Carolina Beach, NC events, 15th Annual Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-Off

15th Annual Chowder Cook-Off is Saturday April 16, 2011. The Chowder Cook-Off is a fun filled family NC event held every spring at the lake park in Carolina Beach, NC.  

The list of competing restaurants is impressive and each chef makes delicious chowder for you to taste and choose who your favorite is. The chowders are not exactly your typical recipes, each one is crafted with the chefs signature touch.
The gates open at 11:30 am with the sounds from Mako starting at 11:30 am. There will be other food items available. For all the up to date information visit the Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-Off page. For the reasonable fee of $5 per person, free for children 12 and under you couldn’t find a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon with the family.
Come on down-pick up your judging sheet and try some of the best Chowders the Wilmington, Carolina Beach area has to offer.
Book your room early for a more relaxed alternative to Carolina Beach Hotels we tend to fill up fast for the weekends.

2011 Azalea Garden Tour, Wilmington NC

Cape Fear Garden Club’s 2011 Azalea Garden Tour April 8 through April 10, 2011, Wilmington NC.
The Self guided gardens tour begins on Friday April 8, 2011 at 10 a.m. with the ribbon cutting ceremony and Azalea Queen’s Garden Party at the Amphitheater and the World’s largest rotary wheel located at 1941 Amphitheater Drive, Wilmington, NC.
Friday morning park at the Legion Stadium parking lot and take the free round-trip bus service starting at 8:30 am, buses will run until noon.
The 2011 Azalea Garden Tour is a self-guided tour of 12 gardens you visit at your leisure. Tickets are $20 and can be bought at many locals around town or directly through the Cape Fear Garden Club’s site also containing more information.
While visiting our Carolina Beach, NC bed and breakfast to make it easy on you I’ll have maps printed up for you to take along. You’ll also want to visit the festivities going on in downtown Wilmington NC all weekend long.

Spring Celebration Events, Poplar Grove Plantation, Wilmington NC, Carolina Beach NC

Spring Celebration Events around the Wilmington and Carolina Beach, NC area are coming up quick. One in particular that is of great interest to me is Saturday March 26-9:00 AM - 5:00 PM and Sunday March 27-10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at the Poplar Grove Plantation’s 20th Annual HERB & GARDEN FAIR. Poplar Grove Plantation was once one of the oldest existing peanut plantations in North Carolina, opened in 1980 as a Museum this old plantation is just north of Carolina Beach, NC at 10200 US Highway 17 N., Wilmington, NC  28411 (910) 686-9518

 
During this annual rite of spring speakers and instructors share their expertise on bird watching, gardening, cooking, nature and much more.

Saturday March 26-Scheduled Class times and fees (if any) 
9:00 AM Bird Hike-Andy Wood
An informative bird hike with Andy, Education Director of Audubon NC, through the Abbey Nature Preserve.
11:00 AM Managing Garden & Landscape Pests Organically-Charlotte Glen
Charlotte, horticulture agent for NC Cooperative Extension in Pender Co., will focus on managing insects and diseases in the garden and landscape without synthetic chemicals.  Plant selection, soil preparation, and plant care practices to avoid pest problems, as well as organic products will be covered.
1:00 PM Spring-Time Comfort Food-Susan Boyles (Additional $10.00 to cover lunch)
Susan, chef and co-owner of The Seasoned Gourmet, presents this cooking class and offers a delicious lunch!  Herbed Tomato Stew w/ Rosemary Croutons; Poached Chilled White & Sweet Potato Salad over Greens w/ Tarragon Vinaigrette; Goat Cheese Lemon Basil Tartlets. 
2:30 PM Tropical Gardens of Cornwall-Susan Hart
Join Susan, garden columnist for the Wilmington Star News and native of England, as she takes you on a tour of the gardens of Cornwall, England.  Inspiring you to grow your own tropical garden! 
3:30 PM Natural Lawn Care-Evan Folds
Evan is the founder and president of 3 gardening companies; Progressive Gardens, A Natural Approach & Progress Earth.  Lawns are the most irrigated and polluted crop in the US.  Offering a different perspective on lawn care, Evan presents a viewpoint that can be utilized from beginners to professionals.

Sunday March 27- Scheduled Class times and fees (if any) 
11:00 AM Backyard Rain Gardens-Ted Wilgis
Learn about backyard rain gardens and how you can reduce the amount of storm water coming from your property.  Ted, Coastal Education Coordinator for the NC Coastal Federation, will provide information on how to plan, build, install native plants and maintain a backyard rain garden and more. 
1:00 PM Italian Spring Feast-Susan Boyles (Additional $10.00 covers lunch)
Join Chef Susan, co-owner of The Seasoned Gourmet, for this cooking class and eat a feast!  Crab & Basil Crostini; Herbed “Sunday Gravy”; Chicken over Pasta; Mascarpone Cream, Pear & Balsamic Parfait. 
2:30 PM Herb Gardening 101-Margaret Shelton
Learn to grow your own herbs from our local expert, Meg, founder of Shelton Herb Farm in Brunswick Co.  Everything you need to know to start growing and harvesting your own fresh, tasteful and nutritious herbs will be introduced.
 
While at the Poplar Grove Plantation be sure to visit the PLANT and GARDEN SALE with a wide array of vendors featuring a super selection of annuals, herbs, perennials, garden and nature art, herbal products, hanging baskets, vegetable plants, shrubs and trees, plus North Carolina wine and food products, local arts & crafts and more.

Food and beverage concessions will be available on site.

Admission to this event is $5.00 per person (ages 15 & up, under 15 is free with an accompanying participant).  Your $5.00 fee includes admission to the Plant & Garden Sale and all classes with the exception of the cooking classes.
Call (910) 686-9518 to sign up early for the cooking classes as they are limited.

We have begun to replant our flower pots on the porches in preparation for the spring season. The Beacon House Inn bed and breakfast and Cottages here in Carolina Beach, NC is the perfect location to rejuvenate and renew your spirit for a weekend. Take a stroll on the beach, soak up some sunshine, visit Poplar Grove Plantation, tour Historic Downtown Wilmington or do absolutely NOTHING at all while here at our Carolina Beach, NC bed and breakfast for your North Carolina Weekend Getaway.

North Carolina Azalea Festival

The 64th Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival will be held April 6-10, 2011. During these four days all the Wilmington Events will be held all over town. The Festival is a celebration of Wilmington’s exceptional artwork, gardens, rich history and culture.  Entertainment includes: a parade, street fair, circus, concerts, pageantry, historic homes tour and all that is Southern.
Each event is a celebration, beginning with the traditional arrival of Queen Azalea at the official opening of the four-day event. Stars glitter throughout town as Southern belles and their escorts promenade through lush gardens at the annual garden party.

Everywhere the blooming azaleas offer colorful testimony to the rich heritage of coastal Carolina.
The festival was founded in 1948 with the first year being a great success and has grown into a fun-filled extended weekend long event.

Around town at most of the historic museum homes you’ll find sweet southern ladies dressed for the occasion complete with hoop skirted dresses, ribbons in their hair and parasols. With the Azaleas, Camellias and Wisteria in full bloom you certainly feel as if you have stepped back in time. It is a Wilmington Event you will not want to miss.