Kathy Knight, BROKER/REALTOR, ABR, CRS, GRI

October 3-4 - Riverfest - one of Wilmington's biggest festivals is this weekend. Celebrating its 31 year history the festival sited alongside the Cape Fear is expected to draw 100,000 people this year. There are hundreds of crafters, shagging by the river, an 8k mile race, a benefit for Students, a kids zone, an advernture zone. a wakeboarding event on the river, fireworks on Saturday night, lots of free bands, skateboarding, food -great fair type food - fried dough, hot sausage, turkey legs etc. The 54-foot privateer Meka II of Beaufort will be docked just off the Coast Guard lot on Water Street. It comes "armed" with eight cannons and can be viewed on Saturday and Sunday.
Plan to come and enjoy the festivities and the great food.... Also there are great places to stay in town - quaint BandB's and hotels - let me know if you need a recommendation.

Also on Friday night , October 2, from 6- 9 pm, there is the 1st of the month artists tour of the WAWAs - Wrightsville Area Working Studios artists association. The First Fridays Studio Crawl is their special open house event held the 1st Friday of every month. Discover what the WAWAS are all about... WAWAS include Deborah Cavanaugh- folk artist and jewelry designer at 5028 Wrightsville Avenue, Mitzy Jonkeheer - metalsmith , 214 pine Grove Drive, Julia Jensen - handmade glass beads, 231 Dixie Ave and Gail Powell - oils and watercolors, 820 Macmillan Ave apt 9, Village green Apts. Come to see Wilmington talented artists in their own venues..

Festivals, Festivals and more festivals are what's going on in Wilmington NC and its surrounding area.... Saturday and Sunday there are competing festivals - the brand new Italian fest that will be held in Leland in the Cross Creek Commons in front of Walmart. There is to be food and more food, games, and music. I am sure you can even find a bocce game to play too. You can find our more information about this event at www.capefearitalianfestival.com

Also in Hampstead there is the Spot Festival. The spot fish is served at this event and although I have gone and not eaten the spot - people really tend to enjoy it. There will be all kinds of food, entertainment and crafters. This is on Hwy 17 in Hampstead where there will be lots of parking. You can check out more information at www.ncspotfestival.com.

Tonite in downtown Wilmington is the local 4th Friday Gallery Nights from 6- 9 pm. Downtown art galleries and studios open themselves to the public in a self guided after hours tour of the local arts community. This is a free event and the galleries participating can be found at wwww.fourthfridayswilmington.com.

This weekend in Wilmington NC is the perennial favorite - The Secret Garden Tour. This is a tour of private home gardens some that have never been viewed by the public. Tickets are available at Latimer House on 3rd Street. There is one garden on the tour that has 9 fountains. You can checkout the homes on the tour at Latimerhouse.org. The tour is today and tomorrow. Most gardens are downtown in the historical district and this is a benefit for Latimer House. Also this weekend there is music at Mayfair Shopping Towne - the Daniel Parish Band will be playing Americana and folk tonite from 6PM behind World Market. Also the downtown riverside Farmers Market is on Saturday with fresh vegetables, flowers, seafood, and baked goods for sale. Don't forget the Sunday Scene Arts and Crafts Fair - noon to 6 PM Sunday through Sept. 27 at Riverfront Park.

Mr. /or Ms. FSBO : Is this your Marketing Plan? A hand painted wooden sign on a busy street? Who will know how attractive your house is? How will out of town buyers find you? What is in your house? How can we find out more about your house without calling you? How do you know $ 160K is a good price for your home? Do you think buyers will actually want to contact you? Do you know about sales documents and the 1st Time Buyers Tax incentive? What are the good points about your house and will anyone know? Do you have internet exposure? 80% of buyers start their shopping on the internet - will you be left out... Out in the COLD??

This weekend there is a lot to do in Wilmington.

The Downtown Wilmington Artwalk will take place along Front Street. The artists will set up along Front Street from 10 am to 5 pm. It is a great chance to see some very talented artists in town and enjoy this great day along the river. On Sunday the Sunday Scene Arts and Crafts Fair will take place with new hours 12 pm to 6 pm along the river. Food vendors and arts and crafts. For a hilarious time stop by City Stage at 21 N Front St to see "Grey Gardens". The story of a mother and daughter in the Jackie Kennedy ear. Edie Bouvier Beale was a cousin to Jackie O. see their crazy escapades brought to stage.. Sept 11-12, 18 - 19 at 8 pm.