Browse: Home

2011 NC Festival by the Sea Event Schedule (Oct 29 & 30)

9 Oct

How time flies!  The 2011 summer season has come to a close and that means you have the Holden Beach NC Festival by the Sea to look foreword to!  This year brings the same great events, only 2011 times more fun.

The Holden Beach Merchants Association invites you to enjoy a weekend of FOOD, FESTIVITIES AND FUN.  The weekend kicks off with the yearly parade down the Holden Beach Causeway.  You’ll get to enjoy the sights of colorful parade floats with the entire Holden Beach community out and about socializing and having a great time.  Local high school bands will be marching and candy will fly through the air for kids to hoard.  You won’t want to miss it.

After the parade join fellow parade goers for a stroll over the Holden Beach bridge with a view that will take your breath away… literally… you might not want to look straight down.   Art, craft, and food vendors await you on the island, so bring your wallet and an empty stomach.  There will sand sculpture competitions along with face painting for the kids.

 

HIGHLIGHTS:

Live Music
Arts, Crafts & Food Vendors
Causeway Parade & Bridge Walk
Sandcastle Building Contest
Face Panting

FESTIVAL EVENTS & SCHEDULE: (subject to change… check back soon!)

SATURDAY, OCT. 29

8:45 – Causeway Parade participant/float lineup
9am-5pm – Arts, Crafts, & Food Vendors
10am – Causeway Parade
11am-12:45 – LIVE Music – Quiet Storm (Beach, Country, R&B)
1pm-2:45pm – LIVE Music – Jaded Mayberry (Souther Rock/Blues)
3pm-5:00 – LIVE Music – UBU the Band (Beach, Top 40′s)

SUNDAY, OCT. 30

9am-4pm Arts, Crafts, & Food Vendors
11am-1:15pm – LIVE Music – Sea Cruz (Beach, Variety)
1:30pm-3:45pm – LIVE Music – Carolina Elvis (Elvis Impersonator)

MONDAY, OCT. 31

5:30PM-7PM – HALLOWEEN TRUNK OR TREAT – Candy, costume contest, games and more!

The Festival by the Sea is sponsored by The Greater Holden Beach Merchants Association and The Brunswick Beacon

 

Posted in Art & Entertainment, Events | Tagged | 6 Responses

An Inside Look at Town Emergency Operations

30 Aug

Have you ever wondered how the Town of Holden Beach operates during emergency conditions like Hurricane Irene?  Well, Microsoft has written a case study on how the town uses new “cloud” computing technology to manage emergencies.

“The entire IT operation has been virtualized, says [Town Manager] David Hewett.  Holden Beach computers are directly connected to the GeniSys data center over a fiber optic connection…”  This “[ensures] continuity of operations when the town’s government had to leave with its residents.”

If you’re interested in learning more and reading the full case study, take a look at the link below:

Holden Beach Takes IT Infrastructure to the Cloud to Enhance Hurricane Operations

Posted in Local Spotlight, News | Leave a response

Turtle Talk: Fun for the Whole Family

30 Jul

If you haven’t made it to Turtle Talk hosted by the Holden Beach Turtle Patrol yet, there’s only two more sessions left. (Wed. Aug 5th and Wed. Aug 12th)

IMG_2420

Are you looking for something fun for the entire family?  This is it.  The Holden Beach Turtle Patrol is one of the most active social communities on Holden Beach and it shows.

At turtle talk, you and your family will learn about the life cycle of the sea turtle through an entertaining video and a show-and-tell style multimedia presentation by Turtle Patrol volunteers.

These information sessions are lead by the education sub-committee of the Turtle Patrol with large gathering of members and local enthusiast.  Come to learn and meet new friends.

Below are two comments from the Holden Beach Facebook Page regarding Turtle Talk:
See more photos here

Facebook Turtle Talk Comments

Posted in Art & Entertainment, Turtle Watch | Leave a response

“Olden Holden” Bike Tour

12 Aug

The “Olden Holden Bike Tour” is a perfect way to get some exercise, see the sights, and learn a little bit of Holden Beach History.  So, grab your two wheeler, turn on your imagination, and take a winding route back in time.beach_bike_style_400x220

The tour begins at the base of the Holden Beach Bridge and is made up of three different routes, each with it’s own special scenery and history.

The first route leads you east, pointing out historical landmarks and locations of early buildings that still stand today or were toppled by hurricanes or the simple progress of development.  Many of these points-of-interest reference back to early businesses started by members of the Holden family and  other settlement families.

The second route takes you west of the bridge and down near the Holden Beach Pier with plenty of scenic pit-stops along the way.  The last stop is where Mary’s inlet once split the island of Holden Beach.  (This inlet was filled during the creation of the Intracoastal Waterway, but was most recently reopened during Hurricane Hazel in 1954.)

The third route takes you from Mary’s Inlet, through a number of parks and resting spots, and to the final stop at Coast Guard Look-out Point.  During World War II this was one of the look-out points were 20-25 men patrolled the beach and safeguarding the coast from German Submarines.  As you look out over the Atlantic Ocean there, imagine yourself a patrolman watching one of the several US Merchant Marine ships being torpedoed and set afire.  What an amazing site that must have been!

In all, there are 23 stops on the tour.  You can pick up an official map at many of the local merchants or download and print it here.

Whether you’re serious a pedal pusher, a local exerciser, or a sightseeing visitor, the “Olden Holden Bike Tour” is a perfect experience for the whole family.

Beautiful Photo Attribution:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/canoehead65/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Posted in Art & Entertainment | Tagged , | Leave a response

Beach Mart Becomes a “Favorite Place” on Google

31 May

Beach Mart, a locally-owned beach shop on the Holden Beach causeway, has become a “Favorite Place” on Google.

Beach Mart's a Favorite Place on Google

The designation was awarded to “The Store With More” based on how often Google users searched and viewed the Beach Mart Business Listing.  In three consecutive months, Google users found Beach Mart 3,391 times and many requested driving directions and other information.

Beach Mart has been a favorite, locally owned beach shop for Holden Beach locals and visitors for over 30 years.

You can see more updates by visiting Beach Mart’s Facebook Page.

Read the Star News original coverage here: Beach Mart in Holden Beach Makes “Favorite Places on Google”

Posted in Local Spotlight, News | 1 Response

Rare Leatherback Turtle Nests at Holden Beach

6 Jun

Four college kids from Chicago were surprised and amazed on Tuesday, June 1st, when they stumbled upon a giant Leatherback Turtle while walking down the beach.  They quickly called the Holden Beach Turtle Patrol who spent all night excavating the eggs and relocating them to a safer location.

Leatherback Turtles are the largest in the world and have been classified as endangered since 1970.

You can read more at the Brunswick Beacon [with pictures]: Rare Nesting Leatherback Turtle Visits Holden Beach

Posted in News, Turtle Watch | Leave a response

Sand Sculpture Contest – July 2010

28 Jul

The Town of Holden Beach hosted a Sand Sculpture Contest today and the turn out was great.  There was 11 official contestants with a few additional sculptures sprinkled in for fun.  Over 100 visitors were viewing the creations and the two winners received Beach Mart Beach Bags.  You can see photos from the event and the town’s coverage of the event below:

Holden Beach Sand Sculpture Contest Photos

Posted in Art & Entertainment, Events | 1 Response

Hurricane Evacuation Explained: Voluntary vs. Mandatory

25 Aug

At 4pm Thursday, August 25th Town of Holden Beach Mayor Alan Holden issued a proclamation for a voluntary evacuation of the island due to expected weather conditions from Hurricane Irene.

Voluntary evacuation is a common response to severe tropical and hurricane storm weather, but to some the terminology may seem a bit ambiguous.  So, we reached out to Town Hall representatives for official clarification.

Below is a summary, but you can see the full response and excerpt from the Town’s Emergency Operations Plan and Code of Ordinances:

Voluntary Evacuation - A Voluntary Evacuation Proclamation is issued “when a hurricane warning has been issued [by the National Weather Service] and landfall is expected in the Town’s coastal area.”

Mandatory Evacuation - A Mandatory Evacuation Proclamation is issued when a state of emergency has been declared to exist that “endangers the lives, safety, health, and/or welfare of the people within the town or any part thereof, or a situation threatening damage to or destruction of property”.

Of course, when making these decisions, Town of Holden Beach Officials evaluate the situation based on information supplied by local, state, and federal response agencies to insure the safety of citizens.

Hopefully this helps clarify any questions out there.  We’ll continue to get as much information about the storm and it’s effects over the coming days.

Official Response:

We follow the Town’s Emergency Operations Plan and the Code of Ordinances (below). Condition II is when a hurricane warning has been issued and landfall is expected in the Town’s coastal area. Condition I is when the mayor issues the evacuation order. This can happen during or after Condition II. The Mayor makes his decision based on the information supplied to us by local, state and federal response agencies. The Police Chief assesses the need to close the bridge based on sustained wind speeds. Does this help?

§ 33.02 MAYOR TO DECLARE STATE OF EMERGENCY.
(A) A state of emergency shall be declared to exist whenever deemed appropriate to protect lives, property, or to provide for the public safety in the event a disaster threatens the town.
(B) In the event of an existing or threatening emergency which endangers the lives, safety, health, and/or welfare of the people within the town or any part thereof, or a situation threatening damage to or destruction of property, the Mayor is hereby authorized and empowered under G.S. §§ 166A-8 and 14-288.12, as amended, to issue a public proclamation declaring to all persons the existence of a local state of emergency, and, in order to more effectively protect the lives and property of people within the town, shall place in effect as the situation dictates the Town Emergency Preparedness Plan, to activate mutual assistance compacts and to authorize the furnishing of assistance thereunder.
(’85 Code, § 18-1.1) (Ord. 27, passed – - )
(C) Upon the official declaration of a state of emergency, the Town’s Emergency Management Director shall establish an emergency operations center and establish an Incident Command System (ICS) as set forth in the Town’s Emergency Preparedness Plan. That plan shall become the guiding document until the ICS is stood down.

Posted in Weather | Leave a response

On Days Like Today by Casey Reeves

4 Feb

There is something truly satisfying about being able to call oneself a “local”.

I never tire of the look of surprise on people’s faces when I remark that I was born & raised here. “Lucky!” they often reply, with their eyebrows arching into their hairline! This predictable response is often followed by, “What a great place to grow up!” As I watch their mind race over what it must have been like to spend your childhood at the beach, I find myself wondering what they recall while visiting their mental scrapbooks.

Maybe their days were spent playing baseball at the local park or strolling through local art museums.  Perhaps visions of Broadway shows and “camp-outs” by the lake come to mind? Regardless of where their wandering memories take them in that moment, I can’t imagine it surpassing the joy of being a beach-brat!

Sometimes I wonder if the passing of time molds memories like creeks smooth stones, slowly washing away rough edges until only the most beautiful parts remain. Now, as an adult, I find myself reflecting more upon my surfside childhood solely because of the countless “storybook” memories the ocean has given me. In true beach-brat style, ninety percent of these memories occurred on, near, or at least within earshot of the ocean.

Days spent in the warm sand digging the deepest hole my short little arms could manage in hopes of building the grandest of all sandcastles. Standing in the edge of the surf, toes squirming in the shifting sands, patiently waiting for the latest wave to recede… Giddy with anticipation of catching just ONE of the many sand fiddlers scurrying for the safety of their tunnels.

Learning to harvest fresh clams from the mud with nothing more than a garden hoe and a wire bucket. The thrill of hauling in the old, misshapen crab pots bobbing in the waterway…fingers tightly crossed that we’d yield a large enough catch to have blue crabs and hushpuppies for dinner.

On days like today, when the sun is shining, the skies are blue, and the winds are all but non-existent…I remind myself of what a blessing it is to call this place home. I marvel at how everything has changed…yet nothing has changed. In spite of the new highways, obtrusive “box” stores, and scores of new faces… nothing that counts ever really changes. The ocean still smells like the ocean, the sand fiddlers still run for cover, and the children still chase them with delight.

On days like today, a sweet sixty-five degrees in January, I am grateful that I’m not just “down for the week”… that I don’t have to turn my keys back in on Saturday morning. Days like today make me want to forget about the laundry, unplug the telephone, and sink into the peacefulness of the afternoon.

At this very moment, sitting on my sun-porch, a good 500 yards from the Intracoastal waterway and double that from the Atlantic…

I can hear the roar of the ocean…and I am thankful that this is home.

by: Casey E. Reeves

Posted in General, Local Spotlight | 4 Responses

Next Page »

Bookmarks

Local Events