Events
July 11, 2026
Home Plate Provisions will celebrate Downtown District Day on Saturday, July 11, with the launch of a new illustrated Wilmington picnic map, appearances by local artist Elana Núñez-Tiso and James Beard Award-winning food journalist Hanna Raskin, and a series of events centered on food, travel, and local discovery.
Marry Me Marinara Sampling
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Home Plate Provisions, 910 Castle St.
Visitors can stop by for samples of locally made pasta sauces from Marry Me Marinara and meet founder Adrian Willis.
Picnic Map of Wilmington Launch
1–3:30 p.m.
Home Plate Provisions, 910 Castle St.
Wilmington-based designer and illustrator Elana Núñez-Tiso will host a meet-and-greet and watercolor demonstration celebrating the launch of Home Plate's new Picnic Map of Wilmington.
Commissioned by Home Plate Provisions, the pocket-sized guide highlights picnic destinations throughout Wilmington and the surrounding area. Each location includes information about accessibility, parking, seating, and restroom availability, pairing practical information with original illustrations that encourage exploration of the region's parks, green spaces, and waterfronts.
I-40 Exit Strategy Map Launch
2:30–5 p.m.
Home Plate Provisions, 910 Castle St.
Hanna Raskin, James Beard Award-winning founder of The Food Section, will host a meet-and-greet celebrating the launch of the I-40 Exit Strategy Paper Route.
Created in partnership with The Food Section and illustrated by Durham artist Kristen Solecki, the I-40 Exit Strategy Paper Route is an illustrated guide to 25 independently owned restaurants along North Carolina's I-40 corridor. The restaurants are arranged by exit number, making it easy for travelers to discover local food destinations along the way. Learn more about the I-40 Exit Strategy Paper Route at goodprintedthings.com.
Talk & Taste: Hanna Raskin and the I-40 Exit Strategy
6 p.m.
Varnam Strings, 616-B Castle Street
The day concludes with an evening conversation featuring Hanna Raskin discussing food, place, and the stories behind the restaurants featured in the I-40 Exit Strategy map.
Guests will learn more about the creation of the guide, the process of selecting featured restaurants, and the role independent businesses play in shaping communities across North Carolina. The event will also feature light bites, including samples from one of the map's featured restaurants.
The event is organized by Home Plate Provisions and sponsored by Eileen Duffy, publisher of Edible Port City magazine, with support from Varnam Strings. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
Downtown District Day takes place from noon to 7 p.m. across Wilmington's downtown districts and encourages residents and visitors to explore local businesses, restaurants, galleries, and cultural destinations throughout the city.