Annual North Carolina Holiday Flotilla returns to Wrightsville Beach
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — An annual tradition for people of the Cape Fear, drawing large crowds to Wrightsville Beach over the weekend.
Wrightsville Beach hosted its annual North Carolina Holiday Flotilla on Saturday.
This year was the 40th anniversary of the holiday tradition, attracting more than 50 thousand visitors.
The flotilla kicked off with a festival in the park running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wrightsville Beach Park, before the boat parade and fireworks after sundown.
Organizers say this is their way of keeping the area active even during the offseason.
“You know the beach isn’t as busy in the winter as it is in the summer,” said Levi Boyd, NC Holiday Flotilla Chairmen. “So, the local businesses and kind of the founding fathers and mothers wanted to get people excited at the beach for flotilla to support local businesses in the off season. That’s the ultimate goal. To keep people coming to the beach in the winter.”
The festival featured food vendors, arts and crafts, a car show, and other local vendors.
The boat parade, the highlight of the flotilla followed the festival, showcased power yachts, sailboats, and other watercraft decorated with lights and holiday décor.
