North Carolina in April!

My home state is so freaking gorgeous in March and April.  The pastels of the season will take your breath away (and also cause you to hack and sneeze like no other!)

It seemed like overnight the trees were in bloom with white and pale pink flowers.  Dogwoods are really blasting their beauty right now.  Unfortunately, these blooms do not last very long before they are just a lively green until the end of summer.

Just like the flowers and buds on the trees everything is back to popping in NC.  Here are some events going on this month to entice and appease you!



April is Beer Month in North Carolina.  NC has a huge community of small brewers across the state and it is growing in regional and national levels.  To celebrate the NC beer family and its amazing growth there will be events all across the state at various microbreweries, restaurants, and clubs from the high country to the coastline.  For more information check out the official website of NC Beer Month.


Biltmore is in bloom!  I have seen Biltmore during the peak flower season and my goodness it is awe inspiring (especially if you love tulips like I do!)  The gardens at Biltmore are just amazing and well worth a day to meander through.  Don't forget to tour the house and see the decor for spring!



Phlock to the beach - to Oak Island
April 16th
It is time to run to the beach and run at the beach all in Jimmy Buffett style.  This year's Phlock To The Beach is offering a 5k, 10k, and half marathon run as well as food, music (Jimmy Buffett style), and more.  If you need an event to kick off beach season this is it.



69th Annual NC Azalea Festival
April 6th-10th
Wilmington, NC
This event is just part of NC culture, guys.  And this year Snoop Dog is on hand for it, no joke.  He'lll be performing on Friday, April 8th.  The Avette Bros. will be performing the night before, reason enough for me to go!  This is a true Southern multi day celebration of spring - there will be a coronation, good food, and great music.  Go to Wilmington this weekend!


RiverRun International Film Festival
April 7-17th
Winston-Salem
I bet you didn't know one of the largest film festivals in the US is in my city?  Yep, sure is.  The quickly growing River Run Film Festival kicks off this week.  There will be films of all genres from all over this great big earth ready to be viewed by theater junkies all around.



65th Annual Stoneybrook Steeplechase
April 9th
Raeford
If horse racing and steeplechases are your entry to spring then head to the tiny town of Raeford this weekend!  With over 1,000 spectators this event will host a variety of fun activities along with the race and chase.  A market of wonderful central Carolina fare, a kid's zone, and a hat contest!  What is a horse race without the flamboyant head attire?  Click here for information the Carolina Horse Park and this event.

4th Annual ConvergeNC Southern Music Festival
April 15th
Chapel Hill
If you need a reason to go to Chapel Hill and cannot seem to find a good one then this may be it.  This event is totally free and over on the notorious Franklin Street.  There will be food trucks, great music, and drinks.



Phuzz Phest
April 15 & 16th
Winston-Salem
And if you aren't too happy with the Chapel Hill music scene you can scoot down to Winston-Salem to the Phuzz Phest (not a free event).  This music weekend is multi genre and has some 50 highly acclaimed bands (though I have never heard of one of them.)  This event started in 2011 and grows in popularity each year.



Rock The Roanoak
April 16th
Weldon
Weldon is a place I have been and I have fished there.  I just learned that it is the Rockfish Capitol of the World.  Wow.  In honor of that you can enter the Rockfish Tournament open to adults and children.  Weldon is rich in history with the Wilmington-Weldon Railroad, Confederate cemeteries, and the richness of historical homes and places that only Eastern North Carolina can offer.  Click here to register.

Other things to check out in NC -

Via...

Our wineries -  The wineries are in season and ready to promote their grapes with great music and other fun yearly events offered in the spring.  If you are in NC check out your local wineries for a great, relaxing Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

Our baseball - Minor League ball is starting up!  Check out any of our teams across the state for a fun Thirsty Thursday or weekend game.

Our race ways - The home of auto racing is North Carolina.  Many of our small tracks, dirt tracks, and drag strips are firing up for the 2016 season.  Charlotte and the Lake Norman area will start having auto shows (as will other parts of the state) this month!