Azalea Festival picked among best events in the Southeast

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington’s biggest event is getting some regional recognition.

The Southeast Tourism Society has named the North Carolina Azalea Festival one of the STS Top 20 Events in the Southeast for April 2018.

This year’s Azalea Festival is April 11-15 in and around Wilmington.

Travel industry experts select 20 events per month, and STS publicizes them throughout the United States. You can see the full list here.

“The Southeast is home to unique and memorable events throughout the year. In spotlighting the Top 20 festivals and events each month, STS is not only giving these events the recognition they deserve but we’re also creating a quick reference guide to some of the best festivals in the Southeast,” said Bill Hardman, president, and CEO of the Southeast Tourism Society. “These events are important to the economic vitality of our communities and this is a way for us to acknowledge the time and resources organizers have tirelessly spent to create memories for their attendees.”

The Azalea Festival has an annual impact of more than $50 million on the local economy, according to a study by UNCW in 2011.

Events considered for the STS Top 20 recognition must be at least three years old and have an attendance of at least 1,000.