June food events, festivals at Wilmington restaurants, breweries

Nov 30, 2023

The summer season begins deliciously with a bunch of food-and-drink events at restaurants and breweries in the Port City area. This month, you can find a total of three food truck rodeos, as well as events celebrating wine, blueberries and pride. If there's another foodie event we should include, email [email protected].

June 1: Brunswick Beer & Cider at 1313 Dickinson Drive in Leland is partnering with Brookelynn Premium Cigars for a Beer, Bourbon and Cigars event that begins at 6:30 p.m. You can learn how to pair cigars with bourbon and craft beer out on the patio. Tickets are $55 and include appetizers, beer flights, bourbon flights and two premium cigars.

June 2: It's drinks, tapas and music at the Sangria After Dark event hosted by Mariposa Tapas Bar. It features six tapas, four specialty sangrias and a DJ on the porch. It's 8-11 p.m. at 1502 S 3rd St. In Wilmington's South Front District. Tickets are $25.

June 3: It's the inaugural Belville Food Truck Rodeo from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Look for 11 food trucks, like Beyond the Bayou, La Bella Airosa, Smash N Dash and Donut Bus, as well as music and games. Bring a lawn chair and settle in for face painting, inflatables, and GellyBall, a low impact shooting game. It's at Belville Riverwalk Park at 580 River Road S.E.

More:At farmers markets and local stores, this entrepreneur has been building her salsa brand

June 3: Check out this birthday party for a local brewery, DrumTrout Brewing Co. They’re opening at noon to celebrate their first year in business at 3710 S. College Road in Wilmington with food trucks, small batch beers, local makers and custom T-shirts. It also marks the return of Danger Berry Strawberry Habanero Blonde Ale, brewed with the local Sea Monster Sauces.

June 4: This counterpart to the popular Last Chance for White Pants fundraiser that takes place later this year takes place is, of course, the First Chance for White Pants. It's at Waterline Brewing Company (721 Surry St. In Wilmington) on behalf of Lower Cape Fear LifeCare. Tickets are $35 and include one free beverage, live music, food trucks and giveaways.

June 4: Fermental at 600 S. 17th St. in Wilmington's Cargo District is hosting a free and educational Sake Tasting, with a variety of styles and producers to try and purchase. It's 2-5 p.m. and the new Seoul Sushi food truck will be there as well.

June 6: The Second Glass is hosting one of their popular wine dinners – this one celebrates the flavors of France. Vive la France! includes a five-course dinner hosted by Vintage 59 Imports with wines from Alsace, Burgundy and the Rhone Valley. Tickets are $140 and it starts at 6 p.m. at 1540 S. Second St. in Wilmington.

June 9-17: The Carolina Beach Bar Club's annual pride events have grown to a week's worth of festivities that include drag brunches, a special menu at Malama Café at 108 Cape Fear Blvd. in Carolina Beach, and more. That includes a week-long Battle of the Bartenders around Pleasure Island.

June 10: It's the third annual Blueberry Harvest Festival at Gregory Farms and Vineyard at 2576 Montague Road, Currie. There will be fresh blueberries, wine, wine slushies, beer, blueberry ice cream, live music, and food and craft vendors. Admission is $6. Bring a chair; outside alcohol and coolers aren't allowed.

More:It takes an island: These friends are connecting good causes to good times in Carolina Beach

STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the area's latest food news by signing up for the Port City Foodies newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram.

June 11: The Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County rescheduled their Food Truck Rodeo from April to noon-5 p.m. It's a free event that raises money for park improvements and usually includes a wide variety of both local and regional food trucks. It's at Ogden Park, 7069 Market St. in Wilmington

June 11: A regular wine bar pop-up from the manna family continues with Suppli Aperitivo Bar with Mommenpop, a California-based vermouth producer. With your $32 ticket, you will receive a bottle of vermouth for home and gain entry to the bar that will feature a menu of spritzes, wine beverages, and salty snacks. It takes place 2-6 p.m. at 129 Princess St. in downtown Wilmington.

June 15: Ruth's Chris Steak House at 244 N Water St. in downtown Wilmington is hosting a Barrell Bourbon Cigar Dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. The menu features five course with cocktail and cigar pairings. Tickets are $155 per person.

June 16-17: The N.C. Blueberry Festival returns with all of the favorites—including a whole hog barbecue cook-off, a blueberry recipe contest, craft beer and a vendor market.

June 23: The Island Women nonprofit group is hosting its third annual Flock of Food Trucks event at Carolina Beach Lake. Look for eight food trucks on site, beer and wine for sale, two local bands, a bounce house and more. It's 5-9 p.m. and a $10 donation gets you into the event, with kids under 10 in for free.

June 25: Unwined on the Square at 2163 Britton Road in Leland is working with Fusion Blue Zone food truck for A Taste of Summer. Tickets are $85 for a five-course seasonal dinner with wine pairings, like a Heirloom Tomato, Cucumber & Goat Cheese Ensalata paired with a South African Sauvignon Blanc, and the Hoisin Braised Angus Beef Short paired with a French Cabernet Franc

Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at [email protected].