Lilac Festival is this weekend, May 15- 16. This is our mountain’s favorite rite of spring—the celebration after the snows are finally cleared from the roads and flowers start blooming again without getting frostbite. The theme is “Return to a Simpler Time," and family fun is the centerpiece of this 28th annual tradition.

Twins Shelby and Grace Thomas are the Lilac Festival Queens. Richard and Vivian Hood serve as the Grand Marshals of the Saturday Parade that starts at 11 a.m. sharp. It is coordinated by the Pine Mountain Village Merchants Association. Lilac Festival booths are reportedly sold out for the event this year, brimming with exciting treasures and artisan crafts for your enjoyment.

You’ll find music, a May Pole, lots of fun activities at the Kids’ Corner, including kiddy karaoke and crafts.

And here’s breaking news: despite a bit of spicy controversy, it has just been announced that there will be pony rides for the little ones, thanks to Barry and Rosetta Burgelin, owners of Pine Mountain Service Center.

Pine Mountain Village will be filled with vendors, visitors, great food and plenty of entertainment Saturday and Sunday, May 15 and 16.

• Vendor and food booths are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
• The parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday.
• Bands play in the Gazebo throughout the weekend.
• Kids Corner is full of stuff for younger visitors to do.

For a full schedule of events, see the May issue of The Mountain Pioneer (on newsstands now) and www.pmclilacfestival.com

This is part of the May 14, 2010 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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