Wilmington,
NC � September 2004 � Celebrating life and culture on the Cape Fear River,
Riverfest is a 26-year tradition that provides a weekend of endless family
fun October 1-3. This year�s festival kicks off on Friday evening, October
1, with a Sunset Celebration that features live music performed outdoors
beside the pool at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside. Across the river at
the Battleship North Carolina, you can taste regional cuisine at a Battleship
benefit Pork Cook-off on Friday night. On Saturday and Sunday, Downtown
Wilmington�s streets come to life during this annual fall festival with
a street fair that winds its way along the Cape Fear River.
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Continuous
live entertainment spotlights area talent and underscores the influence
of arts and culture on the Cape Fear
lifestyle. Outdoor stages feature a variety of dance performances that
range from shag and belly dancing to traditional Irish and Hawaiian dance.
Music spans the globe on the Multicultural Stage with African dance and
drumming, Scottish bagpipes, Native American and Latin music. The Gospel
Jamboree stage offers uplifting spiritual music from 10am until 7pm on
Saturday and until 3pm on Sunday. The River Jam stage features a mix of
acoustic guitar, blues, jazz, alternative, folk, contemporary and rock
music. And the Cotton Exchange stage hosts local gymnasts, festival queens
and dance troupes.
Set
against the dramatic backdrop of the Cape Fear River, the area's rich heritage
is further demonstrated by more than 200 Arts and Crafts vendors who display
and sell unique art and handmade crafts such as pottery, jewelry, sculptures,
paintings, photography, wood crafts, baskets, holiday items, and much more.
Over 30 food vendors boast a variety of edible festival treats.
Special
events include the annual Great Waiter's Wine Race (Sunday, 2pm), the 2nd
Annual Riverfest Skateboard Competition (Saturday, 10am, Coast Line Convention
Center parking lot), and the 14th Annual Run the River 8K Race (Sunday,
8am), and the 2nd Annual Riverfest Wakeboarding Competition (Saturday,
11am, Conlin docking area behind the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce,
Estell Lee Drive. Contestant registration begins at 9:30am). There�s also
the Suncoast Cruisers Classic Car Show (Saturday), Cape Fear Antique Car
Club show (Sunday), karate and gymnastic demonstrations, ACCW professional
wrestling, and exhibits at the Coastline Convention Center. And on Saturday
evening at 9pm, there will be a dazzling fireworks display over the Battleship
North Carolina.
Children
have their own Kidz Zone outside the Cotton Exchange (Sat/Sun), an oasis
of free and fun things to do with live entertainment, pony rides, face
and hair painting, interactive games and amusements, a robotic jungle,
giant slide, and football toss with Port City Diesel. Kids will also enjoy
arts and crafts, clowns, jugglers, Kids� ID program, a rock-climbing wall,
basketball toss, fire trucks, rides and more.
Art
and garden lovers can experience the natural beauty of 11 fabulous fall
gardens located in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach during the 2nd Annual
Art in the Gardens Tour October 1-3 (Friday-Sunday, 10am-5pm). Tour begins
at the Arboretum at New Hanover County Cooperative Extension Center., 6306
Oleander Drive, Wilmington. Garden tour tickets cost $15 each, with proceeds
benefiting the Arboretum. A Lunch & Plant Fashion show takes place
Saturday from 12noon-2pm at the Blockade-Runner Resort-Wrightsville Beach.
And stop in for Sunday afternoon tea at the Arboretum. For details call
910-452-6393 or visit www.gardeningnhc.org.
Experience
the fun, food, excitement, and arts as we celebrate the life and culture
of the Cape Fear River during Riverfest 2004. For more information on festival
events, please call 910-452-6862 or visit www.wilmingtonriverfest.com.
For a Free Visitors Guide for Historic Wilmington and North Carolina's
Cape Fear Coast, please call 1-866-266-9690 or visit website www.cape-fear.nc.us.
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Media:
Cape
Fear Coast CVB
Connie
Nelson
Communications
Manager
(910)
341-4030 ext. 20, or
(800)
222-4757
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The
New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority d/b/a the Cape Fear Coast
Convention & Visitors Bureau (CFCCVB)
is the official destination marketing organization of New Hanover County
that stimulates economic development through the promotion of travel and
tourism. |
