Genus Rhododendron (Azaleas) blaze color in parks, private gardens and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Immerse yourself in their glory with some regional festivals
Azaleas bring bright colors, from deepest reds to pale pinks, whites and yellow to many most areas of the south. Most azalea varieties have 2 to 3 inch flowers with the size varying by the species. At over 10,000 names species its no wonder the plant is venerated and marked with festivals and events from Virginia to Texas.
Most of the following also offer artworks, crafts, food and music - check them out.
March 17
19th Annual Azalea Festival and Azalea Trail -Jasper TX (East TX)
Azalea Trail Maid Day - Bellingrath Gardens - Mobile AL
Guides in colorful antebellum dresses appear throughout the trail. Next scheduled in 2010
March 24
Semmes Azalea Festival -Semmes, AL
No website, instead call (251)-649-3163
March 30 - April 1
YMCA Flowertown Festival - Summerville SC
The SE's largest free outdoor festival
www.summervilleymca.org/flowertown
April 14
7th Annual Presley Heights Azalea Festival - Tupelo MS
On your own driving tours available
www.tupelo.net/events-festivals/Default.asp?type=Festivals
April 1 - 30
Muskogee Azalea Festival - Muskogee OK
Parade is on April 14th
Little info on website - try calling (918) 684-6302
April 11-15
North Carolina Azalea Festival - Wilmington NC
One of the South's best parties now celebrating its 60th year with entertainers like Sara Evans and Michael McDonald. Forget tiptoeing through the tulips - this is rockin' with the azaleas
More on visiting Wilmingtonseustravel.suite101.com/article.cfm/wonders_of_wilmington_abound_pt_1
seustravel.suite101.com/article.cfm/wonders_of_wilmington_abound_pt_2
April 15 - 21
Norfolk's International Azalea Festival - Norfolk VA
This year's theme is A Salute to NATO (particularly Great Britain) with Sir Winston Churchill's great granddaughter as the Azalea Queen.
