By Sherri Blevins
Springtime is the perfect season to enjoy the outdoors, and area festivals and events provide the venue. Check out the upcoming April and May events and plan a family outing.
• Arts On The Rocks At The Falls – April 9 & 10 Arts and Crafts show at Noccalula Falls Park, 1500 Noccalula Rd., Gadsden, AL; Adults $6; kids, seniors, military $4; call 888-565-0411
• Annual Smoke On The Falls BBQ Competition – April 9, 1500, Noccalula Rd., Gadsden, Al; 10 am-5 pm; 256-549-4658
• Earth Day Leaf Pounding Class – April 22, 1 pm -3 pm DeSoto State Park, Fort Payne, Al; Ages 8-adult; $10 includes all supplies; Pre-registration required. Email vog.amabala.rncdobfsctd@sehguH.yenttirB
• National Cornbread Festival – April 22-24, South Pittsburg, TN; Opening ceremony Fri. 6 pm, street dance, fireworks; Festival Sat.-Sun. 9 am- 6 pm; $10 admission – Cornbread cookoff, classic cars, music, rides, cooking demos, tours, much more; 423-837-0022
• Art on the Lake – April 23-24, Artists and crafters from across the southeastern United States will make their way to Guntersville (10 am-5 pm Saturday and 10-4 pm Sunday) to display their works of art and unique creations. Held alongside beautiful Lake Guntersville, Art on the Lake features the works of over 80 fine artists and artisans, and along with arts and crafts, you’ll be treated to food vendors, outdoor games and rides, and a bakeshop.
• Panoply Arts Festival April 29- May 1, Panoply is the Southeast’s premier arts weekend where Huntsville’s innovative spark shines through a festival of art, music, and more! Panoply takes place in downtown Huntsville at Big Spring Park.
• Cullman Strawberry Festival – Saturday, May 7, in downtown Cullman! There will be lots of fresh strawberries, arts & crafts, the Miss Strawberry Festival pageant, a Doggy “Paw”geant, a Strawberry Festival baking competition, and fun & games!
• Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic May 28 & 29 – More than 50 beautiful hot-air balloons will fill the sky above Decatur, Ala., the last weekend in May during the annual Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic. The colorful festival at Point Mallard Park features hot air balloons, live music, a balloon glow, motorcycles, antique cars and tractors, arts and crafts, fireworks, and other family fun with activities on the ground and in the air.
• Memories of Mayberry Day Festival and Car Cruise-In May 7, Enjoy antics from Barney Fife, Floyd the Barber, and other Mayberry Characters! Live music, cruise-in, vendors, games, good food, and more! Valley Head, AL
• Second Annual May On The Mountain Bluegrass Festival – May 14, 10 am to 7:30 pm in the Henagar City Park. Admission to the festival is free, but all concertgoers are asked to bring their lawn chairs. The Cowboy Church will provide free food on a first-come, first-serve basis.