By JAN GRIFFEY / Editor

At 5:14 a.m. Tuesday, Spring officially sprung.

At that moment, according to timeanddate.com, the sun shone directly on the equator. We have two equinoxes a year – one in March and the other in September.

In our northern hemisphere, the March equinox is also the spring equinox.

By the way, it’s called the equinox because night and day are nearly exactly the same, 12-hour length.

What does this all mean to us in Shelby County?

It means the beginning of arguably our most wonderful season of the year. However, I’ve heard many say this winter has been one of the best summers we’ve ever had. Spring, this year, has a hard act to follow.

Our county is the place to be during the spring, and this year is no exception. It’s the time of year when Fridays at 5 p.m. are most anticipated.

That begins our weekends of working in the yard, firing up the barbecue, heading to our many farmers’ markets and festivals.

Here are a few upcoming events we’re eagerly awaiting:

—Shelby County’s Best BBQ Cook-Off is Friday, March 30, beginning at 3 p.m. in downtown Columbiana. BBQ tasting is from 5 to 7 p.m. The event features live music, a car show and plenty of events for kids. Proceeds benefit the Shelby County Arts Council and the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are $10 and presale Boston Butts are $30.

—March 30 is also the date the Harrison Regional Library in Columbiana will hold its annual book sale.

All books are 25 cents, and most are large print. Call Becky at 669-3892 for more information.

u Montevallo Art Walk is March 31 from 4-8 p.m. along Main Street in Montevallo. For more information, email montevalloartwalk@gmail.com or call 665-3766.

—Speaking of things great tasting, the Fifth Annual A Taste of Shelby County is April 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center in Birmingham.

Advance tickets are $25 and at the door, $30. The event is sponsored by the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.

Jan Griffey is the associate publisher and editor for the Shelby County Reporter. She can be reached at 669-3131 ext. 36 or by email at jan.griffey@shelbycountyreporter.com.