Italy comes to Cape Fear

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — People from all over the Cape Fear region got a taste of Italy at the Second Annual Cape Fear Italian Festival in Leland. Proceeds from the event support student scholarships at Brunswick Community College and Step Up for Soldiers.

“We’re enjoying the entertainment and the food and the beer,” said Bill Roberts.

“Honestly, I didn’t know it was here until this year,” said BCC freshman Kenzie McDuffie, one of three students who so far have received a scholarship from the money raised at last year’s festival. “I didn’t even think I was going to get a scholarship. I just wrote a paper, and I got really lucky. I talked about my mom a lot, ’cause she’s a nurse, and she just makes me want to be the best that I can do, I guess. I don’t want to quit school until I have a Masters degree, and it paid for the rest of my books, so I’m really grateful.”

Thousands of people packed Cross Creek Commons Shopping Center for the two-day event. Rain Sunday may have kept some folks away, but it did not put a damper on the fun.

Festival visitor Charlene Thompson enjoyed the day.

“It’s been amazing now since the rain has let up, and I just love the music that’s playing over there, so it turned out to be a beautiful day,” Thompson said.