Wilmington Streets to Close for Azalea Festival Events

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The Azalea Festival in Wilmington, North Carolina will host its annual street fair and parade this weekend, resulting in the closure of several downtown streets from Friday through Sunday. The street fair will close Front Street, Dock Street, Second Street, and Market Street, while the parade route on Saturday will impact over 20 additional streets in the city center.

Why it matters

The Azalea Festival is a major annual event that draws large crowds to Wilmington's historic downtown. The street closures are necessary to accommodate the festival's activities, but will cause significant traffic disruptions for residents and visitors trying to navigate the area.

The details

The street fair will take place from 7 a.m. on Friday, April 8 through 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, closing Front Street between Red Cross Street and Orange Street, Dock Street between Water Street and Second Street, Second Street between Market Street and Dock Street, and Market Street between Water Street and Front Street. The Azalea Festival Parade will occur on Saturday, April 9 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., with the parade route starting at the intersection of Third Street and Market Street and ending at Brunswick Street. Over 20 additional streets will be closed for the parade, including Front Street, Second Street, Third Street, and numerous other downtown thoroughfares.

• The street fair will take place from 7 a.m. on Friday, April 8 through 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 10.
• The Azalea Festival Parade will occur on Saturday, April 9 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

What’s next

Residents and visitors are advised to plan ahead, allow extra time for travel, and consider alternative routes to avoid the street closures during the Azalea Festival events.