Your Chocolate Easter Bunny - the inside scoop

Whether you eat the ears or the feet first, there's no wrong way to eat a chocolate Easter bunny!  The popular melt-in-your-mouth tradition comes in a variety of flavors -  white chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate - and  according to the National Confectioners Association over 90 million chocolate bunnies are produced each year for the holiday. A staple in kids' and adults' Easter baskets alike, chocolate Easter bunnies can be found  in all shapes and sizes, too, and some are even filled with other rich delights like caramel, marshmallow or chocolate creme!

• Ninety million chocolate bunnies are made for Easter every year
• Seventy six percent of chocolate bunny lovers say they eat the ears first (me, too!)
• Adults and children say they are more likely to share their chocolate and candy on Easter than on other days of the year

Easter Weekend in the NC Mountains offers Springtime Activities

Spring has sprung with color and fun along the Blue Ridge Parkway, throughout the Great Smoky Mountains and in the NC High Country. Gather your family, friends, sweetie or just your own adventurous spirit and "head for the hills" to celebrate Easter and the re-birth of the mountains. You'll find fun and outdoor activities in every community in Western North Carolina.

In Asheville the 17th annual spring plant sale, sponsored by the Blue Ridge Horticulture Association, will be held at the Western North Carolina Farmers Market April 22-23. In addition to locally grown plants of all kinds being for sale again this year, many handmade decorative and functional items for the garden will also be available.  Just "down the road" in Flat Rock you can Spring Into the Park with A Family Fun Day at the Sandburg Home.  Watch performances by Asheville's  Poetry Alive! and enjoy storytelling, kid-friendly house tours and activity stations. Young visitors will receive a schedule and activity guide upon arrival. This festival is part of national Junior Ranger Day, an event to encourage youth to learn about America's National Parks and how they belong to them too!

Find Smoky Mountain fun in Bryson City with the Swain County COC Easter Egg Hunt where you can meet the Easter Bunny on the day before Easter! Two separate egg hunts are planned, one for infants-age4 and one for ages 5-10. Find one of three special eggs for each age group and win a prize! The Egg Hunt will be held at the Swain County Horse Arena Grounds. Or if you love trains, PeanutsTM - Easter Beagle will be chugging along April 22 and 23.  The train departs from Bryson City and travels to the Nantahala Outdoor Center where refreshments are served. During the layover, children can seek out bunnies carrying brightly colored eggs. The excursion includes photo opportunities with Snoopy, the Easter Beagle.

Begin Easter Sunday in Chimney Rock at the 56th Annual Easter Sunrise Service at Chimney Rock Park  The Inter-denominational community worship is filled with song, scripture, special music and spectacular sunrise views over beautiful Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. John Mason, the Park’s featured hammered dulcimer player, will perform. Arrive early, dress warmly and bring a flashlight. Continue the day with Easter Sunday Brunch at the Lake Lure Inn & Spa  and an Easter event at the Old Edwards Inn in Highlands NC.

Find more NC Easter Events here...

NC Easter Weekend Events: Tryon's 65th Block House Steeple Chase and Block House Bash

April 22 at 6:30 PM 2011 Block House Bash:  Jennifer Breaux Howe's painting, The Run, will be available for auction along with an unique opportunity to go behind the scenes with the riders, owners and trainers on race day. This package includes viewing stand credentials, parking pass, two meal tickets in the Tryon Riding and Hunt Club Hospitality tent, and a course walk with the 2010 Carolina First Block House Feature race winner, Richard Boucher. The Event includes Heavy hors d'oeuvres and Cocktails and is located at the Depot Room in Tryon NC. $50 per person, reservations required (deadline April 18) 828-859-6109

April 23  65th Block House Steeple Chase  ushers in spring with picnics, sundresses, elegant hats, tailgating and the excitement of thoroughbreds thundering on the track. The Block House is the longest running steeplechase in the state of North Carolina occurring continuously since 1947. 18,000 to 20,000 people attend the Block House Races annually.  The National Steeplechase Association sanctions four of the races with total purses reaching $65,000.

An amateur division showcasing local jockeys takes place after the Carolina First Block House Cup feature race. The day also includes a varied, equestrian learning experience from Carolina Carriage Club as well as Paso Fino demonstrations to the Old Tryon Foot Beagles and Green Creek Hounds. Tickets may be purchased online, over the phone @ 828-859-6109, with a credit card or print the order form and mail, 289 S. Trade St. Tryon NC 28782, or fax, 828-859-5598, to the TR&HC office.

Easter Event: First Annual Llama Caddy Easter Egg Hunt and Festival

April 3, 12PM-5PM,  Sherwood Forest Golf Club, Highway 276 South, Brevard North Carolina.  Fun for the entire family with an Easter Egg Hunt and an up-close and personal meeting with Sherwood's charming Llama caddies. Additional activities include: story time readings, fashion shows by Theophilus, food by HobNob, sweet treats cart by Kiwi Gelato, flower hairdo's by Studio U Salon, chair massages by La Petite Spa, and learn how to Hoola Hoop with KiKi. For details call: 828-275-7266    http://www.llamacaddy.com/golf/

Easter Event: Swain Chamber Easter Egg Hunt in Bryson City

April 3, 1:00PM Swain County Horse Arena and Recreation Area, Bryson City North Carolina. 1st Annual Swain Chamber of Commerce Easter Egg Hunt Two separate egg hunts - Ages 0-4 and 5-10. Find one of three special eggs for each age group and win a prize! 828-488-3681, 800-867-9246

Easter Event: Special Easter Menu at Saluda Grade Cafe

April 4, 11AM-3PM, Saluda Grade Cafe, 40 East Main Street, Saluda North Carolina. New Special Easter Menu!  Shrimp and Grits will be back, Lemon Herb Roast Cornish Hens, as well as an Old Fashioned Mustard Bourbon Glazed Ham and Deviled Eggs. Easter Sunday, Saluda Grade Cafe will be open for lunch only and continue Sunday Suppers (3-7 pm) on all the other weekends in April. http://saludagradecafe.com/

Easter Event: Folk School Easter Egg Hunt

April  3, 1:00PM, Open House (behind Davidson Hall) John C Campbell Folk School, Brasstown North Carolina. Arrive early - the Hunt starts promptly at 1PM. There will be three areas divided by age, 0-4, 5-7, and 8 & older. All kids are welcome to join in the fun at the Folk Center's annual Easter Egg Hunt. This event is free with parking across from the Keith House.

Easter Event: Sunrise Service in Chimney Rock Park

April 4 Chimney Rock Park, Chimney Rock North Carolina.  55th Annual Easter Sunrise Service Celebrate the glory of Easter as our guest at this inter-denominational community worship. This special service will be filled with song, scripture, special music and spectacular sunrise views over beautiful Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. John Mason, the Park’s featured hammered dulcimer player, will perform.

Easter Event: Dinner at The Back Room Restaurant

April 2-3 THE BACK ROOM RESTAURANT AT THE FLAT ROCK WINE SHOPPE Flat Rock/Hendersonville. Easter Dinner - $20.00! Avoid the crowds on Sunday - 3 course meal with children's menus available. Let Ally prepare your special meal on this special day. Reservations suggested: 828-697-6828. See the menu here...

Easter Event: Ski with the Easter Bunny

April 3, Appalachian Ski Mountain, Blowing Rock North Carolina - Easter Extravaganza   Bring your camera and join the Easter Bunny for pictures on the slopes, two children's Easter Egg Hunts with lots of hidden prizes including a 2010-11 Junior Season Membership, and a special Easter Brunch.

Easter Event: Easter Brunch in Lake Lure

April 4 10:30AM - 4:30 PM, 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa, Lake Lure North Carolina. A lavish Easter Sunday Brunch! Bring the whole family for a brunch in the historic Inn and celebrate the holiday with your loved ones. Seating from 10:30am until 4:30pm.Breakfast Items, Appetizers, Side Dishes, Salads, Main Courses, Assorted Homemade Rolls and Breads and a Chocolate Fountain with Fresh Fruit, Cookies, and Marshmallows. http://www.lakelure.com/

Colored Easter Eggs the Natural Way

March 28, 4PM-6PM, Sunny Points, Asheville North Carolina. Sunny Points gardener/ urban farmer, Laurie Newman White will do a hands on demonstration on using natural vegetable dyes for Easter Eggs. After the egg dying there will be eggs to hide and find for the little ones. Cathy Williams (from we still lay - http://www.ashevillecitychickens.com/) will be also be doing a short presentation on urban chicken farming.and find for the little ones. The event will be held on Sunny Points Patio from 4 to 6 pm on March 28. $5 fee.