Wilmington Calendar of Events

OCEAN: explore. discover
Sunday, February 03, 2008 - Sunday, January 04, 2009
Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28401: Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, in collaboration with UNCW Center for Marine Science, presents OCEAN: explore. discover. This multimedia, interactive, marine research exhibit encourages visitors to (re)discover the ocean, its influence on us, and our impact on it. Leading ocean research projects in the fields of marine exploration, biotechnology, coastal erosion, commercial fishing and aquaculture are presented through photos, videos, models and hands-on interactive components that challenge visitors to explore their relationship with the ocean. Call 910.798.4350 for more information.

Poplar Grove Farmers' Market
Wednesday, April 09, 2008 - Wednesday, December 17, 2008 (8am - 1pm)
Poplar Grove Plantation, 10200 US Hwy 17 North, Wilmington, NC 28411: Everything at Poplar Grove Farmers' Market is locally grown, raised or made. The market carries a fresh selection of in-season fruits & vegetables, plus plants, cut flowers, cheese, sausage, crab cakes, baked goods, nuts, pickles, herbs, honey and more plus a lovely assortment of beautiful crafts. Wednesday's only. Call 910.686.9518 ext. 26 for more information.

Cape Fear 7's Rugby Tournament
Saturday, July 05, 2008 - Sunday, July 06, 2008 (9am)
Ogden Park, 615 Odgen Park Drive, Wilmington, NC 28411: The Cape Fear Rugby Football Club will host the 34th Annual Cape Fear 7's Rugby Tournament. Cape Fear 7's is the oldest and largest 7-a-side weekend rugby tournament in the entire United States of America and attracts over 60+ teams from throughout the United States and from many international locations, as well. Admission is free and is suitable for children. Because of previous years successes, a youth rugby clinic for boys and girls between the ages of 7-14 will be ongoing throughout the weekend. For more information please contact Paul Kasper at 910.264.5277 or CapeFearSevens@aol.com.

Free Summer Concert
Friday, July 18, 2008 (6pm)
Fort Fisher Military Recreation Area, 118 Riverfront Rd, Kure Beach, NC 28449: Come and listen to a free concert held every year at Fort Fisher Military Recreation Area. Bring your chairs, blankets and kids and enjoy a concert along the Cape Fear River. Call 910.458.8434 for more information.

Cape Fear Blues Festival
Friday, July 25, 2008 - Sunday, July 27, 2008
Various Locations: A 3-day celebration of blues music between the beautiful beaches of the Cape Fear Coast and the historic riverfront of downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. Events include a Blues Cruise, workshops, outdoor concert, live club shows, and an all-day blues jam in the park. Call 910.350.8822 or email admin@capefearblues.org.

Wooden Boat Festival
Saturday, July 26, 2008
CFCC Campus; Riverfront, Water Street, Wilmington, NC 28401: Presented by the CFCC Boat Building program, the festival serves as an annual celebration of the tradition and craft of wooden boat building. CFCC's wooden boat festival attracts thousands of visitors every year. 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 demonstrations of traditional boat building techniques like bending wood using steam. Build Your Own Boat! If you have ever wanted to build your own boat, now is your chance! For more information contact Ed Verge at 910.362.7151 or email everge@cfcc.edu

Baskets of Summer
Saturday, July 26, 2008 - Saturday, July 26, 2008 (8am - 5pm)
Poplar Grove Plantation, 10200 Hwy 17 N, Wilmington, NC 28411: A one day, fun-filled basketry event for all skill levels. There are teachers from Wilmington and surrounding counties teaching the basket classes. Come meet new friends, share a love of basketry and create a nice project to take home and enjoy. For more information call 910.686.9518 ext. 26.

7th Annual Art & Antique Walk
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Downtown Wilmington, Front Street, Wilmington, NC 28401: The Art & Antique Walk will showcase various paintings, photographs, jewelry, sculptures, and antiques from New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick counties. With over 20 area vendors, this event will offer the best art and antiques from the region in one location. The entire event will be held on Front Street and will be closed to vehicular traffic for the duration of the Walk. Downtown City parking decks will be free for the entire day. Call 910.251.0727 or email artandantiquewalk@hotmail.com for more information.

30th Anuual YMCA Triathlon
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Wrightsville Beach: The biggest race in the NCTS, and the largest from Washington DC to Florida - the Wilmington YMCA Triathlon will close out at 1,300 participants. Call 910.251.9622 ext 224.

Battleship Alive
Saturday, September 27, 2008 - Saturday, September 27, 2008 (8am - 5pm)
Battleship North Carolina, #1 Battleship Road, Wilmington, NC 28401: Watch and interact with World War II living history interpreters as they bring the Ship to life by enacting daily duties and drills. An excellent field trip opportunity for families and groups! Included in regular admission. For information call 910.251.5797 Ext. 2046.

Riverfest 2008
Friday, October 03, 2008 - Sunday, October 05, 2008
Downtown Wilmington, Riverside, Water Street, Wilmington, NC 28401: When downtown Wilmington's streets host a family fun festival that winds its way along the Cape Fear River. Continuous live entertainment is featured on two outdoor stages during this festival that celebrates the area's rich heritage with music, arts and crafts, exhibits, dance performances, contests, children's activities, food, river events, friendly competitions, fireworks and more. For more information call 910.452.6862.

Cape Fear Scarecrow Festival
Saturday, October 04, 2008 - Monday, November 10, 2008
Downtown Wilmington: Downtown Wilmington businesses will show off their creativity during this competitive display of scarecrows. Visitors are invited to check out dozens of creative scarecrows on display at Downtown shops, restaurants, and businesses, where they can cast their votes for Audience Favorite. Maps are available to show the location of the various entries at downtown Visitor Centers and at participating businesses. Call 910.251.0727 or email chris@dbawilmington.com for details.

Fabulous Fantail Family Film Favorite: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Friday, October 10, 2008 (7pm)
Battleship North Carolina, #1 Battleship Road, Wilmington, NC 28401: Enjoy a family favorite on the fantail of the Ship, just like her crew. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 1937 �" Based on a classic fairy tale, Walt Disney's ground breaking animated feature is ranked as one of the top 100 films. Hit songs include “Heigh Ho,” “Whistle While You Work,” and “Some Day My Prince Will Come.” Tickets are $1.00 and are available at the door only (does not include a tour of the Ship). Fresh popcorn & sodas are $1.00. For information call 910.251.5797 Ext. 2049.

Bark in the Park
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Wrightsville Beach Park, Bob Sawyer Drive, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480: Mighty mutts and playful purebreds will leap to the sky to catch flying discs at the 2008 Skyhoundz Hyperflight Canine Disc Championships. The event begins at 11am. No experience necessary, admission free to spectators and competitors. Please come by the Wrightsville Beach Recreation Office to pre-register. For more information call 910.256.7925 or email kryan@towb.org.

Ghost Ship
Friday, October 24, 2008 - Saturday, October 25, 2008 (6pm)
Battleship North Carolina (1 Battleship Road): You've seen the Battleship on paranormal programs, now come see for yourself! Battleship staff and volunteers will lead you through the bowels of the ship to hear true Battleship tales. “Haunted North Carolina's” members reveal ghostly details and provide you with a unique opportunity to learn how ghost hunters track spirits. The charge is $10 per person, cash at the door.

Beach-2-Battleship Triathlon
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Wrightsville Beach/Wilmington, Banks Channel to Battleship NC, Wilmington, NC 28401: Full and 1.2 Iron Distance Triathlon in Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington NC. A full Iron Distance and half iron distance race will take place simultaneously. Both events will fall under the name Beach2Battleship, a name that derives directly from the unique course the triathletes will take, as well as, the world class tourist experience and amenities available to competitors, their families and friends. Our triathletes will start from Wrightsville Beach, NC for a point to point swim in the channel so they will not have to deal with the unpredictability of an ocean swim. Beach2Battleship finishes at the USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial. For more information visit the web site.

St. Stan's Polish Festival
Saturday, November 01, 2008 - Saturday, November 01, 2008 (11am - 5pm)
St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 4849 Castle Hayne Road, Castle Hayne, NC 28429: There will be traditional Polish cuisine, entertainment, children's games, raffles, live & silent auctions, craft sale, dancing, music and great fun! Free! Call for more information.

10th Annual Battleship Half Marathon & 5K
Sunday, November 09, 2008 (8am)
Battleship North Carolina, #1 Battleship Road, Wilmington, NC 28401: This challenging USATF-certified race starts and finishes at the Battleship, encompassing three bridges and Greenfield Lake. This race is presented by Ed Fore with the support of over 100 volunteers. Funds benefit the Battleship and the Wilmington Family YMCA. To sign up contact the YMCA at 910-251-9622 Ext. 224, or edfore@bellsouth.net.

Season of Celebration
Friday, November 21, 2008 - Saturday, December 20, 2008
Downtown Wilmington: Series of Christmas events Downtown Wilmington has so much to offer this holiday season! Kick off your Christmas holiday season by attending the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony or any of the other planned events that will be happening each weekend leading up to Christmas. Call 910.251.0727 or email chris@dbawilmington.com for more details.

Holiday Lighting of the Battleship
Friday, December 05, 2008 - Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Battleship North Carolina, #1 Battleship Road, Wilmington, NC 28401: Part of historic downtown Wilmington's annual holiday light celebration, the Battleship will be dressed in lights strung from the bow up to the masts and down to the stern. Enjoy nightly from dusk to 11:00pm. Free viewing from downtown Wilmington. For information call 910.251.5797.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Weekend
Saturday, December 06, 2008 - Sunday, December 07, 2008
Battleship North Carolina, #1 Battleship Road, Wilmington, NC 28401: Commemorative weekend surrounding the remembrance of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941, the event that brought America into World War II. Activities include Battleship Alive interpreters aboard ship and Azalea Coast Radio Club will provide HAM radio operators the opportunity to contact the ship. For more information call 910.251.5797.

• The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce
• The Carteret County Chamber of Commerce
• The Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
• The Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce
• The Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce
• The Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce