&bsp; Tryon Painters and Sculptors will hold receptions at TFAC Friday night 5-7 p.m. for both galleries. Gallery One &dquo;East Meets West&dquo; Pat Wellborn. At the same time in Gallery Too Penny Kessler, a student of Pat Wellborn, exhibits. Both painters work in watercolors. Pat travels between New Mexico and North Carolina and her artwork reflects the love of two very different landscapes of mountains she calls home. Pat will also use acrylics to capture the majestic colors of her subjects. Penny focuses more on people. She will also use pastels and oils when capturing the character of her subjects. For more information you may call 828-859-8322.

&dquo;The Horse Course: Celebrating Equestrian Life&dquo; at Red Clover Gallery also opens Friday with a reception from 6-8 p.m. This multi-media exhibit is in collaboration with the Spartanburg Cooperative Southern Exposure and features the work of twelve different artists sharing their unique perspectives on the horse. For more information about the exhibit, please call 864-457-3311.

Growing up in Seattle where the largest arts festival covering the Seattle Center is called &dquo;Bumbershoot&dquo; I didn&squo;t let a little rain stop me from getting downtown last Saturday morning. However, despite a lively crowd at the Gallery Coffeehouse working to make the day brighter, it was deemed too wet for a parade. So, this Saturday bring your foolish self back to downtown Tryon early in the day for the second attempt at the second annual April Fool&squo;s Festival and Parade. From 10ish ‐ 12:30 p.m. wake up to some jazz and coffee with the Dixie Rhythm Aces at the Gallery Coffeehouse. Visit the local shops, galleries and (hopefully dry) street vendors as the Worship Warriors provide some Christian rock in front of Merle Norman. For more information about how to get involved, call Jody at Isadora&squo;s Closet 828-859-9581.

Bring a bumbershoot (umbrella) or wrap yourself in plastic to ensure the sun will shine on all the fools and foolish at heart ready to join in the parade. Waterproof your silly finery, bring a boat or just decorate your car, tractor, bike, or galoshes and join the line-up at 12:30 p.m. at the corner of Trade and New Market Street. Children are still invited by the Polk County Book Mobile to
dress as their favorite character and join with the library staff in the parade. The assembled merry band of fools will parade down Trade Street at 1 p.m. followed by the Outhouse Races up Trade Street at 2 p.m.

The foolish monkey band has agreed to appear again, and graciously worked out their schedule to support the Polk County High School students in their effort to raise awareness about recycling. Instead of trying to get out of town after all the foolish parading and racing, head up to Rogers Park and check out the first Earth Day celebration sponsored by the PCHS Green Team Club. Phil & Gaye Johnson will lead off the concert. The Lone Derangers will rush over from their morning gig and close the show with their fun rocking Americana music. However, not to be missed is a bright young gem of a performer Noah Stockdale sandwiched in the middle. Noah is a Senior and member of the PCHS Green Team Club, and discovered the best way to get folks revved about recycling is to share his musical and poetic skills on the stage. His talent with guitar and gift for political songwriting make his music both entertaining and interesting for the audience.

Speaking of interesting music, the cello and guitar duo Montana Skies performs for the Purple Onion Sunday night concert at 7 p.m. Mixing their classical training including influences like Bach and Vivaldi with rock and roll bands like Pink Floyd and Rush, their original songs have a flavor all their own. Seating is limited so call early for tickets 828-749-1179.