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Montgomery Gentry, Munley to appear at Azalea Festival

Posted by Debra Worley - email

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Organizers of the 63 Annual Azalea Festival announced Friday, Sgt. Kimberly Munley will act as this year's Parade Marshall.

Munley is one of two police officers accredited for stopping the gunman in the Fort Hood shootings Nov. 5, 2009.  She was shot three times during the gunfight with Major Nidal Hasan.  Hasan killed thirteen people in a shooting spree at Ft. Hood and injured countless others.

Munley recently underwent knee replacement surgery and is on the road to recovery.

Munley, a Carolina Beach native, graduated from John T. Hoggard High School in 1993 and began college at Cape Fear Community College for her associate's degree in Criminal Justice.  In 1999, Kimberly completed Basic Law Enforcement Training and began her career in law enforcement.

She is married to SSG Matthew Munley and has two daughters, Jayden and Hope.

Also during the press conference, organizers announced Montgomery Gentry will headline the Friday night concert of the event.  In the past decade, they have made gold and platinum albums, have won CMA and ACM awards, and have been nominated for a Grammy.

They have released more than 20 charted singles, with anthems like "My Town" and "Hell Yeah" becoming indelible parts of the honky-tonk landscape. 

They have hit the top of the singles charts three times with "If You Ever Stop Loving Me," "Something To Be Proud Of" and 2007's multi-week chart-topper "Lucky Man". 

The Montgomery Gentry concert will be held Friday, April 9 at 8:00 p.m., tickets are $45.

How to Order Tickets:

• Order online at www.ncazaleafestival.org to purchase and print tickets beginning Saturday, February 6 at 10:00 a.m. 
• Tickets also available at the Azalea Festival office beginning Monday, February 8 and continuing Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

                                                   North Carolina Azalea Festival Office
                                                   5725 Oleander Drive, Suite B7
                                                   Wilmington, NC  28403

* For the best possible seating, go online to purchase tickets

The 63^rd North Carolina Azalea Festival is also giving special recognition to the men and women of our armed forces and their families for the sacrifices they make while protecting this country and our freedom.  Our military and their families will be honored at events throughout the Festival. 

The elected 2010 Officers are:

• Erica Mearns, President – Realtor/Broker with Intracoastal Realty;
• Hank Estep, President-Elect – Principal with Griffin Estep Benefit Group, Inc.;
• Dr. Charles Kays, Vice President – Wilmington Plastic Surgery;
• Donna Cameron, Treasurer – City President, Sun Trust Bank;
• Stephen Coble, Assistant Treasurer – Attorney/Coble Law Firm, PC
• Liz Carroll, Secretary - Owner, Driftwood Interiors, Design and Fine Home Furnishings
• Alison Baringer continues as the festival Office Manager.

Since its inception in 1948, the North Carolina Azalea Festival has blossomed into an extended-weekend celebration that attracts more than 300,000 people annually and economically generates over $5,000,000 for the local economy. 

This year's Azalea Festival will take place April 7-11.

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