Wilmington Azalea Festival 2008 Belles of Garden Two

Wilmington Azalea Festival 2008 Belles of Garden Two

The beauty of Wilmington, North Carolina

Garden two is a beautiful clapboard house, built in 1884, that sits adjacent to the Governor Dudley Mansion on Front Street. It is the home of Mary and Peter McCain. The volunteers from the garden club helped present this garden.

Max found the people side to the presentation of gardens at the 2008 Wilmington Azalea Festival to be a key ingredient in making the tour a success. Over one hundred and twenty five young high school juniors and seniors performed three hour shifts around the gardens in 1865 period gowns, complete with parasols. Max noticed that, as people entered the gardens and moved through the larger gardens, these young ladies' presence gave the gorgeous plantings a formal and elegant touch.

At the McCain garden, Max was greeted by a single hostess in comfortable summer outfit with black pants, a red blouse and a matching red hat. She wore dark glasses to keep the bright glare of the sun out of her eyes. This polite lady directed Max to the garden entrance.

Stationed on the front steps was a lovely Belle in a white lace trimmed period gown with a pale peach petticoat showing. In her hair she had flowers to match.

In the confines of a small garden gazebo, one Belle sat in comfort displaying a soft white gown with a fine pink trim. A red bow in her hair provided contrast.

Max may have briefly talked to this Belle about the opportunity Associated Content provided young writers who wanted to try their hand at writing on the Web.

The next Belle sat on a metal bench by the side wall of the garden. The green of the bench contrasted nicely with the fine soft yellow glow from her gown. This Belle informed Max that the Belles are moved from time to time. She explained that the one hundred twenty young ladies volunteer for three hour periods in the gardens.

The final Belle at this garden was in a bright pink gown standing (Max thinks she was standing) by one wall of the garden. She had a matching parasol and rose (in her hair).

The Belles wore elegant hair styles that fit with the gorgeous gowns they wore.