Top five things to do in April
Container homes, bats, and hot air balloons
![Junior Serra Lumbreras crafts her homecoming mum during Floral Design 1 from ribbon and cardboard; it's a tradition for extravagant mums to be made and worn throughout the Friday before the homecoming game. "I've never made a mum before," Lumbreras said. "It's very easy if you listen to instructions-- [after that] it's all about creativity. Homecoming is super exciting [because] once the dance is over with we look back on it and think: 'wow we did that.'"](https://lhsroar.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/homcoming_mum_sierra_lumbreras-400x600.jpg)
Spring is in full bloom in Austin. Although we may not have cherry blossoms, springtime will bring time-old local favorites and international talent to Austin. Celebrate warmer temperatures and the occasional spring shower with these events.
1. Balloons Over Horseshoe Bay
This aerial display will light up Hill Country’s skyline throughout the day and into the night. Accompanied by live music, twenty hot air balloons from across the country will fly in this fifth annual event on April 14 through 16 at the Horseshoe Bay Resort. Bring a camera to capture “Balloon Glow” in the evenings, where the balloons are illuminated simultaneously.
From a shipping container to a concrete dome, these homes are helping to keep Austin weird in their own way. Three years of touring the best weird homes will culminate in this year’s event where a ticket will invite you into Austin’s most outlandish houses. This year’s picks include a wildlife refuge, art oasis, and “cabinet of curiosities”.
3. Bat Bridge
Watch as more than half a million Mexican free-tailed bats leave the largest urban colony of bats over Lady Bird Lake. During April, the bats are in their gestational period and will fly out before sunset and return before sunrise. The colony will continue to fly until migration in November.
4. Austin International Poetry Festival
25 years of poetry continues on with this year’s four day AIP festival. Workshops on poetry from translating to marketing will be offered by published and award-winning poets. Anthologies of submitted poetry from attendees, including students from elementary to high schools, will be published. Admittance is free for high school students.
Some of the biggest names in comedy will perform in this three day festival. Comedians and podcasters from across the country are scheduled to appear in various venues across the city. Headliners include stand-up comedian and Netflix star Ali Wong, grammy-nominated Patton Oswalt, Saturday Night Live alumni Jay Pharoah, and People’s Choice Award Winner Matt Bellassai.
Hi! I'm Michelle Parker, this is my second year on The Roar staff. I’m very excited to see what this year brings us. I have three dogs whom I love and...