Mountain trout and wild ramps take center stage at the annual Rainbow and Ramps Festival from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds. 

Hosted by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the public is invited to celebrate a time-honored Cherokee tradition that rejoices in spring’s arrival and with it, the season’s first green – the ramp. A unique cultural experience, the one-day festival of food, music and dancing serves up a delicious feast of succulent trout, fried potatoes, corn bread and ramps, which are also known as wild leeks. As one of the first plants to emerge in the spring, ramps were traditionally consumed as the year’s first “greens.” 

The celebration also commemorated the opening of trout season on the Qualla Boundary. Fishing permits are required and are available at local outfitters in Cherokee.

Tickets are $10 per person.

www.visitcherokeenc.com or 800.438.1601.