Before the April Fool’s Festival began, Tryon sponsored an annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Unfortunately, March weather had a habit of bringing ice storms and rain, and the parade was often cancelled or postponed.

The late Kathleen Carson, a local merchant and board member of the Tryon Downtown Development Association (TDDA), suggested that a little foolishness closer to April 1 might make more sense. In April 2005, the first April Fool’s Festival was held in downtown Tryon, launching what would become one of the town’s most playful traditions.

A group of TDDA board members and local merchants joined Kathleen to plan an event centered on anything whimsical, playful, and fun. Early brainstorming included ideas like soapbox derby racing or even bathtub races, but when someone suggested outhouse racing, it immediately caught on. The Outhouse Races quickly became a favorite tradition. You can see a video from 2011 here.

To keep the lighthearted spirit going, organizers also introduced the Trashion Show, a creative fashion show featuring outfits made from recycled materials. It quickly became a crowd favorite while also promoting recycling and creativity.

Over the years, the festival expanded to include other elements. Some years, local farmers and artisans joined the celebration by selling handcrafted goods. One especially memorable addition was an art installation called “Tie One On in Tryon.” A Lake Lanier resident who had been collecting neckties shared the idea, and volunteers gathered for special tie-making sessions, attaching donated ties to ropes so they could be hung throughout downtown.

In its early years, the celebration was even a two-day event, beginning with a masquerade ball on Friday night. The festival was always full of playful competitions and creative surprises. One year, organizers even loaded large bags of dog food into baby strollers and raced them up the street. Another contest involved tossing rolls of toilet paper into grocery carts at stations along the road. The festival has always included activities for children as well, including a kids’ station with games and plenty of sidewalk chalk art.

In 2019, the celebration took a hiatus. The festival returned in 2024 thanks to the efforts of volunteers and community members who wanted to bring the fun back to downtown Tryon.