This year the Tryon Downtown Development Association’s April Fool’s Festival has expanded to include a street dance on Friday night. TFAC is sponsoring a dance contest to spice things up.

Saturday is full of games and food as some local non-profits are setting up fun booths in the depot parking lot. The Mill Spring Ag Center will have a petting zoo, too! Tryon House is sponsoring a “Trashion Show” (fashions made out of recycled materials) at Tryon’s Old Depot. Tryon Arts and Crafts is creating something clever.

Grace Church is sponsoring a talent show in the movie theater. Tryon Painters and Sculptors is having a “Bad” Art Show.

Of course, the parade is at 3 p.m., followed by the infamous Outhouse Races, and this year the Foothills Humane Society will hold a stroller race. Strollers are filled with 25 pounds of dog/cat food, which is then donated to the shelter.

Saturday night is a ticketed Masquerade Ball sponsored in part by Bravo Outdoor Living and Thompsons Landscaping with live music by the Carburetors. Beer and wine cash bar benefits TDDA. Paul Dale will provide a taco buffet.

TDDA is seeking sponsors for the April Fool’s Festival. At the $500 level sponsors will get four tickets to the Masquerade Ball, a premium booth location, a naming opportunity (for example, “the (insert your name here) Street Dance”), plus you can hang your banner at each venue Friday and Saturday night.

For $250, sponsors will get two tickets to the Masquerade Ball, your banner placement and a booth.

Finally, the $100 sponsorship offers two tickets to the Masquerade Ball and you can hang your company banner.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, contact Kathleen Carson at artzycarson@gmail.com.