Holden Beach celebrates rescheduled Festival by the Sea Nov. 17-18

HOLDEN BEACH—Hurricane Sandy may have delayed this year’s Festival by the Sea, but she didn’t bring it down.

Postponed plans are rescheduled and “on” this weekend for the seaside town’s annual autumn celebration, which was postponed from Oct. 27-28 because of Hurricane Sandy’s untimely visit up the coast.

An array of activities are planned at the festival, now slated for Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17 and 18 on the island next to the Holden Beach Bridge.

The annual event kicks off with the Festival By the Sea Parade at 10 a.m. Nov. 17 down the Holden Beach Causeway, from the stoplight at Walgreens to the base of the Holden Beach Bridge.

Event organizers with the Greater Holden Beach Merchants Association tout parade day as the only time of the year event-goers can take a stroll up the Holden Beach Bridge for a high-altitude view of the parade. The causeway and bridge will be closed from 9:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Saturday to accommodate parade festivities.

This year’s parade marshals will be World War II horse soldier, Cpl. London Gore, and Cpl. Robert Bradicich of the 110 Regimental Combat Team. Both have written books about their experiences in the war and will be on hand to sign copies.

Parade highlights this year include ROTCs from different schools, the Sudan Playboys, the Sudan Tomcats in miniature cars, the Patriot Guard Riders, fire trucks, little princesses and queens, Canine Angels and Bark at the Beach for Easter Seals, according to Cheryl Kirmse, secretary for the Greater Holden Beach Merchants Association.

People are invited to decorate golf carts and ride in the parade. Registration needs to be done by Thursday via the website www.hbmerch.com.

Festival hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday with more than 100 arts and crafts and food vendors as well as a kids’ area under the high-rise bridge on the island.

Home Depot will be hosting a children’s workshop at the festival.

Admission and parking are free.

There will also be a horseshoe tournament at 11 a.m. Saturday at Paradise Café at 102 Jordan Blvd. Registration starts at 10 a.m. For details, call Politis at 842-4999.

A sand-sculpting contest is set for Saturday afternoon on the beach at the Jordan Boulevard access. Judging starts at 3 p.m. Contact Seth Gearhart at (910) 795-7346 for more details.

Saturday’s entertainment lineup includes The Rick Strickland Band (beach music) 10-11:45 a.m.; The Landon Parker Band (country) 12:30-2:15 p.m.; Jaded Mayberry (Southern rock) 3-5 p.m.

Sunday’s entertainment schedule include The Brunswick Big Band at 10-11:45 a.m. and The Carolina Breakers from 12:30-3 p.m.

As always, festival T-shirts will be available for sale, as well as earth bags this year.

There will also be a raffle for a chartered fishing excursion for four people.