Trails & Trilliums Festival April 11–13

The 11th “perennial” Trails & Trilliums festival, April 11-13 at the picturesque Monteagle Sunday School Assembly, attracts hikers, gardeners, art lovers, families and all who enjoy an outdoor festival for a worthy cause — the Friends of South Cumberland. More than 60 top artists and vendors will highlight Art for the Park. Guided hikes, music, great food, vendors, workshops, slide programs and children’s activities fill out the three-day schedule.
Trails & Trilliums is the main fund-raiser for the Friends of South Cumberland State Park, with proceeds going to protect our unique parklands and to inspire the next generation who will inherit them.
The weekend kicks off Friday evening at 6 p.m. with the Art for the Park Preview Party, a cocktail buffet at the Assembly dining hall and gardens. The event provides first choice for purchase of the selected works in the exhibition. Tickets are still available. Contact Dede Clements, (931) 924-4000, to RSVP.
Saturday and Sunday, the festival continues all day. General admission is $10 but free for children and the adults with them who are attending kids’ events Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including the Teddy Bear Picnic at noon. For $20, attendees receive general admission plus access to all the hikes, programs and workshops for the weekend. Sunday-only admission is $10. Register for events upon arrival. Those who want to hit the trails will find more than 15 options with van transportation provided. Excellent programs are offered, including gardening with native plants, taking top nature photos with your cell phone, Tagalong with Teddy Roosevelt history walks, a slide presentation of the biodiversity of the Plateau by Mary Priestley and more
The Wine & Wildflowers reception is Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Assembly Auditorium. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door. No RSVP is necessary. Harry Yeatman will be remembered with a video presentation when the Yeatman Environmental Education Awards are presented to outstanding environmental teachers Cindy Potter and Wanda Bell. The University of the South will be presented with the Trails & Trilliums Tribute Award. The premier Teddy Roosevelt reprisor in America, Joe Wiegand, will present a program entitled “A Salute to Conservation and State Parks.” The evening includes wine, hors d’oeuvres and live music.
For the full schedule, go to <www.trailsandtrilliums.org>.