The Wilmington Star News had an article in today’s paper that recapped an article published in the Washington Post.  The article appeared in the Washington Post travel section which highlighted several Wilmington area beach communities including Topsail Beach and Bald Head Island.  The Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau stated that the majority of tourists who visit southeastern North Carolina are from North Carolina and the next highest number of tourists are from the Washington DC area. Connie Nelson who is with the Visitors Bureau stated that some of the reasons that the Cape Fear Region was selected for the article was that besides beautiful beaches we also offer many wonderful attractions, museums, art, culture and a state aquarium.  To learn more about the Wilmington area or Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395.

Carolina Beach Elementary School is ready to open for the first day of school which will be August 27th.  After years of overcrowding, students attended Anderson Elementary while the renovation took place.  Ogden Elementary was also remodeled this past year and will also be ready for the first day of school.  To learn more about New Hanover County Schools or Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395. 

This is a beautiful home in Magnolia Plantation which is conveniently located off of Masonboro Sound Road in Wilmington.  Magnolia Plantation is convenient to Wrightsville or Carolina Beach, UNCW, Monkey Junction and New Hanover Regional Medical Center.  Magnolia Plantation is in the Parsley school district and the school is just minutes away!  To learn more about this Magnolia Plantation home or any Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395.   

The Pavilion Nostalgia Park is now open at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach.  The park feautures rides that made the Myrtle Beach Pavilion memorable for so many years.  Some of the rides preserved are the carousel, the swing and the caterpillar plus the park plans to preserve additional rides.  Myrtle Beach is approximately one hour south of Downtown Wilmington, right over the NC/SC border.  To learn more about the Pavilion Nostalgia Park or about Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395. 

This is a fantastic new listing in Castle Hayne which is located just a few minutes north of Wilmington and is easily accessed by I-40 making it convenient to UNCW, Mayfaire Town Center, Wrightsville Beach and Historic Downtown Wilmington.  This unique property is directly across the street from the Cape Fear River and Boat Ramp, just hop in your boat and you can cruise down the river to Historic Downtown Wilmington.  To learn more about this Castle Hayne property or any Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395. 

Check out this new listing in Alamosa Place Subdivision which is located in Wilmington.  This adorable home would be great for first time home buyers, investors or retirees.  Located off of Gordon Road this Alamosa Place home is very convenient to I-40, UNCW, Mayfaire Towne Center, Wilmington International Airport and Wrightsville Beach!  To learn more about this Wilmington home or any Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395.   

From Blues to Fishing this weekend looks to be a busy one!  It is also a great weekend to look at homes because the Real Estate market has been quite active over the last few weeks.  If you are a house hunter it is time to start locking into your dream home, otherwise you may lose it.  To learn more about any of these Wilmington Weekend Events or about Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395. 

• WILMINGTON HAMMERHEADS SOCCER GAME, Wednesday at 7:30pm.  The Hammerheads take on the Richmond Kickers at Legion Sports Complex.
• BIRDS OF PREY…LIVE, Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30pm.  Get a closer look at live birds of prey from the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter.  The event will take place at Halyburton Park located at 4099 S. 17th Street.
• FAMILY NIGHT AT NC AQUARIUM: SHARK SHINDIG, Thursday from 5-9pm.  Sharks move into the limelight for the last “Family Night” of the season at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher.  The evening will include feasting alligators, talking scuba divers, steel-drum and music by the Sea Pans.  A variety of films and interactive programs about sharks will round out the evening.  The NC Aquarium @ Fort Fisher is located at 900 Loggerhead Road in Kure Beach. 
• CAPE FEAR BLUES CRUISE, Friday at 7:30pm.  3 bands, 3 bars and 3 decks of pure blues fun!  Besides the bands there will be heavy appetizers served.  Tickets are available at Cape Fear Riverboats at 101 S. Water Street in Historic Downtown Wilmington. 
• FOURTH FRIDAY GALLERY NIGHTS, Friday from 6-9pm.  The gallery nights offer an opportunity to enjoy evening hours at many of the downtown art venues.  Participating galleries and art studios are open from 6-9pm and are identified by the cluster of brightly colored beach balls outside. 
• MAYFAIRE MUSIC ON THE TOWN, Friday from 6-9pm.  Enjoy music on the lawn behind Linens n’ Things.  This weeks band will be The Jetty Jumpers.  Mayfaire Town Center is located on Military Cutoff near Eastwood Road in Wilmington. 
• DOWNTOWN SUNDOWN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES, Friday from 6-10pm.  This week’s band is Slippery When Wet (Tribute to Bon Jovi) with No Dollar Shoes.  Concerts are from 6-10pm in front of the Federal Courthouse at the corner of Front and Market Streets.  Food, wine and beer will be available for sale within a designated area. 
• CAROLINA BALLET GALA PERFORMANCE, Saturday at 8pm.  Wilmington audiences will have the rare opportunity to witness the premiere of the new works developed in residency at a special Gala Performance in Kenan Auditorium.  Presented by the UNCW Office of Cultural Arts, the evening will include the performance at 8pm and will be followed by a “Meet-the-Artists” dessert reception. 
• GREATER WILMINGTON KING MACKERAL TOURNAMENT, Friday & Saturday.  Registration begins at Johnson Marine with Capt. Meeting at 7pm on Friday.  The weigh-in will be at Dockside Restaurant on Saturday from 2-5pm with awards to follow.  Fishing hours are from 6am until 5pm on Saturday.  First place prize is $25,000. 
• WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL, Saturday at 10am. Presented by the Cape Fear Community College Boat Building program, the festival serves as an annual celebration of the tradition and craft of wooden boat building.  This year the event will feature over 50 wooden boats including kayaks, skiffs and boats from the Simmons Sea Skiff Club.  Students in CFCC’s Boat Building program will exhibit their own work and conduct boat building demonstrations.  The festival will be held on the banks of the Cape Fear River and their is no admission!
• SUMMER ARTILLERY SHOOT, Saturday from 10-4pm.  Staff and volunteers dress in period Civil War uniformas to shoot the fort’s cannons.  The event will take place at Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach.  The cannons are loud so make sure to bring your ear plugs!
• BASKETS OF SUMMER, Saturday from 8-5pm.  This is a one day fun-filled basketry event for all skill levels.  Poplar Grove Plantation will be the setting for this event and it is located at 10200 Hwy 17 N in Scotts Hill.  
• CAPT. EDDIE HANEMAN SAILFISH TOURNAMENT, Thursday through Sunday at the Bridge Tender Marina.  Captains meet on Thursday, fishing will be on Friday and Saturday with Awards being presented at dinner on Sunday. 
• CAPE FEAR BLUES FESTIVAL, Friday through Sunday.  A 3 day celebration of blues music that happens between the beaches and the historic riverfront of Downtown Wilmington.  Events include the Blues Cruise, workshops, outdoor concert, live club shows and an all-day blues jam in Hugh MacRae Park.