Spring fun is blooming

By Staff
Check out this listing of spring events from around the valley.
Decatur
The 2003 show season for the official horse of the state of Alabama will get under way with the 32nd annual Racking Horse Spring Celebration on April 22-26 at Celebration Arena in Decatur. More than $20,000 in prize money will be awarded during the 64-class national points show.
There will also be an official Racking Horse sale April 26 at 10 a.m.
For a complete schedule and ticket information, call 353-7225.
Cullman
A full day of delectable family entertainment will be on tap for the Strawberry Festival set for Sportsman Lake Park just off Highway 31 in Cullman on April 26.
Activities will begin with the Strawberry Festival Parade at 9 .m. There will also be a car show, carnival rides, tractor show, arts and crafts, a variety of food offerings, miniature train rides, miniature golf, horse and buggy rides and pony rides. Live entertainment on two outdoor stages during the day will feature bluegrass, country, rock and blues.
For more information, call 734-3369.
Decatur
A collector's show will be held April 4-6 at Colonial Mall-Decatur. For more information, call 350-0453.
Huntsville
The Huntsville Community Chorus will present the spring musical "Kiss Me Kate" April 10-12 at the Von Braun Center Playhouse in Huntsville. For more information, call 533-6606.
Decatur
A Dillard's Children Fashion Show will be held April 5 at 2-4 p.m. at Colonial Mall-Decatur. For more information, call 350-0453.
Cullman
The annuual Wildflower and Garden Tour will be held at Sportsman Lake Park in Cullman on April 5 from 8 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Potted plants will be on sale during the event. Admission is free. For more information, call 734-4281.
Huntsville
The Twickingham Historic Preservation District Association announces the 16th annual Weeden House Antiques Show and Sale on Saturday, April 5 at 10 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 6 at noon-5 p.m. at the Roundhouse of the Historic Huntsville Depot Museum in downtown Huntsville. All proceeds go towards the preservation of the Weeden House Museum and the Twickingham Historic District.
Admission is $10. For more information, call 256-536-7718.
Cullman
St. Bernard Prep School is gearing up for the 19th annual Bloomin' Festival Arts and Craft Fair to be held April 5-6 on the school's campus. The outdoor show will feature more than 150 artists and craftspeople from around the Southeast displaying and selling their wares. Children's activities will include a miniature train ride and a host of inflatable bounce, jump and slide booths. Highlighting the event will be a number of giveaways, including a 2003 Ford truck, a one week vacation to the Beach Club in Gulf Shores, a tool box loaded with tools, a DVD player and a gas fish cooker. Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12. Festival hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.
Huntsville
Pauli's Saturday Bazaar will kick off April 5 at 7:30 a.m. at Pauli's Restaurant in Huntsville. Local artists will be featured, as well as a cornucopia of fresh and organic fruits and vegetables. For more information, call 722-2080.
Rogersville
A BFL fishing tournament will be hosted by Joe Wheeler State Park Resort in Rogersville April 4-5. Weigh ins are open to the public and will be held at 2:30 p.m. daily. For more information, call 247-2080.
Burritt on the Mountain in Huntsville will be offering a series of Saturday activities during April in conjunction with Earth Month. "Plants and wildflowers" will be the theme for the April 5 activities, with events including a wildflower sale, workshops and hikes. "Wonderful wildlife" will be presented April 12 with the day highlighted by live wild animals on exhibits such as fruit bats, birds of prey, snakes and lizards. "The Three Rs: Re-Use and Recycle" will be presented April 19. Activities will focus on resources conservation and recycling, as well as alternative technology. The month will conclude with "Back to Nature" on April 20. That day will cover natural alternatives to chemical fuels and medicines and nature hikes will be offered. For registration and additional information, call 536-2882.
Double Springs
Looney's Entertainment Park is offering performances of "Music on the Mountain" each Saturday through Nov. 22. Also showing at Looney's is Neil Simon's comedy "Last of the Red Hot Lovers." It will be performed Thursday, Friday and Saturday though May 3. Call 205-489-5000 for curtain times.
Huntsville
The Chamber Orchestra Series No. 3 will be presnted April 5 at the Trunity United Methodist Church in Huntsville. For more information, call 539-4818.
Moulton
The Running Wild Music and Craft Festival will be held Saturday, April 12 at the Iron Rail Arena in Moulton from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The event will feature 40 vendors, great live entertainment, food, children's rides and games, and an egg hunt worth $250, Portions of the proceeds to benefit Hospice of the Valley. For ticket and vendor information, call 256-905-1626.
Shoals area
The Shoals Area Azaela Trail Garden and Art Tour will be April 12-13. The tour will feature six exceptional gardens and garden artists in the Shoals area. Admission is $10. Hours will be Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. For more information, call 757-5325.
Cullman
The Fairview Lions Club Racking Horse Show will be held April 12 at the Cullman County Agricultural Treade Center in Cullman. For more information, call 739-4959.
Huntsville
The Junior League Rumage Rampage will be held April 12 at the Jaycee's building in Huntsville. Quality used merchandise will be for sale. For more information, call 533-3554.
Florence
A bluegrass festival will be held at Indian Camp Creek on April 18-19. The weekend will feature bluegrass entertainment and family fun. Admission is $5 for Saturday and $6 for Sunday. India n Camp Creek is located north of Florence. For more information, call 740-4141.
Ardmore
The Ardmore Renaissance Faire will be held April 19-20. The event recreates a celebration from the year 1003 in Europe. Activities will include jousting, archery, fencing tournaments and displays of arts and crafts from medieval times. Call 423-7588 for more information.
Decatur
The PACT Family Fun Day will be held April 26 at Point Mallard Park parking lot between the Aquatic Center and the old ice rink at 10 a.m.-5p.m. This is and all day event with something for everyone in the family. The feature attractions will be on stage performances throughout the day that include groups from area schools, dance teams, choirs and churches. There will also be a dunking booth, hair braiding, storytelling, and many other fun events. Many of the activities will be free, with others charging a small fee with the proceeds going to PACT.
Huntsville
Panolply is coming to Huntsville's Big Spring Park April 25-27. The event is a celebration of the arts and is open free to the public. Hours will be April 25 from 5-9 p.m.; April 26 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and April 27 from noon-8 p.m. Several new activities are planned for this year, including kids art yard; children, teens and adults can fashion a clock from an old CD; or turn ice cream cartons into wind chimes. There will also be five stages with various performances throughout the festival. For more information, call 519-ARTS.