I tell ya, nothing makes it feel more like fall — other than that lovely crisp air we’ve gotten a taste of this week — than a county fair.
That’s one thing we’ve been missing in the Wilmington area in the past few years with the loss of the long-running Cape Fear Fair & Expo, which was last held in 2022. And I get it, New Hanover County more or less has run out of land to host a big event like a county fair, so it makes sense that this year’s inaugural Brunswick County Agricultural Fair & Expo will be bringing county-vibes to our area in rural Ash.
I’ve got fond memories of going to the old New Hanover County Fair when it was held for many years on Carolina Beach Road across from Echo Farms, and more recently on the grounds of Wilmington International Airport. But a Brunswick County Fair in the Southeastern North Carolina of 2025 just feels right.
Anyway, let’s look into what’s going down this weekend, both at the fair and elsewhere.
Weekend weather outlook
It’s going to be a glorious fall weekend, with clear skies, highs near 70 and lows in the 50s. Some clouds will creep in Sunday, bringing a slight chance of rain.
Go | See | Do
The fall festivals are hitting the Wilmington area full-force this weekend, with big events coming to New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties.
Plus, we’ve got quite a few plays, several genres of live music, some comedy, a big art show and much more. Peep the full list below.
The Dish with Port City Foodies
Food writer Allison Ballard has been sampling some of the offerings at the Brunswick County Agricultural Fair and Expo, and it’s quite the array. Plus, some Wilmington-area chefs are heading to the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh to have their food featued on a “Chef’s Stage.”
Getting to know ‘Red Velvet’
A compelling historical drama running through Oct. 26 at Brunswick Little Theatre’s charming facility in Southport is based on the true story of Ira Aldridge, an American-born actor who, when he played the role of Othello in 1833, became the first Black person to appear on a London stage. Read our review, link below.
News you can use
Three Wilmington bands have been selected to play at the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh. We’ve got the details. Plus, we delve into the history of Wilmington’s St. Mary Catholic School, and a Tony-nominated play by a Pender County author is being staged in Wilmington for the first time in four decades.
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