Backroad Bulletin: April Events
Celebrate birding, dogwoods, cherry blossoms, and other spring treasures
From spring flowers to tropical wildlife, these events celebrate all of April’s gifts across the Southeast.
Mule Day
April 9-11, 2026
Columbia, Tennessee
Attend a celebration of mules with mule pulling, shows, competitions, craft fairs, music, and a liar’s contest during this multi-day tradition highlighting agricultural history and Appalachian spirit.
Florida Birding and Nature Festival
April 9-12, 2026
Apollo Beach, Florida
This four-day celebration of West Central Florida’s birds, wildlife, and natural lands features expert seminars, keynote speakers, field and boat trips during peak spring migration, a free nature expo, and bird shows.
World Grits Festival
April 10-12, 2026
Saint George, South Carolina
The small town of St. George, known as the “Grits Capital,” celebrates Southern grits and Lowcountry heritage with tastings, a grits-eating contest, a parade, live entertainment, arts and crafts, carnival rides, and family activities.
Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin’ Festival
April 11, 2026
Downtown Sopchoppy, Florida
Sopchoppy, known as the Worm Gruntin’ Capital of the World, opens this annual festival with the Wiggle Worm Fun Run followed by live worm-grunting demonstrations and a contest that involves coaxing earthworms from the ground. Local food vendors, live music, a hula hoop contest, contra dancing, scholarship awards, and King & Queen crowning round out the fun.
Perry Dogwood Festival
April 11–12, 2026
Perry, Georgia
Downtown Perry hosts its annual Dogwood Festival with international cuisine and food trucks, local vendors, beer and wine, plein air painting, an art show, a 5K race, live music, and children’s activities. Blooming dogwoods enhance the small-town charm.
Sebring Soda Festival
April 11–12, 2026
Downtown Sebring, Florida
Sebring hosts Florida’s first craft soda festival. Visitors sample unique soda flavors from artisanal makers while enjoying live entertainment and family activities. The event features tastings, vendors, scenic lakes and citrus groves.
Vidalia Onion Festival
April 23-26, 2026
Vidalia, Georgia
Celebrate these famous sweet onions with tastings, parades, concerts, and art vendors in this annual celebration of Vidalia, Georgia’s agricultural heritage. Enter contests and enjoy family-friendly activities.
16th Annual Ramps and Rail Festival
April 25, 2026
Elkins, West Virginia
Elkins celebrates the spring arrival of wild ramps with this unique culinary and cultural festival at the historic Elkins Depot. Over 25 food vendors serve ramp-inspired dishes alongside other options, while more than 50 craft vendors showcase local handmade goods. The festival also features live music and train rides.
Greening Up the Mountains Festival
April 25, 2026
Sylva, North Carolina
Sylva celebrates the season with regional artists, live music, and local food. Vendors line the streets amid blooming surroundings, while families enjoy small-town charm and mountain culture.
Madison Fest
April 25, 2026
Downtown Madison, Georgia
Blooming azaleas and dogwoods frame this annual garden and crafts festival in historic Madison featuring spring flowers, garden plants, handmade arts and crafts, regional food, children’s crafting activities, and live music.
Blue Ridge Trout Festival
April 25, 2026
Blue Ridge, Georgia
The Trout Capital of Georgia honors its fishing heritage and renowned trout waters with a family-friendly festival featuring fishing contests, kid-friendly activities, arts and crafts vendors, live music, and local food.
Thomasville Rose Show & Festival
April 24–25, 2026
Thomasville, Georgia
Thomasville, known as the City of Roses, hosts one of the oldest flower festivals in the United States. Thousands of blooming roses fill historic downtown as attendees enjoy a parade, arts and crafts vendors, live music, a car show, and Art in the Park.
Cherry Blossom Festival
April 24–25, 2026
Cherryville, North Carolina
Cherryville’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival features two days of entertainment, food, live music, family activities, inflatables, vendors, games, and blooming cherry trees. A Miss Cherry Blossom Pageant takes place Friday and an antique car show is on Saturday.
WV Picklefest
April 24–26, 2026
Lewisburg, West Virginia
Lewisburg celebrates pickles in all forms with music, vendors, food trucks, contests, beer from Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company beer, and cider from Hawk Knob Appalachian Hard Cider. Gather at the town’s fairgrounds for a bluegrass-focused lineup, surrounded by Appalachian culture.
Ramp It Up Festival
April 18, 2026
Oak Hill, West Virginia
Oak Hill celebrates Appalachian spring flavors with bold ramp dishes, live entertainment, and community gatherings highlighting wild leeks and local cuisine. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring Wood-Fired Ramp & Potato Pizza, Ramp O’Roni Rolls, Creamy Ramp Chowder, and Homestyle Ramp Meatloaf.
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