The eagerly anticipated outhouse races start around 2 p.m., with categories for grown-ups, kids 16-and-under and “Anything Goes,” and will feature hand-built, people-powered outhouses being pushed or pulled along Palmer Street. The outhouse races are sponsored again this year by Stott’s Ford, a major presence in downtown Tryon since 1975.

The cornerstone of the April Fool’s Festival since its inception in 2006, the races will begin at the corner of Trade and Palmer, beside Stott’s Ford. For information, contact Fred Clas at Stott’s Ford (828-808-2097). A registration form can be found on the Festival Facebook page or TDDA’s website (see below). The deadline for entries is March 15. Just before the outhouse races begin, there will be a series of goofy races that anyone can participate in, and no pre-registration will be required.

A new addition to the Tryon April Fool’s Festival this year will be a Contra Dance (with help from Blue Ridge Contra) from 6:30-9 p.m. at historic Sunnydale on South Trade Street. The dance, sponsored by Owens Pharmacy in Tryon, will feature the Irish and Appalachian folk music of The Skeeziks (www.westerry.com/skeeziks/), and will have an admission fee for adults.

Throughout the day Tryon restaurants will provide food for purchase from streetside locations, with regional beers/wines available for purchase. In addition, YEAST will be ‘home’ brewing onsite in downtown. Christopher Laughter will play live Irish music on the streets of downtown Tryon from noon to 3 p.m. and live bands will provide music for listening and dancing on Palmer from 3 to 8 p.m.

Volunteers for the festival should contact Shelly Block at 828-859-6473.

In addition to supporting various area non-profits, the 2013 Tryon April Fool’s Festival will provide funds for new projects for the enhancement of downtown Tryon and in support of downtown Tryon businesses.

TDDA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, so all donations are tax-deductible.  Checks should be written to TDDA and designated for the April Fool’s Festival.

See our ads in the March issues of BoldLife, The Laurel of Asheville and Life in our Foothills magazine and check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TryonFoolsFest or www.downtowntryon.org.

– article submitted by Linda Byington