RALEIGH, N.C. (March 5, 2015) ? Like a well-tended garden, North Carolina builds on a festive foundation to heighten spring’s arrival in destinations from the mountains to the coast. Along with Biltmore Blooms, the North Carolina Azalea Festival and other traditional favorites come new celebrations of flowers and flavors inspired by natural beauty and nurtured creativity.
Blossoming forth
New: For Art in Bloom, floral designers interpret works in the North Carolina Museum of Art collection for a vibrant festival centerpiece. Other elements include a pop-up art cart, an edible flowers class, demonstrations and workshops, and a tour of America’s largest art park (March 19-22, Raleigh).
Classic: The annual Biltmore Blooms celebration spreads across the 8,000-acre Biltmore estate with masterful garden displays, seminars and music (March 20-May 25, Asheville). Amid exceptional gardens, history and culture, the 68th annual North Carolina Azalea Festival combines a dazzling display of Southern pageantry with a street fair, a circus and entertainment (April 8-12, Wilmington).
Beer on tap
New: The Burly Beers and Barleywines Festival unites food and beer at Sierra Nevada’s new home in the North Carolina mountains. Travelers can sample hearty beers from more than 50 breweries while enjoying music and a Southern-style feast (March 28, Mills River).
Classic: NC Beer Month returns in April with fresh ideas, a trio of sweepstakes and major traditions such as the World Beer Festival Raleigh (April 11, Raleigh) and Hickory Hops (April 25, Hickory). Also during Beer Month, the 64th annual running of the Stoneybrook Steeplechase adds the Frontstretch Fest to the infield to celebrate beer, bourbon and bites (April 4, Raeford). And on Lake Norman, beer and music flow at the North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival (May 9, Huntersville).
Bon appétit
New: The creators of the Western North Carolina Cheese Trail offer a one-stop opportunity for the first Carolina Mountain Cheese Fest. Attendees will find cheese tastings, cooking demonstrations and ideas for beverage pairings as well as a chance to meet cheesemakers and their animals (April 26, Asheville).
Classic: Spring is also a big season for regional culinary celebrations. Between now and Memorial Day weekend, find amazing fare at OBX Taste of the Beach (March 19-22, various Outer Banks locations), Melange of the Mountains Culinary Weekend and Gala (March 26-29, Waynesville) and the Beaufort Wine & Food Weekend (April 22-26, Beaufort). Barbecue lovers savor the Pig in the Park at Old Waynesborough (April 11 in Goldsboro), the BBQ Capital Cook-Off (April 24-25, Lexington) and the BBQ Festival on the Neuse & Wil King Hog Happenin’ (April 29-May 2, Kinston).
Time travel
Just as the Civil War came to an end 150 years ago in North Carolina, so does the sesquicentennial observance. After the Second Battle of Fort Fisher closed the supply line to Gen. Robert E. Lee’s army in January 1865, Union troops marched from the coast to the Piedmont in a series of events being marked with major commemorations.
Highlights include the Bentonville Battlefield 150th Re-Enactment with nearly 5,000 participants re-enacting the Confederacy’s last major offensive (March 21-22, Four Oaks); an expansive living history detailing the largest surrender of the war at Bennett Place State Historic Site (April 17-26, Durham); and the apocryphal “last shot of the Civil War” at the Shelton House Civil War Commemoration Weekend (May 8-10,Waynesville).
Tap into hundreds more spring events at VisitNC.com, where you’ll also find everything you need for planning an inspired journey.