SE North Carolina News

The 77th annual North Carolina Azalea Festival is just around the corner, with organizers anticipating a crowd of approximately 65,000 attendees in downtown Wilmington. As one of the most anticipated events in the region, the festival promises a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy, including a street fair, parade, and fireworks.

The Street Fair is scheduled to take place from Friday, April 5, through Sunday, April 7, with specific event times outlined as follows: Friday from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm (with some food vendors operating until 2 am), and Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Detailed information about vendor locations and activities can be found on the festival's website.

For the convenience and safety of all festival-goers, several street closures will be implemented from 7 am on Friday, April 5, until 6 pm on Sunday, April 7. These closures will affect various streets in the downtown area, facilitating the smooth flow of the festivities.

The Azalea Festival Parade, a highlight of the event, is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. The parade route will commence at the intersection of Third and Market streets, proceeding north along Third Street and concluding at Bladen Street. Visitors can access the parade route map online for reference.

To accommodate the influx of visitors, parking arrangements have been made, including free on-street parking meters from Friday evening through Monday morning and flat-rate parking fees at designated parking decks during the festival weekend. Additionally, the Wave Transit shuttle service will be available to transport attendees between Independence Mall and downtown Wilmington, with affordable fare options for a convenient travel experience.

In preparation for the festivities, organizers have shared some helpful tips and reminders, including staying hydrated, leaving pets at home, creating a plan for the day, and most importantly, having a great time at the Azalea Festival 2024.

As the excitement builds for this annual celebration, attendees are encouraged to review all necessary information and plan their visit to make the most of the diverse events and attractions offered throughout the festival period.