April Fool’s Festival this weekend in Tryon

Silliness, tomfoolery and nonsense will be the order of the day this weekend in downtown Tryon.
The annual April Fool’s Festival will begin at 6:33 p.m. Friday, April 1 with a street dance on McCown Street, including a dance contest sponsored by the Tryon Fine Arts Center.
“This quirky festival is part of what Tryon is all about – good silly fun,” said organizer Kathleen Carson. “It’s a festival that will surely grow
because it is a celebration of spring and renewal – and who doesn’t get giddy at the thought of it?”
Saturday silliness includes midway games and activities at the Tryon Depot from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., sponsored by the Mill Spring Agricultural Development Center and a bad art show sponsored by Tryon Painters & Sculptors.
From 12 – 3 p.m., live music will be performed by Ride with Daddy at the Tryon Depot.

Trashion show

At 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Tryon House will sponsor a trashion show at the Tryon Depot. Emceed by Andy Millard, the show will feature garments (including hats, shoes and other accessories) constructed of recycled materials (newspapers, milk cartons, aluminum foil, etc.) or any previously used materials (garden hose, office supplies, etc.). Materials may include anything recyclable. Glues, tapes, sewing and other material needed to construct the garment are not required to be recycled.
Accessories may be added to complete an outfit, but judging will be based on the “apparel.” Each entry will need a “model” for the runway show. A small entry fee will be charged per outfit.Proceeds from entry fees benefit the Memorial Garden at Foothills Humane Society. Prizes will be given. For more information contact Mary Prioleau at Tryon House, 828-859-9962.
Fool’s parade, outhouse races
At 3 p.m. the Fool’s parade will come down Trade Street from New Market Street to Howard Street.
After the parade the highly competitive outhouse races will be held down Trade Street. This year, the Foothills Humane Society will also hold a three-legged race.
Masquerade Ball
The festival wraps up Saturday night at 6:33 p.m. with a ticketed Masquerade Ball on Palmer Street, next to Thompson’s Landscaping.
Sponsored in part by Bravo Outdoor Living and Thompson’s Landscaping, the evening will feature live music by the Carburetors, a regional band well-known from concerts at Rogers Park. A fortune-teller will reveal your character’s future, and food and drink will be offered by a beer and wine cash bar benefiting TDDA and a taco buffet provided by Paul Dale.
To reserve tickets for the Masquerade Ball, call 828-859-8316.

April Fool’s Festival schedule

Friday, April 1
6:33 p.m.     Street Dance, McCown St., downtown Tryon

Saturday, April 2
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.     Activities, games at the Depot parking lot
12 -3 p.m.    Live music at the Depot: “Ride with Daddy”
3 p.m.         Fool’s parade, New Market St. to Howard St.
Outhouse races and three-legged race after the parade
4:30 p.m.     Trashion Runway show, Tryon Depot
6:33 p.m.    Masquerade Ball, Palmer St., next to Thompson’s Landscaping