Spring is in the air, the flowers are in bloom, and you are sitting at home on your couch with nothing to do. Get off your couch, grab your family or friends, and head out to several of these exciting and fun events! Better yet, visit them all!
Colorful Kite Tales Exhibit
March 12-July 30, Tuesday-Saturday 9:30am-4:30pm
The Southern Museum of Flight will host this interesting exhibit, which chronicles the amazing and vivid history of the kite. This once in a lifetime kite exploration opportunity is developed by the Smithsonian Institute Traveling Exhibition, and on loan by the Drachen Foundation of Seattle, Washington. Group tours and hands-on kite making are available. Entry is $7 per person. Located at The Southern Museum of Flight, 4343 73rd Street North, Birmingham, AL 35206
Paws in the Garden
March 26, 9am-4pm
A pet and family-friendly event with many activities, give-a-ways, and demonstrations about pet wellness and health. Veterinarians, trainers and groomers will have booths set up for any of your questions, needs or supplies. $10 admission, with proceeds benefitting a local animal charity. Located at Aldridge Gardens in Hoover, 3530 Lorna Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35216. For more information call (205) 682-8019
Choral Evensong for Lent
March 27, 4pm
The Cathedral Church of the Advent will hold their annual Lent choral song, a beautiful sung service of lessons, anthems, and prayers. Directed by Stephen G. Schaeffer. Admission is free. Located at The Cathedral Church of the Advent, 2017 Sixth Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203. For more information call (205) 226-3505.
Native Americans United Pow Wow
April 1-3
Features demonstrations of Native American music, dance and craftsmanship. Entry fee is $5 per person; ages 12 and under are free. Located at White’s Mountain Bluegrass park, 40 White’s Mountain Lane, Springville, AL 35146. For more information call (205) 489-5406
Art on “R” Mountain
Saturday, April 2 9am-5pm
Local artist from across the Southeast will present their art in this exciting art bazaar. The historic East Lake area’s revitalization will be highlighted by many different types of art. East Lake Arts district and the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center present this artistic extravaganza.
Croonin’ for Critters
Saturday, April 2
An event at Workplay Theater held to benefit Do Dah Day, Birmingham’s pet festival. Borrowing the American Idol format, a panel of judges (FOX 6 News anchors Janice Rogers and Jeh Jeh Pruitt, local musician Ona Watson, and Scott Register of Reg’s Coffee House) will judge your best attempt at singing karaoke. The audience will ultimately vote for their favorite contestant through $1 donations. The winning contestant will be named Birmingham’s Critter Idol. Live entertainment will be provided by The Horndogs. Admission is $10. Happy hour begins at 6pm and the show starts at 7pm. Located at Workplay Theater, 500 23rd Street South, Birmingham, Alabama 35233.
Native Plant Sale
Saturday, April 9, 10am-5pm
This first annual plant sale is presented by the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center and Stoneshovel. A wide variety of plants will be on sale, including native trees, wildflowers, grasses and more. An information booth will be set up with local plant experts ready to answer any of your questions regarding the plants being offered. The local plant experts will make sure that you do not leave without all the information you need to properly plant and care for each plant you purchase. Some of the local plants for sale will include: fragrant sumac, Hawthorns, Lace Cap, Hydrangea, American Beauty berry, Ironweed, Asters, Phlox, Wood Oaks, South Grass, Bushy Bluestern and many more. Located at the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, 1214 81st Street South, Birmingham, Alabama 35206. For more information call (205) 833-8264.
Birmingham Asian Culture Food Festival
April 9, 10:30am
Presented by the Alabama Asian Cultures Foundation, this cultural celebration highlights the arts and cultures of Birmingham’s many Asian residents. Food and drink representing at least six Asian countries will be provided by local restraints. Dancers, musicians, martial arts displays, and Asian fashion show will also feature throughout the day. For your shopping and browsing pleasure, a sales bazaar, featuring art, table books, silks, plants and toys will be held. There will be many children’s activities, including a “dragon moon walk”, kite workshops and many more. Entry is $5, and under 12 enter free.Food is available 11:30am-3pm; plates are $7. Located at Cedars Club of Birmingham, 301 Green Springs Avenue South, Birmingham, 35205
Alabama Celtic Festival
April 9, 10am-4pm
The Alabama Celtic Association presents a day filled with music, dancing, and camping. Musicians performing include Hooley, Slip, Jig, Marc Gunn and Rick Cunningham. Along with the music, the Drake School of Dance will perform traditional Irish dance, along with the Birmingham Irish Set Dancers and Anam Cara Irish dancers. Alabama Pipe and Drums will perform traditional Irish sets. Weekend camping is available. Entry cost is $15 a carload, or $10 per person, which benefits the Celtic Association scholarship fund. Located at White’s Mountain, 40 White’s Mountain Lane, Springville, Alabama 35146. For more information call (205) 489-5406
10th Annual Magnolia Festival
Friday, April 15, 5-9pm-Saturday, April 16, 10am-5pm
Presented by the Magnolia Festival and held at the Gardendale Civic Center, this festival draws over 20,000 visitors each year. Friday will consist of a large carnival, a fireworks show, live entertainment, and an assortment of food. Saturday will continue the carnival, live entertainment, and will feature over 150 arts and crafts vendors for your shopping and viewing pleasure. Also taking place are a pooch parade, an antique car show, and free art classes for children. Proceeds from the festival go to benefit college scholarships for area high school seniors. Admission is free. Located at the Gardendale Civic Center, 857 Main Street, Gardendale, Alabama 35071.
Birmingham Botanical Garden Spring Plant Sale
Friday, April 15-Sunday, April 17
Come and enjoy the Birmingham Botanical Garden’s 42nd annual Spring Plant sale! This event is one of the South’s largest plant sales, with an assortment of over 85,000 plants, many of which start at only $2. The Signature plant for 2011 is the Angelonia. The plant sale is located at the Vestavia Hills Shopping Center behind the Red Lobster on Highway 31. Free admission. On Thursday evening, April 14, come and enjoy the preview party, sponsored by Whole Foods at 6pm. Tickets for the preview party are $45 in advance, and $50 at the door. The plant sale will observe these times: Friday 9am-7pm; Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 11am-3pm.
Paint the Town Red
Presented by Birmingham Jefferson chapter of the American Red Cross
April 16, 6pm-11pm
The buildings in Birmingham’s Loft District will be transformed into canvasses, featuring digitally created art, graphic art, digital photography, and digital animated shorts. Proceeds benefit the Birmingham chapter of the American Red Cross. Enjoy live music and great food. Entry is $10 in advance or $15 at the door.Located on 2nd Avenue North, Birmingham 35203. For more information call (434) 825-2519
Cottontail Express
April 16-April 23
The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum takes you and your children on a fun-filled spring themed train ride to “Peter Cottontail’s meadow.” Trains depart at 10am, 1pm, and 3pm. Enjoy fun filled activities throughout the day, including an Easter egg hunt. Adults $15, Children (2-11) $10, under 2 years old, free. Located at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, 1919 9th Street, Calera, AL 35040. For more information call (205) 280-0820
Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival
Friday, April 29-Saturday, April 30; 10am-9pm
This annual food and culture festival will feature authentic food from Lebanon, including kibbee, grape leaves, tabouleh, grilled chicken, homus, baklawa, and much more! Music and dancing will also take place, with a Lebanese band from New York, Amin Sultan, highlighting the event. Admission is free. Located at Saint Elias Maronite Catholic Church, 836 8th Street South, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.
38th Southern Appalachian Dulcimer Festival
Thursday, May 5-Sunday, May 8
Located at the historic Tannehill Ironworks State Park, this annual music festival has activities for the whole family. The week prior to the festival will host music at the campground. Thursday and Friday night feature jams at the Kiwanis Pavilion. Friday will hold performances at the Gazebo from 9:30am-4:30 pm. On Saturday, join in on a free dulcimer class, and perform what you learned on the open stage Saturday afternoon. A concert featuring Guy George will be held Saturday night. This event is free with your entry free to Tannehill State Park. If you are a dulcimer performer, admirer, love great music, or are interested in the dulcimer, this is a great event for you and your family! The event will hold these hours: Thursday 6pm; Friday 9:30am, Saturday 9am, Sunday 10am.Located at Tannehill Ironworks State Park, 12632 Confederate Parkway, Birmingham, Alabama 35111.
May 7, 11am-3pm
The Alabama Wildlife Center is expecting over 900 baby birds this season. Bring your family and a baby bird gift, and come celebrate nature’s new batch of babies. Events will include wildlife presentations, a charitable donation raffle, and many different children’s activities. Event is free with admission to Oak Mountain State Park ($1-$3). There are many ways to “chirp in and help Alabama’s baby birds.” Check out the Alabama Wildlife Center website for the baby bird wish list. Located at Alabama Wildlife Center, Oak Mountain State Park, 100 Terrace Drive, Pelham, Alabama 35124.
The 10th Annual Buck Creek Festival
May 13-May 14
Located at the Helena Amphitheater Park in Old Town Helena, this annual festival has events for the whole family. Over 120 arts and crafts vendors will be on site, along with a large selection of food vendors. Children’s activities will include a rubber duck race, beginning at 3pm. Headlining the event will be the bands Deputy Five on Friday and Mustang Sally on Saturday. Don’t miss this family friendly annual festival. Located at Helena Amphitheater Park, 4151 Helena Road, Helena, Alabama 35080.
Do Dah Day
May 21
Located in Caldwell and Rhodes Parks, Do Dah Day is Birmingham’s oldest event, having more than 40,000 people attending each year. Bring your pets for an all day music and food festival. A pet parade will be held at 11:01am along historic Highland Avenue. Entry fee for the parade ranges from $5 to $50, and proceeds go to support local animal shelters. Since 1992, Do Dah Day has raised more than $700,000 for Jefferson County animal shelters.. Caldwell Park, 26th Street and Highland Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama, 35205.
Juneteenth Culture Fest
June 17-June 19
Presented by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, this cultural festival which celebrates the end of slavery will include lots of music, food, and contests for children and adults. Located in Kelly Ingram Park, visitors will experience an exciting outdoor music concert, along with many great vendors selling food and gifts. A Sunday morning service at the historic Sixteenth Street Baptist church will conclude the weekend of fun, games, and great food. Admission is free. For more information, contact the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 520 Sixteenth Street North, 35203, or call (205) 328-9696 ext. 234
