Southport Magazine

The Festive Holiday Season is almost upon us, and we are very excited. Christmastime is one of the most fun times in our community and there are many ways you can get involved in all the Holiday Cheer. Whether it’s helping create a magical candy cane garden, decorating your business, or waving to all your friends from a float in the Christmas by the Sea Parade, opportunities abound to show your holiday spirit.

A Candy Cane Garden Party

The Southport Garden Club Presents: A Candy Cane Garden Party. Individuals, businesses, churches, and civic groups are all invited to get creative and participate in this fundraiser in support of the Southport Garden Club gardens, downtown planter boxes, community garden food-share program, and various community outreach projects.  

The candy canes are available for $50 each (payable by cash or check to The Southport Garden Club) at the Fort Johnson Visitor’s Center starting on Nov. 1. The 48-inch candy cane forms are primed and ready to be painted. Create your unique design to be debuted in the garden, then return the decorated candy canes to the Visitor’s Center by Dec. 3. Participants may pick up their decorated Candy Cane after Dec. 12 from Keziah Park.

The Candy Cane Garden will be displayed in Keziah Park from Dec. 3-12, during the week of Southport Winterfest, with a special Candy Cane Garden Party event on Dec. 7 from 6-7 pm.

Residents and visitors will be able to stroll through the park, transformed into a holiday wonderland, to view the decorated candy canes.

Storefront Showcase

The Southport Winterfest Committee invites local businesses to participate in the First Annual Storefront Showcase, a holiday decorating contest. There is no charge to participate, and any business within the City limits is eligible.

Applications are due no later than Nov. 19, and decorations should be up by Dec. 1. Register your business at forms.gle/rQ6jghpSsj5qphg48 

From Dec. 5-12, visitors, guests, and residents of Southport can follow the Storefront Showcase map that will be available online to visit each store and cast votes on each participating businesses. 

There will be five categories: Most Original, Most Kid-Friendly, Most Traditional, Biggest Surprise, or Best Overall. Voting participants may vote more than once per category. On Monday, Dec. 13, winners will be announced and a trophy given for Best Overall. Don’t hesitate — sign up today!

Christmas By The Sea Parade

The 2021 Christmas by the Sea Parade in Oak Island will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, Dec. 4, stepping off from 4600 East Oak Island Drive in front of Town Hall, and ending at McGlamery Street.

The Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Town of Oak Island, has organized the Christmas By The Sea parade for more than 35 years. “The parade is a cherished holiday tradition,” said Jackie Pappas, Parade co-chair for the Chamber’s Christmas by the Sea Committee. 

Businesses, clubs, charities, or anyone can enter a float, a boat on a trailer, or even a Jeep with your cute dog in it. The deadline to register a parade entry is Nov. 29. Register online at the Chamber website, southport-oakisland.com, and look under “Events.”

As always, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be the final float at the end of the parade route, waving to children and the young at heart as they drive by. 

For more information contact Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce, 4433 Long Beach Road, Southport, (910) 457-6964.