The Scouted Calendar / April and May 2015
In addition to showers that lead to May flowers, April brings a slew of activities that are worth circling on our calendars, kicking off a spring event season that continues will into the following month. From garden week to horse races, music festivals to the largest furnishings trade show in the world, here’s a quick guide to what’s going on in some of our TSG cities in the next few weeks:
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
Featuring five row houses with courtyard gardens as well as access to premier locales including The Carlyle House Historic Park, Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden, and George Mason’s Gunston Hall, Virginia Garden Week, which begins at 10 a.m. on April 18, promises to be a truly lovely event. {For local recommendations, follow The Scout Guide Alexandria.}
Fort Worth, Texas
Combining art, music, and an amazing culinary experience, the Main Street Arts Festival in downtown Fort Worth, which kicked off yesterday and will continue throughout the weekend, spans nine blocks, features more than 200 artists, more than 300 performances, and is celebrating its 30th year. {For local recommendations, browse The Scout Guide Fort Worth.}
Greensboro & Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Twice a year, the design world descends on High Point, North Carolina (just a short drive from Greensboro) for High Point Market, where home furnishings take up millions of square feet of show space, speakers deliver insightful talks on design-related subjects, and visitors can attend a number of panels and parties when not exploring exhibitors’ booths. This year’s Market opens on Saturday, April 18, and the Antique & Design Center of High Point opens on Thursday, April 16. {Look for our Guides in select locations at the Market, and for local recommendations, browse The Scout Guide Greensboro & Winston-Salem.}
HUNT COUNTRY, VIRGINIA
Let the races begin! Hunt Country hosts a variety of wonderful equestrian events throughout April and May, including the Loudon Hunt Point-to-Point Races, featuring the first sidesaddle chase in the United States since the 1930s, on April 12; the Middleburg Spring Races, which take place on April 18 (look for TSG Hunt Country’s booth at the event, where you can pick up copies of The Scout Guide and say hello to editor Kim McCusker!); and the Virginia International Gold Cup Races on May 2. {For local recommendations, browse The Scout Guide Hunt Country, and to keep up with all things equestrian, follow The Scout Guide Equestrian.}
Jackson, Mississippi
History will come alive at the Mississippi Museum of Art’s annual Museum benefit on Friday, April 10. The “Night at the Museum” black-tie affair entails a three-course dinner, historical reenactments, and a dance party. {For local recommendations, follow The Scout Guide Jackson.}
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY
Sixty thousand spectators from around the world visit the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington each April for the running of the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, which takes place from April 23-26. Known in the sport simply as Rolex, the competition’s highlight is the Saturday event in which horses and riders tackle a grueling, four mile cross country course at full gallop while clearing Olympic-sized obstacles. Tailgating is the preferred way to watch, with Kentucky bourbon the drink of choice. {For local recommendations, browse The Scout Guide Lexington, and to keep up with all things equestrian, follow The Scout Guide Equestrian.}
Louisville, Kentucky
We all know what happens at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday of May, but the Kentucky Derby is just one of many noteworthy events in this area this time of year. Festive occasions surrounding the Derby abound, including the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair, which takes place April 26-26, Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 1, and, of course, the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2. {For local recommendations, follow The Scout Guide Louisville, and to keep up with all things equestrian, follow The Scout Guide Equestrian.}
NEW ORLEANS
The last weekend of April and first weekend of May, the New Orleans Fairgrounds are set up with numerous stages where world-class musicians from a variety of genres play simultaneously, offering a one-of-a-kind musical experience everyone can appreciate: Jazz Fest. The food, hometown favorites, and headliners make this a can’t-miss event for locals and out-of-towners alike. {For local recommendations, browse The Scout Guide New Orleans.}
WHEREVER YOU ARE
Don’t forget that May 27 is the last day to enter our #HOWILOCAL photo contest! Whether you attend any of the above events or simply enjoy a day the park or a great meal in your hometown, we want to see you enjoying the best of local and supporting your favorite local businesses. Find contest details here.
