Hundreds gather at Wrightsville Beach to celebrate Easter

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — It may have been a little chilly this morning, but that didn’t stop hundred of people from bundling up in coats and blankets and catching the sunrise at the Oceanic Pier in Wrightsville Beach.

Both southeastern North Carolina natives and traveling out of towners gathered by the water to sing and pray in celebration of Easter.

“Well it’s just the glorious beach and being able to celebrate the birth of Christ and the fact that we love coming to Wrightsville,” said Sandra Harris who attended the event.

Michael Clark said his family has been coming to the Easter Celebration for the last seven years and this service is one they look forward to all year long.

“You get to see the sunrise, and that also represents Jesus rising for us. To be able to do it on the beach just makes it extra special for us,” said Clark.

For the Harris family, today was their first chance to join others in celebrating the holiday.

“Actually we came out here last year when it was cancelled,” said Harris.

But last years rain didn’t stop them from having their own festivities on the beach then, and it didn’t stop them from coming back out today.

“We think it’s wonderful that they do this and it really sets the tone for Easter,” said Harris.