~Bella’s Life on the Island~

 Photo courtesy of Southern Coastal Bluegrass website.

 Pack your clogs and head on down to the beach for the sixth annual Southern Coastal Bluegrass Festival!  The dates have been changed this year to September 20th and 21st.  The two day event is held at the Fort Fisher Military Recreation Center in Kure Beach. 

Of all of our annual events on Pleasure Island, this is definitely one of my favorites.  I enjoy the early morning Gospel on Sunday the most; the music is both sweet and soulful.  By late afternoon though, the crowd is ready to dance and it’s a blast to watch the cloggers kick it up or the square dancers (in full costume) do-si-do around the dance floor.

This Bluegrass Festival is truely a family friendly event.  There are jugglers who perform walking through the crowd about the lawn, storytelling and loads of unique local arts and crafts for sale.  The food is delicious, but if you’ve got a taste for some down home North Carolina Barbeque, get it first, last year they sold out before I could get my plate!

If you would like more information about the Southern Coastal Bluegrass Festival, you can check out their website HERE for the bands who will be performing and all other pertinent information.  For further reading, I have relayed one of my last festival experiences HERE.  Just looking for a taste of some great bluegrass music?  Check out 24/7 Bluegrass Music Radio.

Hope to see you at the Festival!~Bella~

When considering accommodations for the beach, especially with a large family or group, a vacation rental home can be just the ticket. The choices range from one bedroom condo, up to six bedroom homes; luxurious to simplistic.

There are quite a few advantages to staying in a private residence. The price per person per night tends to be less than a stay at a hotel or motel since the homes can accommodate more people than a single room or suite. The ability to cook can also alleviate the expense of eating out in a restaurant for every meal.

I recently had the opportunity to tour a number of residences being managed by United Beach Vacations here in Carolina Beach. The company handles properties in both Carolina and Kure Beaches. Wow, some of these places are remarkable and I have linked to some of my personal favorites below so you can view a slide show and pertinent information on these properties.

Escape

Blissful

Ocean Dunes #1305

Sandstep

SeaEsta Breeze

There are so many choices it pays to do your research to make sure the home you are choosing fits all of your needs with regard to sleeping arrangements/bed sizes, parking spaces, location and amenities. Keep in mind that while all of the condominium communities have a swimming pool, some of the larger homes and duplexes will as well. If you enjoy traveling with your pet, you will find it much easier to do so in a vacation rental home.

Since the management companies that handle these rentals do not dictate the decor or inventory in each home, it is important to view the photos available and ask questions if you have specific needs. Another consideration is that unlike a hotel/motel, if you arrive and do not like your accommodations, it is extremely difficult to change residences as each one is privately owned. 

This time of year, the prices for rentals have started to drop, so ask about specials and have fun booking a great vacation at Carolina or Kure Beach!

I hope to see you around Pleasure Island~Bella

Summer at the beach is a great time for free live music.  Our Pleasure Island Chamber of Comerce hosts the “Free Summer Concert Series” at the Fort Fisher Recreation Area every other Friday night beginning in June.  For those who have not been to the Fort Fisher Recreation area for an event, this is a perfect venue to sit on the lawn listen to some great tunes and watch the sun go down over the Cape Fear River.  The next shows that are coming up are listed below.  For additional information you can call the Chamber at 910-458-8434 or visit their website at http://www.pleasureislandnc.org/calendar.asp The shows begin at 6pm and end at 8pm.

Upcoming shows include:

July 11: Category 4/ Blues and Classic Rock

July 25: Radio Flyer/ Top 40 and Classic Rock

August 8: Wild Canyon/ Country

August 22: Spare Change/ Beach Music

Another great source for free entertainment is the weekly music at the gazebo every Thursday on the boardwalk in Carolina Beach before the Fireworks show.  The bands play from 6pm until 9pm when the firworks begin on the beach.  A schedule of the upcoming bands at the boardwalk gazebo are listed below:  (Also, please note that our huge Independence Day fireworks celebration will be held on JULY 3rd this year!)

So, when you come to visit our lovely Pleasure Island, whether Carolina or Kure Beach you will find music to dance and sing to beside the river and the sea! Come enjoy-see you around the Island~Bella