STS Top 20 Events
April 2020
April 1-5, 2020, North Carolina Azalea Festival, Wilmington, NC, www.ncazaleafestival.org
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED FOR 2020
The North Carolina Azalea Festival is an age-old gathering that began in 1948 with a mission of stimulating the economy and promoting volunteerism. A non-profit organization, the Festival has created some $51 million dollars annually in economic stimulus with some big names always in attendance (past examples are Snoop Dogg, Kelly Ripa, Michael Jordan and more). The Festival is a full week of natural beauty, top notch entertainment, galas, fun family events and Southern hospitality paired with the charms of the Wilmington area. Come join Southern Belles, blooming azaleas and springtime fun!
April 3-5, 2020, Azalea Garden Tour 2020, Wilmington, NC, http://www.capefeargardenclub.org
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED FOR 2020
Habitat Gardens: Lessons from Hurricanes Florence and Dorian—the 67th annual Azalea Garden Tour is “living life on the wild side” in 2020 and for the first time in its history, the event sponsored by the Cape Fear Garden Club, includes a Certified Wildlife Habitat. This garden is a testament that lessons from Hurricanes Florence and Dorian can inform how we prepare for future storms. Knowing that 2019 presented challenges for several gardens on the tour due to severe damage from Florence, this year’s tour brings the next level, beyond restoration to inquire what, where and how folks plant and grow. Come for insight and a look at a roadmap to the future of gardening.
April 3-5, 2020, Sebring Soda Festival, Sebring, FL, www.SebringSodaFest.com
THIS EVENT IS RE-SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 16-19, 2020
The fizziest festival in Florida returns in 2020 for its third year of ‘sodalicious’ fun with 200+ craft sodas to sample, soda cocktails, live music and festive food wrapped up in a family-friendly atmosphere. The three-day event, held in downtown Sebring, celebrates good old-fashioned fun and craft sodas from colas, ginger ales, root beers and cream sodas to unique flavors like caramel apple, prickly pear, espresso and so many more. Vintage favorites and crowd pleasers include Cheerwine, Moxie and RC Cola.
April 3-5 2020, Siege of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, AL, http://www.siegeatbridgeport.com/
EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED FOR THIS YEAR
This year marks 25 years in consecutive re-enactments for Siege of Bridgeport, where history comes alive with 1,500 re-enactors thrilling the crowds of visitors and history buffs with a genuine recreation of this fateful Civil War battle. Look for period music, authentic encampment and vendors (with historical objects and clothing for sale). Come and watch Bridgeport bring history to life.
April 4-5, 2020, Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival, Ridgeland, MS, www.ridgelandartsfest.com
EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED FOR THIS YEAR
Enjoy a fantastic weekend at the 12th annual Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival at the beautiful Renaissance at Colony Park. Look for some of America’s most talented artists in clay, drawing/pastels, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media 2D and 3D, painting, photography, print making, sculpture and wood at the free, pet-friendly event. There will be live music over two stages, a Children’s Creative Craft Corner, Student Art Gallery and Emerging Artists Gallery, along with samplings of unique wines and craft beers at the Sante South Sampling Palate. New this year, a to-go cup ordinance will allow festival goers the opportunity to have beer and wine throughout the festival footprint.
April 5, 2020, Pigeon Forge Chuck Wagon Cookoff, Pigeon Forge, TN, www.MyPigeonForge.com
EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED FOR THIS YEAR
Cooks from across the Southeast and Midwest gather to showcase their unique culinary skills used for centuries at the Pigeon Forge Chuck Wagon Cookoff. Each year new and different chuck wagon teams compete as competition judges look for quality and taste along with authenticity of the wagons. Cookies must prep, cook and serve a meat, potato, bean, bread and dessert which will also be the noon-time meal for ticket holders. An annual sell-out event, guests love chowing down on authentic chuck wagon foods. Also, the event hosts Western poets and musicians.
April 9-11, 2020, Louisiana Railroad Days Festival, DeQuincy, LA, www.larailroaddaysfestival.com
Looking for a festival that will stop you in your tracks? Louisiana Railroad Days Festival will do just that! A Southwest Louisiana tradition, this festival celebrates the history of the railroad where in 1897, the tracks of two rail companies converged at current-day DeQuincy. Tour the historic Railroad Museum built in 1923, enter the Railroad Days Queens’ Pageant, join in the Rail Bicycle Ride (from training wheels to skilled riders), a 5K run, enjoy the model train show, old timers reunion, the Railroad Idol Contest and live entertainment. Celebrating for 37 years, this year brings new music and activities as well as contests.
April 10-26, 2020, Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, Clearwater Beach, FL, https://sugarsandfestival.com/
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED
No two years are alike at the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival where the 2020 Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit theme is “SANDimals, An Animal Adventure.” This year’s event is guaranteed to be WILD with live music including a new “Sunshine Stage,” new food vendors, exhibitors, crafters and busker opportunities. Come play at this 17-day beach-wide celebration of Clearwater Beach’s two most notable assets: sugar sand and sunsets. See some 14 sand sculptors use 1,000 tons of sand to create a walk-through art exhibit in a 21,000-square-foot structure. The largest destination event on Clearwater Beach with more than 200,000 visitors each year, you can be part of a money-raising event supporting the educational initiatives of the Sunsets at Pier 60 Daily Festival. Don’t miss fireworks, sand sculpting classes and kids play zones.
April 16-19, 2020, Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, Hendersonville, NC, https://www.visithendersonvillenc.org/cider-wine-dine-weekend
EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED FOR THIS YEAR
In a region known for its popular beers, such as Sierra Nevada, Oskar Blues and New Belgium, Hendersonville additionally stands out as a destination for hard cider and wine. Hendersonville is the top apple-growing area in the state and home to one of the only accredited American Viticultural Areas (AVA) in the state, The Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County. In honor of this, Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend celebrates a rich culture of pairing agriculture and fermentation, with all of the area’s wineries and cideries joining forces to co-host this weekend event. Guests can enjoy four days of Cider, Wine & Dine with nine venues featuring a variety of special events including a kickoff where all producers are present. Also, enjoy food truck festivals, individual events at each of the wineries, cideries and tasting rooms, low country shrimp boils, guided tours, blind tastings and more. Check the website for participating venues.
April 16-25, 2020, Come-See-Me Festival, Rock Hill, SC, www.comeseeme.org
EVENT POSTPONED UNTIL LATER IN THE YEAR
The award-winning Come-See-Me Festival showcases all things Rock Hill: music, sports, community activities and garden parties. The 10-day festival features signature events like Beach Bash, Parade, Moonlight Jazz & Blues, Gourmet Gardens and Hops at the Park. Crowd favorites include the Come-See-Me Tailgate Party, Skydiving and the Fireworks Extravaganza—collectively drawing crowds of 20,000. Plan to enjoy some 80 events and activities such as the Mayor’s Frog Jump, Teddy Bear Tea Party, Chalk on Main, Musical Mania, Sundaes with Glen (the mascot), Healthy Kids Zone, Everything Trucks, Cornhole Throwdown, Barbeque Cook-Off plus 5K and 10K road races as well as a 1-mile fun run, garden tours, breakfasts, car shows and luncheons. Don’t forget your souvenirs with a uniquely designed logo from Vernon Grant’s iconic images of Glen the Frog.
April 16-May 1, 2020, Kentucky Derby Festival, Louisville, KY, www.KDF.org
EVENT POSTPONED UNTIL LATER IN THE YEAR
Kentucky Derby lovers will delight in this festival where a famous “two minutes” is celebrated across an almost month-long stretch. The Kentucky Derby Festival is to community celebrations what the Run for the Roses is to horse racing. A premiere and award-winning event, the Derby Festival generates more than $127 million annually for the local economy with festival events particularly raising more than half a million dollars for area charities annually. Don’t miss the 2020 Derby Festival kick-off on April 16th with the Opening Ceremonies—Thunder Over Louisville fireworks extravaganza. Guests will enjoy a myriad of activities ranging from sports (basketball, volleyball and golf) to music, kids’ activities, a half and full marathon, a cycling event, hot-air balloons, live bed racing, the Great Steamboat Race, the 65th annual Republic Bank Pegasus Parade (on May 1st) and so much more. Bring the family for affordable good times.
April 17-18, 2020, Original Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival, Lake Charles, LA, www.downtowncrawfest.com
EVENT CANCELED FOR THIS YEAR
Bring the family and enjoy the fun at the Original Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival where there will be food, music, carnival rides, a parade, a crawfish eating contest, a pageant, food vendors and lots of good company. Held at the Lake Charles Civic Center, the Festival will offer some 10,000 pounds of crawfish, so bring your appetite!
April 18-19, 25-26, 2020, Rock City’s EarthDayz, Lookout Mountain, GA, https://www.seerockcity.com/events/earthdayz/
Partnering with Orange Grove for the 12th year, Rock City goes greener with this naturally fun outdoor event! Enjoy a live percussionist each day, rain barrel demonstrations, and new for 2020, the Living Magnolia Tree and Living Vines. Meet live raptors during the Birds of Prey Shows, have lunch with a view from Café 7 and let the kids participate in make-and-take activities.
April 23-25 2020, Thomasville’s Rose Show and Festival, Thomasville, GA, http://thomasvillega.com/attractions/festivals/thomasville-rose-show-and-festival
EVENT POSTPONED
Come enjoy the event that has put Thomasville on the map for 99 years! Join the hoopla as the event opens with the cutting of the rose tent ribbon by local dignitaries, the Rose Queen and Miss Georgia, followed by the public tent opening where hundreds of rose displays are held, including the rose crowned Queen of Show. See the Rose Parade with more than 75 floats and walkers in the heart of downtown, attend a live concert and street dance, and don’t miss the evening fireworks display. The weekend continues with more flower shows, an art show in the park, the Southeast’s largest car and truck show and more. To close out the weekend, enjoy for a fantastic outdoor concert at the Ritz Amphitheater.
April 23-26, 2020, Vidalia Onion Festival, Vidalia, GA, www.vidaliaonionfestival.com
EVENT CANCELED FOR THIS YEAR
Each spring brings the anticipated harvest of Georgia’s Official State Vegetable, the internationally known Vidalia Sweet Onion, celebrated through the Vidalia Onion Festival. Featured on The Food Network and recognized as one of Five Don’t-Miss Festivals Across the U.S. by MSNBC, the four-day event offers everything from a children’s parade and Movie Under the Stars event to Opening Ceremonies with a Street Dance and fireworks, an arts and crafts show, carnival, the Kiwanis Onion Run and the famous onion-eating contest. This year the festival adds “Vidalia’s Got Talent,” a permanent event to highlight local performing arts talent, open to all ages and held at the newly renovated PAL Theatre.
April 24-25, 2020, Double Decker Arts Festival, Oxford, MS, https://www.doubledeckerfestival.com
THIS EVENT IS RE-SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 14-15, 2020
The award-winning Double Decker Festival will hold its 25th annual celebration on April 24th and 25th showcasing Oxford as a community that supports the arts. The event takes its name from Oxford’s Double Decker bus imported from England in 1994 and features food, music and art in historic downtown Oxford. Now in a two-day format, the festival has grown from humble beginnings on the bed of an old pickup truck as the music stage with only a handful of vendors to an attendance of more than 60,000 folks. Come to the Friday night kick-off where Thacker Mountain Radio will host a live broadcast with music and stay Saturday for more than 160 artists from around the country, southern food, music and other activities.
April 25, 2020, Celebrate Hoover Day, Hoover, AL, www.hooveralabama.gov
A fun and free event for folks of all ages, Celebrate Hoover Day is held at Veterans Park located in Shelby County, where 82 acres offers lots of room for activities for all ages. Come celebrate alongside 10,000 residents ranging in age, beginning with the Veterans Memorial Paver Dedication Ceremony including an Iwo Jima Re-enactment and veteran recognition. Immediately following, the city’s infamous 10-foot apple pie is removed from the oven and served with vanilla ice-cream. Event features include live entertainment, a car show benefitting Travelers Aid Society, an expansive exhibitor pavilion, displays, food trucks, document shredding and more. Don’t miss the Kids Zone with inflatables, games, entertainment, carnival and pony rides, a petting zoo, Xtreme bungee, balloon artists, face painting and airbrush tattoos.
April 25, 2020, North Carolina Pickle Festival, Mount Olive, NC, www.ncpicklefest.org
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED FOR 2020
Bring the whole family to the North Carolina Pickle Festival featuring an 8-foot walking pickle, pickle foods, a pickle treasure hunt, 5K Cuke Patch, 75-mile Tour de Pickle bike ride, pickle packing production challenge, pickle treasure hunt, pickle art, pickle train rides, pickle derby, Mt. Olive Pickles, three stages of entertainment, carnival rides and children’s activities. This year the Town of Mount Olive turns 150 years old and the Festival theme will be tied to the Sesquicentennial celebration.
April 25-26, 2020, Brooksville Blueberry Festival, Brooksville, FL, www.brooksvilleblueberryfestival.com
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED FOR 2020
The ‘Best Little Festival in Florida’ transforms downtown Brooksville for two free days of family fun. Guests will enjoy live music, shopping, food trucks, a kid’s zone, Blueberry Lane serving pies, cheesecake, jams, honey and everything blueberry! This year the Festival is partnering with local breweries and wineries to offer a new Beer & Wine Garden with blueberry-themed crafts and spirits.
April 29-May 2, 2020, Suwannee River Jam, Live Oak, FL, https://www.suwanneeriverjam.com/
The South’s country music and camping festival is Suwannee River Jam, an event themed with country music living legends, up-and-comers, and talented regional artists. Enjoy a weekend filled with fun, friends, camping and nature as well as military and law enforcement salutes. The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is nestled in the midst of 800 acres of Spanish moss-draped oak and cypress trees on the banks of the historic Suwannee River where visitors and locals enjoy activities like swimming, canoeing, kayaking, disc golf and biking.