs are buried without his body and the reason for the tree stump markers that can be found in the cemetery. Tours are free, however, donations benefit the Fort Johnston/Southport Museum. Special tours can be arranged by calling: 910-454-0437.

Both Southport, NC and Oak Island, NC are designated Tree Cities USA. Who doesn’t love the old live oak trees the line the streets in Southport? Beyond the beauty offered by trees, their benefits to us and to the environment are numerous including clean air by the reduction of smog and greenhouse gases. Do you know you can get 10 free trees for a $10 donation? In the month of August, the Arbor Day Foundation is holding its Trees for America Campaign. For this small membership fee, you will receive the trees, information about planting and care, and their bi-monthly publication . Check it out at: arborday.org/august.

On Saturday from 10 AM – 2 PM you can explore the arts at the Leland Cultural Arts Center in Leland, NC. Here you can meet the instructors and enjoy demonstrations of their artistic processes as well as a ballet performance by students. You and your family members who are 11 years old or older can try out working in clay on a potter’s wheel. Poor Piggy’s BBQ & Catering food truck will be there to add to the fun of your day out.

PARKS & RECREATION FUN

If are looking for something fun to do in Brunswick County, NC it’s a good bet that you will find it provided by the Parks and Recreation Departments of the towns. The employees of these departments are fun loving individuals who come up with ideas – and carry out those ideas – for events that are available to you on a continuing basis. You will find information about some of those upcoming events here.

Town of Oak Island, NC Parks and Recreation:
If you have missed the Summer Concert Series up to this point do not despair, there will be three more Friday evening concerts (6:30 PM – 8:30 PM) at Middleton Park. Those dates are 8/10, 8/17 and 8/24.
On 8/11, 8/16 and 8/25 you can check out Nature is Wild About Reading at the Oak Island Nature Center. Here, kids can listen to stories and make fun crafts from 11 AM until noon. Topics include: 8/11 – Seashells, 8/16 – Land and Sea Turtles, 8/25 – Trees, Leaves and Bark. Please preregister kids ages 4 and up at 278-5518.
On 8/14 at 6 PM you might enjoy the Turtle Talk offered by the OKI Sea Turtle Protection Program.
Interested in the coastal birds? Here’s one for you:

8/15 from 2 PM until 3:30 PM you can learn all the tips and tricks of Bird Photography at a free program. You will also get tips on places nearby where you can find birds to photograph, how to stage your backyard to welcome birds, and understanding bird behavior.
How about a trip to Lake Waccamaw (fee $5) on 8/23 from 9 AM until 2 PM to see Alligators Up Close & Personal? (preregistration required)
And don’t forget the Labor Day Surf Off on 9/1.

Boiling Spring Lakes, NC Parks and Recreation:
The Monthly Birthday Ice Cream Social is held from 12:30 PM until 1 PM the second Friday of each month. Come on out and celebrate with an ice cream sundae.
Karate for Kids is held on Mondays from 6 PM until 7 PM from August 13 through December 17.
Put your dancing shoes on and join the Line Dancing on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.
Bring your lunch and enjoy Brown Bag Lunch and a Movie on 8/16 from 11 AM until 2 PM.
Come to Dress Like a Nerd Day and enjoy lunch and maybe win a prize on 8/22 from 12 noon until 1 PM.
Get your friends together and join in the fun for Afternoon Adult Trivia on 8/23 from 11 AM until 2 PM. Pizza, salad and cash prizes will be offered. ($5 and RSVP by 8/20)

GOLF, GOLF AND MORE GOLF

Image – Oak Island Golf Club, Caswell Beach, NC

Golf is not everyone’s game. However, it is certainly popular in southeastern, NC, evidenced by the number of golf communities in the area  – and the people who live in them. Did you know that the game is considered to have been invented by the Scots? “A spokesman for the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, one of the oldest Scottish golf organisations, said “Stick and ball games have been around for many centuries, but golf as we know it today, played over 18 holes, clearly originated in Scotland.” In 1739, the game spread to (what is now) the United States with a shipment of clubs and balls to South Carolina and the establishment of the South Carolina Golf Club in Charleston in 1787. The game became very popular in the Roaring Twenties and the number of golf clubs have been growing ever since that time.*
*Source – Wikipedia

Image – Thistle Golf Club, Sunset Beach, NC

The following public golf courses can be found in the Southport – Oak Island, NC area:

The Bald Head Island Club On Bald Head Island, NC

The Lakes Country Club in Boiling Spring Lakes, NC

Oak Island Golf & Country Club and Oak Island Par 3 Golf Course at South Harbour in Caswell Beach, NC and Oak Island, NC

Further south, you will find these courses.

Ocean Isle Beach, NC:  The Big Cats Golf Courses at Ocean Ridge Plantation

Shallotte, NC:  Brierwood Golf Club
Rivers Edge Golf Club & Plantation

Calabash, NC:  Brunswick Plantation and Golf Resort
Crow Creek Golf Course
The Pearl Golf Links

Carolina Shores, NC:  Carolina Shores Golf & Country Club

Holden Beach, NC:  Lockwood Folly Country Club

Sunset Beach, NC:  Oyster Bay Golf Links
Sandpiper Bay Golf & Country Club
Thistle Golf Club 

In the northern part of Brunswick County, NC, you can play golf at these locations.

Leland, NC:  Compass Pointe Golf Club
Magnolia Greens Golf Course
Cape Fear National at Brunswick Forest

Bolivia, NC: Carolina National Golf Club at Winding River Plantation

Image – Cape Fear National at Brunswick Forest, Leland, NC

MUSIC, MOVIES & MARKETS

July 4th week has come and gone but summer is not over yet. There are still many enjoyable events scheduled in Brunswick County, NC thanks to Brunswick County Parks and Recreation and the towns of Southport, Oak Island and Shallotte, NC. In fact, you can enjoy outdoor music and/or movies every day of the week and sometimes both these and markets on the same day – and best of all – they are free. Here is a list of those events for your convenience.

On Sunday evenings, you can enjoy the Brunswick County Free Concert and Movie Series at the Pavilion in Holden Beach, NC.

On Monday mornings, you can take in the Oak Island Farmers Market, held in the soccer field behind Middleton Park.

On Tuesday evenings, you have a choice between the Brunswick County Free Concert and Movie Series in Calabash, NC at the Calabash Town Park or in Southport, NC on the lawn of the Garrison House.

Wednesday mornings bring you the Southport Waterfront Market, also held on the Garrison lawn.

On Thursday evenings, you again have a choice of attending the Brunswick County Free Concert and Movie Series in either Leland, NC at the Leland Municipal Park or in Shallotte, NC at Mulberry Park.

You choice of Brunswick County Free Concert and Movie Series on Fridays is between Ocean Isle Beach, NC at the Museum of Coastal Carolina or in the Town of Oak Island, NC at the Middleton Park Soccer field.

On Saturday morning, you have another chance to explore a farmers market at the Shallotte Farmers Market  held at Mulberry Park.

NC 4TH OF JULY FESTIVAL

Anticipation is in the air
Red , white and blue everywhere!

And that can mean only one thing – the NC 4th of July Festival is imminent. There will be crowds and traffic to rival any other time of the year in Brunswick County, NC, but with patience and good humor we can all enjoy great fun.

The 2018 event will begin on Saturday, June 30, in the Town of Oak Island, NC with the Beach Day events and in Southport, NC with the Fire Fighters Freedom Competition. Beach Day events will begin with a Horseshoe Tournament at 8 AM and end with a Concert by the Holiday Band from 6 PM until 9 PM. In between you can participate in youth activities and contests, a sand sculpture contest, Corn Hole, Bocce Ball and Volleyball Tournaments, a skateboard competition (at the Kevin Bell Skate Park), and a Shag Contest. In addition to the Fire Fighters Competition on Saturday, you can also view the 9/11 Never Forget Memorial Mobile exhibit and tour the Old Brunswick County Jail.

July 2, 3 and 4 offer Arts and Crafts in Franklin Square Park from 10 AM until 6 PM and food concessions from 11 AM until 10 PM in the Waterfront Park area. Other events on Monday, July 2, include children’s entertainment in Keziah Park from 12 Noon until 2 PM and a Salute to Veterans in the Southport Community Building at 6 PM. On Tuesday, July 3, registration for Children’s Games at the waterfront begins at 8 AM and games begin at 9 AM. The Brunswick Big Band will play on the Fort Johnston lawn followed by the naturalization ceremony at 4 PM. From 4:45 PM until 5 :30 PM you can register to vote at the Southport Community Building and at 6 PM there will be a flag retirement ceremony at the corner of Howe and Moore Streets.

You can start you day on Wednesday, July 4, with a pancake breakfast from 7 AM until 10:30 AM at the Trinity United Methodist Church. At 10:30 AM there will be a flag raising ceremony at the corner of Moore and Howe streets and the parade will begin at 11 AM. From 11 AM until 4 PM you can enjoy Shine & Show Classic Cars on Bay Street next to Waterfront Park. Fireworks will begin at 9 PM and there will be an encore musical performance afterward.

Throughout the days of the festival you can tour the Maritime Museum; take in the Summer Regional Art Show at Franklin Square Gallery (and take part in their art raffle and win prizes yourself); tour the Chapel of the Cross; tour the Old Jail; and enjoy the Waterfront Stage Entertainment. What more could you want?

FOOD TRUCK FUN, 4TH KICKOFF & HOT MIKADO

Start your weekend tomorrow evening (Thursday, June 21) with the weekly Southport Summer Concert in Franklin Square Park in Southport, NC. Soul on the Beach will entertain you from 6 PM until 8 PM.

Hot Mikado will be showing tomorrow evening, as well, at Brunswick Little Theatre in Southport, NC beginning at 7:30 PM. If you can’t make it then you will have more chances on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM and on Sunday afternoon at 3 PM. The scene is set in a Japanese Garden with music from the 1940s and the story includes love, a beheading and someone being buried alive. But don’t worry, the ending is happy.

On Saturday, June 22, you might want to check out the first Food Truck Rodeo and Jam in Oak Island, NC at Middleton Park. It will run from 11 AM until 8 PM so you could enjoy lunch as well as dinner in the park if you choose. You will find homemade ice cream, too. There will also be music throughout the day with four bands scheduled to play. Oak Island Parks and Recreation Department is hoping you will want to make a donation of $5 at this event so they may raise funds for an amphitheater, a modern playground and a splash pad pay area.

On Sunday, June 24, there will be more music available for your entertainment and to kick off the July 4th Celebration. The 208th Army Band will perform on the Fort Johnston Lawn beginning at 3 PM. Bring your chairs, bring your blankets, bring your snacks and enjoy jazz, rock, marches, and a brass quintet.

FISHING, FLYING AND SHRIMP

Image courtesy Fisherman’s Post

Calling all flounder fishermen – the Sudan Daredevils Shallotte Point Flounder Tournament will begin on Friday, June 8 in Shallotte, NC. There will be two days of fishing and a fish fry open to the public all day on Saturday.

Once again the Experimental Aircraft Association offers a day of flying and fun at the Cape Fear Regional Jetport in Oak Island, NC. The flying will begin on Friday, June 8 and the plane will be a B-17 Aluminum Overcast bomber from WWII. Saturday’s fun will begin with a $5.00 Pancake Breakfast from 8:30 AM until 11 AM. Be sure to bring your own chair and you dancing shoes to enjoy the Brunswick Big Band beginning at 3 PM. From 10 AM until 1 PM there will be flight tours (for a fee). From 2 PM until 5 PM you can take part in aground tour of the plane for $10 for individuals, $20 for an family and free of charge for military members and veterans.

The Saturday night adult program on Friday at the NC Maritime Museum at Southport in Southport, NC offers a Sizzling, Sassy Shrimp class for a fee of $12.50 for members and $25.00 for non-members. The students will also create shrimp dip and a shrimp boil.

If you have been thinking of taking an art class – you can take one for free on Friday, June 8. The Oak Island Art Guild meets monthly at 9 AM at the Oak Island Recreation Center and offers an art workshop after each meeting. This month the workshop will be led by Richard Staat who will teach brush techniques for watercolor.

Don’t forget Thursdays in the Park at Franklin Square Park in Southport, NC, where this Thursday, June 7, from 6 PM until 8 PM you can enjoy music by the NC Blues Kings. Bring a blanket or a chair and maybe even a picnic.

More music can be found on Friday at Middleton Park in Oak Island, NC. Beginning at 6:30 PM you can enjoy the music of Carolina Line Bluegrass band.

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.

SPRING FLING, SPRING SWING (NOT) & MORE

The Provision Company Spring Swing scheduled for Saturday, May 19, in Southport, NC has been postponed due to illness.

If you still need plants for your yard, you might want to check out the Native Plant Seminar and Plant Sale on Friday or Saturday at the Brunswick County Government Center, Building N, 25 Referendum Drive in Bolivia, NC. The seminar will begin at 8:30 AM both days and the plant sale will be held behind the building from 11 AM until 4 PM both days. You will find native perennials and shrubs as well as plants like Coneflowers and Black-eyed Susans.

Are you interested in an Historical Southport Bicycle Tour?  You can register by calling the Adventure Kayak Company, Inc. to take part on Saturday, in Southport, NC, beginning at 9 AM. The kayak company and the Maritime Museum have teamed up to offer the tour at a cost of  $20 if you have your own bike, or $28 to rent a bike and helmet.

Boiling Spring Lakes, NC will be holding their Spring Fling at the Lakes on Saturday from 10 AM until 3 PM with fun for the whole family.

Also on Saturday, you can join hands with like minded individuals and take part in Hands Across the Sand on Oak Island, NC. This event is held to demonstrate for environmental protection for the ocean and beaches. You can meet at the gazebo on SE 48th Street at 11:30 AM and the event will be held from 12 noon until 12:15 PM.

The Boiling Spring Lakes, NC Parks and Recreation Department will present Concerts at the Lake on Sunday from 4 PM until 6 PM at Spring Lake Park in Boiling Spring Lakes, NC. Music will be provided by Artistry in Jazz.

On Sunday from 1 PM until 5 PM you can participate in the Oak Island, NC Beautification Club Garden Tour. This self guided driving tour will take you to eight gardens as well as the May Moore Park. The tour will begin at the Oak Island Recreation Center where refreshments will be served and tour maps will be available for the $10 fee for the tour.

Also on Sunday, at 3 PM will be your last chance to enjoy Brunswick Little Theatre‘s Musical Theatre Apprentices in the production, That’s Entertainment in Southport, NC. This musical review will include popular numbers from Chicago, A Chorus Line, Something’s Rotten and more. Cost is $10 at the door.