Spring Is In The Air-Summerville's Flowertown Festival

It's spring in Charleston and it's surrounding areas. Winter has come to an abrupt end. The warmer weather has brought residents out of hibernation and energized the flower buds in a big way. Not even the higher gas prices can put a damper on the festivities. Stiff upper lip and all that there such stuff. Oh well, can't do anything about it, so you might as well just go out and enjoy the activities.

Spring in Summerville brings something else in an abundance. Has all the green haze coating your cars and lawn furniture got you sneezing and wheezing? If it hasn't, you are one of the fortunate. Still, you are faced with the daunting task of combating the green wave and washing your car has become a daily ritual. The culprit is the numerous pine trees. It was all those pine trees growing in Summerville that made it world famous at the beginning to the 20th century. The International Congress of Physicians in 1899 proclaimed Summerville one of the two best places in the world for people suffering from lung disorders. The turpentine scent emitted by the pine trees was considered to be the cure for a variety of respiratory ailments.

Since, Summerville's popularity has grown and is now host to a nationally acclaimed festival called South Carolina's largest Arts & Crafts festival and named one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. The event has become known as the Flowertown Festival and is scheduled for April 1-3. The family-oriented 3-day event is staged in Azalea Park. More than 200 craft artisans and vendors will display their creative wares throughout Azalea Park. Food vendors, live entertainment, a children's carnival, a tennis classic, and a tour of historic homes and gardens will ensure that everyone has something to do, see, or eat. Bring your cameras to record the fun. The azalea bloom should make for some colorful pictures.-Vacation Rick Travel

Other events in the area include:
Rockfest 2011-Apr 3, 1:00 pm, Exchange Park Fairground. Tickets
Cooper River Bridge Run-04/02/2011. To register for the Bridge Run, go to bridgerun.com.
Family Circle Cup-April 2-10, 2011
Festival of Houses and Gardens-March 17 - April 16