Wilmington NC News | Riverfest - Life and Culture on the Cape Fear River

Published on August 17, 2014

Leaves have begun to fall and the night air is getting crisp. Winter is coming for the town of Wilmington and the opportunity to enjoy the mild weather between the summer heat and frigid winter swiftly approaching. October is a wonderful time of year in coastal North Carolina and the locals are readily anticipating the annual Wilmington Riverfest: a celebration of the heartfelt resilience that resurrected life & culture on the Cape Fear River! Did you know Riverfest is one of the top 20 North Carolina Festivals? What a great way to get to know the people living in some of the best Wilmington NC neighborhoods and see Compass Pointe new homes.

Here's the schedule of events for the 2014 Riverfest festival:

FRIDAY, OCT. 3, 2014

Rotary Club Garden Party: 11:00am-3:00pm- located @ Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre
Food Vendors: 6:00pm-11:00pm
Live Music & Beer Garden: 6:00pm-11:00pm- located @ Riverfront Park

SATURDAY, OCT. 4, 2014

Stand Up Paddle Race: registration begins @ 8:30am; Race Starts @10:00am, located at The George @ Market Street
Arts and Crafts/ Kid Zone: 10:00am-6:00pm-located downtown, Water Street.
Food Vendors: 9:00am-11:00pm
Classic Car Show: 10:00am-6:00pm- located downtown, Market Street
Kid’s Treasure Hunt: 1:00pm-4:00pm- located downtown
Live Music & Beer Garden: noon-11:00pm- located @ Riverfront Park

SUNDAY, OCT. 5, 2014

8K Run: registration begins @ 6:30am- 7:45am; Race Starts @8:00am, located @ Cape Fear Community College
Arts & Crafts/ Kid Zone: 10:30am- 5:00pm
Food Vendors: 10:00am- 5:00pm
Antique Care Show: 10:30am-3:00pm- located downtown, Market Street
Live Music & Beer Garden: noon- 5:00pm- located@ Riverfront Park
Great Waiters’ Wine Race: registration begins @1:30p; Race Starts @2:00pm

Booming real estate developments like Landfall, St. James Plantation and Porters Neck are some of the best Wilmington NC neighborhoods to explore if you love golf and are a direct result of years returned to the thriving life centered around the downtown area. Beach lovers and surfers find Wrightsville Beach a sun drenched paradise.

Local real estate developers saw the opportunity to revamp the downtown area by turning old mansions, abandoned warehouses and shops into a series of antique shops and boutiques, pubs and restaurants. Anchoring the north and south side of the downtown area, the economic boost prompted locals to organize a yearly event for families to celebrate the black water river running through, the now, flourishing city. One of the top 20 North Carolina Festivals, Wilmington Riverfest has grown immensely since its humble beginnings in 1979, housing more than 100,000 attendees each year and donating thousands of dollars in scholarships to Cape Fear Community College for marine studies of the Caper Fear River.

Some of the best Wilmington NC neighborhoods can be found on the fringes of the downtown area. For example, Compass Pointe new homes are surrounded by a man-made tropical paradise and this gated coastal community is a certified Audubon International Gold Signature Community, protecting over 70 acres of natural habitat. Amenities include the 10,000 Square Foot Grand Lanai Clubhouse, resort-style swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness center and the golf course is under construction.

Folks who prefer a more established neighborhood may drawn to Landfall County Club located on the north side of the Cape Fear River on Howe Creek. This gated coastal community offers all the perks of country club living and was named the 2014 Best North Carolina Community of the Year by Community Finder. Impressive curb appeal, the close proximity to downtown and Wrightsville Beach and a friendly group of neighbors make this neighborhood a sought after place to live in Wilmington.

Perhaps folks would rather be living on Wrightsville Beach, a traditional barrier island with two and three story beach homes and waterfront homes with deepwater docks. Residents relish in timeless views of the river and the beach creating the sweet and permanent vacation state of mind.

These Wilmington NC neighborhoods offer affordable homes to lavish, luxury properties that are available in many styles and sizes. Mark the calendar and find a way to attend Riverfest, one of the top 20 North Carolina Festivals for an inside glimpse into what makes Wilmington NC a great coastal community to live.

If you’re exploring the area for the first time, ask for our free Wilmington North Carolina relocation information to learn more.