CHRISTMAS FLOTILLA
The 6th Annual Christmas Flotilla, sponsored by Downtown Washington on the Water (DWOW), is set for December 6th. Kim Williams, part owner of Sea Tow, Pamlico, Bath, chair of the event, advised ,“This year’s Flotilla will take place on the Pamlico River the reviewing stand will be on Stewart Parkway.” The evening will be kicked off at 5:30PM with a sing along led by the popular group Vertical Praise. The Flotilla will pass in front of the reviewing stands starting at 6 PM.
There are usually twenty boats decorated with thousands of lights sailing up the Pamlico. The Pamlico Sail & Power Squadron supervise the boats on the water to ensure safety and the smooth flow of the boats. Roger Tuttle, a retired NBC celebrity, is the professional MC who will announce the boats, their crews and their theme joined by his co-host Jim Howard of WITN-TV. Kim said, “the highlight of the evening, of course, what all the kids and parents are waiting for, is the arrival of Santa on his yacht.”
Each year the captains and their crews do a tremendous amount of work. Hours are spent decorating their crafts, each with a unique theme; there were over 10,000 lights on the boats in last year’s parade. Every captain is vying to win one of the prizes which are awarded for the best decorated sailboat, and powerboat, and the best overall.
Two local charities will have food and warm drinks for sale and the restaurants in Downtown Washington will be open for everyone’s enjoyment.
Toys for Tots will again be the lead charity for the event. Bring a new, unwrapped toys to be donated to this worthwhile cause. All toys are given to needy recipients in Beaufort County.
There is no charge for this event. For more information checkout Http/www.washingtononthewater.com or call 252-946-3969.
Prepare for the Scare: Washington Haunts
Set for October 31 and November 1
If you’re looking for some spooky fun this Halloween, you won’t want to miss Washington Haunts, a ghost walk through historic downtown, October 31 and November 1.
The leisurely one-hour tour takes you through 200 years of ghosts, graves, legends, murders, and history. “Last year’s tour was a big success,” said Rhonda Donald, who volunteers with Downtown Washington on the Waterfront (DWOW) to host it. “This year promises to be even better, with seasoned storytellers and great stories.”
There are ghosts with a heavy step, ghosts who smoke and who rearrange the furniture, spirits with something to say, and some who smell a bit, um, odd. There’s even a ghost who walks through walls. The tour winds through beautiful historic Washington, and passes through the Episcopal Church yard. ECU students costumed by Jeff Phipps of the ECU School of Theatre and Dance will be your tour guides. You will learn about some of the city’s most prominent residents and past events that may have lead them to hang around and replay their tragedies—much to the enjoyment of everyone who takes the tour.
Tours begin at the Visitor’s Center at 138 S. Market Street. There are three tours nightly at 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30. Please meet 10 minutes prior to the start of the tour. The cost is $10 for adults in advance. Children 12 and under go for $5, and babies are free. Advance reservations must be made by calling the Visitor’s Center at (252) 948-9415 by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2008. Adult tickets purchased on the days of the tour are $15. Cash and checks will be collected at the start of each tour. No credit cards please. All proceeds benefit Downtown Washington on the Waterfront.
So make plans now. This is the Washington event that everyone’s dying to go to!
Click here for the Downtown Washington Calendar of Events
