Azalea Festival kicked off with Queen’s Coronation at Battleship North Carolina

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Azalea Festival officially kicked off Wednesday with one of its signature events, the Queen’s Coronation.

The ceremony took place aboard the fantail of the Battleship North Carolina, where Queen Azalea Elaine Hendrix was formally crowned, and special guests and local dignitaries were introduced.

The Queen’s Court included Miss America Organization queens from around the state, including Miss Ballantyne 2026, D’Amrah Rowdy, who is honored to serve on the court for the first time.

“I have not been to the Azalea Festival; this is my first time, and to do it in such a way, such an honor as being on the Azalea Court is so amazing, so such a surreal feeling, I’m so excited about this weekend connecting with everyone in Wilmington,” said Rowdy.

Elaine Hendrix addressed the crowd after her crowning, saying events like the festival create the same kind of experience in people’s lives that her time on “Dancing with the Stars” gave her.

“I think that events like the Azalea Festival does that for its citizens. It gives us a chance to come together in such an uplifting way to share with one another, and I don’t think that there’s anything more important than coming together in community and connecting with one another live in the flesh, in person, and we need that so much these days,” said Hendrix.

Azalea Festival Executive Director Melissa Lasarsky said it is an honor to have Hendrix as this year’s queen.

“The town, the state, has embraced her and is glad to welcome her back. This is her second appearance with the festival, which is just a great compliment that you would want to return. She’s had a big year, as she has said, and involved in a lot of things, so for her to take time out of her schedule to be here is special,” said Lasarsky.

The event was free and open to the public, with entry beginning at 1:30 p.m. A pre-show began at 2:30 p.m., followed by the coronation ceremony at 3 p.m. Organizers said a meet and greet with the Queen and invited guests was expected to begin around 3:30 p.m., with the event wrapping up around 4 p.m.

The coronation aired on WWAY CBS at 5 p.m.