03/28/2024
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By: Erin Smith

White Lake water Festival 2016 adThere is an air of excitement at White Lake as business owners and residents alike are making final preparations for this weekend’s 38th annual White Lake Water Festival.

“We’re really excited about this year’s White Lake Water Festival,” said Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce President Charlotte Smith.  “We invite everyone to come out and enjoy all of the festivities at White Lake this weekend.”

Chamber Executive Director Dawn Maynard said this year’s festival will be a treat for folks young and old alike.

On Friday evening, the festival gets under way with a street dance at Goldston’s Beach featuring the Southern Touch Band from 7 to 9 p.m. The concert is free. There will also be a classic car cruise in at Goldston’s Beach from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. with an award for Best in Show.

On Saturday, the Bladen County Firefighters Association Honor Guard will hold a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. at the White Lake Fire Department.

“On Saturday, our parade officially kicks off the festival at 10 a.m.,” said Maynard. The parade route is about two miles in length and will begin at Camp Clearwater and disembark at US 701. 

The parade grand marshals for 2016 are the Port City Clowns from Wilmington.

“They were chosen because they have participated in the parade every year for 38 years. Prior to that they took part in it when it was the Blueberry Festival,” said Maynard.

There will be a meet and greet with the Port City Clowns under the main tent at Goldston’s Beach at 3 p.m.

Maynard said following the parade the White Lake Fire Department will have a barbecue plate fundraiser beginning at 11 a.m. Plates cost $7 each.

On Saturday, the festival will have two stages. Maynard said on the lake front stage, Miss Bladenboro Haven Cashwell and Miss Bladenboro Outstanding Teen Anna Grace Allen will perform at noon. They will be followed by the Gaddis family, an Elvis tribute, the Fayetteville Christian Praise Band, and the Gaddis Girls.

Under the main tent at Goldston’s Beach the Rivermist Band of Fayetteville will play from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. followed by Bladen County’s own Blackwater Rhythm and Blues Band from 1 until 3 p.m. and the Southern Touch Band will wind things down from 3 until 5 p.m.

There will also be semi-professional wrestling featured at 12:30 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. and again at 4:30 p.m. at Goldston’s Beach.

Maynard said that folks can also come to the location on US 701 across from the Scotchman and there will be an antique tractor display and a Classic Car Show. Registration costs $20 and begins at 8 a.m. Judging will take place from noon until 3 p.m. Trophies will be awarded beginning at 3 p.m.

A lawn and garden tractor pull will take place at the US 701 site beginning at 2 p.m. Admission to the tractor pull is $5 each. 

Maynard said that on Saturday night, there will be a dance at The Venue featuring The Castaways from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. Tickets are $15 per person coolers are allowed but no glass containers are allowed.

Maynard said not to forget your Water Festival T-shirts! They can be purchased at Camp Clearwater, Goldston’s Beach Gift Shop, Goldston’s Lake Store, Ski Burger, at the main tent and the car show on the day of the festival. Shirts cost $12 each.

New this year will be White Lake Water Festival sun visors. They cost $15 each and can be purchased at the above locations.

There will also be arts and carts vendors, businesses, Isabella the Clown, face painting, a petting zoo, horse and pony rides and much more.

For more information on the White Lake Water Festival, contact Maynard at 910-862-4368 or 910-874-0285 or by email at tourism28337@embarqmail.com.

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