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Full slate of April events at state parks

Here is a rundown of what’s happening at Georgia’s state parks in April:

• Butterfly Hike, Saturday, April 2, 10 a.m.-noon, Panola Mountain State Park, Stockbridge. A park ranger will lead this slide show and guided hike to admire colorful swallowtails, hairstreaks, elfins and orange-tips. Close-focus binoculars will be available. Register in advance. $2 parking. 770-389-7801.

• For The Birds, Saturday and Sunday, April 2-3, Red Top Mountain State Park and Lodge, Cartersville. This program is dedicated to our colorful feathered friends here in Georgia. Bird walks, slide presentations, raptor programs and more will happen each day. We will also have crafters displaying their bird-ware. $2 parking. 770-975-4226.

• Spring Hike on Panola Mountain, Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Panola Mountain State Park, Stockbridge. This is the peak time of year for viewing wildflowers at Panola Mountain. Enjoy a slide presentation before the three-mile hike over somewhat strenuous terrain. Register in advance. $2 parking. 770-389-7801.

• Astronomy Program, Saturday, April 9, Kolomoki Mounds Historic Park, Blakely. Join an astronomer for an evening under the stars. Visitors may use the park's telescope or bring their own. Begins at sunset in front of the Temple Mound. $2 parking. 229-724-2150.

• Parent-Child Bank Fishing Rodeo, Saturday, April 9, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Mistletoe State Park, Appling. Parents and children can compete for prizes from the banks of Clarks Hill Lake. $5. $2 parking. 706-541-0321.

• Flower Power, Saturday and Sunday, April 9-10, Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge, Dawsonville. Join wildflower identification hikes, tie-dye a T-shirt using natural dyes, and learn more about edible and medicinal plants. Some fees. $2 parking. 800-573-9656, ext. 681.

• FDR Commemorative Ceremony, Tuesday, April 12, 2 p.m., Little White House Historic Site, Warm Springs. This tribute to FDR on the anniversary of his death, April 12, 1945, also falls on the 50th anniversary of the Salk vaccine that eradicated polio on April 12, 1955. The program includes a U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard, U.S. Army Infantry Center Band and speaker, Dr. Julie L. Gerberding from the CDC. Free after 12:30 p.m. 706-655-5870.

• Spring Treasures of the Southern Appalachians, Saturday, April 16, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tallulah Gorge State Park, Tallulah Falls. This guided hike will highlight seasonal wildflowers, including the rare Persistent Trillium. Wear sturdy hiking shoes for the strenuous trail, and bring water. $4 parking. 706-754-7981.

• Springtime At The Homestead & Iron Pour, Saturday and Sunday, April 16-17, Red Top Mountain State Park and Lodge, Cartersville. Come to the Vaughan Cabin behind the lodge to see 19th century skills such as woodcarving, spinning, quilting, blacksmithing, open hearth cooking, candle dipping and butter churning. The park's iron blast furnace will be working and visitors can buy molds to design their own iron artwork. $2 parking. 770-975-4226.

• Wildflower Fever, Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge, Helen. Catch the fever for wildflowers and explore this conservation area with guided hikes, guest speakers and slide shows. Register in advance. Hikes at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. $2 parking. 706-878-3087.

• Panola/Arabia Mountain Hike, Saturday, April 16 & 23, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Panola Mountain State Park, Stockbridge. Geology and botany experts will lead this hike on Panola and Arabia mountains to see rare plants and wildflowers that bloom on granite outcrops. Register in advance. $2 parking. 770-389-7801.

• Spring Wildflowers Around Unicoi, Friday and Saturday, April 22-23, Unicoi State Park and Lodge, Helen. This wildflower weekend begins Friday with a slide show and lecture, followed by guided walks on Saturday. Register in advance for the walks. $2 parking. 800-573-9659, ext. 305.

• Wings of Flight, Saturday and Sunday, April 23-24, Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge, Dawsonville. Share your love of all winged creatures during these programs on birds, bats and butterflies. Activities include educational discussions, building a bat house or bird feeder, gardening tips and more. Some fees. $2 parking. 800-573-9656, ext. 681.

• Pine Mountain Trail Day Hike, Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m. F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Pine Mountain. Join a member of the Pine Mountain Trail Association for a guided hike on the Pine Mountain Trail. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes. For more information, go to www.pinemountaintrail.org. $2 parking. 706-663-485.