EASTER HAT PARADE
Easter Saturday, 2:00 pm
Parade starts at Dillsboro Town Hall at 2:00 pm. Calling all ladies, gentlemen, children and dogs. Grab your hat and join in the fun during Dillsboro’s delightfully unpretentious Easter Hat Parade. Join the ugly, big or best hat contest. They’ll be plenty of prizes. Antique cars lead the parade. Meet the Easter Bunny. Coordinator: Brenda Anders 828-506-8331.
GREENING UP THE MOUNTAINS
& DUCKS ON THE TUCK
Last Sunday in April
Make a weekend of it: The day after the Greening Up the Mountains (a day-long street festival in Sylva) hundreds of rubber duckies will drop off the Scotts Creek Bridge and race down the Tuck (Tuckasegee River) in Dillsboro. Test your luck, Buy a duck; Prizes given to the winners. Contact: Carrie Blaskowski 828-631-0271.
MADE FOR MOTHER FESTIVAL
Mothers Day Saturday
May 10, 2008
Do something different on Mother’s Day. Dillsboro’s artisans will help you make something special for mother.
You can make it & take it/send it all on the same day. Hand made corsages, chocolate treats, special jewelry, needlepoint, loving cards or live videos/emails.
Join in a marathon monopoly game that will benefit the American Cancer Society. Contact: Teresa Dowd-828-586-5700. Download PDF for participating shops and gift-making times.
VINTAGE CAR RALLY
Weekly Summer Event
3rd Thursday May – September
A fun summer event that will soon become a Dillsboro favorite. Coordinator: Greg Mahler 828-586-6369.
DILLSBORO ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL
Second Saturday in June, 10 am – 5 pm
June 14, 2008
Celebrate traditional mountain crafts and enjoying lively local musicians, dancers and storytellers. Dillsboro’s unique quaint shops are open and the streets are lined with tents featuring all kinds of traditional crafts including basketry, pottery, weaving, quilting, woodworking, jewelry, stained glass and more. Artisans demonstrate their craft.
Coordinator: Todd Sessoms 828-631-0156. Application
DAY OUT WITH THOMAS™
Late July
July 25-29 & July 31-August 3, 2008
Each year the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad brings Thomas the Tank Engine to Dillsboro. Children and their grown-ups can take a ride on board a train pulled by Thomas, and have their picture taken with Sir Topham Hatt, the Controller of Thomas’ Railway and enjoy petting zoos and pony rides. The railroad also sponsors Mystery Theatres, Peanuts outing and more.
For a complete schedule, contact the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad or call 800-872-4681.
CAROLINA TROPHY RALLY
Mid September
Vintage car rally has a layover on Front Street in Dillsboro. Contact: Janet Chinners 828-586-1600.
DILLSBORO ANTIQUES FAIR
Third Saturday in September, 9 am – 5 pm
September 20, 2008
Start the leaf looking season early. Antique objects for sale including carnival glass, vintage jewelry, baskets, dough bowls, quilts, pottery, watering cans, copper, both large and small antique furniture, and more. Day-long entertainment by local well known musicians and storytellers. Spend a nostalgic day in beautiful Dillsboro.
Coordinator: Janet Chinners 828-586-1600. Application
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Halloween Night, 6 pm – 8 pm
October 31, 2008
A fall festival and parade. Kids, their parents and friends are encouraged to wear costumes. This event should be a real treat. Coordinator: Todd Sessoms 828-631-0156. Application
WNC POTTERY FESTIVAL
First Saturday in November, 10 am – 5 pm
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Showcasing the work of more than 25 highly skilled southern potters. The event is juried and the lineup of potter makers is quite impressive. They include works by festival organizer JoeFrank McKee of Tree House Pottery in Dillsboro, local artisan Brant Barnes of Riverwood Pottery also from Dillsboro, who has been featured on HGTV, and other nationally renowned potters. Coordinator: Tree House Pottery 828-631-5100.
LIGHTS & LUMINARIES
First two Fridays & Saturdays in December, at dusk
December 5-6 and 12-13, 2008
Beginning at dusk. Journey back to the days of yester-year as Dillsboro presents its annual Festival of Lights and Luminaries. Experience the magic as the entire town is transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, candles, laughter and song.
Coordinator: David Gates 828-586-3891 or Janet Chinners 828-586-1600.
NEIGHBORING EVENTS
Check out all the special events and festivals in Dillsboro's neighboring towns —
Bryson City
Franklin
Jackson County
Cherokee
Haywood County
Waynesville
Cashiers
Western Carolina University
Hendersonville