Azalea Festival 2011
The official kickoff of the 2011 Azalea Festival was earlier this week and the weather has been nothing but cooperative. The azaleas are blooming just in time and residents and visitors alike are enjoying near 80 degree weather.
Some of the gardens on the 2011 Garden Tour are right across the Channel from Wrightsville Beach including New Hanover County’s Airlie Gardens and the gardens of Stephen and Leslie Hales.
Besides the Garden Tour, Azalea Festival also features a Garden Party at Greenfield Lake, an Historic Wilmington Homes Tour in downtown Wilmington, a weekend street fair and Saturday parade, concerts at UNCW Trask Coliseum, and, this year, a tennis challenge featuring John McEnroe and Todd Martin. Of course, the famous Belles, a Princess, and a Queen grace our presence at all of these events.
We love Azalea Festival because it gives visitors a great reason to visit our area and see all the assets we have to offer. From historic downtown Wilmington along the Cape Fear River to Wrightsville Beach in all its glory, there is so much to celebrate about where we live, especially as we welcome spring and summer once again.