Springtime Greetings from Chimney Rock Park!

April is a very busy month for us. Not only because it signals the arrival of spring – the trees are budding, wildflowers are popping up, and the birds, bees and other critters are awakening – but also because we have so many fun and unique events to share with you.

At Chimney Rock Park, we believe that "Every Day is Earth Day" and we're excited to join the worldwide celebration by sharing the values of conservation and eco-friendliness with more than 800 students from around the region. If your school or group is interested in participating, let us know by calling 800-277-9611 ext. *812.

Learn to Play a "Two-of-a-Kind" Instrument

Our Dulcimer Workshop on Saturday, April 5 includes instruction on both the mountain and hammered dulcimers. What's the difference? The mountain dulcimer, also know as the Appalachian dulcimer, is played by plucking or strumming while the hammered dulcimer player strikes the strings with a small hammer.

Ken Schoewe, director of Hendersonville's Mountain Music School, will teach the morning session from 10am to noon, focusing on the mountain dulcimer. The Park's featured entertainer, John Mason, a self-taught hammered dulcimer player for nearly 25 years, instructs the afternoon session beginning at 1pm. That's John pictured down below, hammering away on his beloved dulcimer here at the Park.

We're Going to the Dogs!

Get ready for a tail-waggin' good time at our 4th Annual Bark in the Park on Saturday, April 26 from 11am to 3pm. The Park Meadows turns into a playground for pets, and of course, their people. We'll have agility demonstrations by the dazzling dogs from the Blue Ridge Agility Club, guide dogs in training from the Guide Dog Foundation, and Animal Rescue and Protection Organizations like Rutherford County's own Community Pet Center.

You and your pup could win fun prizes by entering our contests – pet and owner look-a-like, most phenomenal pet trick, and best dressed dog.

"Simon Says" Get "Off the Beaten Path"

Your favorites are back again for April. On Sunday, April 13, world-traveling ornithologist Simon Thompson's popular "Simon Says" Guided Bird Walks return with Early Arrivals. You'll go scouting for spring migrants like Black-throated Warblers, Black-and-white Warblers, Scarlet Tanagers and Blue-headed Vireos.

Get Gorge-Us with Wildflowers on Saturday, April 26 when naturalist Ron Lance takes you on a flower appreciation stroll. Some of the blooms you may see along the way: trillium, phacelia, violet, redbud, spicebush, magnolia, black locust, dogwood, Carolina rhododendron, goat's-beard, mountain laurel, flame azalea, mock-orange, ninebark, sweetshrub, tuliptree and buckeye.

Do YOU Have What it Takes to Lure the Dragons?

On Saturday, May 10, the dragons are coming to Lake Lure. Lure of the Dragons, Lake Lure's inaugural Dragon Boat Festival, will feature 28 corporate and community teams vying for the title of Dragon Masters! The competition is all in fun, though, as teams raise money for local children's charities – the real winners.

There's fun to be had on land too. The festival will celebrate both Asian-American and Southern cultures with activities, music, dancing and food. Here's more on the festival.

Chimney Rock Park is proud to sponsor this exciting event and we're offering YOU a chance to "lure the dragon." If you think you've got what it takes to help us paddle right past the competition and raise lots of money for area children, then email us and tell us why we should pick you to participate in this one-of-a-kind event.

The Dragon boats are due to arrive in Lake Lure after their long journey from China on Monday, March 31. Stop by Pinnacle Realty on Memorial Highway in Lake Lure to see them in person, or catch the news story on WLOS-TV13 Monday evening. One dragon will be christened with champagne and another dragon will have one eye "dotted." Eye-dotting is an ancient Chinese custom which signals the awakening of the dragon for a race festival.

Spring Training

Now is a great time to start training for the 4th Annual Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad coming September 4-8. September may seem a long way off, but it will creep up on us before we know it. The Park is hosting two events for this year's Olympiad – the 2nd Annual Race to the Rock, a challenging run or bike ride up the Park's winding entrance road, and the initial Speed Climbing Challenge on our ancient cliff faces.

The Speed Climbing Challenge takes place on Saturday, September 7 and Race to the Rock is set for Sunday, September 8. More details will be coming soon.