NC AZALEA FESTIVAL GARDEN TOUR

The NC Azalea Garden Tour this year showcases a variety of styles and sizes -- truly picture perfect gardens. Bring your cameras!” The Cape Fear Garden Club Azalea Garden Tour© opens Friday, April 8 with the colorful Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Queen's Garden Party at Greenfield Lake where the idea of the NC Azalea Festival began. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony opening the 12-garden tour will take place in our "special garden" on the stage at the 900-seat Greenfield Lake Amphitheater at 1941 Amphitheater Drive. Greenfield Lake offers the perfect backdrop for Queen Azalea LXIV and her court to preside over the ceremony. Summerall Guards, the Citadel's elite senior drill team, escort 125 Cape Fear Garden Club Azalea Belles© dressed in authentic antebellum gowns. Local and national celebrities are also present to celebrate the event. Following the ceremony, the Queen's Garden Party will occur at the world's largest Rotary Wheel across Amphitheater Drive from the Amphitheater. Cape Fear Garden Club members will serve refreshments and hundreds of homemade cookies. The UNCW Brass Ensemble will present musical entertainment from the gazebo at the Wheel's center. All Wilmington Rotary Clubs have worked tirelessly beautifying the Rotary Wheel area for this event and for the community. Cape Fear Garden Club participated in the beautification work, including a grant for the irrigation of new plantings. The 234 Encore Azaleas planted inside the cogs of the wheel are a gift from Buddy Lee, the developer of Encore Azaleas. Garden 1 on the tour is the Fragrance Garden adjacent to the Amphitheater. The Fragrance Garden was established by the Cape Fear Garden Club during the 1960's and is maintained by the City of Wilmington. In this and in the private gardens on tour, Cape Fear Garden Club Azalea Belles© will add color and beauty for your tour of the "Picture Perfect Gardens." Tickets are available beginning January 25, 2011 through the Cape Fear Garden Club’s web site at www.azaleagardentour.org and at the NC Azalea Festival Office, 5725 Oleander Drive, 910-794-4650. Tickets also will be available at Belk, local garden centers and other local businesses. Group discounts are available. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Good all three days, the ticket includes a map for a self-guided tour with descriptions of each garden. Gardens are open 10 am to 6 pm daily. Tickets include free admission to the exquisite Airlie Gardens on Saturday, April 9.

Wilmington NC - Love Fresh Veggies - Farmers Markets to Open

Who doesn't love fresh baked breads, freshly grown veggies and flowers? Here 's your chance to get them right in your own town - Wilmington NC!! Area chefs and foodies have an abundance of riches with the choice of three different farmers markets for their gastronomic pleasure during the year. And it starts this weekend. Saturday brings April showers but also the start of Farmers Market season to Wilmington. The grandaddy of area farmers markets opens on the Riverfront for a “Preview Day” this April 2 It takes the next weekend off for Azalea Festival but will then be open April 16, thru December 17, with the best of area farmers products. Here’s how Wilmington describes its famers market: “The Riverfront Market was developed to provide a place for local growers, producers, artisans and crafters to sell their goods directly to consumers, to educate consumers about local farming and seasonal eating, to encourage and promote the use of locally grown farm products and to enhance quality of life in Greater Wilmington by providing a community activity that fosters social gathering and interaction.” It’s more than just food! Wrightsville Beach opens its market the following month on Monday May 2. It will run thru September 5. You can find it across from the Old Post Office. Carolina Beach will open its market May 14, and will be there thru the end of the year. Look for it near the Boardwalk. All three markets are open from 8 am to 1 pm. Carolina Beach and Wilmington are on Saturday. But note, Wrightsville is open on Monday. Come on down and get some fresh produce, fruits, breads, meats and more!!

Azalea Festival Wilmington NC - Historical Home Tour

A Historic Home Tour put on by the Historic Wilmington Foundation. will take place during the Azalea Festival. Self-guided tour throughout some of Wilmington's finest homes. Saturday, April 9 from 1 pm - 6 pm and Sunday, April 10 from 1 pm to 5 pm. Tickets are $25 each. Groups of 10 are available for $22 each. Children 12 and under are free with a ticketed adult. Come and see Wilmington's finest historical homes on tour...

historical homes wilmington nc

Condo 1 block to WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH - $ 179900.

Want a beach condo? Here is a super deal - foreclosure -1 bedroom, 1 block over the bridge to Wrightsville Beach.
And what a location - walk to all the good stuff on the beach - Kohls for ice cream, the WB boat slips, restaurants everything anyone could want at the beach.. Sun, sand and surf.. waiting for you... Good price, good deal.

Market Update: CAROLINA BEACH AND KURE BEACH

Lots of deals right now at Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. IRC just had a price drop of $ 50 K on an oceanfront home. It is now priced at $ 525K for oceanfront. These are 2003 or earlier prices. In 2005 this would've have been closer to a 1 million dollar asking price.

Buy now for investment and future enjoyment - prices will never be this low again.

Carolina & Kure Beaches - There are currently 395 single family homes for sale and this represents little change from February 1, 2011 and 8.4% of our total WRAR inventory. The average list price is $381,410 and decrease of about $8,596 from February. In February there were 18 homes sold, divide that by the homes available and you have a 21.9 monthly supply of homes in Carolina and Kure Beach. The average sold price for the month of February was $266,633 and is up $35,680 from last month. When we look at a rolling 12 months for Carolina & Kure Beach we are up by 66 units and our sold prices are down 7.2% from the previous rolling 12 months.

Info provided by David Flory of Cunningham Mort in Wilmington

For listings and more see www.welcometothebeach.com and www.wilmingtonbeachhomes.com

NC Azalea Festival - April 6-10 2011

The 64 th NC Azalea Festival is scheduled to take place during April 6 - 10,2010. Set the time aside to take in the Wilmington sights during this spectacular spring festival. There will be a huge parade with all kinds of queens and princesses, horses, bands and floats. Among the events are a huge street fair with 200 vendors, lots of food vendors, fireworks, art show, garden tour and historical house tour. There really is something for everyone so put this on your calendar and be prepared to come to Wilmington for a great time. More details to follow about this event among the 20 in the south according to Southern Living magazine. For more information about the schedule you can see www.ncazealfestival.org. www.welcometothebeach.com will also have more details coming about the events.

What's Happening In WIlmington NC and Beaches - ST. Patricks Day Parade

There is always something to do in Wilmington NC and local beaches. See list here for Saturday and don't forget the St Patricks Day Parade in Downtown Wilmington and don't forget to wear your green..

Brewery Tour, Fun, Front Street Brewery, Downtown Wilmington, 3 pm, FREE

Mulligan's Wake Comedy Dinner Theater, Theater, Front Street Brewery, Downtown Wilmington, 6:30 pm, $40/$20 Kids

Featured Exhibit: Photography in Focus, Arts, Cape Fear Museum, Downtown Wilmington, Admission

Book Club, Kids, Children's Museum, Downtown Wilmington, 3:30 pm, Admission

African-American Quilts, Arts, Cameron Art Museum, Midtown Wilmington, 11 to 5 pm, Admission

Colour Culture, Big Hop and Poe Mack, Music, 16 Taps, Downtown Wilmington

DJ Dane Britt, Music, Hell's Kitchen, Downtown Wilmington, 10 pm, No Cover

Biutiful, Film, Thalian Hall, Downtown Wilmington, 7:30 to 10 pm, $7

Firedancers & Drum Circle, Music, Juggling Gypsy, Midtown Wilmington

Gallery Conversations, Arts, Cameron Art Museum, Midtown Wilmington, 3 to 4 pm, Admission

Ghost Walk, Tour, Riverfront Park, Downtown Wilmington, 6:30 to 8 pm, $12/$10

Hollywood Location Walk, Tour, Riverfront Park, Downtown Wilmington, 2 pm, $12/$10

Karaoke, Music, YoSake Sushi Lounge, Downtown Wilmington, 10:30 pm

Kids Cooking Club: Storybook Series, Kids, Children's Museum, Downtown Wilmington, 11 am, Admission

Little Dog Laughed (opening week), Theater, City Stage Theatre, Downtown Wilmington, 8 pm, $18/$14

Bertha Todd Book Reading, Books, Two Sisters Bookery, Downtown Wilmington, 5 to 6 pm, Free

Remembering BIG, Arts, Cameron Art Museum, Midtown Wilmington, 11 am to 5 pm, $8

Songwriters Showcase, Music, Live on Grace, Downtown Wilmington, 7:30 to 11, No Cover

Sourvein, Music, Soapbox, Downtown Wilmington, 8 pm Doors/ 9 pm Show, $8/$10

Wilmington Writers Forum, Literary, Bottega, Downtown Wilmington, 9 pm

Wine Tasting, Fun, Wine Sampler, Midtown Wilmington, Noon to 8 pm, Free

Wine Tasting, Fun, Treehouse Bistro, Carolina Beach, 6 to 8 pm, $12/$10
Friday, March 11, 2011

Brewery Tour, Fun, Front Street Brewery, Downtown Wilmington, 3 pm, FREE

Featured Exhibit: Photography in Focus, Arts, Cape Fear Museum, Downtown Wilmington, Admission

Art of the Table, Arts, Bellamy Mansion Museum , Downtown Wilmington, 10 am to 5 pm, $15/$25/$75

Belly Dancing, Dance, Arabian Nights Hookah Cafe, Midtown Wilmington, 10 pm

Bellydance Showcase Vatra Gitana, Dance, Juggling Gypsy, Midtown Wilmington

Boulevard of Dreams, Theater, Hannah Block Historic USO, Downtown Wilmington, 7 pm

Adventures in Art, Kids, Children's Museum, Downtown Wilmington, 3:30 pm, Pre Register

D&D Sluggers, Music, Soapbox, Downtown Wilmington, 9 Doors/10 Show, $3/$6 Under 21

DJ Dane Britt, Music, Beach House Bar & Grill, Ogden & Porters Neck, 10 pm til, No Cover

Dueling Pianos, Music, Hell's Kitchen, Downtown Wilmington, 9 pm, No Cover

Extended Behind the Scenes Tour, Kids, NC Aquarium, Kure Beach, 2 to 4 pm, $20/$18/$12

African-American Quilts, Arts, Cameron Art Museum, Midtown Wilmington, 11 to 5 pm, Admission

Galumpha, Dance, Thalian Hall, Downtown Wilmington, 8 pm, $25/$20/$14

Ghost Walk, Tour, Riverfront Park, Downtown Wilmington, 6:30 to 8 pm, $12/$10

Gibson Brothers (bluegrass), Music, Soapbox, Downtown Wilmington, 6 pm Doors/7 pm Show, $12/$14

Haunted Pub Crawl, Tour, Black Cat Shoppe, Downtown Wilmington, 7:30 pm, $15+Grog

Little Dog Laughed (opening week), Theater, City Stage Theatre, Downtown Wilmington, 8 pm, $18/$14

Live Music, Music, Treehouse Bistro, Carolina Beach, 8 to 10 pm

Nathan K, Music, Projekte artistic studio, Downtown Wilmington

Parent's Night Out, Kids, Carolina Gymnastics, Midtown Wilmington, 6 to 10 pm, $6.25

Remembering BIG, Arts, Cameron Art Museum, Midtown Wilmington, 11 am to 5 pm, $8

The Noseriders, Music, Goat & Compass, Downtown Wilmington, 9:30 pm, No Cover

Toddler Time, Kids, Children's Museum, Downtown Wilmington, 10:30 am, Admission

UNCW vs Northeastern (baseball), Sports, Brooks Field, University Area, 4 pm

Velvet Jane, Music, Remedies Bar, Ogden & Porters Neck, 9 pm Doors

Wine Tasting, Fun, Divine Wines, County South, 4 to 7 pm, Free

Wine Tasting, Fun, Wilmington Wine, Downtown Wilmington, 4 t 8 pm, Free

Wine Tasting, Fun, Wine Sampler, Midtown Wilmington, Noon to 9 pm, Free
Saturday, March 12, 2011

Brewery Tour, Fun, Front Street Brewery, Downtown Wilmington, 3 pm, FREE

Featured Exhibit: Photography in Focus, Arts, Cape Fear Museum, Downtown Wilmington, Admission

Learning Center: Picture the Past, Kids, Cape Fear Museum, Downtown Wilmington, 1 to 4 pm, Admission

Asylum Gothic Nite, Music, Juggling Gypsy, Midtown Wilmington

Ballroom Dancing, Dance, New Hanover County Senior Center, Midtown Wilmington, Lesson 6:45/Dance 7:30 to 10, $10/$8/$5/$3

Belly Dancing, Dance, Arabian Nights Hookah Cafe, Midtown Wilmington, 10 pm

Boulevard of Dreams, Theater, Hannah Block Historic USO, Downtown Wilmington, 7 pm

African-American Quilts, Arts, Cameron Art Museum, Midtown Wilmington, 11 to 5 pm, Admission

Contra Dance, Dance, Fifth Ave. United Methodist Church, Downtown Wilmington, 7:30 to 11 pm, $7/$10/$5

Daddy and Me, Kids, NC Aquarium, Kure Beach, 9 to 10 am, $13/$4.50

Dueling Pianos, Music, Hell's Kitchen, Downtown Wilmington, 9 pm, No Cover

Aquarist Apprentice, Kids, NC Aquarium, Kure Beach, 2 to 4:30 pm, $25/$23/$17

Ghost Walk, Tour, Riverfront Park, Downtown Wilmington, 6:30 to 8 pm, $12/$10

Green Day as tribute to Minnie Evans, Arts, Airlie Gardens, Lumina & Mayfaire, 9 am to 5 pm, Free

Greenhouse Tour, Nature, Arboretum of New Hanover, Midtown Wilmington, All Day, Free

Harpist Suzanne Cook, Music, Pomegranate Books, Midtown Wilmington, 2 to 4 pm, Free

Haunted Pub Crawl, Tour, Black Cat Shoppe, Downtown Wilmington, 7:30 pm, $15+Grog

Hollywood Location Walk, Tour, Riverfront Park, Downtown Wilmington, 2 pm, $12/$10

L Shape Lot, Music, Crow Hill, Downtown Wilmington, 9 to midnite, No Cover

Art of the Table, Arts, Bellamy Mansion Museum , Downtown Wilmington, 10 am to 5 pm, $15/$25/$75

Little Dog Laughed (opening week), Theater, City Stage Theatre, Downtown Wilmington, 8 pm, $18/$14

Live Music, Music, Treehouse Bistro, Carolina Beach, 8 to 10 pm

Movie Studio Tour, Tour, EUE Screen Gems Studios, Midtown Wilmington, Noon & 2 pm, $12/$10/$8/$5

Music Club, Kids, Children's Museum, Downtown Wilmington, 10 am, Pre Register

Parent's Night Out, Kids, Carolina Gymnastics, Midtown Wilmington, 6 to 10 pm, $6.25

Perry Smith & Transtrum, Music, Goat & Compass, Downtown Wilmington, 9 pm til, No Cover

Remembering BIG, Arts, Cameron Art Museum, Midtown Wilmington, 11 am to 5 pm, $8

Rio Bravo (indie rock), Music, Soapbox, Downtown Wilmington, 8 pm Doors/ 9 pm Show, 8 pm Doors/ 9 pm Show

St Patricks Day Festival & Parade, Fun, Riverfront Park, Downtown Wilmington, 12:00 noon to 7:00 pm, Free

The Dielectrics, Music, Soapbox, Downtown Wilmington, 9 pm Doors/ 10 pm Show, $5/$8

UNCW vs Northeastern (baseball), Sports, Brooks Field, University Area, 2 pm

Wine Tasting, Fun, Wine Sampler, Midtown Wilmington, Noon to 5 pm, Free

Wilmington NC Named to BUILDER MAGAZINE TOP 20 Housing Markets

Wilmington, NC named to Builder Magazine Top 20 Real Estate Markets-#16
Market Health Indicator: 65.0
2011 Building Permit Forecast: 2,578
Percent Change in Building Permits: 41%
Economic conditions in Wilmington, a coastal town with low-paying jobs and above-average unemployment, may not seem that great to locals. But the town's stabilizing economy and inexpensive housing for a beach town (the median price of a home is only $171,000) make it look pretty good to outsiders. Wilmington continues to enjoy some of the strongest population growth in the country--2% annually for the last several years.
The good news for locals is that business is picking up; it helped drive a slight increase in non-farm employment last year. Business analysts believe the region's low business costs, diverse industrial base, and desirable living environment, augur well for strong growth in years ahead.
Unfortunately, Wilmington's unemployment rate is expected to recede slowly, due in part to the influx of new people looking for work. Median home prices, which peaked at $221,000 in 2006, had fallen only 27% to $171,000 through last year. They are expected to remain at about that level for the next two years. Building permit activity rose 22% last year, and it's expected to rise twice as fast this year.

What Happening in WIlmington NC this Month

3/5: A Bark in the Park Leland Municipal Complex Park, 102 Town Hall Drive Leland
3/5: 18th Annual Wilmington Garden Show, CFCC Schwartz Center
3/5: 4th Annual Scales & Tails, Fort Fisher
3/6: Taste of Southport, Southport Community Building 910/457-7927 or 910/279-4616
3/12: 11th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, Downtown Wilmington
3/17-3/20: " Around the World in 80 Days" Thalian Hall Main Stage
3/18-3/20: 3rd Annual Cape Fear Wildlife Expo, Wilmington Convention Center
3/19: “ Sea Leland” Two hour cruise around area waterways with discussion of the area Rice Culture, Liberty Ships and other historical points.
3/19: 6th Annual Steve Haydu St. Patricks Lo-Tide Run, Downtown Carolina Beach
3/19-3/20: 32nd Annual Coastal Living Show, CFCC Schwartz Center
3/20: Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Marathon, Wrightsville Beach
3/23-3/30: Encore Restaurant Week 2011
2/27: 8th Annual Antique Appraisal Fair, Southport