Southern Affairs
Get a spring into your step at these Southern festivals and epic events. History, food, and culture – the South has it all. And we always love a good party!
March 18th + 19th
Charleston Bluegrass Festival
Charleston, South Carolina
Taking place on the pristine grounds of the Woodlands Nature Reserve, the Charleston Bluegrass Festival is a delightful weekend of revelry with some of the biggest and best in bluegrass.
With plush camping options, local food, craft vendors, outdoor adventure, and loads of bands, like Greensky Bluegrass, Yonder Mountain String Band, and more – this is sure to be a fun-filled weekend in the Lowcountry. The 6,000-acre preserve is a hidden gem in South Carolina, with 11 freshwater lakes, a wetland swamp, and an abundance of natural beauty. In its 7th year, the Charleston Bluegrass Festival is a unique experience surrounded by nature and music in the charming city of Charleston.
charlestonbluegrassfestival.com
March 18th + 19th
Jonquil Festival
Washington, Arkansas
Located within the Historic Washington State Park, this two-day festival welcomes the arrival of Spring in Southwest Arkansas. Craftspeople, entertainers, and visitors all flock to the town of Historic Washington. Unique arts and crafts and delectable food are just some of what makes this festival so special. The bright cheery yellow of the Jonquil flower heralds the coming on of Spring in this 19th-century hamlet. Create memories and celebrate tradition with tours of the park, historic homes, and museums. Planted by pioneers traveling the old Southwest Trail, thousands of jonquils welcome guests to the festival, featuring historic streets and buildings to tour, an antique car show, blacksmithing demonstrations, folk music, live entertainment, and more.
arkansasstateparks.com/events/jonquil-festival
March 19th + 20th
Innings Festival
Tampa, Florida
Never miss a moment of music, baseball, or fine food at the Innings Festival in Tampa, Florida. Enjoy music all day on the festival’s three stages of rock, pop, and alternative artists, featuring appearances from baseball’s living legends. Rock out to bands like Incubus, Jimmy Eats World, David Duchovny, the Lumineers, and more. At the Florida Spring Training, fans and families come together to celebrate the Grapefruit League Spring Training experience. With something for every appetite and a variety of selections from some of Florida's best food vendors, the Innings Festival is also a culinary celebration.
inningsfestival.com/florida
April 1st-3rd
Eufaula Pilgrimage
Eufaula, Alabama
With more than 700 structures listed on the National Historic Register, Eufaula's rich heritage and history can be seen in the charming city, the antebellum architecture, and the friendly locals. Each spring, the Eufaula Heritage Association welcomes visitors to the Eufaula Pilgrimage. Discover the historical wealth of Eufaula, home to Alabama’s oldest tour of homes, at the Eufaula Pilgrimage. Boasting an art show, concerts, wax museum, and more, the city’s main street, Eufaula Avenue, is dramatically lined with dogwood, magnolias, and oaks, and flanked by antebellum mansions, inviting visitors to take a step back into the past.
eufaulapilgrimage.com
April 23rd + 24th
North Carolina Pickle Festival
Mount Olivet, North Carolina
Every April, the community of Mount Olivet and the Mt. Olive company join forces to celebrate all things wonderful about this pickle-loving community. Enjoy three stages of live entertainment, classic cars, antique tractors, motorcycles, pickle art, and more at the University of Mount Olive Artisan Village. Working with the Make A Difference Food Pantry, the Pickle Festival welcomes all to this year’s Drive-In Movie event with a small donation of 5 canned goods. Part street fair, part community festival, part family reunion, the North Carolina Pickle Festival is one juicy pickle.
ncpicklefest.org
April 21st – 23rd
Thomasville Rose Show
Thomasville, Georgia
A Southwest Georgia tradition since 1922, the Thomasville Rose Show is a family-friendly festival and parade celebrating the history and beauty of one of Thomasville's greatest loves – the rose. Held in historic downtown Thomasville, the Rose Show features flower shows, entertainment, an artisan market, an antique car show, and a historic parade. Going strong for over 100 years, Thomasville welcomes the whole family to visit the beautiful city, join in on the celebration, and of course, stop and smell the roses.
thomasvillega.com/attractions/events/thomasville-rose-show-and-festival
April 22nd - 24th
Poteet Strawberry Festival
Poteet, Texas
Serving the community for over 75 years, the Poteet Strawberry Festival was first organized in 1948 by the Poteet Rotary Club. The very first festival, held the second weekend of April in Downtown Poteet, was the beginning of a local tradition. With live entertainment on 14 stages, outdoor concerts, and rodeo performances, people from across the globe come to this quaint Texas town for this berry festival. Located in the heart of the Artesian Belt, Poteet is recognized as the "Strawberry Capital of the World.” Covering over 100 acres with something for everyone, come discover the magical and delicious strawberry, at the Poteet Strawberry Festival.
strawberryfestival.com
April 23rd + 24th
Baton Rouge Blues Festival
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
One of the nation's fastest-growing blues festivals since 1981, the Baton Rouge Blues Festival welcomes more than 50,000 people in attendance. Created to encourage promotion, preservation, and advancement of swamp blues music native to Baton Rouge. Join concert-goers from around the world at this family-friendly festival while learning about Louisiana’s swamp blues history and its contribution to Louisiana culture.
batonrougebluesfestival.org
April 28th – May 1st
Virginia Tattoo
Norfolk, Virginia
Brilliant performances showcasing the sense of American pride and patriotism, the Virginia International Tattoo is a time-honored celebration. Located on Virginia's sunlit southern shores, near centuries-old homes, churches, and buildings, the area hums with the heroism of generations of sailors and soldiers. This year’s celebration marks the 25th Anniversary of the Tattoo and is guaranteed to be an extraordinary homecoming. Produced by the Virginia Arts Festival, the tattoo is known far and wide as one of the world’s greatest tattoos featuring the traditional sounds of the pipes and drums. Every year is different, but one thing remains the same the natural beauty surrounding you in Norfolk.
vafest.org/tattoo
Music to food, history to culture – the South is a melting pot of all things marvelous. Savor the sour at a pickle festival, embrace your American heritage at a Tattoo, or listen to the music of America alongside players from America’s favorite pastime. In the South, there is no shortage of fine festivals and extraordinary events.
