WRAL Azalea Celebration

Each year WRAL-TV 5, MIX 101.5 WRAL-FM and NC Beautiful sponsor the WRAL Azalea Celebration. Through this program, WRAL-TV gives away over 10,000 azaleas to more than 100 non-profits from all over the state of North Carolina each October.

Applications for the 2012 Azalea Celebration will be available on May 1st.

CBC President and CEO Jim Goodmon started the annual event in 1985 with the goal of beautifying the community and introducing new and unusual varieties of azaleas. WRAL-TV, MIX 101.5 and NC Beautiful sponsor the event in order to promote the enhancement of community appearance. The giveaway strives to "establish a continuous, well-maintained project for their community to enjoy and emulate."

CBC Property Management staff and volunteers distribute the plants at the CBC transmitter site in Auburn , NC , where the greenhouses and cutting beds are located. Cuttings for the azalea celebration are exclusively from WRAL plants.

Three years after having won azaleas in the WRAL Azalea Celebration, each non-profit is eligible for an A.J. Fletcher Award. Named for the founder of Capitol Broadcasting Company and creator of the WRAL Gardens , the A.J. Fletcher Awards honor organizations who have best maintained their landscaping projects created with their WRAL azaleas.