All hats on deck for Easter Hat Parade

The town of Dillsboro will host its 24th annual Easter Hat Parade on April 7.

The parade, a Dillsboro tradition, begins at 2 p.m. and 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. Last year, there were nearly 250 entrants in the contest.

In addition to an array of colorful hats, the parade features vintage cars provided by the Old Timers Model A Club and the Mountaineer Antique Auto Club.

Folks are encouraged to arrive early and spend the day. Easter egg hunts for children begin at 10:30 a.m., along with hat-making sessions at Dogwood Crafters.

Dogwood Crafters will also present an English tea at the famous Jarrett House Inn. There will be two seatings — 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. — and cost for the tea is $12 per person.

800.962.1911 or www.visitdillsboro.org.

Easter At Lake J to feature 5K/10K races, egg hunts and worship

Lake Junaluska will host a full weekend of events, including fun runs, egg hunts, a buffet and sunrise service, to celebrate Easter April 7-8.

Saturday, April 7

• 5K and 10K Bunny Run and Walk at 8:30 a.m., starting at the Nanci Weldon open-air gym. Registration for the runs is available online.

• Children’s Fun run (children age 10 and younger) at 10 a.m., starting at Nanci Weldon open-air gym

• Egg hunts for children ages 1 to 12 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the lawn of Stuart Auditorium

• Egg decorating contest from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Harrell Center Auditorium

• Lake Junaluska Day Camp Open House from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Wilson Children’s Complex

Sunday, April 8

• Easter Sunrise Service at 7 a.m. in the amphitheatre at the cross

• Easter breakfast buffet from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Lambuth Inn

• Easter Service at 10:30 a.m. in Stuart Auditorium

• Easter lunch buffet from 11:30 to 3 p.m. at the Terrace Hotel.

For buffet reservations, call 828.454.662, purchase tickets online at www.shop.lakejunaluska.com, or purchase tickets at the Bethea Welcome Center between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. Weekend lodging packages are available.  

800.222.4930 or lakejunaluska.com/easter.

Easter events pepper weekend in Fontana

Fontana Village Resort will host several Easter events, including egg dying, a campfire and marshmallow roast, scavenger hunt and a holiday meal, April 7-8.

Saturday, April 7

• Easter Eggstravaganza with sidewalk chalking, an egg and water balloon toss, scavenger hunt and egg coloring from 3-4:30 p.m.

• Campfire and marshmallow roast at 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 8

• Outdoor sunrise church service at 7 a.m. on the knoll above Fontana Dam.

• A non-denominational church service at 10:30 a.m. at the Fontana Community Church.

• Traditional Easter meal featuring salad, shrimp, ham, green beans and homemade desserts, among other foods from noon to 3 p.m. at the Mountview Restaurant. The cost is $21.95 for adults and $10.95 for children, ages 6-11. Make reservations at 828.498.2115.

• Easter egg hunt at 2:30 p.m. at the Gunter family cabin.