The 64th Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival will be held April 6-10, 2011 in the greater Wilmington area. The Festival is a celebration of Wilmington’s exceptional artwork, gardens, rich history and culture during its five days of entertainment that includes: a parade, street fair, circus, concerts, pageantry, and all that is Southern.
Since its inception in 1948, the Festival has blossomed into an extended weekend celebration that attracts more than 300,000 people. The Festival is a non-profit civic organization and this year is sponsored in substantial part by its four (4) major sponsors: Progress Energy, Wachovia Bank, the Hilton Wilmington Riverside, and Coastal Beverage.
Festival highlights include the opening ceremony and Queen's coronation, a three-hour parade, two-day street fair, the Superheroes of the Circus, home and garden tours and of course, concerts!
Opening Ceremony
The Festival opens with the Queen's Coronation, welcoming the Queen Azalea and celebrity guests. Held on the Wednesday of the Festival.
Parade
This fun-filled, three-hour extravaganza winds through downtown Wilmington Saturday morning. With floats, celebrities, marching bands, and clowns, it's a spectacle of sight and sound not to be missed.
Street Fair
There's fun and entertainment everywhere you look! Arts & crafts vendors, concert stages, international foods, displays and exhibits await you Saturday and Sunday in historic downtown Wilmington. Awesome local and regional musical acts start Friday night and continue through Sunday afternoon! Don't miss the Fireworks Saturday night at 9 pm along the riverfront!
Circus
There's always a party when the circus comes to town! The Cole Bros. Circus comes to town Thursday - Sunday of the Festival. Located at the Wilmington International Airport.
Concerts
The Azalea Festival has a proud history of bringing top-notch, national entertainers to Wilmington. Past entertainers include Frank Sinatra, Carrie Underwood, the Beach Boys, Alabama, the Judds, Sugarland, Jessica Simpson, and Natalie Cole to name a few.
Tours
Take a leisurely stroll in one of the many gardens in full bloom. Soak up some fun facts about art, architecture and history in Wilmington's many historic homes and museums. Visit one of the varied military attractions or special ships in port. It's the Azalea Festival "on tour!"