7/4/15
Southport NC
Posted by Bill

As I stated in previous posts, Southport hosts the North Carolina state 4th of July festival. We had every intention of getting the whole week-long experience, but there was so much going on at the marina that we got distracted, not to mention that it was so blasted hot! We ended up checking it out a few days during the week, but a visit from Tricia’s cousin Jane and her husband Bill helped motivate us to get downtown today.

Jane and Bill live just north of here near Wrightsville Beach. If you follow the blog you might remember that Jane and her mom came to see us on our way south last fall when we were in Carolina Beach.

We missed the parade because we were drinking Pain Killers on the boat, but we hit the highlights after that.

Tricia, Jane and Bill:

The row of fair food vendors:

One of the many bands, setting up for their set:

A display of some really nice antique cars:


The mass of arts and crafts vendors:


And of course…the interesting people:

We came back to party at the marina, who threw a customer appreciation party. They catered food from PTs, a restaurant in Wilmington, had an ice cream truck, and a really good rock band. We brought drinks from the boat, but all of the rest was free of charge, and the food and music was outstanding! Then the party started on D-Dock (the dock we are on). We had a great cookout and then sat on Rick and Barbs boat to watch the fireworks. The fireworks are shot off right next to the marina so we had great seats, and a good time was had by all!!

We had much fun hanging with Bill and Jane, and we were so glad that they came down to hang with us.