Snow day draws sledders to Ann Street in downtown Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Fresh snowfall transformed downtown Wilmington into a rare winter scene, drawing residents to Ann Street for an unusual snow day in the Port City.

While most downtown streets were quiet, the hill along Ann Street between Front and Water streets became a gathering spot for sledding, laughter and spectators stopping to take in the moment.

“It’s a snow day in the Port City. We don’t get this very often,” said Danny Adams, a longtime Wilmington resident originally from Raleigh. “So why would you want to sit inside when you could be out enjoying all of this?”

Adams brought along a Flexible Flyer sled that once belonged to his late father, reliving childhood memories as he rode down the hill.

“I grew up sledding on this my whole life,” Adams said. “I literally have not been on it in over 40 years, so it’s a great feeling of nostalgia.”

In addition to a few traditional sleds, many participants repurposed equipment more commonly used at the beach. Tubes, surfboards and boogie boards were pressed into service as makeshift sleds, sending riders down the hill in quick bursts.

“It’s pretty fast. It’s faster on your stomach than when you’re sitting,” said sledder Frankie Prather. “But it’s fun.”

“As long as you get a good running start,” Frankie’s mom Lisa added.

Others had to get even more creative when sleds were hard to find.

“They were all out of sleds, so they let us buy this,” said Portia Thomas about the item her daughter was using. “I don’t know what it is. Maybe a washing tub? But it’s doing the trick.”

The scene wasn’t limited to sledders. Several people walking their dogs stopped along the sidewalk to watch the activity unfold.

“They’re romping around and also getting run into by sleds, which makes it even more fun,” said Dan Cassidy, as he and his wife Esther walked their dogs Spock and Sugar.

“We’re actually from Colorado, and we’ve been here about a year,” said another dog walker, Judy James-Anderson . “We really came to get away from this, and here we are in the midst of it. I’m afraid we might’ve brought it with us.”

For a city where snow is uncommon, many said the moment was worth savoring.

“Before we know it, it’ll be back to 100 and steamy and jungle weather in Wilmington,” Cassidy said. “So we’ll take this while we can get it.”