CHARLESTON DOGWOOD, AZALEA FESTIVAL SET

CHARLESTON -- The 26th annual Dogwood-Azalea Festival will be hosted by Charleston April 16-17.

Known as "The City of Beautiful Homes," Charelston displays a profusion of white and pink dogwood blooms and yards filled with many colorful azaleas.

In addition to the daytime tour, a Luminaria Tour will be held the night of April 16. Streets will be lined with paper bag luminaries and many homes and gardens will be accented by spotlights. A Candlelight Walk of North Main Street also is a popular event.

The city park will be filled with arts and crafts, food booths and carnival rides. Other events include a parade, quilt show, car show, 5K Run for Fun, and garden club plant sale. The large brick Victorian Historical Society Home will be open for tours, and there will be a fish fry on April 16.

The Molly French Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale on the grounds of the Brewer home on North Main Street on April 15 and 16. Varieties of azaleas hardy to the area will be offered as well as a selection of dogwoods, bedding plants, baskets and other items.

For more information contact the Charleston Chamber of Commerce at 314-683-6509 or 314-683-3530.