Springtime in Wilmington brings a dazzling display of pink, lavander and white azaleas acrosss the city and region.
Celebating its 60th year, the Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival (April 11-15, 2007) offers residents and visitors alike to partake and enjoy the Cape Fear Coast 's rich history, arts, and culture.
What truly Southern event would not be complete without hoop skirted belles, home and garden tours and a parade with floats? Fireworks will add some snazzle to the dazzle, and childrens' activities, a multitude of concerts, visting ships along the Cape Fear River and a street fair are just some of the reasons this is a fun time for the whole family.
The North Carolina event also holds the distinction of being a 2007 American Bus Association Top 100 Event in North America and a Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event in 2007.
With 2007's theme of "Gardens to Live in" this year's Azalea Garden Tour (April 13-15) features 11 public and private gardens.(www.azaleagardentour.org). Not to be outdone -the 2007 Azalea Home Tour (April 14-15) showcases nine private homes brimming with Wilmington's architectural and historical past.www.historicwilmington.org).
Grab a great spot on Saturday morning (9:00am) for the three hour parade. Featuring elaborate floats, marching bands, clowns, show animals, and local and national celebrities, including Queen Azalea 2007—actress Amy Pietz, who fans will recognize as Annie Viola Spadaro from “Caroline in the City.” . Accompanying Pietz with be her Queen’s Court comprised of state-wide beauty pageant winners.
Azaleas like to swing to great music, and this year's Festival is providing plenty of rhythm. Headlining performers include Academy of Country Music Top Female Vocalist Sara Evans, performing on Wednesday, April 11th at 8:00 p.m. at UNCW’s Trask Coliseum (tickets $45, plus processing fee).
Sara is best known as a contestant on the popular ABC show “Dancing with the Stars” (2006), and her Academy of Country Music ’s reigning Top Female Vocalist award.
On Friday evening, April 13th, Grammy Award winner Michael McDonald enters center stage at Trask Coliseum at 8:00pm (tickets $45, plus fee).
Four-time Grammy-winning rock legend Michael McDonald’s professional musical career spans more than three decades. The mid '70's saw him in a long association with the band Steely Dan. By 1977 he was most recognized for his singing with the Doobie Brothers,
McDonald won four Grammy Awards in 1979, including Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Arrangement-Accompanying Vocals for “What a Fool Believes” and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus for “Minute by Minute.”
For a festival schedule and tickets, call 910-794-4650 or visit www.ncazaleafestival.org,
For a free Visitors Guide to North Carolina ’s Cape Fear Coast , call 1-866-266-9690 or visit www.gocapefearcoast.com for info on accommodations, attractions, packages, and more.
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