Carolina Beach kicks off centennial celebration

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Hundreds of people came out Thursday afternoon to kick off Carolina Beach’s centennial celebration.

It’s a place beachgoers have been coming to for years.

“People came here to relax, socialize, dance, fish, camp, and just enjoy the beautiful nature that we have here in Carolina Beach,” Mayor Lynn Barbee said. “That’s what started it all.”

During the ceremony, town leaders unveiled a parade float they call “Maggie the Whale.”

It’s an homage to another float that survived Hurricane Hazel in 1954.

Carolina Beach was first chartered in 1925 but the seaside town’s history dates back even further, as people started to come to those shores in the late 1800s.

Former mayor Dennis Barbour has lived at Carolina Beach for 63 years.

He hopes future generations will enjoy this place for years to come.

“I hope that my sons and grandchildren will be here to enjoy it,” Barbour said. “It’s one of the last experiences that you’ll remember in your lifetime, is coming to Carolina Beach.”

As for Lynn Barbee, he’s delighted to be the current mayor for this important milestone anniversary.

“The weight of it hit me in terms of all the people who came before me and all of the work and all the families who scratched out a life on this end of the county, you know,” Barbee said. “And to have to stand and represent all of that work is just a huge honor. Hit me more than I expected.”

Lots of events are planned through fall to mark the centennial, which included the unveiling of a new “I Love Carolina Beach” sculpture near the town’s marina.

This summer, as part of the centennial celebration, there will be larger fireworks displays and restaurants will serve 1925 food specials.