The long-awaited weekend is finally here – select from the year’s biggest race, indoor skating, fantastic festivals and other fun events across the state.   

Race over to NASCAR at Talladega

The NASCAR’S Sprint Cup Series is the perfect outdoor event for this weekend’s weather in Talladega Oct. 21-23. Some of the best venues will be on-site for the three-day Alabama 500.

Click here for the event schedule; times are subject to change.

Find ticket information here or order by phone at 877-G02-DEGA.

(file)

Have a blast at the Talladega Superspeedway Oct. 13-15. (Contributed)

Dream Big this weekend at the BJCC

Disney On Ice presents “Dream Big” Oct. 20-23 at the Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. This exciting event will entertain the entire family with some of the best ice skating shows.

Spend an evening with your favorite Disney characters, including Tinker Bell, Ariel, Rapunzel and Cinderella.

Click here for show times and ticket information.

Halloween is in the air at Boo at the Zoo

Spend one of the scariest evenings of the year at Boo at the Zoo beginning Oct. 22 from 5-9 p.m. Be one of the first to put on your family-friendly Halloween costume and trick or treat at the zoo. Tell your friends about the spooky rides and see the newest Bug-A-Boo attraction.

This will be a Halloween you won’t forget!

What can be more fun than a Cotton Pickin’ Celebration ’16

If you want to see a pumpkin patch or a cotton field, you will want to attend this festival Oct. 22-23 at the Old Baker Farm in Harpersville. This Living History and Arts and Crafts Festival will have something for everyone to enjoy. Exhibitors will showcase Indian arts and crafts, a replica of an old fort, a Civil War re-enactment, antique tractors and a variety of other activities. If that is not enough, see an Indian Festival Dance and take hay, horse and wagon rides.

Admission is $10. Enjoy the event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1041 Farmingdale Road in Harpersville. Children under 2 are admitted free.

To learn more about the celebration, click here.

Blount County celebrates its covered bridges Oct. 22

Celebrate some of the most beautiful bridges in Alabama during the Covered Bridge Arts and Music Fest in Oneonta.

An abundance of live entertainment will surround the fest, including Pizazz, a funk and jazz group, featuring CeCe Phillips starting at 11:30 a.m.

Don’t miss the Covered Bridge Players at 11 a.m. and the Blount County Bellas at 1 p.m. on the entertainment stage.

Enjoy the festival from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Get there early for a delicious pancake breakfast.

Check Facebook for more about this free event.