April NC Events

3  ASHEVILLE   WNC Chefs Challenge   Fig Bistro vs. 12 Bones Smokehouse   Food and sport combine for the ultimate food fight. The Challenge brings together 14 leading chefs from the region and one secret ingredient in weekly battles each Tuesday from March 20 - May 22.  Diners enjoy six plated culinary creations (three from each team) that incorporate the secret ingredient and score each dish. The votes from the audience and a panel of professional chefs, journalists, and culinary experts are tallied. A winner is announced at the end of the night and continues to the next round of competition.
6   ASHEVILLE   Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Art Walk   Enjoy the fine art and craft of the Asheville Downtown Gallery Association and see on  of the reasons Asheville has been voted #1 small city in the country by the readers of American Style Magazine 2 years running. 25 downtown venues participate with a complete  Downtown Gallery Guide and a map available at any participating downtown gallery, the Chamber of Commerce, or Pack Place.
6-7   BRYSON CITY   PEANUTS™ Easter Beagle Express!  on The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Trains will depart the historic Bryson City depot at 10:30am. The train will travel along the Tuckasegee River into the quaint town of Dillsboro North Carolina for the 1 ½ hour layover. Passengers will join Snoopy, Lucy, Charlie Brown and our Easter Bunnies for old fashioned Easter fun! Festivities during the layover include crafts, coloring sheets, temporary tattoos, live music and snacks with Snoopy and more. Join in the on-going Easter egg hunt for special prizes and of course lots of candy. Advance tickets are required, as seating is limited. Adult tickets are $49 and children, ages 2-12, are $29. Hurry, tickets are going fast! Advanced reservations are suggested for this special event train.    
6-7   BRYSON CITY   Appalachian Trail Bridge Festival   Enjoy trail-steeped speakers sharing their experiences, a vendor village staffed by industry representatives, skills clinics, as well as some great product giveaways and door prizes and live music nightly. Held at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
7   DILLSBORO   Annual Dillsboro Easter Hat Parade -  Arrive at 10 am to make a hat, or bring your own pre-made version. Registration starts at 11AM.  The parade starts from Dillsboro Town Hall at 2:00 PM. Open to all ladies, gentlemen, children and dogs. Grab your hat and join in the fun during Dillsboro’s delightfully unpretentious annual Easter Hat Parade! Enter the ugliest, biggest or best hat contest, with plenty of prizes. Antique cars lead the parade. Meet the Easter Bunny.
7-8   FONTANA   Easter Celebration at Fontana Village Resort   Saturday. 12:30 pm. Construction of Fontana Dam film. 2 pm. Scenic Lake Tour. 1 hr. $15/adult; $7.50 ages 12 & under, age 5 and under free. 3-4 pm. Egg coloring, sidewalk chalk, egg and water balloon toss, scavenger hunt and more. Sunday. 11:30 - 2:30 pm Easter Buffet. 2:30 pm. Easter Egg Hunt. 4 pm. Ping Pong Tournament. 7:30 pm. Billiards Tournament   
7-8   BLOWING ROCK   Trout Derby   6AM until 5 PM Saturday, Noon until 4 PM Sunday. No pre-registration necessary. Public waters only, no ponds. Fishing at Mayview Lake (Broyhill Park) for children 11 and under and persons with disabilities. Fish weighed and measured at American Legion Building on Park Avenue. Trophies & prizes awarded 4:30PM Sunday.
7-9   OLD FORT   8th Annual Herb Festival   Savor the smell and taste of fresh-grown herbs. Craftsmen, vendors and musicians will entertain both days. Held at Painters Greenhouse, approximately 5 miles south of I-40 at exit 73.
7 - May 20  ASHEVILLE    27th Annual Festival of Flowers   Thousands of tulips highlight stunning floral displays across the estate celebrating the majesty of Frederick Law Olmsted’s legacy as Biltmore’s master horticulture planner. Biltmore’s restaurants will feature special menu items, with the Winery offering a commemorative Festival of Flowers wine and wine seminars.
7 - Dec 31   ASHEVILLE   The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad  A new display focusing on the lives and personalities of George, Edith and Cornelia Vanderbilt, takes center stage in Biltmore's Antler Hill Village Legacy building. The exhibit offers a close-up look at exotic and rare items they collected throughout their lives, including an extraordinary collection of Samurai armor and an intricate Cartier vanity and lipstick case encrusted with diamonds and jade. An early Harley-Davidson motorcycle representing the Vanderbilt’s love of motorized transportation will be displayed. The fascinating story of the fateful decision that saved the Vanderbilts from perishing on Titanic will also be told.
7   BRASSTOWN  Annual Easter Egg Hunt at John C Campbell Folk School   An annual favorite for kids the Saturday before Easter, bring your children at 1:00 p.m. to hunt for filled Easter eggs. There will be three areas for egg hunting, divided by age: 0-4, 5-7, and 8 & older.  This event is free and held at the Open House.  There will be live music during the event.
8   CHIMNEY ROCK   57th Annual Easter Sunrise Service at Chimney Rock   Celebrate Easter with song, scripture and spiritual music as a spectacular sunrise appears over Lake Lure. Chimney Rock's annual Easter Sunrise Service has become a legendary event in WNC, attracting more than 1,000 early risers from around the Southeast each year. This free non-denominational Easter celebration features live instrumental music, spiritual songs, and breathtaking scenery. The event is now in its 57th year, and a number of locals have not missed any since the first event in 1955! This is one of the few times each year that residents and guests can see the sun rise over Lake Lure from high atop Chimney Rock Mountain.  FREE and open to the public.
8   ASHEVILLE    Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Biltmore   The Easter Rabbit makes his annual appearance on Biltmore’s Front Lawn, along with special children’s entertainment including magic shows, music and storytelling. Highlighting the day are the grand Easter Egg Hunts at 11 AM., 1 and 3 PM. Children from ages 2 to 9 may attend the hunt for free when accompanied by an estate pass holder or a ticketed adult. Day-of registration is required. Bring your own basket or bag to collect eggs.
8   BOONVILLE   Easter Sunrise Service in the Vineyard   A  beautiful experience of watching the sun rise behind Pilot Mountain and over a mist enveloping the RagApple Lassie Vineyards as an Acapella choir sings the glorious songs of Easter.
8   LAKE LURE  Easter Brunch at the Lake Lure Inn and Spa - Sit outside on the Veranda Patio with spectacular views of the lake or relax after your meal with a cup of coffee on the front porch complete with rocking chairs. The buffet offers an extensive assortment of breakfast items, appetizers, salads, main courses, sides, and desserts. Adults $29.95, ages 6-12 $14.95, 5 and under free.
10   ASHEVILLE   WNC Chefs Challenge   Red STAG Grill vs. Sunburst Trout Company   Food and sport combine for the ultimate food fight. The Challenge brings together 14 leading chefs from the region and one secret ingredient in weekly battles each Tuesday from March 20 - May 22.  Diners enjoy six plated culinary creations (three from each team) that incorporate the secret ingredient and score each dish. The votes from the audience and a panel of professional chefs, journalists, and culinary experts are tallied. A winner is announced at the end of the night and continues to the next round of competition.
10-11   BLOWING ROCK   Curious Collections - Exhibit and opening Reception at the Blowing Rock Museum of Art and History.  The exhibit will include a wide variety of fascinating objects from more than 20 collectors from across North Carolina, not only exploring the rich histories of the objects but also delving into the psychology of collecting, which is deeply entrenched in human nature. In the process, exhibit guests will be encouraged to uncover the collector in each of us.
11  BLOWING ROCK    Fire on the Rock   FINAL - Chefs from local restaurants will battle head-to-head in exciting single elimination battles every Tuesday and Wednesday at Crippen's Restaurant. You, the diner, judge a six course "blind" menu created around a secret ingredient. Prepaid reservations are required.
11-15   BLOWING ROCK   Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival   Enjoy wine tastings, seminars, cooking classes, wine makers' dinner and much more. New this year is the Grillin' and Chillin' event.  The Grand Tasting event is downtown and special guest this year is Teresa Guidice!
12-14   HENDERSONVILLE  Music on the Rock Series:  Rocket Man - A Celebration of Elton John  The 10 concert 2012 series produced by The Flat Rock Theatre offers a celebration of music form country to pop to Sinatra.
12-15   ASHEVILLE   ActionFest 2012  The world's only film festival devoted exclusively to action films. ActionFest celebrates the genre by showcasing the latest and the best in action cinema from all over the world for four wild days at The Carolina Asheville.
13   BLOWING ROCK  Tweetsie Railroad Opens for the 2012 Season   All aboard for NC's oldest theme park and another season of wild-west fun & excitement!
14   CULLOWHEE   WCU Jazz Festival   WCU's annual Jazz Festival directed by Professor Pavel Wlosok will feature invited guest, exceptional saxophonist Joel Frahm. Held at the Bardo Arts Center Theatre on the Western Carolina Campus.
15   BRASSTOWN   Renaissonics perform at the John C. Campbell Folk School    2:30 PM -  Renaissance music comes alive in the robust performances of Renaissonics. The vibrant group plays as musicians of the era played - impromptu and with vigor. Its stylish performances allow audiences to experience the elegance and excitement of Renaissance music as it was intended to be heard. The ensemble will present music and dance music from the 1640s. Renassonics is the resident ensemble for the Historical Dance Foundation's annual International Early Dance Institute.
17  ASHEVILLE   WNC Chefs Challenge   The Magnetic Field Café & Bar vs. Lexington Avenue Brewery  Food and sport combine for the ultimate food fight. The Challenge brings together 14 leading chefs from the region and one secret ingredient in weekly battles each Tuesday from March 20 - May 22.  Diners enjoy six plated culinary creations (three from each team) that incorporate the secret ingredient and score each dish. The votes from the audience and a panel of professional chefs, journalists, and culinary experts are tallied. A winner is announced at the end of the night and continues to the next round of competition.
18-22   CHEROKEE  2012 Cherokee Thunder Motorcycle Rally   Live music, games, prizes, contests, tattoos, a swap meet, burn out pit, bike show and much, much more. Just $25 will get you in for the entire weekend. Enjoy Foghat and Artimus Pyle. Held at the Acquoni Expo Center
20-21   BRYSON CITY   NOC Freestyle Kayaking Shootout & Demo Days   The Southeast's biggest freestyle kayaking competition, held on the new 2013 Wave, teams up with the Southeast's biggest preseason gear sale. The first official Freestyle event to be held at the newly enhanced Nantahala Wave, designed for the upcoming 2013 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships
21   Maggie Valley   23rd Annual Great Smoky Mountain Trout & Heritage Festival  The  Town of Maggie Valley partners with the Haywood Community College Natural Resources Division and Haywood Waterways to offer:  FREE Catch Clinics for kids and FREE Timber Sports Demonstrations by the Forestry Club
21   BRYSON CITY   8th Annual Nantahala Open   The Nantahala Open, dedicated to Team River Runner, is an all day event that begins (10am-3pm) at the staging beach just above Nantahala Falls. At 4-8 PM enjoy The Open House Party at Endless River Adventures featuring The Filling Station Deli, live local music, and Higlands Brew on tap. At 8-10 PM, take a look at the 2012 Nantahala Open Video and claim your door prizes. The final event is a raffle for the Wave Sport Boat of your choice with proceeds going to Team River Runner. Open to all boaters ofmatter any level of experience or skill.
21   HENDERSONVILLE   Henderson County BBQ Expo   A family festival with vendors, BBQ cooking competitions, children's activities, arts and crafts, and entertainment.
21   TRYON   66th Annual Steeplechase Race at FENCE   The Steeplechase is the area's biggest and most exciting equestrian event of the year. Join the crowds that come for the thundering of hooves as they navigate a challenging course over several races. Contestants for best tailgate show off their best country, most unusual and most elegant. Special hats turn heads with competitors vying for the funniest (adults) and the most unusual and most appropriate for adults and kids.
21   FLAT ROCK   Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra presents "Romantic Rhapsodies"   The Orchestra features a 70-piece professional orchestra. Guest artist James Dick performs the beloved Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Rachmaninoff. The HSO offers Hugo Alfven’s Swedish Rhapsody Midsommvarka and Mozart’s Symphony No. 35 Hafner, and the winner of our annual Young Artist Concerto Competition performs.
24   ASHEVILLE   WNC Chefs Challenge   Strada Restaurant & Bakehouse vs. Never Blue  Food and sport combine for the ultimate food fight. The Challenge brings together 14 leading chefs from the region and one secret ingredient in weekly battles each Tuesday from March 20 - May 22.  Diners enjoy six plated culinary creations (three from each team) that incorporate the secret ingredient and score each dish. The votes from the audience and a panel of professional chefs, journalists, and culinary experts are tallied. A winner is announced at the end of the night and continues to the next round of competition.
24-26   ASHEVILLE   River Management Society Symposium  A weeklong biennial symposia providing a forum for the exchange of ideas, techniques and strategies concerning river management, and to encouraging the formation of networks and partnerships among a broad range of river professionals. This year's symposium is co-hosted with RiverLink in Asheville,NC  and is entitled, "from intimate creeks to the infinite sea."
26-29   WILKESBORO   MerleFest 25   Celebrate spring and help kick off festival season at MerleFest 25, considered one of the premier music festivals in the country. MerleFest is held on the campus of Wilkes Community College. The four-day festival features over 90 artists performing on 14 stages, including Doc & Richard Watson, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives and the Tedeschi Trucks Band.
27-28  TRYON    USDAA Dog Agility Trials at FENCE   The Blue Ridge Agility Club (BRAC) hosts four agility trials a year.  Spectators are welcome and admission is free. Competition begins each day at 8:00 AM. and continues throughout the day until approximately 5:00 PM. There is no set time table and individual dog breeds do not run at a particular time, they run by dog height. For your pets comfort, please leave him/her at home.
27-29   CHEROKEE   Cherokee's Summer Kickoff Trout Fishing Tournament    $10,000 in tagged fish in the rivers on the Cherokee Reservation (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch and release waters) Hundreds of specially tagged fish will be stocked in the Cherokee public fishing waters. When a tagged fish is caught it can be redeemed for cash prizes ranging from $20 to $500 based on the color of the tag. Redemption location and times to be announced. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Registration necessary to redeem cash prize. $11 entry fee - available everywhere Cherokee fishing permits are sold.
28   SYLVA   Greening up the Mountains    This annual spring festival, named for the way the “spring green” creeps up the mountainsides, is a celebration of the local economy, sustainability, and traditional heritage crafts. Three full music stages will feature local bands, children’s performances, and heritage dance, along with the annual Youth Talent Show and more. Storytelling, face painting, an inflatable slide, the recycled materials Superhero Costume Contest, volunteer projects and more. Annual Greening Up the Mountains 5K Run.
28   ROBBINSVILLE    Stecoah Valley Center Ramp Festival   Craft booths open at 11 AM. Finger weaving class (1-3 PM); Cherokee songs and stories (6:15 - 7 PM). Concert featuring My Highway at 7:30 PM. A traditional Appalachian ramp dinner with all the fixings. Complete dinners are served family style at two seatings - 5:30 and 6:30 PM - in the Stecoah dining room. Dinner features the down-home goodness of Southern Appalachian mountain cuisine, using the freshest local produce available. Reservations required for dinner.
28   CHIMNEY ROCK   Survival Skills Workshop:  Edible Plants  (2 of 3 in series)  Food and water are essential to surviving if you find yourself stranded in the wilderness. Abundant and nutritious edible plants grow in western North Carolina each season, from berries, flowers and nuts to mushrooms. Learn how to recognize differences in how plants look and where they grow to distinguish between edible and non-edible plants. We’ll also discuss methods for water purification. Be prepared to hike off the beaten path for two hours or more identifying and talking about edible plants. Bring a water bottle, wear long pants and bring a rain coat just in case. $27 for Adults, $15 for Annual Passholders for single workshop; $65 for Adults, $35 for Annual Passholders for all three workshops (includes Park admission for the day)
28   OLD FORT   Mountain Thunder Car Show   Annual Mountain Thunder Car Show in downtown, historic Old Fort. Sponsored by the Route 70 Cruisers, all makes and models of cars, trucks and motorcycles are invited to join the fun, no entrance or admission fees! There will be food, crafts and a "swap meet" area for treasure hunters.
28   HENDERSONVILLE   Historic Johnson Farm Festival   The Historic Johnson farmhouse and outbuildings will be open for touring. There will also be live entertainment, demonstrations, wagon rides, children's activities, farm animals and food.
28   OLD FORT   Pioneer Day   Annual celebration of mountain heritage. The one-day festival features mountain music in the amphitheater, craft demonstrations such as weaving, black smithing and pottery turning, See Hit or Miss engine displays and vendors displaying and selling their wares. All day event held on the Mountain Gateway Museum grounds.
28   ROBBINSVILLE   Stecoah Ramp Festival, Dinner and Concert   Browse locally made artisan craft booths on the lawn beginning at 11 AM. Free Cherokee finger-weaving class with Shirley Welch, 1-3 PM. Paula Nelson entertains with Cherokee stories and songs 6:15 - 7:15 pm (free). Dinner seatings at 5:30 PM or 6:30 PM -. Dinner price is $15.95 for adults, $9.95 for children 12 and under. At 7:30 enjoy local favorite My Highway in concert in the Lynn L. Shields Auditorium - Tickets are $10 Adults; $5 Students (K-12); Children under 5 are Free.
28 - May 1   MAGGIE VALLEY   Southeastern Mini Truckin' Nationals   Open Car Show with spectators welcome.  Hundreds of mini trucks compete for Top 50 with 12 Specialty Awards and Best of Show. Auto and Food Vendors will be available.  Held at the Maggie Valley Fair Grounds.
28 - May 6   HENDERSONVILLE   Flat Rock Playhouse presents "Say Goodnight Gracie"   This hit Broadway play invites the audience to spend an hilarious, heart-warming evening in the uplifting company of the world’s favorite and funniest centenarian: George Burns, who spanned one hundred years of American entertainment history. This show is a stunning tour de force tribute to one of America’s greatest funnymen.

Evening Performances: Wed Sat: 8:00 PM; Matinees: Wed, Thurs, Sat & Sun: 2:00 PM