“…Where the morning glories twine around the door
Whispering pretty stories I long to hear once more…”
Quivering from the near-chill in the air, I watched as the 132 Southern Belles promenaded up the aisles of the Hugh Morton Amphitheater on the banks of Greenfield Lake. It was the ribbon cutting ceremony of the 69th annual Cape Fear Garden Club Azalea Tour in Wilmington, North Carolina. Not only is the setting most captivating, but a sense of pride prevailed due to the 61 surrounding Citadel Summerall Guards-all dressed in their blue and white uniforms. The infamous “Belles” were adorned in spectacular handmade gowns reminiscent of 19th century America. Complete with hoop skirts, lace gloves, parasols, and crocheted shawls, they sashayed about the crowd. There was a feeling of jubilation among this gathering of proud parents, society notables, supporters, and curious visitors. This was not a cavalcade of Bo Peep wannabes; instead, this was a group of elegant young ladies writing a chapter in their own memory books---each participating in a moment of history.
This annual event has become one of the top ten happenings in the south with an economic impact of over $50 Mil. In turn, proceeds are reinvested in the community through beautification and horticultural grants, scholarships and support of the Battery Island National Audubon wildlife sanctuary.
This year, there were 13 gardens on tour. The collection exhibited a wide variety of styles and levels of landscaping authority—to me, that is what made this assortment interesting. Yes, there were the formal, professionally landscaped gardens attached to antebellum mansions--innate to the area’s history. But likewise, there were less-formalized gardens which were tendered by the talents of DIY artisans. Among them, raised box gardens, rain water collection barrels, and outdoor entertainment venues seemed very popular. In all situations, there was something a visitor could easily learn and add to their own book of gardening possibilities.
Ever-present in each setting was the collection of Belles. As ambassadors of beauty, they struck a pose among the flowers. Enchanting. Nostalgic. Elegant. Cropping out the throngs of fellow visitors and focusing solely on the garden, one could easily be transported to a different era.
Intrigued by the novelty of it all, I stopped to speak to one young lady. Her name was Eleni. As a native resident of Wilmington, the Azalea Festival has been a part of her entire life. I asked her why she wanted to participate in this event. Her eyes lit with conviction, “I wanted to support this very important cause of the community.” She continued, “It is an honor to be a part of this. For me, it is a dream come true!” She went on to share that the next chapter of her life will be attending UNC in Chapel Hill. She desired to add this important experience to her life before she moves on. With her proud mother standing nearby, I knew she had the support of her family.
Perhaps, that is the beauty of all of this. The Azalea Festival is more than just a celebration of spring, it is a time that we gather to enjoy fellowship and simultaneously take pride in supporting a very worthy cause.
As the day began to close and my feet were weary, a song resonated in my mind. It was the same song that started the day. I could only smile.
“…If I had Aladdin's lamp for only a day
I'd make a wish and here's what I'd say
Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning…”
Gus Kahn, “Carolina in the Morning”-1922
This was A Moment in America.
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