Last years North Front Street Streetscape construction caused the fair to be moved to the CFCC parking lot and with it came an outcry from locals. When the program was discontinued, some decried the move as a cancellation of tradition and history, while others applauded it, saying the belles in antebellum costumes evoked an era of the South's history when slavery was in effect. Roy Cooper visits. As a result, many recent festival queens and invited guests have had local connections. North Carolina Governor Terry Sanford (left) and Lieutenant Governor Harvey Cloyd Philpott, waving from an open-top convertible in an Azalea Festival parade. 1995: In a big change, Azalea Queen Laura Bonnarigo is crowned on the first day of the festival, in a morning ceremony at the downtown riverfront. 1982: Hometown hero Michael Jordan, fresh off scoring the winning basket in the NCAA finals, joins founding president Hugh Morton to crown Azalea Queen Lynda Goodfriend (Richie's sweetheart from "Happy Days"). Its not off the table to grow the event into a larger tournament, she added. category_id: null, 1998: The music ranges from Tim McGraw to Liza Minnelli. In 2020, the Cape Fear Garden Club, which runs the annual Cape Fear Garden Club Azalea Garden Tour, announced it was discontinuing the "Azalea belle" program it had started in 1969 and replacing it with an "Azalea Ambassadors" program. The 1940s 1948: The Azalea Festival is formally incorporated on March 27. Download the WWAY News and StormTrack 3 Weather Apps on your smart phone or tablet device to receive breaking news and weather push notifications the minute it happens. encore azalea event sponsor ticket package: thursday festival week friday festival week saturday festival week other 10 tickets Celebrity Reception 10 . The golf tournament, played at Cape Fear . Food and beverage concessions will be sold throughout the day, and there will be games and local artisan vendor booths. Former Miss America Kirsten Haglund reigns as queen. 1971: The Army's Golden Knights parachute into the festival, while the U.S Navy invades with a small flotilla. "We do not pay one celebrity one dime, not even the queen," Ms. Copley said. Also included will be character balloons similar to those seen at the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade. Pat McCrory makes an appearance, and "Fox and Friends" co-host Anna Kooiman is the queen. A UNCW alumna, Shea worked in the print media business in Wilmington for 22 years before joining the PCD team in October 2020. Going back to 1948, not only is this event a celebration of flowers and golf, it brings celebrated guests from across the United States. King plays his guitar Lucille at Brogden Hall. N.C. Gov. North Carolina Azalea Festival Executive Director Alison Barringer says its a big draw for people considering giving to the years festivities. Azaleas on Tour Porch ParadeVarious locations Free. He will guide people through Sunset Park, a neighborhood on the southside outskirts of downtown at 6:30 p.m. The party is a private event for sponsors and VIP ticket holders only. From Hollywood movies, to TV stars, to celebrated sports heroes, the festival has seen them all. The guest list includes "Bionic Woman" Lindsay Wagner. "All we do is feed them, show them a good time and show them some Southern hospitality.". For the first time, the queen arrives at the Wilmington airport, courtesy of a Piedmont Airlines flight. element: "#evvnt-calendar-widget", Actress Kathryn Grayson, born "in a trunk" in Winston-Salem while her parents were on tour, becomes, technically, the first native Tar Heel Azalea queen. 7.7% of New Hanover Countys 229,018 population being Hispanic, North Front Street Streetscape construction caused the fair to be moved to the CFCC parking lot, CFPUA moves monthly meetings to new government building, NHRMC president Shelbourn Stevens no longer with Novant, Wilmington man hospitalized after stabbing, Wave Transit to acquire 5 low-emission vehicles with $3M federal grant, Cape fear business, philanthropist honored with state conservation awards, IATSE, Dark Horse to host film flea market. This article will delve into the main azalea festivals around the world. The ways that actors and the shows they appear on are promoted have changed in recent years. More: Wine, walking and Wilmington: How this gal is creating a niche in the local event space. 1962: "Today Show" announcer Jack Lescoulie is emcee for Azalea Queen Whitney Blake of TV's "Hazel." The sky will light up Saturday evening as fireworks explode over the Cape Fear River, starting at 9 p.m. on April 15. N.C. Gov. The North Carolina Azalea Festival has announced it will be celebrating Spring during Festival dates of April 7-11, 2021.and continuing throughout the year. "dfpConfig": { widget: true, Queens Dance PartyCity Council Chambers, 102 N. 3rd St. Sold Out. developer Merv Griffin was official Azalea emcee in 1960.). Our sponsors are the way we do that. On Friday, the festival announced Carli Batson, a Wilmington native, Wilmington resident and former Miss North Carolina, as its 76th Queen Azalea. Yet, the group didnt have a choice considering construction planned downtown, which ended up being delayed. Money from this years game ($30 per player) will be split between Azalea Fest and the Alex Highsmith Family Foundation. Photograph probably taken in Wilmington, NC during the Azalea Festival. 1 on the Billboard charts next year.) text: "Promote your event", Guest TV celebs for 1963 include a pre-'Munsters" Fred Gwynne. Photograph probably taken in Wilmington, during the Azalea Festival. I just walked up to him, sitting in his car, and we had a good talk. ", In the 1950s, she said, actors were under contract to movie studios: "They went where the studios told them to go.". June 1st, 2023 Here's What's Happening at the Azalea Festival Click in for Here's the Dirt! Azalea organizers worked with the Wilmington native previously, as Highsmith was an invited guest during the past two festivals. Azalea Queen Francesca James from "All My Children" has such a good time, she comes back for next year's festival on her own. We have to raise all of our own funds to put on all of the events throughout festival week. The self-guided tour is free, with locations listed here. Based in Wilmington, the nonprofit works with underserved youth in health and nutrition, fitness, athletic participation, academic support and family involvement. The lineup of live sounds include: Noon 1 p.m. Doggy Daycare1 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Delia Stanley1:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. Navy Brass Band2:30 p.m 3 p.m. Delia Stanley3 p.m. 4 p.m. The Girls4 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Delia Stanley4:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Lunar Tide5:30 p.m. 6 p.m. Delia Stanley6 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Dubtown Cosmonauts7:30 p.m. 8 p.m. Delia Stanley8 p.m. 10 p.m. The Bibis Ellison Band. Thalian Association Community Theater will base its production on the 90s teleplay.The musical takes place April 14-16, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. on Sunday. The military outfit is hosting Navy Week during Azalea Festival as well, with its own lineup of events. The musical lineup is especially rockin': Ray Charles (subbing for Aretha Franklin), Roberta Flack, the Four Tops, Barry Manilow and T. Graham Brown. The entire event is officially dubbed "The N.C. Azalea Festival at Wilmington.". Cherry was rumored to love his toddy, and legend has it that he put the queen's crown on her head upside-down.). Prior permission from the North Carolina Collection is required for any commercial use. Nick Adams of the Western The Rebel was parade marshal in 1961. Batson was able to rise through the pageant ranks including the 2021 crowning of Miss North Carolina and receive scholarships to pay for her college career at Appalachian State. This year, featured along the self-guided tours are bungalows and Queen Anne homes, showcasing quaint neighborhoods of historical significance and architectural styles that highlight preservation charm. Debby Boone sang with her dad, Pat Boone, at the 1972 festival and returned as a solo act in 1979, after You Light Up My Life became a hit. Contributing Institution field59.ipo = { Its self-guided and takes place April 14, 15 and 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gardens are located in Forest Hills and Masonboro Sound Road, Airlie Gardens and Frank H. Kenan Chapel at Landfall. ", Last year, Stanley said, "My experience was fantastic. Gregg Cherry, who crowned Queen Azalea I, Jacqueline White. Last year, the annual celebration of spring, community and the arts marked the 75th anniversary of its founding in 1948. I like to say the festival spirit is always alive and well through the community and volunteerism, Baringer said. L to R: Hal Love, president of the Azalea Festival Committee; Mrs. Norma Walker; Doak Walker; former Wilmington Mayor E. L. White; McKinley Ross (with "Unto These Hills" program in Azalea Festival Queen, actress Ann Elder, on Queen's float at 1972 Azalea Festival Parade in Wilmington, NC. 1952: Janet Leigh drops out as Azalea queen, reportedly at the insistence of husband Tony Curtis, and is hastily replaced by actress Cathy Downs, whose husband, actor Joe Kirkwood Jr., happens to be playing in the Azalea Open. But what does "back to normal" mean for the festival in a community that has experienced massive growth in the past two decades, and in the last couple of years? Wilmington StarNews 0:06 1:33 Seventy-five years ago this month, the first-ever Azalea Festival was held in Wilmington. ", Like all the court members, she witnessed the dust-ups between Ms. Williams and Mr. Brady. For celebrities, the early Azalea Festival could be "really fun," said Nan Graham, who teaches English part-time at UNCW. 2002: Natalie Cole is the headline artist. Neil Sedaka rocked fans in 1988 and again in 1994 (the year Frank Sinatra was a headliner). The Historic Wilmington Foundations annual home tours during Azalea Festival allow the opportunity. Movie stars were common through the 1950s although, sometimes, they came from the "B"-pictures. Sponsorship includes an Encore Azalea Event Sponsor Ticket Package and title naming rights to your event. Neil Sedaka and John Anderson also perform. A local kid named Charlie Daniels plays the Ocean Plaza Ballroom at Carolina Beach. April 11, 2021. WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) An Azalea Festival favorite returned Thursday afternoon. number: 3, 1997: For the 50th anniversary, the festival gets its first Azalea Queen actually born in Wilmington: Lauren Roman of "All My Children" spent most of her childhood in Virginia but was born here Dec. 3, 1975. Azalea Festival Queen on Queen's float at 1972 Azalea Festival Parade in Wilmington, NC. The event isnt open to the public. Honored guests include University of North Carolina football star Charlie "Choo-Choo" Justice and Gen. George C. Marshall, recently retired as U.S. Secretary of State. In the early days, many of the featured guests came from radio. Many of the people currently moving to the area have never heard of the Azalea Festival, whereas in the past most people in town had grown up with it. I was Formosa - not good for the complexion. map: false, The North Carolina-based country combo picked and grinned at more than a half-dozen festivals between 1951 and 1977. We'd love to hear from you. detail_page_enabled: true, Some people dont know that the Azalea Festival is a 501c3 nonprofit. Studio portrait of actress and 1952 Azalea Festival Queen Cathy Downs, with azaleas. 2023 www.starnewsonline.com. She moved back to Wilmington, works at American Leadership Academy and continues performing on the local theater scene, as well as giving back to the community. 1993: A pre-Regis Kelly Ripa is queen. (910) 763-0979 | newsroom@wwaytv3.com1224 Magnolia Village Way, Leland, NC 28451. Phyllis Davis is queen. Coin collectors will find a treasure trove of currency on display for sale and trade this weekend, Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, April 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. So this event is to thank all of the sponsors who have contributed to the festival, Barringer said. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: As Wilmington grows, the NC Azalea Festival evolves into the future, Supreme Court strikes down President Bidens student loan debt forgiveness plan, Wilmington's biggest annual shindig returns April 12-16, The famous faces and memorable moments in Azalea Festival history, the festival's annual concert headliners, which for 2023, Tunes and Blooms show is set for noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 15. The popular Azalea Festival Parade route stretches for bocks through Brookings. 2003: R&B great Al Green and the country band Lonestar top the bill. Wilmington-born Broadway performer Anne Hawthorne is still recognized as queen. The Four Preps sing. Brady, who is escorting Williams at the time, quarrels with her and stalks off early; the post of "Azalea King" does not last. The Azalea Festival held every year in Brookings celebrates what is best about living in a small town. The Azalea Festival celebrated tradition while also . #ThisIsThePlace, High School Job Shadowing Program/Senior Projects, NC Wildlife enforcing 'Operation Dry Water' to ensure boat safety, NHRMC president Shelbourn Stevens no longer with Novant Health, Mission Serve partners with Boys and Girls Home to help serve community, Dr. Hubert Eaton's house recognized as local Historic Landmark. (The two quarreled often, and publicly, during the festival, and Mr. Brady left town early.). That number, she said, is almost certainly much larger in terms of 2023 dollars.
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