From bourbon to brunch to beach, Wilmington food and drink events to check out in May

It’s a month that begins with the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo (and all of the bourbon and Mexican fare that come with them) and ends with a classic beach party weekend. And, oh yeah, the year's brunchiest holiday, Mother’s Day, is sandwiched in there, too. So of course, there’s a lot of food-and-drink fun on the calendar in May. Here’s a look at some local events.

May 1 : The Wilmington's Farmers Market is hosting a fundraiser to benefit their EBT Double Bucks program. It begins at 5 p.m. and includes a pig picking, a tour of Lizzy Lou's Flower Farm and two drink tickets. It takes place at Malachi Meadows, 197 Richard Switch Road in Currie. Tickets are $75 .

May 2 : It's the sixth year that Design NC takes place at the Cameron Art Museum. It's a two-day event that welcomes the very best in design and architecture. There's also a Cocktail Party that offers people a chance to eat, drink, and mingle. Look for music, and food from CAM Café , Covey, and drinks from End of Days Distillery. Cost is $100 for CAM members, or $150 for non-members , which includes a membership. It's 5:30-8:30 p.m. at 3201 S. 17th St., Wilmington.

May 2 : Nonnie’s Baking Co. is celebrating its first anniversary in business 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1517 N. Howe St. in Southport. The first 10 customers will get a free slice of cake and shoppers can also enter to win a gift card giveaway.

May 2 : Retro Meadery and Cape Fear Games are hosting a Boards and Brews event beginning at 6 p.m. at 4107 Oleander Dr. It's a night of playing games and tasting meads , with the options to purchase glasses or bottles of your favorites. There will also be people teaching games if you're new to the experience.

May 3-4 : The Carolina Strawberry Festival is returning to 206 S.W. Railroad St. in Wallace. Events begin at 6 p.m. Friday and continue with two days of live music, attractions and lots of food vendors and a pig cook-off. There's also a beer and wine tent, picnic area and craft vendors .

May 4 : The Island Women are hosting the fourth annual Flock of Food Trucks event. Entry fee is $5 with kids 12 and younger admitted free. Attendees can bring a cooler with beer and wine -- just no glass. Look for a kid’s zone, live music, and a lineup of more than seven food trucks like Tacos El Jefe, Philly Invasion, Mommiez, and Donut Bus. It's 3:30-7:30 p.m. at the Carolina Beach Lake Park, 400 S. Lake Park Blvd .

May 4 : The Plastic Ocean Project is hosting its third annual For the Ocean Gala at Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center, beginning at 7 p.m. at 501 Nutt St. in downtown Wilmington. The event will include live entertainmet, hors d'oeuvres and a dessert bar, and an auction. Tickets are $125 and include three beverage tickets.

May 4 : In Hampstead, Leaf & Barrel Provision Co. at 15215 Hwy. 17 is celebrating a grand re-opening/new ownership party that coincides with the Kentucky Derby. It will feature live music, specialty cocktails, giveaways and prizes for the best derby attire. Live music begins at 2 p.m.

May 4 : In downtown Wilmington, The Blind Elephant at 21 N. Front St. is once again hosting its annual Kentucky Derby Party . They will feature variations on the julep theme, fabulous hats, and prizes. The festivities start at 3 p.m .

May 4 : There's another Derby party hosted by the Wilmington West Rotary. Their Run for the Roses fundraiser benefits local non-profits and takes place 4:30-7:30 p.m. at South Front Apartments, 1400 S. 2nd St., Wilmington. Cost is $35 and includes two beverage tickets, as well as hors d'oeuvres from Benny's Big Time Pizzeria and True Blue Butcher and Barrel. For tickets, call or text 910-964-3996. There are prizes for best derby hat and attire.

May 4-5 : On the riverfront in downtown Wilmington, Tequila's Waterfront is planning a full weekend of Cinco de Mayo festivities with Amigos Internacional. Look for food, drinks, piñatas, music, and dancing on the courtyard behind the restaurant at 14 Harnett St. on Saturday and Sunday.

May 5 : Speaking of Cinco de Mayo , other local restaurants and breweries will be celebrating, too. Tacobaby is open for a special brunch menu at 125 Grace St. in downtown Wilmington. Gracias a Dios restaurant at 33 S. Kerr Ave. in Wilmington will have margarita and food specials. And El Cerro Grande restaurants are celebrating with tacos, margaritas and music. Also, The Wave Market and Zocalo Street Food & Tequila are hosting a block party beginning at 11 a.m. with 30 local vendors, a DJ and face painting at 1474 Barclay Pointe Blvd. in Wilmington . Also look for events at Flytrap Brewing (with a salsa class and food from Maria’s Taqueria El Charrito), Makai Brewing Company in Ocean Isle Beach, and Fermental (with micheladas, sangria, margaritas and the Kimchi Taco food truck) in Wilmington.

May 9 : Sweet n Savory’s Epicurean Bistro at 1978 Eastwood Road in Lumina Commons near Wrightsville Beach is offering a wine dinner. This one has a South African Soiree theme. Tickets are $59 and the event begins at 6 p.m.

May 10-11 : Mother's Day markets are a thing this weekend. Freya's Haus at 55 Scotts Hill Loop Road is hosting one on Friday evening beginning at 4 p.m. with the Holy Smokes Food Truck. Carolina Beach Pier is offering a Mother's Day Market & Mimosas event beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday at 1800 N. Carolina Beach Ave. There's one at Brunswick Beer and Cider , 1313 S. Dickinson Drive in Leland beginning at 11 a.m. and another at 6 p.m. at Ogden Tap Room , 127 S. College Road. And yet another market offers a rosé tasting in addition to vendors at Palate bottle shop, 1007 N. 4th St., Wilmington.

May 11 : It's the food-service kick-off for the N. Sea Oyster Co . with chef Nick Chavez at 674 Old Landing Road in Hampstead. The tide-to-table menu is available 4-8 p.m. in the oyster farm's Oyster Barn. Picnic tables have a $10 deposit that will applied to the final bill .

May 11 : Wine & Design Wilmington, at 1331 Military Cutoff Road, is offering a Mother’s Day Cookie Decorating workshop 1-3 p.m. with Lexie Layers. You and mom can decorate six flower-themed cookies. Cost is $55 and registration ends May 6.

May 12 : Yep, it's Mother’s Day brunch time. And lots of local restaurants have special menus for the holiday, including Oceanic and Bluewater in Wrightsville Beach, Salt64 and Seabreeze Bar & Restaurant in Brunswick County, Far From France and Steam in Wilmington, the Leland and Porters Neck locations of Bridgewater Wines + Dines , and Splash by the Sea and Shuckin' Shack in Surf City. Savor Southern Kitchen is hosting a brunch buffet . Events also include some unique options. Hurricane Fishing Fleet at 9975 Nance St . in Calabash is offering a Catered Brunch Cruise with beverages, an afternoon boat ride, and a food from The Tamed Beast Catering, with cinnamon rolls, crab dip, biscuits, deviled eggs and more. And Hidden Ships Distillery is hosting two events with food trucks at 116 Charlie Medlin Drive in Surf City.

May 12 : And you can find more Mother’s Day opportunities in events that combine flowers with yummy treats. One Scoops & Stems event is happening at Mimi & Papa’s Gourmet Popcorn and Homemade Ice Cream at 324 Village Road N.E. in Leland. They’re partnering with The Busy Bloom Co. to offer lots of great things for mom 2-5 p.m. A similar event is happening at Scoops Microcreamery at Topsail Beach , 714 South Anderson Blvd. who is working with Paradise Flower Farms beginning at 1 p.m. And at Luna Caffe has an afternoon planned with jazz, discounts, a build- your-own-bouquet station for $15 to benefit the domestic violence shelter, and specials like $5 mimosas. It's 1-3 p.m. at 608 Castle St. in Wilmington.

May 15 : Block Eatz on the north campus of Cape Fear Community College in Castle Hayne returns with its monthly Chef's Vision event, with a chat with Tracy Mullins from Hieronymus Seafood Restaurant . The event begins at 5:30, and it's free, but you can register to let them know you're coming .

May 17-19 : The St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is once again hosting its uber popular Wilmington Greek Festival at 608 S. College Rd, Wilmington. Look for traditional food and music, dancing, and cooking demonstrations. Entry fee is $5 for adults .

May 18 : It’s time again for a fan favorite from Ellipsis, End of Days Distillery and Boombalattis. Burger Shakedown begins at 3 p.m. with three courses of artisanal burger sliders paired with boozy milkshakes at 1502 S. Third St. in Wilmington. Tickets are $48 .

May 18 : Wilmington's green and sustainable Mad Mole Brewing , at 6309 Boathouse Road on Oleander Drive near Bradley Creek is hosting a Six Year Anniversary party with beer specials, live music and food trucks all day. It begins at noon.

May 18 : Another anniversary party is taking place at the Wilmington location of Dram & Draught , which is celebrating two years in business at 109 Market St. downtown starting at 3 p.m. Look for cocktails, raffle tickets, live music and a DJ.

May 21 : Blue Surf Arboretum West at 414 Arboretum Drive in Wilmington is partnering with Leland Brewing Co . for this month's Chef's Dinner . Look for a selection of craft brews and a four-course menu from chef Jon Webb. Cost is $65 and it begins at 5:30 p.m .

May 22 : Shuckin' Shack in downtown Wilmington is hosting a Meet the Makers Oyster Roast 6-8 p.m. at 127 N. Front St. Look for all-you-can-eat local oysters from Three Little Spats Oyster Co., brews from Maine Beer Company, and live music. Tickets are around $42 .

May 23 : There's a unique event that blends literary and culinary fun at Cast Iron Kitchen , 8024 Market St. in Wilmington's Porters Neck area. Author Karen Barefoot will discuss her journey and the best-selling "Brave, Bold, and Barefoot." Chef Josh Petty will offer a picnic-inspired spread to go along with it. Tickets are $20 .

May 25 : In midtown Wilmington, Henry's Restaurant and Perry's Emporium are hosting a 25th anniversary party. It's 2-7 pm. at 2508 Independence Blvd. The event features live music and a low country boil with all of the fixings, including the boil, salads and sides, and desserts. Drinks sold separately. Tickets are $25 .

May 25 : Blue Shark Vodka 's series of beach clean-ups continues with this one at Ocean Isle Fish Company in Ocean Isle. It takes place 10 a.m. to noon. and begins at 65 Causeway Dr.

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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: From bourbon to brunch to beach, Wilmington food and drink events to check out in May