September in Southport NC - A Fall Teaser

Every year when September rolls around, it is always a sweet relief. At the same time I find myself feeling a bit melancholy as yet another summer passes. I have always loved September. January may be our official New Year marker, but I’ve never been able to shake the feeling that September is truly the time for reflection and reinvention. It's something palpable that I feel every year at this time and I don't have the words to explain. Outside, the sky and water are bluer, the marshes are still as green as can be, and the light changes are subtle but stunning. Warm days, cool nights and mornings.. can you tell I am ready for this?

Coming up Saturday the 14th, the City of Southport is the sponsoring International Plein Air Worldwide Paint Out, an outdoor event, to support artists in the area and bring public art to our streets. From 8:30 to 2:30, each artist will create an original painting of Southport’s historic landscape and buildings. The event is free for artists and the public. For more information contact Randy Jones, Director of Tourism, City of Southport.

Don't forget Friday night the 20th, the Wilmington Big Band will be performing songs from the Great American Songbook as Save the Cape presents Jazz at the Cape Fear a fundraiser to benefit their project for a new State Park near Southport formerly the 600 acres of waterfront property along the Cape Fear River being considered for an International shipping terminal. Check out the amazing Silent Auction entrees!

Down at the old Yacht Basin, the 4th annual Southport Wooden Boat Show is expected to be bigger and better than ever! The event kicks off at 10am Saturday, September 28th. There will be all shapes and sizes of wooden boats on display plus, nautical arts and crafts, maritime demonstrations, kid's events, and a chowder cook-off, so get your taste buds ready. Contact: Bert Felton – 910.617.9667 Organized by the Southport Wooden Boat Show Committee and sponsored by Downtown Southport Inc. Here is a nice video from the State Port Pilot from last year's boat show.

Peeking over to October, it's that time again! The annual US Open King Mackerel Tournament kicks off again the 5th-7th. It's the largest king mackerel tournament in North Carolina and the second largest on the East coast! With over $100,000 in prizes, there's plenty at stake, plus live music, food, and beverages, on Saturday at the Southport Marina. Come watch in the afternoon as the boats bring in their hopeful catch to the weigh-in. Public welcome.

September - It's a time to enjoy, a time to remember sweet summer days… it's the start of the Fall fishing season, and it's time to clean out the backyard fire pit, cause you know this is an "R" month and that means oysters! Yeah baby, bring it on!



On a final note, for all you Safe Haven fans out there, and believe me there are thousands of you ready to pack your bags and move to Southport, hold onto your dreams. With a population of only 2800, we are seeing a steady stream of folks itching to get their little piece of heaven that is Southport. If you want to keep tabs on current homes on the market and get a heads up on new properties as the are listed, just give me a call or shoot me an email. I'd love to help you find something! southportsoundings@gmail.com 910.540.0551

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4th of July in Southport NC – Celebration of Freedom, Fun, Family, and Food

In spite of record-breaking temperatures, they still come. And they come in droves. They come for the funnel cakes, the bloomin' onions, the crafts, the music, the street dance, the parade, and the fireworks.  But for those living in Southport, porch-sitting, crowd-watching, corn-holing, hotdog-eating, margarita-mixing, and other various modes of chillin' are a welcomed respite.

The town never looks better than it does right now. If you feel that there seems to be a serious lack of patriotism in our country these days, then this is just what the doctor ordered. For the next five days, Southport will transform itself into a virtual sea of red, white, and blue. Under the canopy of ancient live oaks, Franklin Square Park will hold over a hundred artist and craftsman booths, and enough food vendors to keep you satisfied until you can make your way down to the bottom of Howe St. for serious festival food and 'round the clock live music and Cape Fear river backdrop rounding out the scene.





The Fireman’s Competition on Saturday will be a heated one this year… literally. The forecast calls for hot, hot, hot. I really don’t know how they do it in full turn-out gear. The popular Kid’s Games on the Garrison lawn is Tuesday, with registration at 8am and free t-shirts to the early birds.  Also on Tuesday at the Garrison is the quite moving Naturalization Ceremony starting at 4pm. With the 4th falling on a Wednesday this year, the main events are a lot more spread out and I’m guessing crowds will be smaller.  North Carolina's largest and oldest 4th of July parade starts at 11AM and no matter how many times you see it, it is ALWAYS a huge crowd-pleaser. The bands, the belles, the clowns, the Shriners, the dancers, and much more, make for an all around old-fashioned good time.

Southport’s 4th of July Festival, of course, ends with a BANG at 9:00 PM as fireworks over the water put the suitable exclamation point on the entire celebration. I can say for sure the fireworks are still my favorite part...lying on a blanket by the water...watching the bobbing of boats out in the river until the launch barge fires that first missile in the air. Then it's just time to relax and enjoy the show.

So if you fancy a simpler time......if you still like parades and pageantry, music and street dances, the smell of greasy food, kids and parents in their finest red, white, and blue.....well you might just like what the Southport 4th of July festival has to offer. I'm pretty sure there's not a birthday celebration anywhere quite like it. One little insider tip for the visitors. Park on the EAST side of Howe St. facing out of town and you'll find your traffic time cut in half when you leave after the fireworks. Be safe and "let freedom ring."

Happy Birthday America.

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For more pictures and local content, join in the fun over at the Southport NC Group on Facebook. And if you are thinking of relocating to Southport, check this page for additional info.

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Southport NC - Hello Spring! We Have Been Waiting for You!

Like everyone else, I have been patiently waiting for the sweet arrival of Spring! Not that we here in Southport can complain about our winters here... I know it's all relative but STILL!!!! For folks that moved here seeking respite from all those COLD places, I'm sure they were starting to think, "What the heck… we've been duped!"

So here it is April, and we are starting anew. If you haven't noticed, our magnificent Live Oak canopy is shedding profusely right now. It's an evergreen oak that keeps its leaves all winter, only to lose them all when the new buds push them off in the Spring. You would think it was Fall right now if it weren't for all the blooming azaleas, camellias, jasmine and wisteria blooming everywhere.

If you're going to be around Easter weekend, the official kick-off of Spring in Southport is the Spring Festival/Chili Cook-Off held every year at Franklin Square Park, a 25 year tradition. Running from 10am until 5pm on Friday and 10am until 4pm on Saturday, this festival features a wide variety of activities such as musical entertainment, handmade arts and crafts, children’s activities, azaleas and other plants for sale, and food vendors. Included is a Chili Cook-Off, so get your taste buds ready to vote for the People’s Choice Award. Hope to see you there!



        

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Southport NC – Get Ready for Some Red White and Blue!

If you fancy a simpler time… if you still like parades and pageantry, arts and crafts, music and street dances, the smell of greasy food, kids and parents in their finest patriotic colors, well you might just like what the Southport 4th of July festival has to offer. I'm pretty sure there's not a birthday celebration anywhere quite like it.

Come down today and see the crowd favorite Fireman’s Competition… It will be a heated one this year… literally. The forecast calls for a little break in the heat, with a chance of thunderstorms to cool things off. This is good news for the firemen in full turn-out gear. On July 2-4, there will be musical entertainment starting at 1 pm at the Garrison and the Waterfront Stage. The popular Kid’s Games on the Garrison lawn for 5 and under and the Waterfront Park for kids 6-11 is Thursday, with registration at 8am and free t-shirts to the early birds.  Also on Thursday at the Garrison is the always moving Naturalization Ceremony starting at 4pm. This year the 4th falls on a Friday and North Carolina's largest and oldest 4th of July Parade starts at 11AM. No matter how many times you see it, it is ALWAYS a huge crowd-pleaser. The bands, the belles, the clowns, the Shriners, the dancers, and much more, make for an all around old-fashioned good time. And then for my favorite event of all, there is nothing like lying on a blanket by the water, looking out at all the boats anchored in the river, listening to the last band, waiting on darkness to fall, and hearing that first BOOOOM… and the fireworks begin! After 30 years, I never get tired of it. One little insider tip for those driving in, park on the EAST side of Howe St. facing out of town so you'll be making rights headed out. You'll find your traffic time cut in half when you are getting out after the fireworks. Click HERE to see a map of this year's traffic flow patterns. Be safe out there and "let freedom ring." Happy Birthday America.

     

              

        

As always, if you are looking to call Southport home, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me. Everyone needs a good buyer's agent, right? I'm you girl… southportsoundings@gmail.com  910-540-0551

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Safe Haven – Southport NC - Showing Off Our True Colors

It’s no doubt that folks in Southport NC were chomping at the bit last week, waiting for the local and national premier of the movie Safe Haven on Valentine's Day. The town has never looked so good and many were heard leaving the theatre saying the real star of the movie was indeed Southport. As a long-time resident, I can't disagree. Our little town of Southport fit Nicholas Sparks' Safe Haven script like a glove... as it was the author's first movie that takes place in the same NC town as the book. The local scene was quite a hit with the actors and production crew as well, with many local business benefitting by the filming and patronage at many of our favorite local haunts including, Fishy Fishy, Old American Fish, Moore Street Market, Ports of Call, Taylor's and Loco Jo's. Here is some of what they had to say... Quotes are from Wilmington Star interviews by Cassie Foss

Josh Duhamel

Q: What was filming in Southport like?

A: "It was one of the best movie-making experiences I've ever been a part of. You've got little town, you've got all these great people, you've got these beaches and warm water. Fourth of July was awesome. It's a really hoppin' little place. How often do you get to shoot a movie in the town that the story is written about? It was something I won't forget."

Q: What kind of reception did you get from the locals?

A: "It's a very small-town feel, similar to what I grew up in. It was just a very friendly kind of community that welcomed us and made us feel very at home. I actually loved hanging out …with the people from Southport and Oak Island. How can you not be talkative when everyone's showing love? I've been places that were not as welcoming or easygoing."

Q: Do you think that easygoing charm will come across in the film?

A: I think Southport's personality will come across in the movie. Lasse Hallström does an amazing job of capturing that feel of, there's a simplicity and appreciation for life that you feel. It's a slower pace, which is nice, and there's a pace and a tone to this movie that is really cathartic in a lot of ways. It ramps up as you go, but you can really feel the essence of Southport in the movie.

David Lyons

Q: What was filming in Southport like?

A: "I had a little place just above the marina. I would wake up every morning – it was just me and my dog – I'd go down and grab some breakfast down by the water. It was beautiful and the people there were beautiful. I cannot speak highly enough of the way we were treated in Southport and also just the general beauty of the people and the place. It holds a very special place in my heart now.
If the film goes really well, then I think Southport's gonna get a lot of attention … It's not like when you go to a town and you're like, "It kinda looks the way it did in the film." It totally is the film. It's like a character in it. You see the Yacht Basin, you see Fishy Fishy and all these places along the waterfront and Oak Island. It's just so Southport, which is awesome. I think if it somehow helps the town, then that will be fantastic. Southport helped us so much, so hopefully the film will also help it."

Julianne Hough from juliannehough.com

"It’s not every day that you get to shoot in the location where the story is set. It’s gorgeous in Southport and I just loved it. It’s kind of a hidden gem. Everything about it was amazing. It was honestly one of the best summers of my life so far because it was so calm. I loved the breeze, the nature; the people on the street were so lo-key and chill. Instead of running up to us, like, ‘Oh, my God,’ they were like, ‘Hey, how are you enjoying our town?’ It was really nice. And, oh my Gosh, the Christmas store. On down time, we’d go there – Christmas in the summer! – and buy Christmas ornaments. It was a really cute place. I think something about the South in general, you have more time in the day and you get to enjoy each moment and not rush to the next."

Nicholas Sparks

"I think Southport is one of the most beautiful towns.  Ten years ago, I was here for the filming of A Walk to Remember.  I remember walking down here and I said, “I have to find a book for this place one day."
And he did! Sparks has a lot of nice things to say about Southport in an interview with VisitNC … The box office numbers for it’s Valentine’s Day opening and first weekend, Safe Haven brings in 30 million, more than it cost to produce the entire movie!
And Don’t forget the kids! They did a terrific job. Watch them here.
The local pride was overwhelming for some. "To see my hometown of 60 years on the big screen like that – I can’t describe how that feels," said City Clerk Regina Alexander. "I’m so, so proud."
Bravo Southport... well done!

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Southport NC- Spring Festival, Chili Cook-Off, Azaleas, and More…

Every year, Downtown Southport Inc. and the Kiwanis Club help us celebrate the arrival of Spring in Southport. This will be the 27th Annual Spring Festival featuring over 100 crafters, live entertainment, local food vendors, a kid's playground and games, and an azalea plant sale. The festival runs 10 am-5pm April 6th and 7th. On Saturday is the big Chili Cook-off  prepared by locals who know how to make it best. Tickets are $5, and this year there are 9 entries including the Coast Guard's SAR Alarm Chili, Southport Fire Department's Firehouse Chili, Gray Connelly's Devil's Sphincter Chili, the Jamaican Jerks Chili Team from Lumberton, Richard Hinnant's Kickin' Black-eyed Chili, Southport Sailing's Boat House Chili, PJ Brown's Zydeco Chili, the State Port Pilot's Hot off the Press Chili, and the Trinity United Methodist Women's Church Lady Chili! Also on Saturday is a 5k run/walk at 8:00am.

Every year the attendance has grown… I hear 12,000 are expected! It's great to see so many folks around this week, strolling, sitting at the waterfront, eating hotdogs and ice cream cones… It feels almost like the 4th of July… but lots cooler!!!  Speaking of cooler, wow! I thought our entire Winter was nothing short of amazing… and Spring has not disappointed. It has been just gorgeous, week after week. My only complaint is the bloom came early and went quickly.

For anyone in town over Easter that's been looking at the possibility of buying a home or weekend getaway in Southport, there are finally a few new listings that are intriguing I think. I'll be around all weekend if you see anything you'd like to take a peek at. You can reach me on my cell at 910.540.0551 or email me.

   

So get out and enjoy yourselves! Southport has so many great places to eat these days… Check out Brunswick Blast for links to area restaurants. AND you can vote for your favorite! You're also welcome to join in the fun in the Southport NC Facebook group. Happy Spring everyone… Summer will be here before ya know it!

 
  
 

And a fantastic festival it was! After the rains cleared late Friday, Saturday could not have been prettier. The whole town was packed to the gills and having a great time. If you missed it, check out the recap below...


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