First Azalea Queen enjoying Wilmington return

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The first ever Queen Azalea is back this week.

Jacqueline White Anderson had her coronation 68 years ago, but she says it feels like just yesterday. The California native says she is very excited to be back in Wilmington and able to enjoy the festivities with her daughter.

“It’s wonderful to be back,” Anderson said. “I had a marvelous time when I was here before, and being the first, we were sort of making history as we went, I guess you’d say.”

Anderson says that being the Azalea Queen so many years ago was a life-changing experience. She says she made life long friends through the Azalea Festival, and it feels like she never left Wilmington.