The small town of Dillsboro will be bustling with activity in 2008.

The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad will have several special trains departing from its Dillsboro Depot beginning with the Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Gourmet Dinner Train on Feb. 14-15. On March 22 the Peanuts Easter Beagle Train will feature photo opportunities with Snoopy the Easter Beagle. Other trips leaving out of Dillsboro include the Biltmore Estate Wine Dining Train on April 26; Carolina Wine Gourmet Dining Train on May 31; Father’s Day Beer Dining Train on June 14; Day Out With Thomas from July 25 to Aug. 3; and Oktoberfest Beer Train on Oct. 4 among others.

Special events in town also include the Easter Hat Parade to be held at 1 p.m. March 22. Led by a fleet of restored antique cars, followed by the many hat contestants and featuring the Easter Bunny, the parade begins in front of the Town Hall on Front Street and makes two circles around the town. Awards are announced after the parade. Ribbons are given for the Prettiest, Funniest, Largest, Smallest, Most Unusual, Most Easter-like, Best Smelling, Cutest, Most Outrageous, Best In Show and “Poofiest” hats, among other unusual categories.

The Dillsboro Arts and Music Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 14. All the quaint shops are open and the streets are lined with tents featuring artisans demonstrating all kinds of traditional crafts including basketry, weaving, quilting, pewtering, and carving.

On Sept. 20 Dillsboro will host its annual Antiques Faire. The festival includes the wares from several antique dealers, food, entertainment and an antique car parade.

The Western North Carolina Pottery Festival takes place on Front Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 1. This juried event features the works of more than 20 highly-skilled potters from across the region. Potters will be on hand to demonstrate throwing and raku firing.

And the much-anticipated Lights and Luminaries weekends will be held Dec. 5-6 and 12-13. Adapted from an old Scandinavian custom of lighting the way for the Christ child, more than 2,500 candles in small white bags line the streets and every storefront is aglow with Christmas lights and decorations. Shopkeepers hold “Open House” and serve coffee, warm cider, hot chocolate and home baked goodies and stay open late to accommodate holiday shoppers. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad’s Polar Express Train makes shuttle runs to neighboring towns, and Santa Claus fits a trip to Dillsboro into his busy schedule.