There's no excuse to not get outside this month to play. There is something to do every weekend.

Most notably are the number of festivals this month.

The first weekend of April brings the 18th Annual Slamsession Car Show at the Pitt County Fairgrounds. All kinds of customized cars, trucks and motorcycles will be on display from throughout the eastern United States. April 2 will be the seventh annual Youth Arts Festival on the mall of East Carolina University campus. Local and regional artists will demonstrate a variety of artistic techniques.

Uptown Greenville's PirateFest will be on tap the weekend of April 8 beginning with a Buccaneers Bash, an event similar to Freeboot Friday. See page 28 for all the events that include roving pirates and a parade. The 2011 Down East Walk to Defeat ALS will also be held that weekend.

Beginning mid-week on April 12 is the 41st Grifton Shad Festival that most notably offers a fishing-throwing contest as part of the festivities. See the full schedule on page 21. The Purple/Gold Pigskin Pig-Out is also held April 15-16. See page 7 for details.

Last, but not least, is the 24th Annual Farmville Dogwood Festival April 28-May 1. See page 21 for the schedule.