To so many residents and visitors, Wrightsville Beach is still known as the “Fun Spot of the South.” But this slogan was never more fitting than in the early 1900’s, when the legendary Lumina Pavilion shone as a beacon of summertime delight on our shores.
This 25,000 square foot, three-story dance hall on the south end of Wrightsville Beach was THE place to ‘see and be seen’ for North Carolinians who suddenly had access to the coast via an electric trolley line. More than a thousand incandescent light bulbs made up the enormous ‘Lumina’ sign on top of the stately pavilion, which shone so bright that sailors often navigated by it at night.
Sadly, the Lumina Pavilion was demolished in the 1970’s, but you can still enjoy the spirit, music and unbridled joy of this storied era at the 19th Annual Lumina Daze party hosted by the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History.
Lumina Daze will be held on Sunday, August 30th from 5-9pm at the Blockade Runner Resort. This year’s live music line-up includes the Imitations, Wilmington Big Band, and the Dixieland All Stars. In addition to dancing, great food and drinks, you can enjoy short films on the lawn – a nostalgic reminder of when silent films played on a giant screen that rose up from the sea in front of the historic landmark.
Artists will be painting in the “plein air” style on the grounds, while partygoers browse through the many silent auction items up for bid. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance at the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History or at the door. Proceeds from this popular trip down memory lane help support the ongoing work of the museum.