A New Hanover County beach town could soon get its moment in a red and green spotlight.
Carolina Beach has been selected as one of 25 finalists for the Hallmark Channel's Merriest Christmas Town contest. The winner, which is decided based on online votes and criteria reviewed by a panel of judges, will receive the opportunity to serve as a filming location for a Hallmark movie.
Voters can cast their ballot for Carolina Beach on Hallmark's website. Voting ends on Sept. 4, with the judging period running through Sept. 15. Winning locations will be announced on or around Oct. 31.
After the selection period, a panel of judges will evaluate the finalists based on community spirit, holiday traditions, neighborhood charm and goodwill.
The entry for Carolina
Beach notes a variety of the town's Christmas celebrations that extend far beyond the holiday season. With Christmas in July, the town farmer's market hires a beachy Santa each year, with cards and ornaments crafted by local artists and sold by local nonprofit Island of Lights.
The town hosts a Christmas tree lighting around the lake on the day after Thanksgiving, complete with caroling and hot chocolate.
In December, the town hosts a Christmas flotilla boat parade and drops a beach ball when the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve.
The entry also highlights the Christmas by the Sea event on Saturdays in December, where children can meet Santa, get a face painting and make s'mores around a fire pit with local firefighters.
Daniel Sheehan covers New Hanover County for the StarNews. Reach him at dsheehan@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: New Hanover beach town in running for Hallmark Christmas contest
