Lighthouse Beer and Wine Festival Oct 27 and 28 benefits Wilmington’s Carousel Center

Over 21 years, the small business on Wrightsville Beach has raised more than a half-million dollars to support the non-profit

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY ) — Beer and wine lovers have two options to drink up (responsibly) and support a Wilmington, NC non-profit at this weekend’s fundraisers at Live Oak Bank Pavilion to benefit the Carousel Child Advocacy Center.

“We provide services for kids who have been physically or sexually abused, ” explained Carousel Executive Director Amy Feath during her conversation with Good Morning Carolina’s Donna Gregory.

“We are the place where we do [a] physical evaluation, a forensic interview, and we start an investigation with our community partners, so that we can hold perpetrators accountable where that’s possible, ” Feath continued.

She said the Courousel Center also offers counseling service and family advocacy to help children and families heal from abuse, and let children get back to being kids.

Carousel currently operates centers in Brunswick and New Hanover Counties, and one is on the way in Pender County.

“It does take money to make sure all those agencies are open,” Feath explained.

With an annual budget of $2.6M, the non-profit holds fundraisers to help support its mission.

This weekend’s fundraising kicks off Friday, Oct. 27 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Live Oak Bank Pavilion, 10 Cowan Street on the riverfront in downtown Wilmington.

It’s the “Voracious and Rare” Beer and Wine Festival.

“You get to come and have an all-inclusive event,” Feath smiled.

“It’s a smaller event, a little more intimate, you get food and music, and you get to taste both beer and wine,” she offered.

Full admission Friday evening costs $80 with a designated driver ticket available for $30.

The larger “Lighthouse Beer and Wine Festival” is Saturday and is returning for its 21st year.

“Lighthouse Beer and Wine, don’t forget…is a tiny little beer and wine place in Wrightsville Beach,” Feath said.

“And over the course of 21 years, this little, tiny place has done a tremendous job of a small business, in actuality, giving over a half-million dollars to a non-profit,” she reported.

The event is Sat., Oct. 28 from noon-5 p.m. with VIP early admission for the full day costing $90.

Entry at 1 p.m. costs $70 and the designated driver ticket is $35.

Halloween costumes are not required but are encouraged at Saturday’s event.

For more information or to reserve tickets, visit here .