by SullivanRose

Created on: January 21, 2010

Every year in April, Wilmington blooms with a variety of colors at the area’s annual North Carolina Azalea Festival. Wilmington’s Azalea Festival is the largest in the state and has been occurring since 1948. Over 300,000 people attend this renown event started by Dr. W. Houston Moore, M.D. which celebrates beautiful gardens around the town. This event is a fun, family-friendly festival of community pride and local involvement. The NC Azalea Festival website estimates that this event brings approximately $5 million to economy of Wilmington, NC and the coastal Carolina area.

The Azalea Festival lasts for a close to a week and simply flourishes with entertainment, galas, family events, and fun. The Southern charm of flowers and history draws a large crowd from every corner of the state. This year’s festival begins on April 7, 2010 and wraps up on April 11, 2010.

This event of community and beauty opens with a Queen’s coronation and ceremony. Other highlights are a three-hour parade, a two-day street fair, a circus, concerts and home and garden tours. For more complete information, visit the NC Azalea Festival website.

Progress Energy, Velocity Solutions, Wachovia Bank and the Hilton Wilmington Riverside are sponsoring the Wilmington Azalea Festival for 2010. Wilmington expects more than 300,000 people to come to this renown celebration. To become a sponsor, click here  or call 910-794-4650.

Join Wilmington to stroll the gardens, listen to music, discover great artwork by the locals, learn about the culture and history of Wilmington, sample great foods, participate in contests and competitions and to be a part of this friendly, historical city event. This street fair and gala is one of the most enjoyable in the State of North Carolina.

On Friday evening, April 9, 2010, there will be a contemporary Christian concert. The NC Azalea Festival parade occurs on Saturday morning, April 10, 2010. On Saturday evening, April 10, 2010, there will be a street dance.

On Saturday, April 10, 2010, there will be a Shag Contest at the Cape Fear Community College Schwartz Center from 1:00 to 6:00 PM. If you would like to enter this fun contest, review the 2010 Shag Contestant Application.

On Sunday, April 11, 2010, there will be an Azalea Cake Challenge held at the Cape Fear Community College Schwartz Center. Bakers from the Wilmington area will construct centerpiece cakes themed around the azalea. There will also be an amateur competition level for novice bakers. The event begins at 12 noon and ends at 4:00 PM. Admission price is $5.00 per person or pre-sale tickets are four for $15.00. To enter the amateur Cake Challenge category, click here. To purchase tickets, click here.

In 2009, David Cook of American Idol performed. Take a look at these YouTube videos to see the performances.

You can also apply for the 2010 parade and the 2010 Street Fair. Review the Art and Crafts application. If you need additional information, call 910-794-4650 or email info@ncazaleafestival.org

Source:

ncazaleafestival.org

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