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It’s Friday, Wilmington! Let’s finish this week strong.
In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Elaine Hendrix crowned Azalea Festival queen, a pirate invasion, and KC and the Sunshine Band + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Wilmington protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
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đź“° In the news
Coastal maintenance moves forward: USACE will dredge Lockwood Folly Inlet this month and Shallotte Inlet by April, placing sand on Holden Beach and Ocean Isle Beach after earlier Wilmington Harbor work — get project timelines and updates.
TV favorite takes festival spotlight: Elaine Hendrix, known from Dynasty and The Parent Trap, was named 2026 Azalea Festival queen and will be crowned April 8 at 3 p.m., with appearances at Wilmington events — see where she’ll appear.
Genre-spanning music showcase: CFCC’s free Faculty and Friends Concert will bring classical, jazz, and folk to Union Station Auditorium on March 16, open to the public with no tickets or admission required — get all the event details.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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đź’Ž Local business spotlight
Bring on the color: When the week drags, Art in Bloom Gallery lifts it with rotating exhibits, local art you’ll actually want on your walls, and welcoming workshops that spark new hobbies. Think of it as a low-stress mood upgrade, with zero pressure and plenty of inspiration.
Dream deck, minus drama: Deck and Patio TuneUp designs and builds custom decks, pergolas, railings, and porches, plus 3D CAD previews so you see the plan before a board is set. This Wilmington crew refreshes outdoor spaces with smooth planning, sturdy craftsmanship, and minimal fuss.
Coastal catch, elevated: Seabird serves seafood that tastes like the coast, from briny-fresh oysters to seasonal plates, with cocktails that play nice with the ocean vibe. Menus shift with the tides, so there’s always something new, whether it’s a midweek splurge or a laid-back night.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
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🫶 We got your back
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Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →
Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →
Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🍲 Empty Bowls 2026 @ First Baptist Church Activity Center | Friday (3/13) at 11:00 AM – Take a long lunch and do some good at Empty Bowls, a soup social where fifty bucks gets you a gourmet bowl from a hometown restaurant, a handcrafted bowl to keep, and warm fuzzies. Proceeds split 50/50 between Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard and Good Shepherd Center.
🧚 Enchanted Grove Expo @ Elks Lodge 532 | Friday (3/13) at 4:00 PM – If your porch already looks like Airlie Gardens and your nightstand doubles as a quartz quarry, clear some shelf space. Wilmington’s first plant and crystal expo is rolling in with three days of vendors, workshops, coffee, and very soothing energy. Bring tote bags, and skepticism.
🍻 Historic Happy Hour @ Dram Yard | Friday (3/13) at 4:00 PM – Swap your same-old happy hour for a guided walk through historic downtown Wilmington, with architecture gossip, local lore, and sips. It is $30 for the tour, drinks are on you. Meet at ARRIVE/Dram Yard courtyard, pop into The Vine, finish at Wine Knot Sky Bar.
🎨 Watercolor Floral Collage Workshop @ Perennial Harbor | Saturday (3/14) at 3:00 PM – Try your hand at a watercolor floral collage at Perennial Harbor, no art degree or steady hand required. It’s the fun part of watercolor, minus the panic about technique, plus a chatty, grownup vibe with fellow crafty locals. Paper, petals, pride intact.
🛶 At the Forest’s Edge @ Wilmington Water Tours, LLC | Sunday (3/15) at 10:00 AM – Missed the boat, literally? This rare cruise up the NE Cape Fear River skirts Sledge Forest’s hidden edges, with speakers, a light lunch, and tunes by Stephen Axhelm, all benefiting Save Sledge Forest. It’s sold out, of course, but the waitlist is your golden ticket.
🍀 Shamrock Fest @ The Bend | Sunday (3/15) at 12:00 PM – Head to The Bend for Shamrock Fest, an outdoor market with about 50 local vendors slinging St. Paddy’s goodies, crafts, and treats. It’s the kind of browsing that pairs well with mild bragging about shopping local. Wear green, dodge pinches, support your neighbors.
🥂 Second Annual Sip & Shuck Fundraiser @ The Cargo District | Sunday (3/15) at 4:00 PM – Our favorite oyster roast fundraiser returns to The Alley in The Cargo District, pouring two local beers alongside a baker’s dozen briny beauties. Seventy-five bucks, live music, and the smug satisfaction of helping the Cape Fear River, so snag tickets before your neighbor does.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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đź“» Wilmington report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 64°F – Low: 47°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 64. Southeast wind 2 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Southwest wind 3 to 9 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 71°F – Low: 54°F – Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 71. North wind 1 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
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This 5,354-square-foot Mediterranean Revival, built by a master craftsman, in the waterfront community of Inlet Watch Estates captures marina, ICW, and ocean views from an upper veranda. A foyer and spiral staircase join an elevator and open kitchen with Viking and Sub-Zero. The third-floor primary adds a sitting room with two-sided fireplace. Ground level includes gym and a 4-plus-car garage.
Take a peek inside →
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