Wilmington’s biggest eco-celebration is happening this Saturday, and it’s got everything: live music, local food trucks, a kids’ parade, over 50 green-minded vendors, and even a kayak raffle.

If you’ve been looking for a way to reconnect with nature, dance in the sun, or just enjoy a good set from Au Naturales or Righteous Roots, Long Leaf Park is the place to be. Full schedule below 👇

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Final Season of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” Premieres This Summer

• Earth Day at Long Leaf Park

Final Season of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” Premieres This Summer—Filmed Right Here in Wilmington

[Star News Online] The highly anticipated third and final season of The Summer I Turned Pretty premieres July 16 on Amazon Prime Video. Shot in Wilmington, Southport, and Carolina Beach, the show follows Belly’s coming-of-age story and tangled love life. Based on Jenny Han's bestselling trilogy, the show has become a global streaming hit and a major spotlight for Wilmington's film scene. Season 3 faced production delays due to the 2023 writers' and actors' strikes but is finally ready to hit screens.

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Local News

• Pender County Commissioners abruptly fired the county manager without explanation. The decision was made during a special meeting, and no reason was offered to the public for the termination.
  WHQR

• Sheetz announces plans to open a third Wilmington-area location. The popular convenience store and gas station chain is continuing its expansion along the coast, though no opening date was provided.
  WWAY

• Brunswick Community College is hosting a Water Safety Day to raise awareness. The event will include life jacket fittings, rescue demonstrations, and information about safe boating practices.
  WECT

What you should know

• China has canceled several shipments of U.S. pork amid escalating trade tensions. The move comes after stricter U.S. import rules and could impact American farmers already facing market uncertainty.
  The Hill

What Might Surprise you

• The Pentagon will resume providing gender-affirming surgeries and treatments for transgender service members. The policy reversal comes after previous restrictions under the Trump administration were lifted.
  The Gateway Pundit

• Self-driving cars are beginning to challenge long-held assumptions about car insurance and accident liability. As autonomous technology advances, regulators and insurers are rethinking who is responsible when things go wrong.
  MSN

Live Music, Kids Parade & a Kayak Raffle? Earth Day at Long Leaf Park Has It All

SAT APR 26: Noon - 6PM @ Long Leaf Park
Wilmington Earth Day Festival celebrates its 35th year on Saturday, April 26, at Long Leaf Park with the theme “Our Power, Our Planet™.” Expect over 50 eco-conscious vendors, live music, dancing, food trucks, and a Kids’ EcoZone. Festivities include a kayak raffle, a children’s Nature Brigade Parade, and performances by Au Naturales, Tercel, Righteous Roots, and more. The event is free and designed to be zero-waste, with recycling and compost stations on-site.

Performance schedule:

• 12:00–1:30p.m. Au Naturales – Americana and “old school” rock

• 1:30–2:00p.m. Rapping Red Oak and the children’s Nature Brigade Parade

• 2:00–3:30p.m. Tercel – Indie rock

• 3:30–4:00p.m. Community Drummers and Dancers

• 4:00–5:30p.m. Righteous Roots – Reggae

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Weather

Summary

Wilmington, NC, will see varied weather from Friday to Sunday. Friday will be partly cloudy with mild temperatures and a slight chance of rain. Saturday will be mostly cloudy with stronger southwest winds and a similar precipitation chance. Sunday will bring partly cloudy skies, cooler temperatures, and breezy northeast winds with minimal rain likelihood. Expect shifting winds and tides to influence surf conditions throughout the period.

Weather Forecast

Fri Apr 25: Partly Cloudy | 76° / 67° | 24% | SE 10 mph
Sat Apr 26: Mostly Cloudy | 78° / 63° | 24% | SW 16 mph
Sun Apr 27: Partly Cloudy | 72° / 59° | 7% | NE 15 mph

Tide Forecast

Fri Apr 25:
5:50am: 4.22 ft (High Tide)
11:57am: -0.56 ft (Low Tide)
6:16pm: 4.83 ft (High Tide)

Sat Apr 26:
12:39am: -0.48 ft (Low Tide)
6:40am: 4.32 ft (High Tide)
12:47pm: -0.78 ft (Low Tide)
7:05pm: 5.22 ft (High Tide)

Sun Apr 27:
1:36am: -0.66 ft (Low Tide)
7:29am: 4.33 ft (High Tide)
1:37pm: -0.91 ft (Low Tide)
7:54pm: 5.44 ft (High Tide)

Surf Forecast

• Fri Apr 25: Knee to waist high ESE medium period swell. Conditions are glassy in the morning with SW winds less than 5 mph, shifting to semi-glassy/semi-bumpy in the afternoon with SSE winds 5-10 mph. Surf height is 2-3 ft throughout the day.

• Sat Apr 26: Surf height ranges from 1-3 ft in the morning to 2 ft in the afternoon, with choppy conditions due to stronger SW winds.

• Sun Apr 27: Surf height is 1-2 ft in the morning, increasing to 1-3 ft in the afternoon, with fair conditions and NE winds.

Weather data derived from: weather.com. Tide data from: marineweather.net. Surf data from: surfcaptain.com

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY