Signs of spring come early in the Carolinas. The weather can be cold and wintry all the way through the end of March, but by late February evidence of spring can be found for those that open their senses to these signs of change. Usually by late February, and this year is no exception (even though as I write this article on February 26 we are experiencing yet another winter storm), there have been a few warm springlike days to awaken the world from winter slumber. Every year sometime late in February I look outside one day at 5:30 P.M. expecting it to be dark and realize that there is still evidence of sunlight. The longer daylight and the occasional warm days bring other signs of spring. The chirping of small frogs called spring peepers can be heard on warm days starting in mid-February. Also on these warm days the pleasant aromas of the earth thawing and the sap running in the trees combine to remind us of the brilliant surprises that spring has in store for us in the not so distant future. In the more southern parts of South Carolina cherry trees begin to put forth their first blossoms.
Yes, it is in late February that I usually begin to realize that spring is on its way. With this realization I eagerly anticipate the colors, aromas, and touch of spring. People wake up and become more social in the spring. For us in the Carolinas spring is the time of mild comfortable weather sandwiched between the inconvenience of the colder winter and the oppressive heat and humidity of summer. In our neighborhood, families begin spending more time outside after work and on weekends, and for this reason communication between neighbors begins to become easier. Spring social activities also extend beyond the neighborhood. Spring is a time for celebration and in the Carolinas this means the start of festival season. There are spring festivals to celebrate a plethora of things. There is the Azalea Festival in Wilmington, NC; the Shad Festival in Grifton, NC; the Dogwood Festival in Farmville, NC; the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC; the Southern Plant and Flower Festival in Florence, SC – the list goes on and on. There are festivals to celebrate nature, flowers, vegetables, trees, music, theatre and much more. Of all the spring festivals that I have witnessed in the Carolinas my favorite so far is MerleFest. Merlefest is an outdoor music festival which is held every year on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, NC. This event is hosted each year by Doc Watson, the famous acoustic guitarist and Americana or American roots musician. It is named for Doc Watson’s son Merle Watson, also an accomplished musician, who died in a farming accident in 1985. This year’s festival is a four day event that will take place from April 24 – 27.
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