E njoy Southern hospitality amid the glorious color of azaleas and spring flowers during the 57th Annual Azalea Garden Tour, April 9, 10 and 11, 2010 in the beautiful coastal region of Wilmington, North Carolina. Sponsored by the Cape Fear Garden Club, Inc., the tour has been featured in SOUTHERN LIVING and is one of the longest running and most popular garden tours in the South. During this year’s tour “Southern Gardens for Afternoon Tea” featured gardens will include their own version of afternoon tea. According to Tour Chairman Gloria Degnan, “The twelve gardens chosen this year showcase a variety of styles including historic formal designs, a contemporary landscape, child friendly gardens and coastal settings with views of the Intracoastal Waterway.” Azalea Belles welcome visitors in each garden during the tour.

The Azalea Garden Tour opens Friday, April 9 with the colorful Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the home of Kyle McIntyre. Located in the historic Forest Hills area, the 1950’s regency style home with formal garden offers the perfect backdrop for Queen Azalea LXIII and her court to preside over the ceremony. Summerall Guards, the Citadel’s elite senior drill team, escort over 100 beautiful Azalea Belles dressed in authentic antebellum gowns. Local and national celebrities are also present to celebrate the event. Following the ceremony, members of the Cape Fear Garden Club serve refreshments and hundreds of homemade cookies. Musical entertainment and media coverage complete this exciting event.

Presale tickets are available beginning January 26 for the discounted price of $15 through the Cape Fear Garden Club’s web site at www.azaleagardentour.org and the NC Azalea Festival Office, 5725 Oleander Drive. After March 1, tickets are $20 and will also be available at Belk, Sterling House, The Fisherman’s Wife, and local garden centers. Group discounts are available. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Good all three days, the ticket includes a map for a self-guided tour with descriptions of each garden. Gardens are open 10:00am to 6pm daily. Tickets include free admission to the exquisite Airlie Gardens on Saturday, April 10.

Over the past 57 years, Azalea Garden Tour profits have funded thousand of dollars of beautification and horticulture grants in New Hanover County. In 2009, Cape Fear Garden Club awarded over $80,000. Funds also support scholarships at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College and finance conservation efforts at Battery Island, a National Audubon Society bird sanctuary.
 

The 57th Annual Azalea Garden Tour, April 9-11, 2010, is an official event of the North Carolina Azalea Festival. For additional information on the Garden Tour visit www.azaleagardentour.org or call (910)228-2175.

For questions/media opportunities contact:
Cindy P. Godwin, Publicity Co-Chair
Phone: 910-619-9444 - Fax: 910-679-4379
Email: cingodwin@aol.com 
 

E njoy Southern hospitality amid the glorious color of azaleas and spring flowers during the 57th Annual Azalea Garden Tour, April 9, 10 and 11, 2010 in the beautiful coastal region of Wilmington, North Carolina. Sponsored by the Cape Fear Garden Club, Inc., the tour has been featured in SOUTHERN LIVING and is one of the longest running and most popular garden tours in the South. During this year’s tour “Southern Gardens for Afternoon Tea” featured gardens will include their own version of afternoon tea. According to Tour Chairman Gloria Degnan, “The twelve gardens chosen this year showcase a variety of styles including historic formal designs, a contemporary landscape, child friendly gardens and coastal settings with views of the Intracoastal Waterway.” Azalea Belles welcome visitors in each garden during the tour.

The Azalea Garden Tour opens Friday, April 9 with the colorful Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the home of Kyle McIntyre. Located in the historic Forest Hills area, the 1950’s regency style home with formal garden offers the perfect backdrop for Queen Azalea LXIII and her court to preside over the ceremony. Summerall Guards, the Citadel’s elite senior drill team, escort over 100 beautiful Azalea Belles dressed in authentic antebellum gowns. Local and national celebrities are also present to celebrate the event. Following the ceremony, members of the Cape Fear Garden Club serve refreshments and hundreds of homemade cookies. Musical entertainment and media coverage complete this exciting event.

Presale tickets are available beginning January 26 for the discounted price of $15 through the Cape Fear Garden Club’s web site at www.azaleagardentour.org and the NC Azalea Festival Office, 5725 Oleander Drive. After March 1, tickets are $20 and will also be available at Belk, Sterling House, The Fisherman’s Wife, and local garden centers. Group discounts are available. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Good all three days, the ticket includes a map for a self-guided tour with descriptions of each garden. Gardens are open 10:00am to 6pm daily. Tickets include free admission to the exquisite Airlie Gardens on Saturday, April 10.

Over the past 57 years, Azalea Garden Tour profits have funded thousand of dollars of beautification and horticulture grants in New Hanover County. In 2009, Cape Fear Garden Club awarded over $80,000. Funds also support scholarships at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College and finance conservation efforts at Battery Island, a National Audubon Society bird sanctuary.
 

The 57th Annual Azalea Garden Tour, April 9-11, 2010, is an official event of the North Carolina Azalea Festival. For additional information on the Garden Tour visit www.azaleagardentour.org or call (910)228-2175.

For questions/media opportunities contact:
Cindy P. Godwin, Publicity Co-Chair
Phone: 910-619-9444 - Fax: 910-679-4379
Email: cingodwin@aol.com