WWII history takes flight; Wilmington to host free events during Azalea Festival week

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A series of free events highlighting the Port City’s World War II legacy will take place during North Carolina Azalea Festival week as part of the national America 250 commemoration.

The World War II Wilmington Home Front Heritage Coalition has announced a lineup of programs aimed at promoting Wilmington’s designation as America’s first WWII Heritage City. Events are scheduled April 6–12 and are open to the public.

One of the main attractions will be WWII-era aircraft displays and flight experiences hosted in partnership with the Commemorative Air Force at Wilmington International Airport. From April 10–12, visitors can view four historic “warbirds,” including a U.S. Navy TBM Avenger torpedo bomber and a Stearman 75 biplane, as well as Japanese aircraft such as the T-34 Fuji and the A6M Zero fighter.

Plans are underway for the aircraft to fly over the Azalea Festival Parade at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 11. Throughout the weekend, the planes will be staged at the airport’s south ramp for static displays and rides, with free parking and food trucks available.

The display connects to Wilmington’s past as a WWII Army airfield, where pilots trained for deployment to European battlefields.

Also taking place April 10–12, the North Carolina National Guard will showcase its 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team at the nearby armory. The exhibit will feature military vehicles, equipment, and demonstrations, offering the public a chance to meet soldiers and learn about the brigade’s evolution into a modern, mobile combat unit. The brigade traces its roots to the “Old Hickory” 30th Infantry Division, which saw heavy combat in both World Wars.

Earlier in the week, Cape Fear Community College will host a three-day veterans forum April 6–8 at Union Station. The panels will cover topics ranging from the home front during World War II to the Vietnam War and modern conflicts, with veterans sharing personal experiences and discussing the lasting impacts of service, including PTSD.

Organizers also noted a planned U.S. Coast Guard cutter visit has been postponed until August due to operational needs. The visit is intended to highlight Wilmington’s long-standing ties to the Coast Guard, including a notable WWII moment when the cutter Modoc spotted the German battleship Bismarck, helping lead to its eventual destruction.

The coalition says the weeklong events are designed to honor the region’s military history while connecting past service to present-day stories.

Learn more about Warbirds over Wilmington.