ESSAY RUNNER-UP
Maria Smith
WILMINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 11TH GRADE
COMMUNITY COMES TO LIFE
The sun rises and casts a golden glow upon the streets of downtown on seemingly an ordinary
day, but that is not the case. Today is Saturday at the Azalea Festival. People bustle around in
preparation for the parade. An eager crowd accumulates in anticipation. I quickly maneuver my
way to the front, hoping for an unobscured view. Music faintly drifts throughout the flood of
people, signaling the long-awaited parade. We clap and cheer as one. A band comes into view,
their instruments glinting in the sunlight. Following them are the courageous veterans and police
force. I can feel the rumbling of their motorcycles vibrate the ground. As they pass by,
my eye catches the motion of dancing. Twirling gracefully in their gorgeous traditional dresses,
the women move in sync. Clip Clop. Clip Clop. The hooves of the horses echo through the
street. The crowd cheers as cars and people stroll down the street. Next to me, I hear a little girl
say, “Look!” with excitement in her voice. I gaze down the street and spot what created such
joy in her. The Azalea Belles are approaching us on a float magnificently decorated with azaleas.
They wave with gloved hands to the roaring crowd. “Someday I will wear a pretty dress like
them!” exclaimed the girl. The crowd disperses as the parade ends.
I wander through the streets enjoying the variety of art, crafts, and homemade food vendors.
A gentle breeze carries the melodic sound of wind chimes as the hammocks lull their occupants
into a daze. The sound of laughter draws me to a group of people playing games. Clang! Ding!
A man smiles as the crowd applauds. He chooses a giant pink stuffed animal and hands it to
his daughter. Hmmm…the Strength Tester game. I think I’ll stick with the balloon darts. Pop!
Yes! I win on my first try and walk away with a stuffed llama. The aroma of sweet and savory
food causes my stomach to rumble and leads me to funnel cakes. I bite into the fluffy sugar-
covered dessert. With my treat in one hand and my llama in the other, I stroll down the river-walk
to finish my day. I reflect on what makes the Azalea Festival so extraordinary. Although
many share traditions with loved ones, I value the community’s fellowship. Today, we come
together and celebrate an event unique to Wilmington.
What makes the Azalea Festival special to you?
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Maria Smith is an 11th-grader from Wilmington Christian Academy, the
only youth member of the Cape Fear Camera Club and was a contributing
photographer to the club’s winning entry in a Wrightsville Beach Magazine
photography contest. She plays guitar and plays on her high school soccer
team.
www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM
ALLISON POTTER