The 67th annual North Carolina Azalea Festival will be held April 9 through 13, 2014, in Wilmington, North Carolina.

A tradition since 1948, the festival pays tribute to the rich history, arts, culture and natural beauty of Wilmington, North Carolina’s historic river district and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach.

Perennial festival highlights include the Cape Fear Garden Club’s Azalea Belles who dress in hoop skirts to greet visitors and honor an era past. There’s also an elaborate three-hour parade April 12, complete with azalea-laden floats, marching bands, clowns, show animals, local pageant winners and celebrity guests, including Queen Azalea.

Signature associated events include the Cape Fear Garden Club’s Azalea Garden Tour April 11 through 13, 2014, one of the South’s longest-running garden tours. This year’s tour, themed “For the Love of Gardening”, showcases 13 private and public gardens that include a mix of established and new landscapes. Garden tour price includes free admission to Airlie Gardens April 12 and 13, 2014.

The Azalea Home Tour April 12 and 13, 2014, showcases nine private homes and a church of historical and architectural interest.

For more information on visiting Wilmington, N.C. and its island beaches, go online.