WILMINGTON — Nearly 100,000 people are expected to flood Wilmington this week for the 76th Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival events. With an increase in tourists comes additional traffic as well, especially with road closures planned Friday through Sunday.
The five-day event kicked off Wednesday, with more than 20 happenings taking place through the weekend.
READ MORE: Azalea Festival celebrates more than 20 springtime events
Street Fair
The DXG Street Fair will take place Friday, April 14 to Sunday, April 16:
- Friday: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. (some food vendors until 2 a.m.)
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (some food vendors until 2 a.m.)
- Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To accommodate the fair, the following streets will be closed beginning 7 a.m. Friday and lasting until 6 p.m. Sunday:
- North Front Street between Red Cross and Orange streets
- Walnut Street at intersection with N. Front Street
- Grace Street at intersection with N. Front Street
- Chestnut Street at intersection with N. Front Street
- Princess Street at intersection with N. Front Street
- Market Street between N. Front and Water streets
- Second Street between Market and N. Front streets
- Dock Street between Second Street and most of Water Street
Dollar General Parade
At 9:30 a.m. Saturday, the Dollar General Parade will kick off at the intersection of Third and Market streets and run along Third Street, ending at Bladen Street. It’s free to attend but bleacher tickets are available for purchase at the North Carolina Azalea Festival Ticket Office for $5 to $8 in advance, $7-10 on the day of.
Road closures for the parade are as follows:
- Front Street (Between Orange Street and Castle Street)
- North Front Street (Between North Third Street/ Davis and Walnut streets) **Late closure 9 am to noon.
- Second Street (Between Orange Street and Castle Street)
- Third Street (Between Davis Street, North Front Street, and Castle Street)
- Fourth Street (Between Red Cross Street and Castle Street)
- Harnett Street (Between Fourth Street and North Front Street)
- Bladen Street (Between Fourth Street and Second Street)
- Brunswick Street (Between Fourth Street and Second Street)
- Hanover Street (Between Fourth Street and Second Street)
- Campbell Street (Between Fourth Street and Second Street)
- Red Cross Street (Between Fourth Street and Second Street)
- Walnut Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Second Street)
- Grace Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Second Street)
- Chestnut Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Second Street)
- Princess Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Second Street) **Late closure 9 am to noon.
- Market Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Second Street)
- Dock Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Second Street)
- Orange Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Second Street)
- Ann Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Water Street)
- Nun Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Water Street)
- Church Street ((Between Fifth Avenue and Surry Street)
- Surry Street (Between Church Street and Castle Street)
There is a shuttle available for paradegoers.
The Wave Transit shuttle runs from Independence Mall (in the parking lot located behind Firehouse Subs and Wells Fargo) to 4th Street between Chestnut and Princess streets in downtown Wilmington.
Shuttle service will begin on Saturday at 7 a.m. and run approximately every 15 minutes. Following the parade, express shuttle service will return passengers to Independence Mall until 2 p.m. The last shuttle will leave the downtown location at 1:45 pm.
Fares are $2 per way, or $4 round trip and change will be available. Tickets must be purchased with cash and children under the age of five ride free with a fare-paying adult.
Parking
- On-street parking free from 6:30 p.m. Friday to Sunday
- $10 flat event rate for Market and 2nd St decks Saturday and Sunday, posted daily rates on Friday
- $12 flat rate at Hannah Block Lot Saturday and Sunday, posted daily rates on Friday
- $15 event rate at Convention Center for concerts on Thursday and Friday, $10 flat rate on Saturday and Sunday
- River Place Deck, posted daily rates
- 2nd St / Ligon Flynn lot will be closed for the festival’s use
Tips and comments can be directed info@portcitydaily.com.
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