36th Annual BALDWIN COUNTY STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL- Sat/Sun 9am-5pm, Loxley Municipal Park
Enjoy arts & crafts, a carnival, children’s games, an antique auto show, live music and strawberry shortcake! Proceeds benefit Loxley Elementary School and the ARC Baldwin County. CLICK HERE
15th Annual MOBILE CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL- Sat 10am-3pm, The Grounds, West Mobile
Festivalgoers can explore a variety of vendors showcasing and selling chocolate-related products. There’s also a children’s area, a cupcake booth, a chocolate martini tasting, a fishing booth, and a photo booth. Plus The Chocolate Challenge, Project Yum Way, and a cruise-in car display. Proceeds benefit the Penelope House. CLICK HERE
LODA ARTWALK CELEBRATES NATIONAL PET DAY - Fri 6pm-9pm, Lower Dauphin Arts District, Downtown Mobile
You're invited to bring your leashed pet to stroll down Dauphin Street and enjoy everything that Mobile's local artists have to offer. Visit the Kids Zone to make a pet-themed craft, and mingle with local organizations at the Non-Profit Zone. Plus, enjoy the Pet Photo Station in Cathedral Square! CLICK HERE
MOBILE POLICE DEPARTMENT CHILI COOKOFF- Sat 10am-2pm, Cathedral Square, Downtown Mobile
This cook-off features delicious chili from teams made up of MPD employees. It’s a great way to sample our officers’ culinary skills while also supporting the important work they do in our community. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the gate. All proceeds go to the Mobile Law Enforcement Foundation, which supports our officers and the events that help them stay engaged with the community. CLICK HERE
GULF COAST WHALE FESTIVAL- Sat 9am-3pm, Gulfside Pavilion, Pensacola Beach
Models and images of Gulf whales will be on display, including the Rice’s whale—one of the world’s rarest and most endangered animals. Educational exhibits and activities will tell the story of Gulf whales and marine life, and a puppet parade led by local artists will showcase the ecology of the Gulf. Sweet sounds will flow from the Gulfside Pavilion with live music by Pensacola singer-songwriters, including the debut of “Ode to the Rice’s whale”. CLICK HERE
FRED LEVIN WAY FEST: Celebration of Giving- Sun 11am-3pm, Downtown Pensacola (near Palafox & Government)
The Fred Levin Way Fest is a free event for the community that is designed to help families and individuals in need. Food, Games, Music, Art, Prizes, and, most importantly, 60+ nonprofit organizations distributing information on the services they offer to families. CLICK HERE
20th Annual BUNNY HOP- Sun 1pm-3pm, Geri Moulton Children’s Park (between USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House), Mobile
A family-friendly Easter egg hunt benefiting Ronald McDonald House Mobile. Ages 3-10: $5 in advance or $8 at the door. Parents and infants are FREE. CLICK HERE
SEWARD FARMS’ SPRING ON THE FARM- Sat 10am-3pm (Apr 12, 19), Seward Farms, Tanner Williams Rd, Lucedale
Immerse yourself in a vibrant Easter celebration including egg hunts, and magical moments with the Easter Bunny and baby animals! Plus hayrides, cow trains, Funny Farm golf and more! CLICK HERE
FARM TO TABLE- Sat 4:30pm-8pm, Lazy Daisy Farm, Stapleton
Join Prodisee Pantry and dine alfresco on the pastures of Lazy Daisy Farm. The evening’s menu will feature locally sourced farm fresh ingredients prepared by Executive Chef Matt Palmara, Chef Ed Douglas and the Culinary Arts Program at Coastal Alabama Community College. Courses are paired with fine wines. CLICK HERE
EXPLOREUM AFTER HOURS: THE MATRIX- Sat 6pm-10pm, Exploreum Science Center, Downtown Mobile
Transport to The Matrix with a mind-bending showing in the PCI Digital Dome Theater. Start the night by immersing yourself in the world of coding and robotics with exciting challenges to test your technology skills. Dress up as your favorite Matrix character. There will be captivating photo opportunities and VIP access to the Exploreum’s in-house exhibition, Illusions. CLICK HERE
MYLES MORGAN- Sat 8pm, Soul Kitchen, Downtown Mobile, CLICK HERE
STYX- Fri/Sat 8pm, IP Casino Biloxi, CLICK HERE
DRU HILL- Fri 8pm, Beau Rivage Theatre Biloxi, CLICK HERE
THE ULTIMATE DOORS: PREMIER DOORS TRIBUTE- Sat 7:30pm, OWA Theater, OWA Parks & Resort, Foley CLICK HERE
MILLION DOLLAR TIME MACHINE- Sun 7:30pm, Pensacola Saenger Theatre
A musical act from the FUTURE, performing with MILLION DOLLAR acts from the PAST and bringing it all together for you right here in the PRESENT. A tribute to 27 million dollar acts, including Bon Jovi, Joan Jett, Bono, Neil Diamond, Cher, ABBA. Johnny Cash and Ozzy Osbourne. CLICK HERE
LIVE AT FIVE CONCERT SERIES FAIRHOPE presents OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW- Fri 4pm Doors open; 5pm Opening Acts; 7pm Main Act, Halstead Amphitheater, Coastal Alabama Community College: Fairhope Campus, CLICK HERE
DAUPHIN ISLAND SUNSET CONCERTS: STREET FOLKS- Sun 5pm, Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island
Bring your lawn chairs, snacks, adult beverages if you desire and enjoy the ambiance and fantastic acoustics that Fort Gaines offers. Admission is $5 for adults with kids 12 and under free. CLICK HERE
BANDS ON THE BLACKWATER: John Hart Project- Fri 7pm-9pm, Jernigan’s Landing, Downtown Milton
The City of Milton is putting on 11 concerts through June 13th, with a variety of music from local favorites to national touring bands. Blankets, chairs, and coolers are welcome. No glass containers are allowed. CLICK HERE
MOBILE SYMPHONIC POPS SPRING CONCERT: HEROES AND VILLAINS- Sun 6pm, Spanish Fort Community Center- Pavilion
Pull up a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the fabulous music performed by our all volunteer band. As always, ALL concerts are FREE! CLICK HERE
CINEMAS IN THE SAND: THE PARENT TRAP- Fri at sunset, Gulfside Pavilion, Pensacola Beach
This 1998 romantic comedy film tells the story of identical twin sisters, separated at birth, who meet at summer camp and hatch a plan to reunite their long-lost parents. Starring Lindsay Lohan.
All movies are free to the public and will start at sunset on a giant outdoor movie screen in front of the Gulfside Pavilion stage, weather permitting. CLICK HERE
I MISS YOU ALREADY- Thurs/Fri/Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2:30pm, Chickasaw Civic Theatre
Join the Chickasaw Civic Theatre for a special performance of “I Miss You Already,” winner of the second Chickasaw Civic Theatre Writers Project. Why do we wait until someone dies to say wonderful things about them? Wouldn’t it be great if the deceased could hear all the praise and love offered at their funeral? Wouldn’t it indeed! CLICK HERE
APRIL WALKING TOURS IN ALABAMA- Sat 10am-12noon (April 12, 19 and 26), various cities (Mobile, Fairhope, Foley, Bayou la Batre)
Community leaders and volunteers will guide the free tours through historical areas that display art and culture of the city, and some tours will end with refreshments from their local hotspots. The tours are two hours long. CLICK HERE
MOVING DAY SOUTH ALABAMA- Sat 9am, Saad’s Healthcare, University Blvd, Mobile
Come together as a community to honor those affected by Parkinson’s disease, raise awareness and support the critical work of the Parkinson’s Foundation. This free event will feature food, music, resources, a kid’s zone, and family-friendly activities. CLICK HERE
BADGER DASH 5K FOR ST. JUDE- Sat 11am-2pm, Stewartfield at Spring Hill College, Mobile
Lace up your sneakers and get ready to dash through this beautiful course. After the run, stay to enjoy food and shopping from local vendors, participate in a burrito-eating contest, and enjoy a concert by Spring Hill College's student artists. This event is free of charge, but you may choose to donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. CLICK HERE
HOLIDAY TRANSITIONAL CENTER COMMUNITY WALK/RUN- Sun 8am-12noon, Medal of Honor Park, Hillcrest Rd, Mobile
Proceeds from the event will be used to renovate HTC’s building on Government St, to house women experiencing homelessness. CLICK HERE
PENSACOLA BLUE WAHOOS BASEBALL vs MONTGOMERY BISCUITS- Wed-Sat 6:05pm; Sun 1:05pm, Blue Wahoos Stadium, Downtown Pensacola
Promotions include Mullet Thursday, Giveaway Friday, Fireworks Saturday, and Military/Family Sunday. CLICK HERE
Photo: Juan Silva / Photodisc / Getty Images