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- PCP Mon Aug 17: 🎨 Checked Out WalkerWorld Summerfest Saturday.
PCP Mon Aug 17: 🎨 Checked Out WalkerWorld Summerfest Saturday.
WalkerWorld was something else — and if you missed it, Spooky Fest is October 24.
Jason @ Port City Pulse
August 17, 2026
Good morning, Wilmington!
I spent part of my Saturday at WalkerWorld Summerfest in Castle Hayne — and I'll be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect going in.
What I found was unlike anything I've seen locally. The property had multiple zones, each with its own character and surprise — fire dancers with a drum circle in one area, two or three live music performances happening simultaneously in different spaces, and artists and vendors scattered throughout. Moving between each one felt like turning a corner and finding a different world.
At one point I overheard someone say: "I feel like I'm in a Busch Gardens theme park — but this is so much better." That about says it.
In today's Port City Pulse:
Cape Fear Community College has leased space at Wilmington International Airport to train the next generation of aviation mechanics
Twenty-five Wilmington middle schoolers just got a firsthand look at what it takes to fly a commercial aircraft
CFCC Lands Space at Wilmington International Airport for New Aviation Mechanic Program
WECT Cape Fear Community College has leased 3,700 square feet at Wilmington International Airport to house its Aircraft Maintenance Technology program, putting students directly inside a working airport environment. The college is also launching an Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Management and a Career Pilot Technology track. FAA Airframe & Powerplant certification requires 1,900 training hours — something CFCC President Jim Morton says is now achievable in a genuinely real-world setting. "Housing our Aviation Maintenance Technician program at ILM gives our students an incredible opportunity to learn in a real-world aviation environment," Morton said.
Avelo Airlines Takes 25 NHC Middle Schoolers on a Real Career Exploration Flight
WWAY For the third consecutive year, Avelo Airlines partnered with the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and New Hanover County's Career and Leadership Development Academy to take local middle schoolers on an actual commercial flight — Wilmington to Baltimore/Washington International Airport and back. Twenty-five students met First Officer Mikka Yamane in the flight deck, toured the aircraft, and heard from crew about careers in aviation. The program aims to spark early interest at a time when the airline industry faces a growing pilot and maintenance shortage.
News Roundup
Local News
Flock Safety CEO apologizes for license plate camera misuse and announces policy changes. Garrett Langley announced the company is recommending a 7-day data retention limit, auto-suspending users flagged for suspicious searches, and adding a new misuse-flagging feature. New Hanover County Sheriff's Office opted for 30-day retention — its own call. WECT
Drone video shows hundreds of sharks off Masonboro Island. Filmmaker Adam Pflum captured the footage Saturday morning — potentially thousands of 4–5 foot sharks cruising the coast, with what may be a manta ray or stingray also in the mix. WECT
NCDOT shaves 2 years off the Wrightsville Beach bridge overhaul. The $105M project covering Lee's Cut, Banks Channel, and Causeway Drive bridges is now expected to finish Spring 2030 thanks to a new Construction Manager/General Contractor approach. Two traffic lanes will stay open throughout. WECT
MLK Center gyms being renamed for two legendary Wilmington coaches. The city will honor William "Big Train" Murphy III and Ronald E. Davis at a dedication ceremony August 28 at the MLK Center on 8th Street. WECT
What You Should Know
A UNCW professor is writing children's books to fight the reading crisis. Rayme Pastore has published two middle-grade novels — The Game Master's Gloves and Level 7 Spell — and is working on a third, driven by concern that kids are leaving books behind for short-form content. WECT
What Might Surprise You
Hayden Panettiere, star of Heroes and Nashville, has died at 36. The actress, known for playing cheerleader Claire Bennet on Heroes and Juliette Barnes on Nashville, passed away early Sunday morning. NBC News has the story.
World News
Dolly Parton canceled her Dollywood appearance over health concerns. The 80-year-old country legend said she’s dehydrated and her doctors advised against traveling to the Pigeon Forge park. She previously canceled a six-date Las Vegas residency in May. The Daily Beast has the story.
World News
Hurricane Lala swept homes off their foundations in Hawaii. The Category 1 storm passed just south of the Big Island Saturday, knocking out power for 130,000+ residents and dumping over 2 feet of rain in some locations. At least one person died in a storm-related crash. Lala has since been downgraded to a tropical storm. AccuWeather
Don’t Miss
 Kids Open Gym at Wilmington Rock Gym - Aug 19WED AUG 19 · 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Wilmington Rock Gym Every Wednesday, Wilmington Rock Gym hosts Kids Open Gym — drop-in climbing for all skill levels, ages and first-timers welcome. Staff assists with ropes. A parent or caregiver must stay during the se… |  Live Music at Elijah's Oyster & Fish CampWED AUG 19 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Elijah's Oyster & Fish Camp - DT |
Weather
Mon Aug 17 ☁️ Overcast | 94°/79° | 17% | SSW 12 mph
Tue Aug 18 ⛈️ Thunderstorms | 102°/72° | 36% | SSE 11 mph
Wed Aug 19 ⛈️ Thunderstorms | 93°/74° | 36% | ESE 8 mph
Live Music
Mon Aug 17
7PM–11:59PM @ Barzarre | |
7PM–10PM @ SeaWitch Tiki Bar | |
8PM–11PM @ Mad Katz Bar |
Tue Aug 18
6PM–9PM @ Fermental | |
7PM–10PM @ SeaWitch Tiki Bar | |
8PM–11PM @ The Rusty Nail | |
8PM–11PM @ Lula's A Pub | |
8PM–11PM @ Dram Tree Tavern |
Wed Aug 19
6PM–9PM @ BrewHa | |
7PM–10PM @ SeaWitch Tiki Bar | |
7PM–10PM @ Pour Fellas Pub | |
8PM–11PM @ Wilmington Distillery |
Didn't get a chance to experience it? You don't have to wait until next year. You can catch Walker World Spooky Fest this October 24. -Jason |