Dillsboro NC Easter Hat Parade

Old hat, new hat, yellow hat, blue hat. They're all welcome at Dillsboro's 22nd annual Easter Hat Parade on Saturday, April 3, 2010, at 2 p.m.

The parade, a Dillsboro tradition the Saturday before Easter, showcases a variety of interesting hats atop participants of all ages, including pets. Judges select the best hats in more than 20 categories, including: biggest, smallest, funniest, best-smelling, "poofy-est," most creative, most spring-like and most outrageous.

In addition to an array of colorful hats, the parade features vintage cars provided by the Smoky Mountain Antique Car Club. The Easter Bunny will be there,arriving in antique convertible, while local magician Professor Wizbang will perform amazing tricks for the kids.

If your hat collection isn't up to snuff, don't worry. Hat-making takes place on the lawn of Dogwood Crafters. Last year's parade set a record with 500 participants, and organizers expect a larger turnout this year. Although the Easter Hat Parade officially begins at 2 p.m., folks are encouraged to arrive early and spend the day. Dillsboro is a walkabout mountain village featuring many unique shops, arts & crafts studios, restaurants and inns.

Dillsboro is located on the Tuckasegee River at the crossroads of U.S. Hwy. 23/74 and U.S. Hwy 441 in Jackson County. The town is less than an hour west of Asheville, 1.5 hours from Gatlinburg, 2.5 hours from Atlanta and Spartanburg, and 3 hours from Charlotte and Knoxville.

For parade information call the Jackson County Visitors Center at (800) 962-1911, or go to www.visitdillsboro.org