Spring and a Chili Cook-off

Nothing says spring time quite like festivals. People have been waiting all winter long to get back outdoors, and enjoy the warm weather and beauty that comes with this season. And festivals are the perfect way to celebrate the excitement of the warming weather. Just last weekend Wilmington kicked off spring with the famous Azalea Festival, and this weekend Southport, NC, follows up with their Spring Festival and Chili Cookoff. Let the celebrating continue!

Southport is a charming seaside town that has been the filming site for some favorite films; most recently Safe Haven. Visitors flock to the quaint town because of its Hollywood connection, and for the notable Provisions Restaurant—if you want good seafood you’ll have to be sure to stop in there. Even more exciting is that Southport recently got “closer” to beach. Thanks to the Oak Island Bridge, your toes will be in the sand in no more than 10 minutes! It’s also home to the beautiful community Palmetto Creek, a place that is proud to be a part of Southport’s charm. It’s got the perfect location, sitting in between the historic Wilmington, NC, and Southport. The community is equipped with a boardwalk trail that winds through Palmetto Grove Preserve, following the babbling creek. It also has a fitness center and other walking and biking trails to ensure an active lifestyle, and the ability to enjoy the beauty of the area. If you’ve never been here, there’s no better time than the Spring Festival and Chili Cookoff to come and explore Southport and Palmetto Creek.

Having been a tradition for over 25 years, the Spring Festival is a Southport favorite. The Spring Festival is a two-day event, April 18-19, and you can celebrate Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival includes musical entertainment, handmade arts and crafts, activities for the kids, azaleas (of course!) and other plants for sale, and food vendors. There is also a 5k run/walk you can participate in. But perhaps most exciting about this event is the Chili Cookoff. Entrants into the contest make their homemade chili, and then it’s up to you to decide who will win the People’s Choice Award! Get your taste buds ready to try some delicious chili, and be sure to vote for your favorite.

Regardless of who wins the Chili Cookoff, the point of this festival is to celebrate spring, and enjoy all that Southport has to offer. It may be a small town, but it has a lot to give. You may end up wanting to call it home—in which case Palmetto Creek can help you there. Otherwise, we will see you at Franklin Square Park to enjoy spring and eat some good chili! It’s a festival you don’t want to miss!