Franklin

Franklin’s Appalachian Trail celebration will span the space from March 19 to April 23, spreading Appalachian Trail-related events across the season of highest thru-hiker traffic. 

• An afternoon walk along the Little Tennessee Greenway will be followed by yoga at the Macon County Library at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 30. Jennifer McIntee will lead the event. 

• Thru-hiker Jamy Suminski, of Franklin, will share her A.T. adventures in a presentation titled “Trail Magic,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, at the Macon County Library. 

• A.T. 2,000-miler Bill Van Horn, of Franklin, will lead a workshop for people thinking about backpacking the A.T. at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at the Macon County Library. 

• Thru-hikers will get a hefty meal with the Thru-hiker Chow Down 2016, slated for noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the Lazy Hiker Brewery. Volunteers are needed to make and serve chili and hand-made desserts, as well as to bring fresh fruit and assist with set-up and cleanup. Organized by the Nantahala Hiking Club. Bill or Sharon Van Horn, 828.369.1983.

• A lunch supporting the Class of 2016 Warrior Hikers will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 2, at the American Legion. Donations requested. www.warriorhike.org. 

• An art show case of nature-inspired student art will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, at the Macon County Library. Co-hosted by Nantahala Hiking Club. 

• A guided hike to Gabby Mountain will leave at 9:30 a.m. Friday, April 8, from the Macon County Library. Led by Debra Jenkins. 

• Nancy Reeder, who has hiked the A.T. and the Pacific Crest Trail, will share her experiences at 7 p.m. Friday, April 8, at the Macon County Library. Co-hosted by the Nantahala Hiking Club. 

• An A.T. Celebration featuring music from Porch 40 — known for its blend of funk, southern rock, blues and jazz — will start at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at Lazy Hiker Brewing Company. 

• A documentary about pollinators, “Wings of Life,” will show at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 13 and 2 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at the Macon County Library. 

• The Franklin Gem and Mineral Society will offer a program at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at the Macon County Library. 

• “Salt of the Earth,” a documentary of photographer Sebastiao Salgado’s work documenting deprived societies worldwide, will screen at 2 and 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, at the Macon County Library.

• A presentation from The Wilderness Society, given by Regional Director Brent Martin and Outreach Coordinator Michelle Ruigrok, will be offered at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at the Macon County Library.

• Hiking guide Danny Bernstein will discuss her new book, Forests, Alligators, Battlefields: My Journey through the National Parks of the South at 10 a.m. Friday, April 22, at the Macon County Library.

• A celebration of spring will fill the day Saturday, April 23, at Outdoor 76, including a presentation on trail systems in Macon County by the N.C. Bartram Trail Society and the Nanthala Hiking Club and lunch served by Smoky Mountain Bicycles to benefit a proposed Macon County Bike Park. At 5 p.m. “Beer. Bluegrass. BBQ” will begin to benefit MainSpring Conservation Trust. 828.349.7676 or www.outdoor76.com.

• A presentation by fossil collector and paleontologist Richard Hightower will be given at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at the Macon County Library.

For more information about library programs, contact 828.524.3600.

Bryson City

The annual Trail Magic Festival at Nantahala Outdoor Center will be held April 8-9, featuring everything from hiking-themed games to educational lectures to karaoke. 

The event will kick off with a hiking-themed movie night at 6 p.m. April 8, with the next day starting up with a gear repair and vendor fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A cornhole tournament will be held at 3:30 p.m., and a hiker’s feast at 4:30 p.m. Karaoke will start up at 6 p.m., and a bonfire will light up at 8 p.m. 

Free. NOC is located along U.S. 74, about 14 miles from Bryson City. 

Fontana Dam

A weekend full of outdoor and educational activities will celebrate Appalachian Trail season March 28-30 at Fontana Village Resort. Activities include free disc golf lessons, educational presentations, karaoke, campfires, $1 movies and popcorn, and plenty else besides. 828.498.2211 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..