There are very few certainties in life, but we can say, here in Charlottesville, once you see the hillside along both sides of Route 250 near the Hydraulic Road intersection ablaze in blooming forsythia you just know the redbuds and dogwoods are not far behind.
And then, we all know what dogwoods around here mean – they’re the sign the Annual Charlottesville Dogwood Festival is about to arrive once again!
The Charlottesville Dogwood Foundation (CDF) has been around since 1950. Its mission has always been to help the community. They do this through community events like the carnival in McIntire Park, the parade through Downtown that features the Dogwood Queen and her princesses, and benefit breakfasts. They support local individuals and organizations with their charitable events and fundraising.
According to their official website, “During the month of April, the residents of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, and Orange Counties converge on the city of Charlottesville to celebrate the beauty of Central Virginia and honor the state flower. Beginning in 1950 as the Apple Harvest Festival, the festival took on its current name, the Charlottesville Dogwood Festival, in 1958.
“Each year, Charlottesville comes alive not only with the blooms and blossoms of spring, but with fireworks, amusement rides, and a host of local royalty. The beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and fall foliage as well as breathtaking springs and some of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious plantations make this area one of the most popular places to visit in the South. The Charlottesville Dogwood Festival takes pride in being a long-standing part of an area rich in tradition and heritage.”
Dogwood Tree Sale
If you need new dogwoods in your life here is the best way to pick some up for your house or organization. Come to the Barracks Road Shopping Center (near Burger King) this Thursday, March 28: 4 – 7 pm; Friday, March 29: 7 am – 7 pm and/or Saturday, March 30: (only if we have trees) and pick out white, pink & red Dogwoods – all 4-foot trees – for $35 each while supplies last.
Fun activities
Kids and families all enjoy the Carnival in McIntire Park – it will begin Thursday, April 11, and go through Sunday, April 28 – especially bracelet days when you can ride as many times as you want for one price on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (except for April 11) and Sunday afternoon.
Fireworks will take place at McIntire Park on Friday, April 12, at 9 pm (Rain Date: Saturday, April 13th). There will be a BBQ that starts @ 5:30 pm, until it’s all gone, at the last shelter near the Little League baseball field. Enjoy a pork sandwich or hot dog plate for $5.
The 70th Annual Charlottesville Dogwood Parade will be held on Saturday, April 27, and begins at 10:55 am.
The festival theme this year is “Dogwood Decades”. Show us your favorite “Dogwood Decade” through your float decorations or costumes – awards will given out for Best Floats and Dogwood Spirit.
Everyone loves to see their friends marching or riding floats in the parade – we also all love to watch the Shriners and their motor cars perform their maneuvers as they wind around the streets.
The parade line-up will be posted on the official website by April 15. It will begin at 8 am on McIntire Rd. The parade will be divided into three sections for the purpose of lining up. The first section, positions 1-30 will line up from 8-8:30am, the second section, positions 31-60 will line up from 8:30-9 am, and the third section 60-100 will line up from 9-9:30am.
Entrants should enter from the 250 Bypass end of McIntire Rd. Please pay close attention to your report time and arrive on time.
Local sponsors
Local sponsors read like a who’s who of local businesses: Belk, Jiffy Lube Live, City of Charlottesville, City of Charlottesville Parks & Recreation Division, Pepsi-Cola, CBS 19 Newsplex, BB&T Bank, Childs Connection Development Center, Putt-Putt, Aberdeen Barn, Albemarle Baking Company, Anytime Golf, Boars Head Inn, Bloop Stonefield, Bounce Play N Create, Brandscape, Burger Bach, Charlottesville Ballet, Charlottesville Escape Room, Commonwealth Land Surveying, Crozet Eye Care, Duck Donuts, Fairview Swim Club, Graves Mountain Lodge, Highlands, Hot Cakes, James River Reeling and Rafting, JPJ Arena, Jump Cville, KKCL Healthcare, The Little Gym, Meadowcreek Golf, Meriweather Mowing Company, Michie Tavern, Mission BBQ, 9Round, Orzo Kitchen and Wine Bar, Rocky Top Climbing, SmallTime Vinyl, Snows Garden Center, Triple C Camp, UVA Athletics, Virginia Discovery Museum, Wegmans, White Horse Auto Wash, Silver Lining Day Spa, Aqua Float Cville, Charlottesville Skin & Laser, Crutchfield, Primary Eye Care, UVA Athletics (Baseball) and Glenmore Country Club.
Dogwood Vietnam Memorial
The Re-dedication Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, April 26, from 11 am – 12 pm. The Charlottesville Dogwood Memorial is dedicated to the lasting memory of all who served our country in Vietnam and especially those from the Charlottesville Albemarle area who gave their lives in that service.
Parking is at the lot in front of the Charlottesville Rescue Squad.
Scholarship opportunity
The CDF recognizes the importance of students being actively engaged in community service. The Foundation wishes to promote the importance of giving back to the community. Therefore, the Foundation has established the Dogwood Community Achievement Scholarship for one graduating senior who best personifies an ongoing commitment to “exemplary community service.”
The Community Achievement Scholarship will award $1500 to one graduating senior who will continue their education to a post-secondary institution.
