Wilmington Welcomes Spring with Southern Blooms

North Carolina Azalea Festival

North Carolina Azalea Festival

Talk of the town

Baringer manages a staff of only four, but a dedicated group of almost 1,000 volunteers. Many of them, including Alison, have worked on the festival for years. And the Saturday before the festival, as many as 300 Wilmington residents participate in the Azalea Sweep, picking up trash so their city will look its best.

“It’s rare to find someone in Wilmington who doesn’t have a connection to the festival,” Alison says.

The five-day festival, held this year from April 2–6, features about 40 events chosen to appeal to a variety of interests and musical tastes. Preparation goes on all year. Some related events happen during other months, such as a charity golf tournament in October and a beach volleyball tournament in June. The scholarship pageant for high school juniors is held in March, and the winner is named a princess of the festival.

Alison’s favorite event is the parade on Saturday morning, a natural draw for kids with its bands and giant balloons.

“I see our whole community connecting,” she says. “There’s such energy and excitement. The bands are tuning up, and the kids are excited.”

Events for all

North Carolina Azalea Festival

The Azalea Festival offers free, low-cost and more expensive ticketed events. This year’s major concerts are by country music star Justin Moore and hip-hop performer Flo Rida.

The daily street fair is free to attend. It features a dedicated area for kids with all free activities.. The festival queen’s dance party is an attraction for older children. Kids who like horses would enjoy a carriage ride. A local tour company has a special route during festival week.

The festival includes Wilmington Art Association’s juried show, a tour of private azalea gardens and the Azalea Alley beer garden with entertainment. Former Wilmington resident and Pittsburgh Steeler Alex Highsmith returns with his mini golf party for kids and adults.

The fanciest event, with the most coveted ticket, is the garden party luncheon.

“It’s only for festival sponsors, but anyone can be a sponsor,” Alison explains, noting that Wilmington residents take that Friday off of work to get dressed up for the event. “It’s held at Airlie Gardens, and they’re beautiful. Three thousand people come.”

Beyond the fun and celebrating the beauty of spring, Alison says the Azalea Festival has two missions: “to serve as an economic stimulus in the region and to promote volunteerism in the community.”

Judging by its track record, it’s fair to call Wilmington’s Azalea Festival a blooming success on all points.