Wrightsville Beach Flotilla filled the waterway Saturday night

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Wrightsville Beach hosted the 31st Flotilla this weekend. It started on Friday with a launch party.

The flotilla attracts an estimated 50,000 people to Wrightsville Beach annually.

The Festival in the Park was held on Saturday before the boat parade which included lots of great food, arts and crafts booths displayed by local merchants and artisans, and an antique car show.

The boat parade began at 6 pm which is what really brought the crowd.

Michael Stroud, who has been coming to the event for years said, “I love the flotilla, the boats are great, the fireworks are fantastic. It’s a great way to start off the Christmas season. This is awesome.”

A total of 18 boats filled the Intracoastal Waterway then a firework show filled the sky following the boat parade.

The “Good Tiding To You Turtle” boat won Best in Show.