Wilmington Weekend Guide: November 20th – 22nd

Wilmington Riverfest!

After Riverfest was postponed last month, we’ve been anxiously awaiting it’s arrival! The annual street fair will be bringing shopping, street food, live music, fireworks and more to Downtown Wilmington all throughout the weekend. For the complete schedule of events, see the event website.

Friday, November 20th 6pm -11pm; Saturday, November 21st, 12pm – 11pm; Sunday, November 22nd, 12pm – 6pm.
Admission is free.
Event website listed above. Port City Daily has a great event and parking guide that can be found here.

Historic Downtown Wilmington around Water Street.

Party in the Pines
a kickoff party for bread & lights gingerbread and lights festival!

Party in the Pines kicks off the gingerbread and lights festival at Cameron Art Museum with music, cocktails, and holiday desserts!

Party in the Pines: Friday, November 20th at 6pm
Admission is $35 to $45. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling 910-395-5999.
For more information, visit the Cameron Art Museum’s website.
bread & lights begins Saturday, November 21st through December 6th.

Cameron Art Museum
3201 South 17th Street
Wilmington, NC 28412

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Stop by the Carolina Civic Center to catch a screening of one of our favorite films, The Grand Budapest Hotel. The story follows a young lobby boy who becomes the trusted friend of the hotel’s lead concierge. Popcorn and other conseccions will be available.

Friday, November 20th at 7pm.
Admission is $5.
For more information, visit the Carolina Civic Center’s website.

Carolina Civic Center
315 North Chestnut Street
Lumberton, NC 28358

Carolina Music Festival

Enjoy live music all weekend long with the Carolina Music Festival! Performances will be held at the Brooklyn Arts Center on Friday, Satellite Bar & Lounge on Saturday, and The Art Factory on Sunday.

Friday, November 20th – Sunday, November 22nd.
Admission is $5 to $20. Single day and three day ticket options are available.
For tickets and band lineups, visit the event website.

Pleasure Island Library Grand Opening

The new Pleasure Island Library in Carolina Beach has a grand opening celebration on Saturday, with tours, a ribbon cutting, refreshments, and events throughout the day.

Saturday, November 21st, 10am – 2pm.
Admission is free.

New Hanover Public Library at Pleasure Island
401 N Lake Park Blvd
Carolina Beach, NC 28428

November: Giving Back & More Ways to Win!

Share what you’re grateful for on our Facebook Page and you could win a $15 Dunkin Donuts gift card! And don’t forget that for each Google review we receive through the month of November, we will be donating $10 to the House of Mercy at Global River Church and the First Fruit Ministries, along with a $10 gift card for you!

First Fruit Ministries is a wonderful local organization that provides transitional housing and support services to women and families, mobile street feeding for the homeless and a food pantry. Since First Fruit Ministries began in 1998, it has grown to serve over 20,000 hot meals, provide emergency groceries to over 5,000 households, and shelter over 24 homeless women and families annually.

Wilmington Weekend Guide: November 13-15

Happy Friday Wilmington! We are so excited for a sunny and cool weekend! Check out our Wilmington Weekend Guide below for great weekend events!

Tables to Dine For
We are obsessed with decorating and tablescapes (thanks to HGTV), so we will definitely be heading to The Treasure Chest to see their holiday tablescapes. The event features six unique tables decorated for Thanksgivingand Christmas with wine and appetizers.

Friday, November 13th at 6pm
Admission is free.

The Treasure Chest Resale & Design Center
1614 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

Feast of the Pirates
Ahoy! The Wilmington Harbor Enhancement Trust bring pirates to the Port City Marina downtown complete with a pirate vessel, live pirates, a treasure hunt, games, food, and beer garden. There will be a ‘Pirate Parrrty’ on Saturday evening, 7-11pm.

Saturday November 14th, 10am-6m; Sunday November 15th, 12pm-5pm
Admission is free. Admission to the Pirate Parrty is $35.00 per person.
For more information, visit the Port City Marina website.

Port City Marina
10 Harnett Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

UFO Lecture at Holiday Inn Express
If you didn’t get enough spook during the Halloween season, join Dr. Diana Pasulka, professor and chair of the Philosophy and Religion Department at UNCW in a discussion about the correlation of historical UFO accounts and modern sightings. Presented by The Mutual UFO Network of NOrth Carolina (MUFON NC).

Saturday, November 14th at 2pm
Admission is $10.00

Holiday Inn Express
160 Van Campen Blvd
Wilmington, NC 28403

Cancer Shucks: Oyster Roast and Silent Auction
Events at the Watermark Marina presents Cancer Shucks, an oyster roast and silent auction with proceeds benefiting those receiving treatment at New Hanover Regional Medical Center’s Zimmer Cancer Center.

Satuday, November 14th at 5pm
Admission is $30-$50. Children under 13 are admitted free.
For tickets and more information, visit the event website.

Events at Watermark Marina
4114 River Road
Wilmington, NC 28412

A Very Merry Crafted Market
If you’re already excited about holiday decorating (we certainly aren’t…) enjoy this holiday market with artwork, fine crafts, and handmade items.

Saturday, November 14th, 10am-4pm
Admission is free.
For more information, visit the Town of Leland website.

Leland Cultural Arts Center
1212 Magnolia Village Way
Leland, NC 28451

The Best Rainy Day Activities in Wilmington NC

On rainy days, we love to curl up with a good book (like Phyllis from The Office) or slip away to a cozy coffee shop!
Wilmington is known for it’s great outdoor activities, but there are several indoor places that are perfect for a rainy day. Below is our list of the best rainy day activities in Wilmington NC!

Best for the Bookworm:

The Used Bookery – 6770 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28405
The Used Bookery is tucked away on Market Street in a small strip that can be easily missed. But don’t miss this bookstore that boasts a great selection of used books with a knowledgeable and friendly staff. We can always spend a decent amount of time in here.

Two Sisters Bookery – 318 Nutt St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Two Sisters Bookery is tucked away in The Cotton Exchange, which is a great place to linger around on a rainy day with its many great shops and restaurants. Their are several great books on Wilmington, plus small gifts and cards.

Luna Caffe – 604 Castle St, Wilmington, NC 28401
We’ve posted about Luna Caffee before, as it has the perfect ‘stay and unwind’ vibe. Bring your computer and plan your next vacation, or catch up with a friend over a game like connect four.

Best for Kids:

Defy Gravity – 6431 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28405
Two words: Trampoline Park. If your little ones are looking to burn off some energy, head to Defy Gravity and let them bounce the day away.

Fit for Fun Center – 302 S 10th St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Perfect for younger little ones, Fit for Fun Center features a ball pit, games, and activities.

Best for Exploring Wilmington’s History:

Bellamy Mansion – 503 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Bellamy Mansion, the beautiful white mansion that steals the show in downtown Wilmington is just as beautiful inside as it is outside. Tours are offered daily Tuesday-Sunday.

The Wrightsville Beach Museum – 303 W Salisbury St, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
Learn about the history of the Wrightsville Beach area at this quaint museum that offers free admission!

Best Unique Experiences:

Museum of The Bizarre – 201 S Water Street Wilmington, NC, 28401
The Museum of The Bizarre is a truly fun and unique addition to downtown Wilmington. See bizarre worldly and local items and stories. Admission is just $3.00.

Cape Fear Serpentarium – 20 Orange St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Okay, so this one may not be for everyone, but it definitely is unique. The Serpentarium features -you guessed it- over 80 snakes and reptiles.

Best Bites on a Rainy Day:

Fork N Cork – 122 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Fork N Cork on Market Street is a new favorite of many Wilmington residents. The restaurant offers fun spins on comfort food and hearty burgers and sandwiches. Don’t leave without trying the Texas Poutine.

The Copper Penny – 109 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC 28402
Around the corner on Chestnut Street, the Copper Penny and it’s cozy saloon vibe are perfect for those rainy days you want to pair with a pint. The restaurant serves your fairly typically American bar fare, but don’t skimp on the sides- locals love their sweet potato fries and onion rings. Wash it all down with one of the many brews on draft.

Osteria Cicchetti (aka “The OC”) – locations at Monkey Junction and The Forum
Osteria offers the perfect Italian plate for a rainy day. The restaurant offers several selections of pastas, pizzas, and fantastic seafood dishes. They also offer daily soup specials that are always otherworldly. We love to pair our flatbread with a cold cocktail from the bar at The Forum location!

P.S. Are you prepared for the heavy rains? See our previous posts on protecting your home from heavy rains here and mosquito prevention here.

Wilmington Weekend Guide: November 6th – 8th, 2015

Happy Friday!

The first weekend of November is here (can you believe it?) and there is no shortage of events to attend this weekend! Check out our Wilmington Weekend Guide Below!

Cape Fear Fair & Expo

Cape Fear Fair & Expo at the Wilmington Airport features attractions, livestock and agriculture! See some cute animals, chow down on some great fair food and enjoy games and special events.

Friday November 6th, 5pm to Midnight
Saturday, November 7th, Noon to Midnight
Sunday, November 8th, 1pm-11pm
Tickets are $5.00 to $22.00.
For more information and tickets, visit the Cape Fear Fair Festival website.

Wilmington International Airport
1740 Airport Blvd
Wilmington, NC 28405

Festival Latino

Enjoy this cross-cultural celebration with Latin American food booths, music, events and children’s activities (featuring a pinata!). The festival will be in Ogden Park on both Saturday and Sunday, with Saturday focusing on cevents for children and Sunday focusing on food and music.

Saturday, November 7th, 11am-8pm
Sunday, November 8th, 11am-5pm
Admission is free.

Ogden Park
615 Ogden Park Drive
Wilmington, NC 28411

The Golden Age of Hollywood at Thalian Hall

This exhibit features work by Dorothy Lonergan Currie including a collection of charcoal and pastel drawings of film stars of the 1930s along with memorable movie moments.

Daily through November 22nd.
Admission is free.
For more information, visit Thalian Hall’s website.
Thalian Hall
310 Chestnut Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

Ben Folds with yMusic in Concert

98.3 FM The Penguin presents Ben Folds, renowned singer-songwriter, in Wilmington NC at the Greenfield Lake Amphitheater this Saturday with New York City based chamber ensemble yMusic. We can’t wait!

Saturday, November 7th, at 6pm
Tickets are $35.00.
For tickets and more information, visit the event website.

Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
1941 Amphitheater Drive
Wilmington, NC 28401

Novemberfest

Join The Learning Tree on Lake Avenue for Novemberfest, featuring great activities and events for kids! Enjoy face painting, a bounce house, games, a cake walk, raffle and more! Non-perishable canned food will be collected to support local families in need.

Saturday, November 7th, at 10am
Admission is $5.00.

The Learning Tree
4306 Lake Avenue
Wilmington, NC 28403

Harvest to Table Dinner Benefit for Centripetal Farm

Enjoy dinner, drinks and music at this benefit featuring locally sourced food from Red Beard Farms and Carolina Mariculture Company and drinks from Wilmington Brewing Company. Proceeds benefit Centripetal Farm and their mission to provide environmentally safe and nutritious food along with healthy lifestyle education.

Saturday, November 7th, at 6pm
Tickets are $50.00.
For tickets and more information, visit the event website.

Antlion Acre
173 Yorktown Road
Wrightsboro, NC 28429

24th Anniversary Open House and Bike & Car Show at Carolina Coast Harley-Davidson

Join Harley-Davidson on Market Street for an anniversary party and bike and car show. The event will also feature food, drinks, a stunt show (at 12pm and 1pm), a dyno shootout and children’s activities.

Saturday, November 7th, at 10am
Admission is free.
For more information, visit Carolina Coast Harley-Davidson’s website.

Carolina Coast Harley-Davidson
6620 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28405

Wonderful Wilmington November 2015 Newsletter

It’s time to give back.

For us, November is a time to reflect on our blessings and community involvement. We are truly grateful for our owners, tenants, and clients and the continued support we receive from our family and friends.

Throughout this month, we will be giving back and sharing our favorite ways to participate in our community. For the month of November, we will be giving each individual who shares a review on Google a $10.00 Dunkin Donuts gift card. We will also be donating $10.00 to the House of Mercy at Global River Church and the First Fruit Ministries for each Google review we receive. We are constantly striving to improve our services and sincerely value your feedback.

We are excited to give back to The House of Mercy at Global River Church as the program helps those in need in both spiritual and practical ways. This community provides several services to the poor, homeless and needy, including food assistance through their food pantry.
First Fruit Ministries is a wonderful local organization that provides transitional housing and support services to women and families, mobile street feeding for the homeless and a food pantry. Since First Fruit Ministries began in 1998, it has grown to serve over 20,000 hot meals, provide emergency groceries to over 5,000 households, and shelter over 24 homeless women and families annually.

(Images via the Global River Church website and First Fruit Ministries Facebook)

We look forward to working with these organizations and supporting their positive impact in Wilmington.

Don’t forget to follow our Facebook Page as well for even more special giveaways!

Best Wishes for a Rewarding Month,
Dianne Perry & Company

P.S. Do you have any favorite organizations in Wilmington or the surrounding areas? We would love to hear about them. Share with us in the comments!

Did you miss our latest newsletter? Check it out below and sign up for for our newsletter here!

Halloween & Wrapping Up October

October is coming to a close this weekend and we are looking forward to a great Halloween. Here in the office we have a cat, two mice , a deer, a fairy godmother, Danny Zuko and the most beautiful little princess.
In addition to our Wilmington weekend Halloween picks, below are some guidelines to being safe on Halloween and while Trick or Treating:

Trick or Treat on blocks with well-lit houses and remain on house porches.
Most safety councils and city officials recommend Trick or Treating from 6pm to 8pm.
Children should travel in groups accompanied by an adult or adults.
Bring treats home before eating them and perform a quick check of your child’s candy before they indulge.
Use flashlights where necessary!
Be mindful when crossing streets.
Homeowners should not have any open flames where it may interfere with a child’s costume (such as on a walkway to the home) or where it may present a potential fire hazard.
Do not leave jack-o-lanterns with an open flame unattended.

If you’re still in need of a pumpkin, head to Wesley Memorial Church to pick one up from their office. Our office gets our pumpkins there every year and the proceeds support their youth group!

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month and at Dianne Perry & Company breast cancer touched our lives in a way we will never forget. In December 2012, our agent (and daughter, sister, and friend!) Amanda Perry was given the report of breast cancer at the age of 27. As a perfectly healthy women in her twenties, she was taken by surprise at finding a lump. Please read her personal journey on her blog and help educate other women of all ages on breast cancer awareness.

It’s never too early to be prepared and support others. Amanda is a brave, compassionate person and her journey has made her a stronger person than ever!

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, we invite you to take a moment and perform a self exam. While many of us feel invincible, it is important to begin regular examinations at age 20.

How to perform a self exam: http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/guide/breast-self-exam

ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF: if you find a lump, no matter your age, go to the Doctor (don’t put it off) and require them to do an ultrasound or mammogram. If you are young, they will likely believe it to be a common cyst, which it most likely but it is, but it is far better to have peace of mind. It Breast cancer in young women goes untreated it often becomes very aggressive and can spread. Insurance or not, there is funding for these tests.

We hope you have had a wonderful month and we look forward to what November brings!

Wilmington Weekend Guide October: 9th – October 11th

The weekend is here and we’re excited not only because there is less rain in the forecast this weekend, but because there are a ton of amazing events going on in the Wilmington area! Check out our Wilmington Weekend Guide below.

An Evening with Devils Backbone Brewing Company at Fermental

(Image by Christina Haley, via Port City Daily)

Fermental, a great local beer shop with an outdoor beer garden, is showcasing the Devils Backbone Brewing Company from Lexington, Virginia. The event will feature samples, giveaways, live music, and the Funky Fresh Food Truck.

Friday October 9^that 6:00 PM.
This is a free event with food and beverage for sale.
For more information, visit Fermental’s website.

Fermental
7250 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28411

Paranormal Ghost Tour at Poplar Grove Plantation

(Image via WhatsonWilmington.com)

The Paranormal Ghost Tour at Poplar Grove Plantation in Wilmington, NC is led every Friday in October. Ghostly activity is abound in the Manor house, particularly in the dining room, upstairs hallway and the children’s room. Tours also feature tales of true crimes of passion!

Tours are held every Friday in October and begin on the hour and last from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Tour groups are limited to 15 people and are $15.00 for adults. Reserve your space in advance by calling Felicia Green at 910-686-9518 x103.
For more information visit the Poplar Grove website.

Poplar Grove Plantation
10200 Us Highway 17
Wilmington, NC

Back Door Kitchen Tour

(Image via Wikipedia)

Itching to get a look inside of some the beautiful homes in the historic downtown? This Saturday is your chance to get a glimpse! The Back Door Kitchen tour is a self led tour that allows the public to visit nine distinguished kitchens in the historic downtown area. Some of the kitchens include a Fifth Avenue mansion, a 1898 bungalow, and a Front Street home once occupied by President Woodrow Wilson.

Saturday, October 10^th from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under and can be purchased online here.
For more information visit the Residents of Old Wilmington website.

Various locations in the historic district, see website for details.

Taste of Wrightsville Beach

(Image via Wrightsville Beach Foundation)

Enjoy local food, beer, and wine from over 30 local businesses celebrating the unique tastes of the Wrightsville Beach area!

Saturday, October 10^th at 5:00 PM
Tickets are $25.00 to $100.00.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit the Wrightsville Beach Foundation website.

Oceanfront by MarineMax
130 Short St, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

Port City Rumble Car Show

(Image via Port City Rumble on Facebook)

Don’t miss jalopies, choppers, cars, bikes and more at the Port City Rumble Car Show. All the featured vehicles are built before 1967!

Saturday October 10^th, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Admission is free.
For more information, check out the event page on Facebook.

Between Princess and 2^nd Street in downtown Wilmington.

Star Wars Day at The Northeast Regional Library

(Image via Northeast Regional Library)

Kids and their families are invited to dress up and enjoy Star Wars Day at the Northeast Regional Library featuring games, crafts, and activities.

Saturday, October 10^th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Admission is free.
For more information, visit the Northeast Regional Library’s website.

Northeast Regional Library
1241 Military Cutoff Road
Wilmington, NC 28405

A zombie, a vampire, and a werewolf walk into a bar… Presented by TheatreNow

(Image via TheatreNOW)

Is it panic, pandemonium and mayhem when these high powered ladies of the night go out for a night on the town? Not really. Try trivia, karaoke and a bachelorette party? These ladies of the evening are sure to show you the meaning of “eat your heart out” in more ways than one. This performance is recommended for mature audiences only. Join TheatreNow for this fun performance complete with a Halloween themed dinner!

October 9^th – October 31^st (Fridays and Saturdays only). Doors open at 6:00 PM and the show begins at 7PM.
Tickets are $20.00 (dinner excluded) to $34.00.
For more information, visit TheatreNow’s website.

TheatreNOW
19 South 10th Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

The 22nd Annual Pleasure Island Seafood Blues and Jazz Festival

(Image via Pleasure Island on Facebook)

Enjoy nationally recognizes Blues and Jazz performers, coastal cuisine and fun for all ages at this festival. In addition to the several amazing artists, the festival will also have some shopping, wine tasting, and magicians, face painting, and inflatables for the kids.

October 10^th – October 11^th, gates open at 11:00 AM.
Tickets range from $25.00 to $100.00 with two day and single day offers.
For the musician lineup and for more information, visit the Pleasure Island website.

Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area
118 Riverfront Road
Kure Beach, NC 28449

Wilmington Weekend Guide: September 25th – September 27th

It’s Friday, fall is here and we are ready for the weekend! There is a lot going on in Wilmington and the surrounding areas, so we’ve rounded up some of the activities and events that we are most excited for. Check them out below!

NC Spot Festival

Don’t miss the live music, inflatables, food, and arts at this festival! Admission is $3.00 and children 12 and under are free. Spot Dinners are $8.00 and include two spot fish (one of the area’s best-tasting and most popular fish), hush puppies, fries and coleslaw.
For more information, check out the NC Spot Festival website and Facebook page.

Friday, September 25^th 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Saturday, September 26^th8:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Sunday, September 27^th 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

14221 U.S. 17
Hwy 17 Across from Deerfield
Hampstead, NC 28443
(Image via Facebook)

Cirque Italia

Cirque Italia is a water based circus (no animals) with a custom designed water stage that features 35,000 gallons of water! Performers include Laser Man, Hair Hang, High Energy Juggling, Chinese Pole and Slinky Act. Tickets are $10.00 – $50.00, depending upon seating level. See their website for more details and tickets.

Friday, September 25^th 7:30 PM
Saturday, September 26^th 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM, and 8:30 PM
Sunday, September 27^th, 2:30 PM and 5:30 PM

Wilmington International Airport
1740 Airport Blvd
Wilmington, NC 28405
(Image via Cirque Italia website)

Fall Festival & Corn Maze

If you’ve already had one too many pumpkin spice lattes, then don’t miss the Fall Festival and Corn Maze for all things autumn. Enjoy a corn maze shaped like our state, hay rides, farm animals and giant slides. Perfect for kids. Admission is $7.00 – $30.00 with several packages available. See their website for more information.

Friday, September 25^th 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, September 26^th1:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, September 27^th 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Located at Hubb’s Corn Maze
10444 US Hwy 421 North
Clinton, NC 28328 (About a 1.5 hour drive from Wilmington, NC)
(Image via whatsonwilmington.com)

Ceviche’s 1 Year Anniversary Party

If you haven’t had ceviche from Ceviche yet, you are missing out. Stop by on Sunday and enjoy live music, free samples, and t-shirts. If this is your first visit, don’t miss the Los Camarones ceviche or the BLT Arepas.

Sunday, September 27^th beginning at 12:00 PM

Ceviche
7210 Wrightsville Avenue
Wilmington, NC 28405
(Image via Ceviche)