Blooming Fun at the 68th Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival
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After a long, cold and dreary winter, there’s no better way to usher in the spring than with beautiful flowers. That’s what you’ll find at the North Carolina Azalea Festival and more. Now in its 68th year, the event, one of the biggest festivals in Wilmington, has evolved over time from a celebration of spring blooms and Southern ladies to a broader focus on Wilmington's art, gardens and culture.
Wilmington is already one of the most popular North Carolina beach cities. The area’s location, natural beauty, culture and history all charm visitors and residents alike making it the ideal place to let go, give in and get away for a vacation or permanently. Coastal North Carolina has mild weather, stunning barrier islands, and a relatively cheap cost of living, all of which make it popular with both Baby Boomers planning for retirement and second-home owners. Wilmington NC real estate continues to rank among the hottest real estate markets in the country because you get a lot for your money.
Azalea Festival organizers set each year's dates hoping to catch the peak of the azalea blooming season, though an early spring or late frost can complicate the timing. This year's festival takes place April 8 to April 12 near some of the best Wilmington neighborhoods. Here's a sneak preview about what to expect at the North Carolina Azaela Festival:
March 14th, 2015
Events kick off three weeks earlier with a Scholarship Pageant. Junior high school students from area high schools compete in this annual pageant based on a private interview with judges, evening gown competition and on-stage presentation.
March 22nd, 2015
The Azalea Children’s Tea is like stepping into a fairy tale. In attendance at this event are the Cape Fear Garden Club Azalea Belles, pageant queens and princesses. The Azalea Festival Princess and her Court are in attendance as well.
April 4th, 2015
The Azalea 5K/10K Fun Walk is a great family-friendly event. Children, dogs and costumes are welcome. All the proceeds from this event benefit the Cape Fear Volunteer Center Big Buddy Program. Big Buddy is a mentoring program that matches at-risk youth with positive adult role models.
April 8-12, 2015
Concerts, concerts and more concerts. On April 9th, Alan Jackson's 25th Anniversary “Keepin’ it Country” Tour will perform on the main stage. The next day Nelly, a superstar rapper, singer, songwriter, designer and actor with some of the catchiest hits of this generation will begin at 7pm. Be sure to obtain tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line.
April 9th, 2015
The Queen’s Coronation is the annual event where the Queen is officially crowned the North Carolina Azalea Festival Queen Azalea. City Officials, Board Members, and Cape Fear Garden Club Azalea Belles are in attendance at this event. After the Coronation we have an exclusive free Meet and Greet with all of our celebrities and the Queen…this is your chance to meet the Queen and the Celebrity Guests. Also on April 9th, country superstar Alan Jackson brings his 25th Anniversary Keepin’ It Country Tour to the Miller Lite Main Stage.
April 10th, 2015
On Friday, at 7pm, rapper Nelly takes center stage as he headlines this year’s concert performances. His latest album, M.O., includes guest appearances by Nicki Minaj, Pharrell, Future, T.I., 2 Chainz, Florida Georgia Line, Daley and more. He’s still hot in herre! According to imdb.com, “Hot in Herre” was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 7 weeks, followed immediately by “Dilemma” (featuring Kelly Rowland), which was #1 for 10 weeks.
More than 300,000 people flock to the North Carolina Azalea Festival each year to enjoy the attractions, musical guests and of course, the flowers. Since its inception in 1948, the festival has blossomed into an extended weekend celebration that generates more than $51 million for the local economy. The Wilmington festival also showcases the community’s rich array of artwork, gardens, history and culture through recreational, educational and family-oriented events.
Tourism in Wilmington is back to its pre-recession levels as more people flock to one of the most popular North Carolina’s beach cities to enjoy all that is has to offer. Wilmington NC real estate has also rebounded too as people find that the area’s warm climate combined with its charm make North Carolina beach cities a great place to settle down. If you plan to visit during one of the festivals in Wilmington, there are a number of high quality friendly master planned communities to consider. Send us your 'wish list' and we'll streamline your search making the best of your time in Wilmington. We'll also share with you Discovery Packages which are a much nicer way to experience a community up close verses staying in a hotel.
