News & Blog
Want to learn more about what Leland has to offer? Our News & Blog section provides some insider knowledge and tips and travel-related updates and information, as well as details on upcoming events and programs.
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Visit Leland (Leland Tourism Development Authority) is excited to continue its strategic planning initiative aimed at shaping the future of tourism in Leland. This effort includes a community survey and an Open House on April 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, located at 1212 Magnolia Village Way.
The goal is to gather valuable insights from residents and visitors alike to help identify opportunities for expanding tourism, enhancing visitor experiences, and making improvements that also benefit the overall quality of life in the community.
“Our goal is to ensure Leland grows as a vibrant destination while preserving what makes it special,” Town of Leland Economic and Community Development Director Barnes Sutton said. “This public engagement period allows us to hear directly from people who live in and visit Leland so we can make informed decisions that support both economic development and community well-being.”
Those unable to attend the Open House can complete the online survey that covers a range of topics, including visitor experiences, attractions, infrastructure, and placemaking efforts. Whether you’re a resident who enjoys Leland’s amenities year-round or a visitor who has explored the Town, your feedback is invaluable in crafting a five-year Strategic Plan that reflects the needs and desires of the community.
This plan will focus on attracting more visitors, creating inviting public spaces, expanding community offerings, and improving residents' quality of life. It will also help draw unique businesses by showcasing Visit Leland’s vision and strategic goals.
The brief survey is available online and will remain open until April 19.
For more information on Visit Leland and our strategic planning efforts, head to VisitLelandNC.com or contact Barnes Sutton at bsutton@townofleland.com or (910) 756-5096.
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The Cape Fear region is full of highly talented artists who sell their wares at various markets, including the new Holiday Pop-Up Shop at Harrington Square in Leland! Join your fellow community members on November 18, starting at 9 AM, for a day of art, food, and community. This event was made possible by Brunswick Community College Small Business Center, and Harrington Square. This pop-up shop is a great place to find gifts for everyone on your list ahead of the busy shopping season. Brunswick Community College Small Business Center has included a diverse group of vendors in their brand-new event so that you can find something for everyone!
This exciting event will be at 4276 Harrington Road, Leland, NC 28451.
More Info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pop-up-shop-at-harrington-square-tickets-732297901737
The Town of Leland will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for Founders Park renovations on Friday, Oct. 20, at 1 p.m. at Founders Park, located at 113 Town Hall Drive. Community members are invited to celebrate this milestone with Town Council, Town staff, contractors, and regional partners.
The project will include adding amenities such as an amphitheater, splash pad, veterans memorial, updated playground, natural play area, fitness stations, walking trails, a picnic/restroom facility, and open space. A portion of the highly anticipated amphitheater has been sponsored by the Leland Tourism Development Authority and intends to serve as a destination for tourism related events once developed.
“I’m so proud of all the hard work that has gone into planning for this project to get us to this monumental moment,” Mayor Brenda Bozeman said. “Breaking ground on Founders Park renovations is a great accomplishment for the Town, bringing us one step closer to a beautiful new park that will benefit Leland families and their children for generations to come.”
Construction is expected to take a year to complete. The park, including adjacent parking lots, will be closed to the public for the duration of construction. Project updates will be available on the Town website.
The Founders Park renovation project has been in the works since November 2019 and has included opportunities for public input. Founders Park serves as the flagship facility for a myriad of events and programs throughout the year, including concerts and movies in the park, Trunk or Treat, and Leland in Lights.
One of Leland's first breweries, Brunswick Beer and Cider, will host their first Applearchy Ciderfest on November 4 from 12 to 5 p.m. This event sponsored by the Leland Tourism Development Authority, is dedicated to bringing you the Carolinas' favorite ciders and fruit-forward beers.
With the purchase of each age-verified ticket guests receive a 5oz event-branded tasting glass. The glass lets you taste each curated cider from the participating breweries and cideries throughout the event. VIP ticket holders can taste-test from 12 to 5 p.m., while general admission is from 1 to 5 p.m. During the event you can visit different booths from various vendors across Leland as you sip! You can even sit down and enjoy food from BBC, Mimi and Papa's Gourmet Popcorn and a local farmer stand. Get there early so you don't miss Banjo Steve & Friends playing live music.
Tickets can be purchased in person at Brunswick Beer and Cider or online here.
The Town of Leland Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department is celebrating its 15th anniversary! Over the past 15 years, the department has continued to bring new events and programs to Leland residents, and they don’t plan on stopping with their next CAPE activity guide. The CAPE Activity Guide for Fall / Winter 2023 – 2024 will be online and available for pick up at the Leland Cultural Arts Center in mid-July. This year there are many new programs and events! This includes their offerings of two FREE sensory-sensitive events, including a movie and visits with Santa. Sensory-sensitive events are designed to be less stimulating. This approach often makes it easier for individuals with sensory sensitivities to things like noise, colors, sounds, and smells. You will also see the return of events like Trunk or Treat and Holiday Art Market. Trunk or Treat will be held at Brunswick Village Town Center, East Cutlar Crossing, instead of Founders Park this year. Wear your favorite costume and come ready to collect candy from various community trunks. If you are interested in decorating a trunk this year, please fill out this form: https://bit.ly/lelandtrunkortreat
Keeping up their continued growth, they have expanded their environmental education programming to include three gardening programs. There will be one 6-week lecture series covering setup, containers, soil, timing, maintenance, pruning, harvesting, and companion planting, and two gardening-based workshops that are perfect for those who do not have time to care for a massive garden. Also, at the Leland Cultural Arts Center they have expanded their pottery selection to include three new pottery intensives. One for beginners that will cover mugs and bowls and two for their more advanced students, where participants will create and drinking set and/or try raku firing. If that isn’t enough, you can create new seasonal projects, including yarn Santa hats and trees.
If you are interested in learning more make sure to sign up for their newsletter: https://bit.ly/3UoGUmh
Edgar Allen Poe once said, “What care I how time advances, I am drinking ale today.” For craft beer lovers, the opportunity to do that in Leland is growing quickly. With two beer locations currently open and a third on the way, Leland is becoming a force to reckon with.
The first on the beer scene, Brunswick Beer Xchange, known as BBX to locals, is a bottle shop and taproom located at 113 Village Road. Most nights they host local food trucks, mic nights, live music, trivia, and more. With more than 40 beers on tap and nearly 100 options in bottle, BBX has something for everyone. Their calendar of events can be found here https://bbxchange.net/ if you plan on visiting.
In the fall of 2022, Brunswick Beer and Cider opened at 1313 S. Dickinson Drive. With a more traditional brewery setup, Brunswick Beer and Cider brews most of their drinks in house or pulls them from their sister location, Wrightsville Beach Brewery. Equipped with a full service kitchen, they churn out delicious food that can be enjoyed from a barstool or a table. Best of all, they have an events space to host large crowds for private events. Thinking of hosting a wedding reception, retirement party, or just getting together with friends and family? This is the space for you.
Finally, Leland Brewing Company plans to open by early summer 2023. Located at 133 Old Fayetteville Road, Leland Brewing is across the street from Leland Town Hall and Founders Park. With a 9,000-square-foot manufacturing and taproom, this facility will have indoor and outdoor space with a balcony overlooking the park. The build out will feature a kitchen as well to serve up amazing dishes from a yet to be named local partner.
If you are excited about craft beer and a nice atmosphere, visit Leland to see what we have on tap.
Let's face it - the COVID-19 pandemic has changed, and may forever alter, how we travel.
Add to safety concerns the fact that events and programs across the country are still being postponed or canceled, and it can be difficult or even overwhelming to plan a getaway, be it a summer vacation or a quick day trip.
But there are ways to beat the cabin fever while ensuring that safety remains a priority. The following tips will help you bring the right balance of caution to your next adventure.
Do your homework. When visiting Leland or another locale, you may be tempted to head to your go-to travel website to search for top-rated restaurants, shops, and must-see attractions. But in light of the pandemic, that research should extend beyond customer reviews. Jot down a list of the places you want to go, then check websites or make a few phone calls to make sure those places are open. The last thing you want is for your family to feel like the Griswalds when you arrive to a closed theme park or other beloved location after a long car trip together. Even if businesses and attractions are open, they likely have shortened hours and safety requirements in place and most certainly are operating under mandated occupancy restrictions.
Keep it simple. When you only get one or two vacations a year, it can be tempting to try and cram in as much fun as possible. Even without COVID-19, that much "fun" can turn out to be, well, not so fun, after all. With all the delays that can come with new safety guidelines - longer lines and restaurant wait times, to name two - scale back your expectations and activities list to avoid bringing stress into your rest and relaxation time. Be flexible and keep an open mind. You may not be able to hit all the hot spots you had hoped to, but you may also discover some new favorite places in the process.
Get outside. If nature doesn't normally call you, this may be a good time to get out of your comfort zone and try something new. Wide open spaces - like Leland's wooded walking trails or nearby expansive shorelines - allow you and your friends or loved ones to spread out comfortably and keep your distance from others. You may discover you are an outdoorsy person, after all!
Come prepared. We're all used to keeping a mask close by when heading out to the grocery store or bank. The same should apply, even on vacation. Make sure you have your personal protective equipment and a bottle of hand sanitizer handy with you at all times in case you wind up somewhere unexpected at which you'll need those items. Even if you're armed and ready for safety, you can't be sure that others will do the same. In an unfamiliar place, it's especially important to trust your instincts and remember the basic COVID-19 guidelines, like social distancing. If you're concerned that too many people are in one place at one time or others around you aren't observing the six-foot rule, simply head somewhere else.
Shop local... even if you aren't one. Considering small businesses are the backbone of any community, it's more important than ever to give them your support. Buying local at home and while traveling is the best way to help. Shops, restaurants, salons, and other establishments are eager to welcome customers back and motivated to ensure the safety of patrons and employees alike. Plus, small businesses help you absorb the culture and personality of the place you're visiting. Leland has lots of local stops you'll want to keep on your to-do list - unique places you won't find anywhere else but here - that all come with a refreshing dose of southern hospitality. And who can't use a little of that these days?
Planning a trip to Leland? Book your stay and be sure to check out everything we have to offer.