One of the most wonderful things about living in western North Carolina are the small towns and the fun things there are to do with every holiday, and most weekends through spring, summer and fall. Every year on the Saturday before Easter Sunday, the small town of Dillsboro hosts an Easter Hat Parade, marching all four blocks of its tiny downtown. For several years, the Appalachian Mountain Minis club of Mini Cooper car owners has been a part of this parade, decorating their cars and driving down the main street, waving to the crowd. This year we decided to go see what fun they were having.
Members met up ahead of time, and drove as a group to the staging area to decorate their cars.
Some quite creative ideas were on display, using vinyl clings and magnets to hold the decorations in place.
Happy Easter banners adorned several of the cars.
There was a cute inflatable rabbit fastened to the back of this convertible.
Once the cars were decorated, they were lined up ready for the parade to begin.
Easter decorations adorned the windows and on the street.
Colored plastic eggs were tucked into flower boxes.
Antique cars were parked along the street next to the cars for the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. It had brought a number of railcars of people in to shop from Bryson City. These cars were part of the parade later.
The Mini Cooper Parade led the way and came down the street slowly, drivers and passengers waving to the crowds, with some handing out goodies to the kids.
Bunnies, peeps, and silly props were so fun, and everyone seemed to have a blast.
Then the Hat Parade. Participants made their own at home, or they could make one at a crafting area at the end of the street. They walked the short distance.
There were numbers given to parade participants, and presumably a prize for the best hat, although we didn’t stay to see who won.
We were really pulling for Judith, a Mini Cooper club member with a spectacular entry. Yes, I made a hat at home and wore it, and I’ll show it to you later.
After the parade, the club went on a spirited drive west of Dillsboro, around country roads and twisty switchbacks.
Lovely pastoral views, although the trees are still bare.
Around the valley and then up into the mountains.
We motored up to the Blue Ridge Parkway after almost an hour drive.
Then, we stopped at at Water Rock Knob overlook to take a break. We took a bit of good natured teasing about not having a Mini yet, but that may be solved soon.
Lovely views, even though here too the trees were sparse, except for the evergreens.
The views of the layers of mountains always look beautiful.
Back down to the valley, driving past farm lands and horses.
Then returning to Dillsboro, we headed to a member’s home for a pot luck meal.
I came up with a new recipe for a side dish for the pot luck, Asian Broccoli Cabbage Salad that I’ll share on Sunday.
Crowding into the drive, it is fun to see all the cars together. Thanks to Steven and Lester for opening their beautiful home and hosting the meal.
We enjoyed such good food and camaraderie. We are looking forward to doing more with this group of fun and friendly people.
Did you do something fun on Easter Weekend?
From My Carolina Home 
Looks like you had fun! We had a quiet Easter recovering from our trip to Punta Cana for my daughter’s wedding!
What fun…I love Mini Coopers although I do not have one. Did I miss your hat? Have a great week.
Kari @ Me and My Captain
Oh what fun!
We do not have a mini cooper but they look cute.
Hubbs and I love cars.
We have a Saab 93t. It is very nice to drive.
I usually drive my Acura rdx. I am looking for a new car next year, but it will probably be another crossover, and most likely Acura…. or maybe something higher end like BMW or Merc.
Your adventure was a fun day
looks like fun, do not have a mini cooper but they are a cute car
Absolutely beautiful scenes. Thank you for sharing.
Goodness gracious! What fun you all had. It is so great to see all us elderly fun seekers having such a great time and making up your own car floats. More of us ought to do just that.
Phyllis
🐣🐰🐥 Looks like everyone had fun. Thank you for sharing 🦋
It looks like a good time was had by everyone.
What fun!!!! I still miss my Mini….loved that car EVERY DAY……Thank you for sharing!
Carole, what a fun parade. The country drive was scenic and beautiful and to end with a nice meal and fellowship makes for a wonderful day!
Ha ha! I follow yours, and other, quilting blogs and learn so much. The divergent topics are an added element. Honestly, I enjoy the recipes, tablescapes, and garden tidbits, too. We do have a MIni Cooper Roadster so the parade details were interesting. Photos of the group of MIni Cooper owners enjoying the day together makes me anxious for spring to arrive in Minnesota so the Cooper can come out of hibernation.
Hello Carole; Your new blog is lovely and very sophisticated. I hope that you are very happy with it! All of the parade pictures were wonderful and full of fun. I am looking forward to seeing your hat and reading your recipe also. I hope that you have a wonderful day!
What fun. This would be fantastic to see in person.
I enjoyed your narrative and all the photos. What a fun day!
What a super fun little parade and a fun car club! I didn’t know there were Mini Cooper car clubs, but if I ever see a bunch of them decorated I would stop to look!
I love💗💗💗 mini Cooper my dream for my new car…now is only a dream i wish mini countrymam👍but my husband don’t like😖now wee have Jeep gran cherokee black 😋dear Carole ecxuse me forma my bad english!!!enjoy😘
What a fun event. Looks like you all had fun. I love your new site theme and look.
That was a very fun day, lovely to get outside I’m sure. We were quiet here; I did some hand quilting and cut out a new shirt, and we had a nice dinner after church.
What a nice day you had! 🙂 Silly hats and cute cars and beautiful scenery 🙂
Oh Carole, how much fun!! Those Easter bonnets are hilarious!
What a fun and fabulous day ending with a nice potluck with friends! Lovely and original hats on display. you are so right, Judith had a wonderfully decorated Easter hat! Can’t wait to see yours.
It is wonderful to see small towns making a great effort to have these events. And they obviously get great support. Thanks for sharing the fun in your photos.