By Bill F. Hensley

Early tourism promoters in North Carolina labeled our state "Variety Vacationland," a name that is still appropriate. The diversity is demonstrated each year when we celebrate our history and our heritage, our legends and our lore with a variety of entertaining events that depict our Tar Heel lifestyle.

This year is no exception. Across the state there are hundreds of festivals that recognize and celebrate the arts and crafts, flowers, music and dancing, sports and unique dramas that portray our colorful and illustrious past.

And along the way, more lighthearted events honor such things as pickles, bald-headed men, wooly worms, barbecue, ramps, collards, mules, shagging and — of all things — hollering.

Folks, there is something for everyone lurking in almost every town and county throughout the year. And the events are as much a part of our culture as grits and cornbread, tobacco and cotton, tradition and hospitality.

Three major occurrences to look forward to are the U.S. Women's Open Golf Championship at Pine Needles in Southern Pines, May 31-June 3, and a pair of openings in Asheville earmarked for the spring: A 213-room, $31 million luxury inn on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate, and a $32 million, 40,000-square foot spa at the Grove Park Inn.

Here is a sampling of some prominent events that lie ahead. For details, contact the local chambers of commerce.

• January — The year gets off to a good start on Jan. 20 with the Blue Ridge Jamboree in Mount Airy, a full day of down-home Bluegrass music in the foothills of the famed mountain range.

• February — The popular North Carolina jazz festival will be held Feb.1-3 in Wilmington, bringing together some of the top names in jazz for three days of jamming and traditional jazz in the Port City.

• March — The Atlantic Coast Conference women's basketball tournament will be played in the Greensboro Coliseum on March 2-5 (the men’s is in Atlanta the following week), and the Festival of Flowers opens a one-month run at the Biltmore House in Asheville on March 31.

• April — One of the state's oldest events, the North Carolina Azalea Festival, a bevy of entertainment that includes home and garden tours and a parade, is set for April 5-8 in Wilmington. Merlefest, a nationally known country and western, bluegrass and rockabilly session in Wilkesboro, will commence April 26-29.

• May — Three traditional events are on tap: Waynesville's ramp festival (dates to be announced), the Ole Time Fiddlers and Bluegrass Festival in Union Grove on May 25-27, and the Coca-Cola 600 stock car race in Charlotte on May 27.

• June — The summer season gets into full swing, and three long-playing historic dramas open with “The Lost Colony” in Manteo on June 1, “Unto These Hills” in Cherokee on June 13, and “Horn In The West” in Boone on June 22. And don’t forget the renowned National Hollering Contest in Spivey's Corner on June 16.

• July — The Fourth of July Festival, featuring food, crafts and entertainment, is in Southport on July 2-4. Head for the mountains next — the annual Highland Games and Gathering of the Scottish Clans is July 12-15 at Grandfather Mountain.

• August — Among many here are three worth noting: The Shrimp Festival in Sneads Ferry on Aug. 11-12; the Lazy Days Arts and Crafts Festival in Cary on Aug. 25; and the Apple Festival in Hendersonville on Aug. 31-Sept. 3.

• September — How about Bald is Beautiful, a contest for the shiniest, slickest and most beautiful heads, in Morehead City on Sept. 13-15? Or Mayberry Days in Mount Airy on Sept. 27-29, a gathering that is centered around native son Andy Griffith's popular TV show?

• October — It’s leaf-gazing time in the High Country, but it’s flower-gazing time at the Chrysanthemum Festival at Tryon Palace in New Bern on Oct. 12-14. And don’t miss the State Fair, Oct. 12-21 in Raleigh.

• November/December — Holiday festivities generally lap over, so we’ll follow suit. From Nov. 6 until Jan. 1, visit the Candlelight Christmas at Biltmore, where the nation's largest private home is decorated in all its splendor. If that doesn’t whet your appetite or meet your schedule, try the Tryon Palace Christmas Celebration Nov. 21-Dec. 20.

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