EASTER, DOGS & KIDS

Easter’s on its way and on Thursday, April 13, you can hop on over to the Spring Market in the Sunset Beach Town Park in Sunset Beach, NC at 206 Sunset Boulevard. The event runs from 10 AM until 4 PM. Here you can stock up on last minute items for your Easter meal and celebration. Everything will be handmade, homemade or homegrown so you can be sure of the freshness and quality of all items. Take the family, including your dog(s), and have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny by Paws Ability.

In Southport, NC, on Friday and Saturday, April 14 and 15, you can enjoy the Southport Spring Festival & Azalea Sale. This annual event is held in Franklin Square Park at the corner of N. Howe St. and E. West St. The two day festival begins at 10 AM on both days and ends at 5 PM on Friday and 4 PM on Saturday. You can enjoy the music in the air while the kids enjoy activities.

Your dog is part of your family, right? So why not involve him/her in the Easter fun as well? Oak Island Parks and Recreation Department will be holding their first annual Doggie Eggstravaganza on Saturday, April 15, at the Dog Park in Bill Smith Park in Oak island, NC. This event will run from 11:30 AM until 12:30 PM. There will be a hunt for dogs over 25 pounds and one for dogs under 25 pounds. There will be prizes and treats for finding the eggs.

The Museum of Coastal Carolina Family Day will also be held on Saturday, April 15. The museum is located in Ocean Isle Beach, NC and the event will run from 10 AM until 2 PM. Kids’ activities will abound and folks from the Ocean Isle Beach Sea Turtle Protection Organization will be available as well.

For a most unusual egg hunt on Friday, April 14, you can take the kids to Wilmington, NC for the annual Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Egg Hunt and Carnival. From 10 AM until 2 PM the kids can have lots of fun at this event. There is a fee and the event is weather dependent.

FRIDAY, FINS N FUN

Yes, It’s Friday the 13th – but at least it’s Friday – and the beginning of a weekend of fun. You may know that there is a number of really good local bands who play at local venues every weekend. If not – be sure to begin your weekend by checking them out. Restaurants and bars where you can relax and enjoy – or even participate in karaoke – include the following: Fishy Fishy Cafe, Oasis Bar & Grill, Ports of Call Bistro & Market, Yacht Basin Eatery, Check Six Brewing Company, Old American Fish Company, Dead End Saloon and Duffer’s Pub & Grille.

Saturday, and the fish are jumpin’ at the Ocean Crest Pier. Saturday is the start of the Rebel King Mackerel Tournament and you might not want to stay out too late tonight if you plan to be there for the 6 AM ball drop. You can fill your weekend with fishing in this event.

Image courtesy of Tripadvisor.com

If fishing is not your thing, or if you are looking for family fun, look no further than Boiling Spring Lakes, NC. Their Spring Fling can fill your Saturday with fun things to do.

 

EASTER WEEK

Spring has sprung! The Bradford Pear Trees have burst into their blooming glory. Daffodils are up. The Forsythia is budding out. The days are warmer and Easter is almost here – yes, it’s early this year. And the events that usually take place around Easter time are early, too. On Bald Head Island, NC the BHI Conservancy’s Easter Turtle Trot family fun run and 5K race will take place on Saturday, March 26, with registration beginning at 8:30 AM. This race will begin a full day of events on the island. Then from 10 AM until 5 Pm you can check out the BHI Artisans Show & Sale at the Association. The BHI Easter Egg Hunt will be held from 3 PM until 5 PM at the Common at Cape Fear Station.

In Southport, NC, you won’t want to miss the Southport Spring Festival & Azalea Sale held in the lovely Franklin Square Park on Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26, from 10 AM until 5 PM.

Spring also signifies the opening of some of our favorite restaurants that have been closed for the winter and we definitely welcome them back. We also welcome the visitors that Easter seems to awaken to the fact of our beautiful area. Because many schools are closed for spring break during Easter week, visitors with families tend to start arriving around that time. Here are a few ideas for some fun things to do with your children during Easter week (besides going to the beach!).

Have fun at a park – you will find many from which to choose.

Take a tour in a golf cart, on a bicycle or in the air.

Visit the Maritime Museum, the Museum of Coastal Carolina and the Ingram Planetarium.

And don’t forget the ice cream!

 

APRIL

April showers bring May flowers – or so the saying goes. But we have had so much rain in February and March that I am hoping April will bring sunshine and warmer weather. Some signs of spring have been helpful in making me hopeful. Daffodils are blooming in many places. The Star Magnolia blossoms, lovely white ribbons on bare branches, have bloomed and are almost gone. Bradford pear tree blossoms have popped out like popcorn. Forsythia is now beginning to peep out shyly and will soon be glowing in all its golden glory. Considering these things, it seems appropriate to begin the month of April by attending the Southport Spring Festival & Azalea Sale coming up in Franklin Square Park on April 3rd and 4th.
(http://southport.insiderinfo.us/annual-events/april/southport-spring-festival-and-azalea-sale/profile/)

Another event well worth attending and taking place on the 4th is the Museum of Coastal Carolina Family Day in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. You might decide to attend the Spring Festival on the 3rd and the museum the following day. In any case, here is some info about that worthy event:
(http://oceanislebeach.insiderinfo.us/annual-events/april/museum-of-coastal-carolina-family-day/profile/)

For those of you itching to run (or walk) this is a bit of advance notice about the Hound Hustle 10K & 5K in which you can take part on April 12. The event takes place in lovely Brunswick Forest. There will also be a 1 Mile Trot with Spot so you can take your dog(s) with you. Proceeds benefit Brunswick County Animal Services.
(http://leland.insiderinfo.us/annual-events/april/5-star-race-productions-llc/profile/)