News for April 3rd 2010

Top 10 Events for the Month of May in Alabama

There is an Alabama Bed and Breakfast near any and all of these events in Sweet Home Alabama.

Blessing of the Fleet, 61st Annual
Bayou La Batre; May 1–2
Celebration and prayer for a bountiful harvest with a land parade, decorated boat parade, arts and crafts, dinner and more.

Delta Woods & Water Expo
Spanish Fort; May 1
2nd Annual Delta Woods & Waters Expo, highlighting the second largest river delta in the U.S. Discover the rich history of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and how to enjoy, care for and preserve this environmental showplace. Experienced outdoorsmen, professionals and hobbyists will give hands-on demonstrations of outdoor skills such as kayaking and small boat handling, knot-tying, camping using the “Leave No Trace” philosophy, duck and bird calling, sporting retrieving dogs, archery, fishing, use of a cast-net and more. Nature enthusiasts will learn to identify animal tracks and wildflowers, as well as critters, birds, gators and snakes indigenous to the delta.

Huntsville Pilgrimage Association Historic Homes Tour
Huntsville; May 1–2
Select private residences and gardens in three of Huntsville’s historic districts are open for tours.

Lowndesboro Heritage Celebration
Lowndesboro; May 1–2
Celebrate the history of Lowndesboro with home and church tours, marker unveiling and other special activities.

Strawberry Days at the Market
Cullman; May 14–15
A family friendly “Homecoming” with lots of things to do! A tractor show, 5K or 10K run, Volksmarch, walking tour of historic downtown, “and a strawberry festival reminiscent of yesteryear with fresh produce featuring Cullman County strawberries. The Cullman County Museum, Weiss cottage (Cullman’s oldest residence), and Dr. Luther Hayes’ house will be open, and “Postcard Pictures of the Past,” and newly restored signs of historic businesses will be available for viewing throughout the downtown area. The Cullman County Historical Society will unveil murals featuring historic buildings from the 1880s and vintage signs throughout downtown.

24th Annual Multicultural Indian Event
Moulton; May 15–17
This four day event celebrates the Indian and Celtic cultures and their roles in the history of Lawrence County. Canoe rides, music and arts of crafts.

Pepper Place Saturday Market
Birmingham; May 15–Oct 9
Event includes a local farm tour to the residents and restaurateurs of the community – providing access to the freshest vegetables and homemade goods from the hands of those who produce them. Local musicians provide a variety of entertainment on two separate venues and there is a weekly local Chef’s Demonstration featuring the day’s fresh vegetables in their recipes. Refreshments are available from local vendors – serving the best coffees, teas, pastries and sandwiches. While choosing your fresh vegetables and fruits, stroll through the tents of local artisans and pick up a few homemade soaps, lotions or hand-turned bowls or art for your walls at home or for the garden.

The YellaWood Johnny Mack Brown Western Festival
Dothan; May 15
Featuring the largest collection of Johnny Mack Brown memorabilia in the country. Entertainment includes Johnny Mack Brown movies, demonstrations, roping shows, re-enactments, arts and crafts, music and more.

Jubilee Cityfest
Montgomery; May 28–29
Alabama’s largest family music festival featuring various music stages, KidsFest, food, fun and more. Check the Web site for updates.

Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Festival
Decatur; May 29–30
One of the largest free balloon festivals in the Southeast, featuring balloon races, glows, musical entertainment, antique car and tractor shows, arts & crafts and a variety of food vendors.

Edited: April 3rd, 2010

Crazy NASCAR season just getting going

Six down — 30 to go! When you look at the NASCAR season that way, the first six races don’t seem to mean that much. But on second thought…

The NASCAR world seems to have a different look and feel then a year ago. In the first six, ole’ buddy Carl Edwards took Roger Penske’s new driver for the ride of his life in Atlanta, as NASCAR told the drivers to take the gloves off. Edwards did just that. Jamie McMurray goes from looking for a job to winning the Daytona 500, in a true goat-to-hero story. Silver spoon driver Paul Menard drove the wheels off his No. 98 Ford and is now in the top 10 in points. Jimmie Johnson won three out of six and finds himself not in first, but third in the points. Winning has gotten so old hat for Johnson that even his teammate, Kurt Busch, stated his displeasure of watching Jimmie win all the time. The new green-white-checkered rule has been put through the test three out of the first six races. There are no more wings, as it is back to the spoiler. And testing at Talladega reached speeds of more than 200 mph. That is just some the highlights from the start of the 2010 season and there are 30 more races to go!  
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Edited: April 3rd, 2010