The North Carolina Azalea Festival has been celebrating spring in the Southeast since 1948. This year’s core dates are April 8 through 12, 2015.

Although the excuse is the blooming of the (usually) bright pink azalea bushes in the region, the fest includes all the traditional hoopla of a state fair, including royalty, parades, musical performances and a 5K run.

Of more interest to Road Trips Gardeners, of course, is the annual Cape Fear Garden Club Azalea Tour, set for April 11 and 12, 2015.

By the way, Plant an Azalea Week is March 30 through April 3, 2015.

(Photo courtesy of North Carolina Azalea Festival)