Scotty McCreery to headline Azalea Festival, Ericka Dunlap is queen

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Watch out Wilmington! American Idol winner Scotty McCreery is heading our way to headline in the 2012 North Carolina Azalea Festival.

McCreery appeared on the realty TV show in 2011 and won a record-breaking 122.4 million votes. His album's debut single, "I Love You This Big," became a Top 15 hit and the video hit No. 1 just a week after its release.

He will take the stage in Wilmington Friday, April 13. Tickets can be ordered online at www.ncazaleafestival.org and are also available at the Azalea Festival Office. Tickets are $62.50 for bleacher seats and $52.50 for balcony seats.

Ericka Dunlap, Miss America 2004, will be crowned again…this time as the Azalea Festival Queen. Dunlap captured a part of history by becoming the first, and only, African American to be crowned Miss Florida in the history of Florida's most prestigious pageant.

Dunlap became a motivational speaker after her term as Miss America and then went on to join the notoriety of reality TV stars when she was cast on The Amazing Race 15.

Organizers also announced another list of celebrities who are expected to attend the festivities for the annual event, which runs April 11-15.

The list includes: Miss North Carolina 2011, Hailey Best; Major General James E. Livingston, USMC (Ret); Colonel Jerry L. Ross, USAF (Ret) and NASA astronaut (former); Sgt. First Class Hugh Conlon IV (Ret); and Ashley Spivey of The Bachelor.

Some events for the Azalea Festival have also been announced.

The annual Azalea Children's Tea Party will take place Sunday, March 25, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased online.

The Azalea 5K/10K/and FunWalk will kick off Saturday, April 7 at 8:00 at Mayfaire. Race registration is $30 each and can be done online.

The Cape Fear Garden Club Azalea Garden Tour will start April 13 and run through April 15, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. This self-guided tour costs $20 a person, or $18 a person for groups of 20 or more. Tickets are available through the Festival Office and Select Locations.

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