Wilmington NC Events July-Aug 2014

Looking to fill your social calendar? We've got the rundown on what to do this steamy season.

Riverfront Farmers' Market

July 1 - Nov 22

A weekly market held on Saturdays along the riverfront in the historic downtown river district. Market features local farmers, producers, artists and crafters. Products include fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, cheeses, meats, seafood, baked goods, jams and jellies, wine, art, crafts and more. 8am-1pm. 910-538-6223. facebook.com/riverfrontfarmersmarket

Historic Wilmington Walking Tour

July 1 - Nov 1

Discover Wilmington and its rich architectural history during the second year of neighborhood walking tours. The Forest Hills and Streetcar Suburbs tours are every Saturday at 10am as well as alternating Wednesdays to August 27. The tours showcase the architectural, social, and cultural history of the two neighborhoods. The Streetcar Suburbs tour tells the story of Wilmington's first two suburbs, Carolina Place and Carolina Heights, and their restoration and renewal. Forest Hills developed outside the city limits and it was the first automobile oriented suburb. The tours cost $10 and last approximately 1.5 hours. Wear comfortable walking shoes. 10am. 910-762-2511. historicwilmington.org

A View From Space

July 1 - Sept 7

Enjoy a new bilingual (Spanish and English), highly interactive, hands-on science exhibit, allowing visitors to see the world from a satellite's perspective. They can track a hurricane from space, send a satellite spinning into orbit around a model Earth, study incredible images of our planet captured by NASA's Earth Observing System, and more. A View From Space is designed to introduce visitors to the latest and greatest of the Earth observing satellites and give them an appreciation for the value of studying Earth from space. Cape Fear Museum. 910-798-4350, capefearmuseum.com

Historic Downtown Marketplace

July 1 - Oct 26

Spend your Sunday strolling through the Historic Downtown Marketplace and enjoying the breeze from the Cape Fear River as the Riverfront Park vendors lend character to the downtown experience. This weekly Marketplace boasts music, original art, and more so don't miss out. Water St. and Market St. 910-254-0907, wilmingtondowntown.com

Airlie Gardens Presents: Gary Caldwell's Creations

July 1 - Sept 28

This season enjoy a new sculpture exhibit on display at Airlie Gardens. Renowned sculptor Gary Caldwell's fanciful three-dimensional stainless steel creations of trees, flowers and whimsical creatures will be on display May through September, 2014. Caldwell's work is also on display in Airlie's butterfly house and past presidents' garden so make sure to stop by and check out these gorgeous gardens by the sea. 9am-5pm. 910-798-7700, airliegardens.org

Friday Variety Shows

July 1 - Sept 19

Join Kure Beach Ocean Front Park on select Fridays through-out the summer for some incredible family-fun! Pick from a variety of comedy shows, concerts, impersonators and magicians to find the very best fit for your night out.  Bring a chair or blanket, sit back and enjoy the show. Times vary. 910-458-8216, townofkurebeach.org

City of Wilmington 4th of July Celebration

July 4

The celebration will feature entertainment provided by the 440th Army Band in Riverfront Park and food vendors along Water St. from 5-9pm. The fireworks display will begin at 9:05pm and will be launched from a barge in the Cape Fear River. 910-341-4602, wilmingtonrecreation.com

Black River Nature Cruises July 9, 23 and Aug 6, 20

Enjoy a 4-hour relaxing getaway on Wilmington's original Black River Nature Cruise. Narrated by Coastal Ecologist and Author Andy Woods. Experience miles of scenic wilderness that is a photographers' and bird watchers paradise. Refreshments provided. Boarding at the USS NC Battleship Memorial. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Cape Fear Riverboats. 10am-2pm. 910-343-1611. cfrboats.com

East Coast “Got-Em-On” Classic

July 11 - 13

The Annual Pleasure Island King Mackerel fishing tournament is in its 35th year and still pleasing crowds from all over the state! The Captain's meeting will take place July 11 and get ready to fish July 12 & 13. After weigh-in on Sunday enjoy an Awards Ceremony starting at 7pm to celebrate your catches for the weekend. This year's winner in the 23 and Under King division is guaranteed a prize of $5,000. 910-458-0240. gotemonliveclassic.com

O’Neill/Sweetwater Pro-Am Surf Fest

July 11 - 13

The O'Neill/ Sweetwater Pro-Am held on Wrightsville Beach has grown into one of the largest surfing contests on the East Coast and attracts surfers from around the world. In all, dozens of amateur surfers and an average of 96 professional surfers from around the world participate in this 3-day event. 8am. 910-256-3821. sweetwatersurfshop.com

Classy-Chassis Car Show & Country Flea Market

July 12

Don't miss the summer's premiere car show and Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society.Event offers vintage cars and trucks the chance to compete for top awards. Pristine cars, shopping, food, awards, and an air conditioned ice cream barn add up to a top quality show fit for the whole family. Plus, a live broadcast with DJ Brian White of Sunny 104.5 FM will keep the music playing and the atmosphere lively all day long. Please note no pets or alcohol permitted. 9am-4pm. Poplar Grove Plantation. 910-686-9518, poplargrove.org

Shrimp-A-Roo Cruise on The Wilmington

July 23

Bring the whole family on this spectacular cruise as we glide down the beautiful waterways of Cape Fear River, providing a scenic, comfortable and relaxing experience that is an ideal way to spend a memorable evening. On this two-hour Cruise, you will get to watch the sunset, view the historic downtown Riverwalk and enjoy a wonderful dinner of shrimp, potatoes, corn and sausage catered by the Front St. Brewery. A full bar will also be available on board to help wind down from a long day or kick-start your evening. Relax and enjoy the comfortable seating, sipping on your drink of choice and the evening breeze with all the relaxation that Cape Fear holds. 7pm. Wilmington Water Tours. 910-338-3134, zerve.com

The Soulshine Tour: Michael Franti & Spearhead with Soja, Brett Dennen, and Trevor Hall

July 25

Get ready to know the true meaning of relaxation with some afternoon yoga in lush green grass followed by some great music as a part of The Soulshine Tour! Musician, humanitarian, and children's book author, Michael Franti is recognized as a pioneering force using music as a vehicle for positive change as well as his unforgettable, high energy shows with his band, Spearhead. With the multi-platinum success of his song "Say Hey" and the chart breaking 2010 release of "The Sound Of Sunshine," Franti and his band guarantee a show that will be thought provoking as well as a fun dance party! Alongside Michael Franti will be SOJA, an original rock/reggae modern-day folk band with a vast international fan-base. Doors open 3:30pm, show begins 7pm. Battleship Park. hukaentertainment.com

Cape Fear Blues Festival

July 25 - 27

The Cape Fear Blues Festival is a cultural fixture in our region and a rising star throughout the national blues industry. Blues fans can satisfy their soulful cravings during the 19th Annual Festival. This year's impressive lineup includes touring blues artists, noted regional performers, and talented local blues musicians performing in a variety of genres. Wilmington's premier blues music venues - the Rusty Nail Saloon and Ziggy's By The Sea - will host the 2014 Cape Fear Blues Festival. The three-day all-blues celebration features live concerts, a blues workshop, an all-day blues jam, and the ever-popular Blues Cruise aboard the Henrietta III riverboat. 910-350-8822. capefearblues.org/festival.html

Fourth Friday Gallery Walk

July 25 & Aug 22

A free monthly event where downtown galleries open their doors to the public in an after-hours celebration of art and culture. Art walk is a self-guided tour featuring various artistic mediums including oils, acrylics, watercolors, ceramics, and more. 6-9pm. 910-343-8997. wilmingtonfourthfridays.com

The Merry Widow

July 25 - 27

Come see what all the talk is about with the very first production from Opera Wilmington! The Merry Widow is an operetta by the Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Lehar where a concerning rich widow, and her countrymen attempt to keep her money in the principality by finding her the right husband. This brilliant show will feature Nancy King in the role of Hanna Glawari and Michael Rallis in the role of the Count Danilo Danilovitsch. Fri-Sat 8pm, Sun 3pm. UNCW Cultural Arts Building. 212-795-5501, opera-wilmington.org

The Hermit of Ft. Fisher

July 31 and Aug 7, 14, 21

Watch as this live production of the Fort Fisher Hermit unfolds! After a life-time of failure, a man leaves his home and takes up residence in a concrete bunker in the marshland of Ft. Fisher. It is there that he lives and survives for 17 years, becoming a "success" as a hermit. This new play is based on the true-life story of local hermit, Robert Harrell, who touched the lives of thousands in the process of saving his own. Cape Fear Playhouse. 910-367-5237, bigdawgproductions.org

Wilmington Hammerheads vs Dayton Dutch Lions

Aug 9

Come see soccer at its finest. Wilmington Hammerheads play against Dayton Dutch Lions at Legion Stadium. 7:30pm. 910-777-2111. wilmingtonhammerheads.com

Boogie in the Park Presents: Train Wreck

Aug 10         

Spend your Sunday evenings this summer enjoying free, live music by the sea at the new Kure Beach Ocean Front Park. The Town of Kure Beach will be hosting "Boogie in the Park" every Sunday from 5pm-8pm, now through September. Grab a lawn chair or blanket and your boogie shoes for some family-friendly entertainment! The band Train Wreck has been kickin' it hard around  Wilmington and surrounding areas playing that good ole classic country and southern rock & roll music with a little bit of rockabilly and blues thrown in. Sun 5-8pm. 910-458-8216. townofkurebeach.org

Jazz at the Mansion Concert Series Presents: Geno & Friends

Aug 14

Check-out Geno & Friends featuring their unique Latin jazz! Feel free to bring snacks, chairs and blankets to sit on the lawn, beer and wine will be for sale at the performance. Kids are welcome to join in the fun so bring out the whole family. 6:30-8:30pm. Bellamy Mansion. 910-251-3700, bellamymansion.org

Port City Rib Fest

Aug 15 - 17

Last year, the inaugural Fest drew a crowd of over 17,000 people from around the country to taste the nation's best BBQ. Join us this year for even more. Held along the Wilmington riverfront, this festival is a 3-day celebration of great BBQ and music. National BBQ teams from across the country will come to Wilmington to sell their BBQ and compete against each other for bragging rights. Many of these "ribbers" have been featured on several national TV networks including the Food Channel, TLC and the Discovery Channel's "Pitmaster." Don't miss out on this chance to sample some nationally acclaimed southern BBQ. Adjacent to the Battleship North Carolina. 336-707-9188, portcityribfest.com

Wrightsville Beach Wahine Classic

Aug 16 - 17

The Wrightsville Beach Wahine Classic continues to be a beloved surfing tradition. Returning to the south end of Wrightsville Beach, this forum is for all levels of female surfers; amateur to pro, novice to experienced. Divisions will include: Pro Shortboard and Pro Longboard, open to all ages, and amateur shortboard and longboard, grouped by age. The popular Novice category, open to all ages competing in their First contest, and a new division, Stand Up Paddleboard, as well as the crowd favorite Guppy event, will complete the competition. 910-465-9638. wrightsvillebeachwahineclassic.com

Landfall Foundation Art Show & Sale

Aug 21 - 23

Come out and see local and regional artists works of art, paintings, sculpture, woodwork. Cash bar. Events raises funds for local non-profit groups and creates awareness of local artists. Open to the public. Dye Clubhouse. 10am-7pm. 910-520-0919, landfallfoundation.org/artshow.html

Last Chance for White Pants Gala Aug 29

Live music by Motown, funk, soul and hip-hop band, Mo' Sol. Heavy hors 'oeuvres, beer and wine, and silent and live auctions. Coastline Conference & Event Center. Tickets $125. 7pm-midnight. 910-796-8099. hospicewhitepants.org