AZALEA FESTIVAL

This past weekend was a busy one.  Friday night we went to relay for life, we walked the track for a time and checked out the many stands raising money.  It was a nice evening.

Saturday morning was the opening of the Richlands Farmers Market.  I have grown up going to the farmers market in Lancaster and a really nice one in Allentown. I have been very disappointed in what they call a farmers market.   The building was so small, with a few steps you were through it.  There was one stand selling strawberries, one selling a small amount of lettuce and a few other things. Everything else was crafts. I guess I'll have to check out the few roadside stands I've seen around.  After checking out the market we went to breakfast at the waffle house with Greg's mom.

After breakfast we headed to Wilmington, NC to the Azalea festival www.ncazaleafestival.org.  I have been told it's the largest festival in NC.  We spent a good five hours there checking out the over 200 craft vendors.  Below is a picture of someone selling teacups on top of a piece of copper pipe.  It's for the yard to put bird seed in as a bird feeder.  It's a really cute idea and would look really nice tucked in a flower bed, I may have to try it.

Tea Cup Bird Feeders

There were over 40 food vendors, of course most were your typical greasy festival food.  We did find a stand selling Chinese noodles and chicken which was really good.  I did get my ribbon fries with cheese, which I really like.  Greg found a stand called Wild Bills Old Fashion Soda.  You buy the cup and could refill it all day for free.  They had Root beer, Birch beer, Grape soda, Orange soda and a few more. So we bought a cup and shared it all day.

Greg with his soda & pork grinds

There were several tents set up with entertainment.  Then we came upon something strange. It was a coffin you get into and then they close the lid. The coffin starts shaking around and there is a camera inside so everyone can watch you on a screen.  The point was to have the feeling of being buried alive. The company is called Panic Attack Haunt www.panicattackhaunt.com.   This is a really scary place, no one under 13 can get in.  I know some people that would love it, but it's too scary for me.

The festival runs for five days and you definitely need a few days if you want to do the many other things they have.  There is a 5k/10k walk, a cake challenge, Children's tea, boxing, circus, garden tour, historic home tour and many other things.  They have a nice website so check it out.  Would make a nice vacation if your looking for something to do.  There are many other things to do in Wilmington also.

Till next time...
Love,
Jennifer