The mission of the North Carolina Azalea Festival is to be nationally recognized as a showcase for our community's rich array of artwork, gardens, history, and culture through recreational, educational and family-oriented events. The Festival encourages volunteerism and civic participation as it contributes to the region's economy and promotes the unique qualities of our river-to-the-sea community. The North Carolina Azalea Festival is Wilmington’s annual community celebration and the largest festival of its kind in the state. Founded in 1948, the Azalea Festival has emerged as Wilmington’s premier event. The Festival’s concerts, fairs and special events are attended by an estimated 250,000 people. Each event is a celebration, beginning with the arrival of Queen Azalea at the official opening of the five-day event. Everywhere the blooming azaleas offer colorful testimony to the rich heritage of coastal Carolina.
paws4people® foundation raises, trains, and places customized Assistance Dogs at no direct cost with children, veterans, military dependents, first responders, and civilians living with life altering disabilities. The organization provides certification, insurance, and support for the client/dog teams for the duration of their career.
Since the organization’s founding in 1999, paws4people has placed over 1,300 highly trained Assistance Dogs with one or more certifications providing support in areas such as psychiatric service, mobility, and crisis response, just to name a few. Together, these dogs have made more than 1,000,000 contacts.
With the support of highly trained Assistance Dogs, paws4people® are helping people with disabilities achieve priceless, well-deserved independence. Fifty percent of this Contest’s proceeds will directly benefit paws4people®.
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