Azalea Festival Highlights: Must-see photos, videos from the parade, street fair and more
The N.C. Azalea Festival has been in full swing since Wednesday, April 2, bringing a flurry of events and brightly colored fashions to the Port City. Unlike in some years, the azaleas started blooming just in time for the festival.
From the queen's coronation to the parade, the festival has put the spotlight on Wilmington, with tens of thousands of people attending events. Here's a look at some of the highlights from this year's festival.
During the Queen's Coronation on Wednesday, April 2, Bethany Joy Lenz was crowned Queen Azalea. Lenz, who's known for her role in "One Tree Hill" and lived in Wilmington for a decade, expressed her deep connection to the city and its influence on her creativity.
More: Queen Azalea Bethany Joy Lenz accepts crown with gratitude, sincerity and honor
The Celebrity Reception, which is a private event, took place on Thursday, April 3 at Cape Fear Country Club. It provided festival sponsors an opportunity to see and meet the queen, invited guests and other festival dignitaries.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the N.C. Azalea Festival Garden Tour at the Kenan House in Wilmington on Friday, April 4. The garden tour, which is sponsored by the Cape Fear Garden Club, is a self-guided tour that includes six private gardens, the University of North Carolina Wilmington's Kenan House and the Wise Alumni House, Airlie Gardens, and Rise Up Community Farm, a working vegetable farm whose volunteers raise healthy crops to fight food insecurity. It continues through Sunday, April 6.
Azalea Garden Tour in Wilmington: What to know about tickets and the gardens
After the Azalea Festival Garden Party on Friday, April 4 at Airlie Gardens, guests headed over to Bluewater Grill for the After Garden Get Down. The event included views of the Intracoastal Waterway, music, food and drinks.
This year's parade on Saturday, April 5, saw the streets of downtown Wilmington lined with floats, marching bands, beauty queens and more.
The street far offers something for everyone -- food, music, retail vendors and more. It takes place in downtown Wilmington, which has a variety of shopping and dining options, along with views of the Cape Fear River. It continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 6.
NC Azalea Festival Street Fair: Here's what to know about bands, entertainment and parking
Plenty of people gathered on the Riverwalk in downtown Wilmington on Saturday, April 5, to see a fireworks show along the Cape Fear River.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Azalea Festival 2025 parade, street fair, queen's coronation highlights
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