Pretty as a flower: Azalea Festival crowns Wilmington native as queen
Wilmington native Carli Batson was crowned Queen Azalea on Wednesday afternoon at the kick-off of the 76th annual North Carolina Azalea Festival.
It's the first time in festival history the Azalea Queen has been a Wilmington native. Batson, who still lives in Wilmington, was crowned by Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo and United States Navy Admiral Daryl Caudle, one of the festival’s invited guests, during a taped ceremony held inside the gym of the Brigade Boys and Girls Club in Wilmington.
A stage set up inside the gym on Wednesday was adorned with bright pink flowered back drop and a pink and green balloon arch.
Batson’s coronation followed several pre-show song and dance performances from Boys and Girls Club students. The program also included recognition of this year’s invited guests along with an introduction of the queen’s court, the princess of the Azalea Festival and the festival’s officials and staff.
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As she addressed the coronation attendees, which included students with the Boys and Girls Club, Batson said she felt honored to be named Queen Azalea this year and encouraged the students to continue working hard to reach their goals.
Batson, who was announced as Queen Azalea in March, is a Wilmington resident and former Miss North Carolina, representing North Carolina in the 100th Miss America pageant in 2021.
Batson grew up performing in community theater productions in Wilmington. She’s a graduate of Appalachian State with a major in communications and a minor in theater arts.
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During the coronation, the festival recognized its invited guests who attended the ceremony.
This year, guests include Miss North Carolina Karolyn Martin, long-time Wilmington broadcaster Frances Weller and her twin sister Margaret Weller Stargell, U.S. Army Korean War veteran Harold Davis, U.S. Navy Admiral Daryl Caudle, Wilmington native and World Series champion Trot Nixon, and the festival artist, Ana Brown.
At the event, festival leaders also announced a new program, called International Blooms, which aims to highlight one country at each Azalea Festival. This year’s country is Mexico.
The selected country will be highlighted at various events throughout the festival, including special musical and dance performances, invited guests and groups representing the country along with food and art displays.
Reporter Emma Dill can be reached at edill@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington's Azalea Festival crowns Carli Batson queen
