http://irenakohler.com/blog/categoryname_explore/sort_entrydatetime-desc/  One of the greatest things about living in Coastal NC is the abundance of unique weekend events. Whether you have visitors from out of town and want to show them a good time, or you are looking to explore your hometown you have lots of options for this weekend. Here are 10 of the activities going on this weekend that are worth a look! Explore! #lovewhereyoulive1. Nurishment Class: Homemade CondimentsLearn to make all of the condiments that you need for a summer cook-out. When you are done, grab a bite and shop for your party supplies!http://bit.ly/1I6sqztTidal Creek2. Beach Reads Book Sale at the Northeast Regional LibraryPick-up some good beach reads for the second half of summer! Books are only $0.50!!http://bit.ly/1JkDBkmNHC Public Library, Northeast 3. Carolina Beach and Riverwalk Farmers MarketsSpend the morning strolling around in the beautiful sunshine! Show your home some summer lovin’ by bringing home fresh flowers!http://bit.ly/1oOntA2http://bit.ly/1f83vQACarolina Beach / Downtown Wilmington4. Historical Southport Bike TourGet outside, get active, and gain some knowledge about historical Southport. Southport offers up tons of unique shopping and dining experiences when you are done! See why they are America’s Happiest Seaside Town!http://bit.ly/1CJHAdjSouthport5. Cornhole Tournament Benefiting Brandon BaileyDo you have what it takes to sink the bean bagjQuery15206205183092970401_1437072070443? Then you might want to head out to Sneads Ferry to show-off your skills, win a prize, and support Brandon’s fight against Lymphoma. Triple win!http://bit.ly/1fMJ8cDSneads Ferry 6. Pro-Am Surf FestWatch some of the greatest surfers in the world compete at one of the largest surfing competitions on the East Coast! Sun, salt, and surfing sounds like the perfect beach weekend!http://bit.ly/1K9tNN6Wrightsville Beach7. Yoga Fest 2015 : Summer of Hope FundraiserGet your mind and body relaxed and ready to face the work week! The best part? Proceeds will benefit Homes of Hope Orphanages in India! Feel good, do good, be good!http://bit.ly/1CG8x1LWilmington Yoga Center8. Family Park Days “ Bubble Bash”Who doesn’t love blowing bubbles in the warm sunshinejQuery1520807116371113807_1437072282760 Meet your neighbors while chasing bubbles. Paint with bubbles and make your own bubble wand! And, did I mention it is freejQuery152021012896252796054_1437073018743?http://bit.ly/1I69AdsPhillips Park (Jacksonville)9. US Coast Guard One-Day Safety CourseLiving near the water necessitates that you know how to be safe on or when operating a boat. This one day course is designed to get you boating ready. One day inside, is worth a whole summer of safety!http://www.southport-oakisland.com/index.php/event/3270/uscoastguardonedaysafetycourseOak Island / Southport10. Summer Pop-up Starry Nights (other themes throughout the month)Spend time with your family cooling off at the Cape Fear museum participating in various interactive experiences! This is the perfect way to learn about the people, places, and things that create our unique region. This week learn about the constellations in the summer sky!http://bit.ly/1gDYUXf Cape Fear Museum / Wilmington***Bonus Activity! Coast in and Win!!***Visit some the beautiful homes listed by Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage and enter to win $500! Winning could fund a lot of weekend adventures! For a list of our open houses visithttp://bit.ly/JVRxuj http://irenakohler.com/blog/1307/10-awesome-things-to-do-this-weekend!-get-out-and-explore!!!/ Thu, 16 Jul 2015 12:00:00 -0500 As the weekend approaches our coast is gearing up for activities galore! Whether you have guests in town, or are visiting our area you will surely find something fun! Here are 10 things to do on the NC coast this weekend! 1. 2015 Parade of HomesIf you are exploring your home buying options here in the Cape Fear, or just love to look at beautiful homes then this is the activity for you! Over 70 homes will be on display this year. See some of the options offered up by our local homebuilders. The event runs for two weekends April 25-26 and then again from May 1-2. Homes are open for viewing from 12pm-5pm. For more details visit http://wilmingtonparadeofhomes.com/event-information/2. Southport Paint the Town Plein Air Paint OutThe town of Southport will be hosting the Plein Air Paint Out. Both beginner and seasoned artists alike will be practicing the art of plein air painting (painting in the outdoors). Visitors will be able to meander the quaint town of Southport, have the chance to speak with the artists, and the opportunity to purchase paintings on site. The event runs from 9am-5pm April24 - April25.For more details, check out the Star News articlehttp://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20150421/articles/1504197973. Celebrate the Flytrap!The NC Coastal Land Trust sponsored event Flytrap Frolic will be held Saturday from 9am-1pm at 3800 Canterbury Road. This is a freeevent with activities the whole family can enjoy. After treating the kids to a carnivorous plant lesson, drop them with the sitter and head out to one of Wilmington’s newest watering holes. Head to  Flytrap Brewery for live music and dinner from the Vittles Food Truck. Cheers to our region and the unique plants that grow here! http://www.coastallandtrust.org/Flytrap  http://www.flytrapbrewing.com/home.html4. The Star Party at Carolina Beach State ParkStar gaze on April 24 from 7:00pm-10:30pm. Telescopes will be set up for viewing our beautiful night sky, and astronomy related activities will be available for all to enjoy. This is a state wide event happening all along our coast. You might also be interested in the event happening in Jacksonville. In the event of rain the event will be held the following night April 25. To learn more about the event or to find a Star Party closer to you, visithttp://www.ncsciencefestival.org/2015_event/ssp2015-carolinabeach/5. The Carolina Cup Head out to Wrightsville beach this weekend to catch the tail end of the Carolina Cup! This weeklong event will wind up on Saturday. Wrightsville Beach is one of the premiere locations for SUP (Stand-up Paddling). There are sure to be some amazing sites and most likely include a ride home filled with plans for buying your first SUP. Events will be in full swing April 24 - April 25. For information about this eventhttp://wrightsvillebeachpaddleclub.com/6. Earth Day Celebration at Hugh MacRae ParkCelebrate our Earth with your family in a beautiful setting. This annual event will be held April 25 from 12pm-6pm. The event is free to attend. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. This is a family friendly FUN event. The offerings include live music, a kids zone, and exhibitors galore! This event is designed to honor our Earth, educate, and inspire eco action!http://www.wilmingtonearthday.com/celebrate_2015.html#more7. Wilmington Riverfront Farmers MarketYay! The market is back until November. Stroll downtown, maybe catch a yummy breakfast at The Dixie Grill, then head down to the Riverfront to scoop up plenty of fresh local foods, flowers, and crafts. This is a nice place to meet the people in your community and explore the amazing things that our farmers grow! The market is open April 25 from 8am-1pm. http://www.wilmingtondowntown.com/events/farmers-market8. Coastal Cluck Coop TourApril 25 from 10am-3pm visitors will be able to tour the many cool coops of Wilmington chicken owners! The event is free with a donation of non-perishables for Mother Hubbard’s Kitchen. If you have been thinking about owning and raising your own chickens, or just want to see some of the coops around town then this is the event for you. Coop owners will answer questions and educate the public on raising chickens. Many of the stops on the tour will be selling various chicken or farm related products, think fresh local eggs! For more information about the tour check out their Facebook Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Coastal-Cluck-Coops/2185430048857139. Walking Tour of Historic Churches in WilmingtonWilmington has some of the most beautiful churches in the state. This is a chance to take a 2 1/2 hour long tour of seven of the historic churches located downtown. The tour starts at the Latimer House at 1:30pm April 26. What a great way to meet people, explore some amazing sites, and get your exercise in! http://www.hslcr.org/10. Coast in and Win!While out and about exploring our area stop in at one of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage’s open houses on Sat or Sun. By stopping in and viewing the house you will be entered into the monthly drawing for $500! Pretty easy way to pay for all of those weekend activities! http://www.seacoastrealty.com/property/property-list.asp?VAR_SearchType=openhouse&VAR_MapStatus=LISTMAP http://irenakohler.com/blog/1318/10-things-to-do-in-eastern-nc-this-weekend!/ Thu, 23 Apr 2015 12:00:00 -0500