Can’t Miss Alabama guides you to a Southern weekend that’s sure to please, full of good food and good times. 

Vroom, vroom … Fill your need for speed at the Alabama Auto Show in Birmingham April 7-10  

Attend the Alabama Auto Show April 7-10. (contributed)

The whole family will enjoy the Alabama Auto Show. See the latest domestic and import cars, light trucks, vans, SUVs and hybrid vehicles from automakers around the world … under one roof. Peruse the finest, fastest cars and luxury vehicles within the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex‘s 200,000-square foot Exhibition Halls. The event starts at 6 p.m. on April 7 and opens at 10 a.m. on April 8-10. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 6-11.

Attend the Mt. Laurel Spring Festival in Birmingham April 9

This family-friendly event offers lots to entertain children including inflatables, hayrides, face painting and a petting zoo. Children can also enjoy the playground at Olmsted Park. This year’s festivities include food from area restaurants, food trucks, crafts from local vendors, live music, and fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers. With jewelry, art, flowers and handcrafted goods available from more than 150 vendors, the Mt. Laurel Spring Festival truly celebrates the bounty of the season. Enjoy from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Delicious bread awaits at the Lebanese Food Festival. (contributed)

Whet your palate at the Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival in Birmingham April 8-9 

Lebanese delicacies are all the rage at the food and cultural festival at historic St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church in Birmingham on Friday and Saturday. Tempt your palate with grilled lemon chicken, rice, hummus, pita bread, spinach pie, kibbee and tabouleh salad. You’ll find comfortable dining areas inside and outside. See Lebanese dances on the indoor stage at 6 p.m. Friday and at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Hourly guided tours proceed from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the front steps of the church at 836 8th St. S.

Take a trip to the Tri-State BBQ Festival in Dothan April 8-9

Enjoy a great weekend of family fun – with music, barbeque and a car show – at the Tri-State BBQ Festival on Friday and Saturday. Hear a concert Friday night. The kids will enjoy lots of activities, too. Hours are from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Houston County Farm Center.

Go to the SouthSounds Music and Arts Festival in Mobile April 9-10

Shop til you drop and listen to the South’s best up-and-coming musicians at SouthSounds Music and Arts Festival. Cathedral Square in downtown Mobile is the site of the market and a juried arts and crafts exhibition. You’ll find antiques, furniture, memorabilia and original artwork at the arts and crafts show. Attend on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Carnival rides will thrill kids at the Strawberry Festival in Loxley. (contributed)

Enjoy berries galore at Loxley’s Strawberry Festival April 9

Have all the strawberry shortcake you can eat at the Baldwin County Strawberry Festival at Loxley Municipal Park. The event draws visitors from throughout the Southeast for a day of pageantry, car shows, music, crafts and, of course, luscious strawberry concoctions. Attend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There’s no time like the present to enjoy Second Saturday in Montgomery April 9

Car lovers shouldn’t miss the free Union Station Car Show at Montgomery’s Historic Train Shed downtown, starting at noon. Second Saturday celebrates the start of the annual outdoor music series, featuring The Good Doctor at 6 p.m. and a fireworks show afterward. Concert admission is $1, and children ages 12 and under are free.

Enjoy a whimsical evening with ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream‘ in Montgomery April 8-10

Watch out for enchanted dewdrops and mischievous fairies amid the chaos and love spells in Shakespeare’s beloved romantic comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The Alabama Shakespeare Festival offers showings on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and twice on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The Sunday matinée begins at 2 p.m. For information and tickets, call 334-271-5353.

Try the sassy Southern Fried Fiddles and Guitars Festival in Moulton April 8-10

Enjoy the fun-filled Southern Fried Fiddles and Guitars Festival in Moulton on April 8-10. Jeff Whitlow and the Old Barn Band will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

Other names on the big stage include Doug Stone, Ashton Shepard and the Bama Band. Kids will enjoy the petting zoo and kiddie land. There will be a car and tractor show, concerts, and commercial and craft vendors.

[ Green events happening statewide this month ]

Enjoy The Market at Pepper Place year-round

The Market at Pepper Place is set to open again!

Haven’t visited yet?

Check out Pepper Place at 2829 2nd Avenue South in Birmingham featuring the best in produce, food and crafts.

Rotary Trail celebrated as the Magic City’s newest greenspace

Sign of the Rotary Trial in downtown Birmingham (contributed)

The Rotary Trail is nearing completion. The project is transforming parts of undeveloped downtown Birmingham into greenspace in similar fashion to Railroad Park.

A dedication was held April 6 spotlighting new signage in place, which marks the entrance at the gateway’s western end. It will run from 20th Street to 24th Street along First Avenue South. The Rotary Trail is one of several projects that aim to improve connectivity in Jefferson County.

Here’s more on the grand opening dedication.