39th ANNUAL
AZALEA CELEBRATION
Saturday, October 4, 2025
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Keep North Carolina Beautiful, in partnership with WRAL and Capitol Broadcasting Company, presents the 39th Annual Azalea Celebration this fall. Over the past 38 years, this program has awarded more than 300,000 azaleas to over 4,000 nonprofit organizations across North Carolina. The opportunity to apply for up to 100 azaleas this fall is open to all 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations interested in beautifying their communities by planting azaleas.
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Assisted by dozens of volunteers, between 5,000 and 10,000 azaleas are distributed each year. To apply, simply fill out the application form (linked below) and submit it by August 31.
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This is a first-come, first-served program open to all qualifying nonprofits. Since quantities are limited, we strongly encourage applicants to submit early to ensure they don’t miss out. All selected recipients will be notified by September 15, along with pickup instructions, including a scheduled time and map for pickup on Saturday, October 4, 2025.
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The azaleas have been cultivated for over three years and will range in size from two to three feet tall, fully ready to plant.
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A.J. Fletcher Grant Program
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In addition to the new Occoneechee Scout Program, we are excited to reinstate the A.J. Fletcher grant award this year, courtesy of WRAL/Capitol Broadcasting, for those oranizations that maintain healthy and vibrant azaleas.
Azalea recipients from prior azaleas celebrations (inclusive of calendar years 2021 and prior) can apply to earn the 2025 grant with the application period opening this fall, just a few weeks after the Azalea Celebration.
These grants are meant to reward beautification efforts of Azalea Celebration participants for maintaining their project and plants and can be used to expand a current project or to create a new one altogether
Annual awards are as follows:
1st Place: $500, 100 azaleas, and a gardening package
Second Place: $250, 50 azaleas, and a gardening package
Third Place: $125, 25 azaleas, and a gardening package
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Register soon to guarantee your azaleas!
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All azaleas must be picked up on Saturday, October 4th. Unfortunately no exceptions can be made
Applications may be submitted via mail to: Azalea Celebration / PO Box 10142 / Raleigh, NC 27605
or via email to: azaleacelebrations@capitolbroadcasting.com
Please direct any questions to AzaleaCelebrations@capitolbroadcasting.com
Azaleas "In the Wild"
(Photos taken on the campus of past participants of the KNCB/WRAL Azalea Celebration)
On the campus of the Poe Center for Health Education in Raleigh, NC
On the campus of Socrates Academy in Matthews, NC
On the campus of St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church in Sanford, NC
