67th Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival

The 67th Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival will take place for five days in Wilmington NC from April 9-13, 2014. This seasonal festival attracts more than 300,000 guests each year and generates $51 million for the community, according to Casey Richardson, Azalea Festival executive director. Azaleas blooming by the thousands provide a colorful backdrop to the many events being held during the festival. Highlights include the Cole Brothers traveling circus, an elaborate three-hour parade, fireworks, concerts, home and garden tours, a Children's Tea and lots more. The Azalea Festival parade will feature azalea-laden floats, marching bands, local pageant winners, clowns and this year's Azalea Festival Queen, Kirsten Haglund. Wandering about during the street fair will be famous faces from the Disney Channel, Top Chef and various television personalities. On April 10 a concert series will kick-off the festival at Cape Fear Community College in downtown Wilmington. Two-time American County Award nominee, Justin Moore, accompanied by up-and-coming country artists, Randy Houser and Josh Thompson, will be performing at 8 p.m. On April 11 at 8 p.m. the rock band from Georgia, Widespread Panic will take the stage. We are thrilled to bring Widespread Panic back to the Azalea Festival and our new downtown venue said Steve Coble, 2014 Azalea Festival president. Having them headline for two nights, Friday and Saturday, will give fans a chance to experience Widespread in Wilmington in a way that's never been done before. The festival includes home and garden shows, coin and art exhibits and a boxing tournament. Boxers from national and international competition levels and military branches will be showcased during this tournament. Don't miss the Cape Fear Garden Club Azalea Garden Tour held daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., between April 11-13. This tour has been featured in Southern Living magazine and is one of the most popular garden tours in the south. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the festival office at 5725 Oleander Drive, B7, Wilmington. For accommodations during the festival, call Sloane Vacations at (866)-931-5201 and we'll set you up in style.