Wilmington NC Area: Festivals and Fun Things to Do!

The Wilmington NC Cape Fear Area is known for it's eclectic collection of Festivals, Fairs, Art Exhibits, Tours and just all around fun activities for the whole family.

Here's a sampling of events taking place in the next 2 weeks.

Staring with the Year's biggest: the Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival!

April 11 - 15, 2007 - Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival - A springtime tradition celebrating Wilmington's exceptional artwork, gardens, history and culture. Activities include headline concert entertainment; a three day riverfront street fair with arts, craft and food vendors, continuous live entertainment; a spectacular parade including floats, marching bands, clowns, animals, and celebrities; garden and home tours; the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus, and much more. For more information call 910-794-4650.


April 13 - 15, 2007 - NC Azalea Festival Garden Tour - The Azalea Garden Tour is the Cape Fear Garden Club's largest fundraiser each year. Over the past 50 years, the club has given thousands of dollars back to the community through funds generated by the tour. Tickets are valid for use the entire weekend and provide admission to the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony which officially opens the tour. Proceeds from the ticket sales are distributed by the Cape Fear Garden Club in the form of beautification and horticultural grants to the community. Call (910)538-5550 for more information.

April 14, 2007 - Oak Island Lighthouse 10K Run/Walk - 9:00 AM, 4841 Long Beach Road, SE Southport, NC. Route over the Oak Island Bridge through tree lined streets on Oak Island past the beachfront and Oak Island Lighthouse ending in Caswell Beach. Please check the run website for additional details. For more information contact the Southport - Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce at (910) 457-6964 or 800-457-6964. Admission/Fees: $20.00 per person includes t-shirt.

April 19 - 22, 2007 - Bald Head Island Regatta - The BHI Regatta organizes both PHRF and One Design Racing, including spinnaker and non-spinnaker fleets. Three of a kind will be granted one-design class status within the appropriate fleet. BHIR is perfectly positioned for boats traveling between Key West Race Week, Miami Race Week and Charleston Race Week in the south to NCYRA, the NOOD, and Southern Bay Race Week to the north. For more information call (910) 457-SAIL.

April 21, 2007 - Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-Off - 11:30 AM - 5:00 PM. The Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-off is about delicious food, good music, and family fun, so bring the kids along to this annual family-oriented event. Children will enjoy the park's playground and activities. Adults will enjoy live entertainment and chowder tasting and voting. Admission fee is $5 for adults, children under 12 admitted free. For more info contact the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce at (910)458-8434.

April 21, 2007 - Rims on the River Vintage Car and Hot Rod Show - Saturday, FREE and open to all cars 1970 and older. Historic Downtown Wilmington, Market & Front Streets. Cars dating 1970 and older, line the streets of the downtown area, with the Cape Fear River and the diverse collection of retail stores and restaurants, as their backdrop. For more information contact Chris Andrews at (910)251-0727

April 22, 2007 - Cruise of the Lower Cape Fear River Bird Islands - 2:00PM - 6:30PM, Board on the Starship Cruise at Southport Marina. Cost: $35.00 per person. Hosted by the Cape Fear Garden Club. Enjoy this cruise to and around Battery Island to see the nesting birds. White Ibises, herons and egrets. Battery Island is a National Audubon Society Sanctuary so no people are allowed on the Island. This event is in conjunction with Earth Day.

April 27, 2007 - Auction and Fashion Show Fundraiser - At the Coast Line Convention Center, 501 Nutt St., Wilmington, NC. Swingin on a Rainbow takes you on an exciting fashion tour of colors, by day or night. All fashions are provided by Vintage Values, and all proceeds benefit the Domestic Violence Shelter. Many fabulous auction items, including savory meals at some of Wilmington's great restaurants, dinner parties, cosmetics, fashions, jewelry, and dining with celebrities will be on hand for your bidding pleasure. Enjoy a luncheon and fashion show from 11am - 1pm and then a repeat dinner auction and fashion show from 7pm - 9pm. Call (910)343-9969 ext. 17

April 28, 2007 - Antique Automobile Show - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. The Cape Fear Chapter Antique Automoblie Club of America will be presenting the show at Westfield Shoppingtown Independence, 3500 Oleander Dr., Wilmington, NC. Vehicles 25 years or older are allowed. Trophies will be awarded to 1st and 2nd place. As many as 100 cars and trucks are expected. Call Jeff at 910.343.1330 for more information.

April 28 - 29, 2007 - Holden Beach Day at the Docks - A festive celebration of the upcoming fishing season held each spring in Holden Beach. For more info call (910) 842-3828.

April 28, 2007 - North Brunswick Spring Fest - 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM at Brunswick River Park (Across from Belville Elementary School) Leland, NC. "Day in the Park" Entertainment (school, dance, karate & K-9 demonstrations / performances), exhibitors, Food, motorcycle show and Fun. Open to the Public & Free. For more information contact: Tony Woodrich at (910)383

For more info about life in Wilmington NC and the Cape Fear Coast visit our website: www.CoastHomeNorthCarolina.com