FULL SPECTRUM FARMS GROWERS FAIR
Third Saturday in April
9:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monteith Park in Dillsboro

A unique fair celebrating farmers and growers with open-air plant and produce market. A wonderful celebration to benefit the Autism Community. *Not a DMA event. For more information contact Teresa Dowd at 828-586-5100 or info@fullspectrumfarms.org.

DILLSBORO EASTER HAT PARADE
Easter Saturday

April 7, 2 pm

 
Come at 10:30 am to make a hat (Dogwood Crafters on Webster Street) – or bring your own. Get your face painted!. Meet the Easter Bunny. Egg hunts begin on Webster Streeet, every half hour by age group beginning at 10:30 am. Registration begins at 11 am. Parade starts from Dillsboro Town Hall at 2:00 pm. Antique cars lead the parade. Calling all ladies, gentlemen, children and dogs. Grab your hat and join in the fun during Dillsboro’s delightfully unpretentious annual Easter Hat Parade!

Plenty of prizes are 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. There is even a ribbon awarded to the Best Animal in Show!

GREENING UP THE MOUNTAINS
April 28, 10 am - 4 pm

Greening Up the Mountains is a day-long street festival Saturday April 23 in our sister town of Sylva. 10:00 am - 4:00 pm on Main Street and in the Bridge Park in downtown Sylva. This year’s festival will focus on environmental sustainability, the importance of a strong economy and the revival of native and heritage crafts and traditions. *Not a DMA event.

DUCKS ON THE TUCK

May

Hundreds of rubber duckies will drop off Dillsboro’s Scott Creek Bridge and race down the Tuck (Tuckaseigee River) in Dillsboro. Test your luck, adopt a duck for $5. Prizes given to the winners. Proceeds go to the New Century Scholars scholarship fund. In the event of inclement weather or flooding a drawing will be held on May 1. *Not a DMA event.

MOTHER'S DAY SIDEWALK SALE
Saturday before Mother's Day

Local merchants plan special sales and other activities.

RAFTERS & CRAFTERS
Second Saturday in June, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
June 9, 2012

Celebrate traditional mountain crafts and enjoy lively regional musicians, dancers and storytellers at historic Dillsboro’s Annual Arts & Music Festival! In addition to Dillsboro’s unique shops and studios, Front Street is lined with tents featuring all kinds of art and fine crafts including basketry, pottery, weaving, quilting, woodworking, jewelry, stained glass, painting, photography and more. Information: call 800-962-1911. Crafter Application (pdf).

DILLSBORO FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

Wednesday, July 4, 2012, 1 pm – dark

Enjoy a fun-filled Fourth in Dillsboro. Opening Ceremony and Carnival Rides beginning at 1 pm. Pie & Cake Bakeoff at 3 pm, Water Balloon Contest 2 - 3:30 pm, Horseshoe Challenge & Cornhole Challenge 5 pm. Music and entertainment begins at 4 pm on the main stage at the intersection of Church Street & Front Street. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the show. Fireworks will begin at dark from Harrison Quarry. There are lots of good places to watch the fireworks - just ask a local.

       The second annual Tuck River Derby and Tube Race, where tubes and homemade rafts drift down the Tuckasegee River, will be in the afternoon. Registration ends at 3:30 p.m. with the Tube Race beginning at 4:00 and the Raft Race at 4:30. Launch at Webster Street. 

4th ANNUAL YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL
Third Saturday in September, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Jackson County Green Energy Park

Join us for hands-on art activities such as sidewalk chalk, mural painting, tile mosaics, paper weaving, hand-building with clay, and tile painting. Experience over 25 professional artists demonstrating their abilities with hot glass, basket-weaving, pottery, blacksmithing, painting, drawing, and more!

      Entertainment will be offered throughout the day including local musicians and performing artists, Cherokee traditional dancers, WCU's Jazz Quintet and Jazz Dancers, the Dancing Trash Dragon, and others . This family-friendly mix of cultural performers will be a highlight of the day!

      This event is FREE and open to the public. NO pets please. The Green Energy Park is located off Haywood Road near the Huddle House in Dillsboro. free shuttle will be available, with stops every 10 minutes at several satellite parking locations in downtown Dillsboro. Food will be available for purchase on site. 828-631-0271, www.jcgep.org. *Not a DMA event.

COLOR FEST - ART & TASTE OF APPALACHIA

First Saturday in October, 11 am - 6 pm
October 6, 2012

Come enjoy what North Carolina has to offer in food and beverages! We will have the street lined with NC food products, and arts and craft booths. We will have a "Beer Garden" area with two wineries and one brewery. To purchase alcohol, you must be of legal age to purchase a wristband for $2.00. The proceeds from the wristbands will go to disabled Veterans. There will be a juried section for professionals and a contest for amateur foodmakers to enter their own edibles. Entrants will be set up for you to sample them all and vote for People's Choice. Vendor Application (pdf).

PUNKIN FEST
Saturday before Halloween: October 27, 2012
4 - 7 pm; Parade at 6 pm
(Note: for safety, trick-or-treating ends at dusk)

A family-oriented costume parade. The Parade starts at 6 pm at Town Hall on Front Street. Kids, parents and friends are encouraged to enter the costume contest – there will be prizes! Trick or Treat around downtown. Free movies, music and more. Vote for the spookiest shop. This event is a real treat!

WNC POTTERY FESTIVAL
First Saturday in November, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Saturday, November 3, 2012

Showcasing the work of more than 40 highly skilled potters from 13 states. A variety of clay art styles will be presented. Works by festival organizers and Dillsboro potters Joe Frank McKee & Travis Berning of Tree House Pottery, and Brant Barnes of Riverwood Pottery who has been featured on HGTV will be highlighted.The event is juried and the lineup of potters is impressive. $3 ticket includes a chance in a raffle; kids under 12 admitted free. Website

DILLSBORO LIGHTS & LUMINARIES
First Two Fridays & Saturdays in December, beginning at dusk
December 7, 8 and 14, 15, 2012

Journey back to the days of yesteryear 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! 2500 luminaries light your way to shops and studios. Horse and buggy rides available each night from 5-8 pm (cost + tips). Shopkeepers provide live music and serve holiday treats with hot cider and cocoa. Carolers sing and children visit with Santa at Town Hall. Information: call 800-962-1911.

Check these Chamber of Commerce website calendars for more local events:

Jackson County

Macon County / Franklin
Swain County/Bryson City