Looking for a fun way to ring in spring? Here are a few of the unique and memorable ways to enjoy North Carolina in all its spring bloom glory. Hop to it!April 14-15Glass Tulip Film FestivalWashington – Film festival featuring amateur and Student films from North Carolina. Eligible students must be attending a NC high school, college or university. Held at the Historic Turnage Theatre, enjoy films in the following categories: 3D, short (30 minutes or less), animated, nature, historic, horror, and documentary. artsofthepamlico.orgEaster Bunny ExpressSpencer – Take a 25-minute train ride around the N.C. Transportation Museum, with the Easter bunny along for the fun. The furry friend will be handing out candy to the kids, taking pictures, and meeting everyone. Kids can also get temporary tattoos in the museum Gift Station and make a craft to take home. On April 15 only, there will also be an Easter egg hunt! nctrans.orgApril 14-1652nd Annual Haliwa-Saponi Pow-wowHollister – Every April, the Haliwa-Saponi tribe holds its annual pow wow to celebrate its recognition by the N.C. General Assembly in 1965. The pow wow includes dance contests, a drum contest, an art contest, traditional American Indian food, and crafts for sale. haliwa-saponi.comApril 15Dillsboro Easter Hat ParadeDillsboro – Calling all ladies, gentlemen, children, and dogs! Grab your hat and join in the fun during Dillsboro’s delightfully unpretentious annual Easter Hat Parade! Come at 10:30 a.m. to make a hat or bring your own and register at 11 a.m. Parade starts at 2 p.m. from Dillsboro Town Hall. Plenty of prizes are announced after the parade. Ribbons are given for the Prettiest, Funniest, Largest, Smallest, Most Unusual, Most Easter-like, Best Smelling, Cutest, Most Outrageous, Best In Show and “Poofiest” hats, among other unusual categories. visitdillsboro.orgTryon Block House Races SteeplechaseColumbus – Be entertained at a whole new level by the sights and sounds of thoroughbred horses racing past you at the 71st Annual Steeplechase. The Tryon Block House Races are the longest running steeplechase in North Carolina, and this year it will hold the highest total purse in history of $150,000. The Tryon International Equestrian Center and the Tryon Riding & Hunt Club have partnered this year, and collectively moved the event from the most recent venue to a new one-mile track on 115 acres of land in Columbus, N.C. tryon.com
