By JAN GRIFFEY / Editor

Spring has sprung and everyone’s datebook will be filling up quickly.

Here are some worthwhile events to pencil in before yours gets too full.

-Don’t miss this Friday’s Shelby County’s Best BBQ Cook-Off in Columbiana. The event benefits the Shelby County Arts Council and the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce.

Teams will be cooking beginning at the crack of dawn. However, tasting begins at 4 p.m. and continues to 7 p.m. Tickets are available now.

This event continues to grow each year. Our Shelby County Reporter team along with chefs from Full Moon Bar-B-Que will be preparing leg of lamb as our chef’s specialty. Last year, our team took second place in ribs, and we’re looking to move up this year.

For tasting ticket prices and more details, please go to Shelbycountyarts

council.com.

-The fourth annual Bark and Wine fundraiser, hosted by and benefiting the Shelby Humane Society, is May 4 at the Pelham Civic Complex.

Anyone who has ever read one of my columns knows the plight of unwanted animals in Shelby County is a burden on my heart. Shelby Humane is doing tremendous work and has made a remarkable difference in the lives of animals in our county. It and they are deserving of our financial support.

Bark and Wine is Shelby Humane’s biggest fundraiser of the year and represents a large portion of its annual budget, officials say.

Tickets are $100 per person and may be purchased online at BarkanSpring has sprung and everyone’s datebook will be filling up quickly.

Here are some worthwhile events to pencil in before yours gets too full.

-Don’t miss this Friday’s Shelby County’s Best BBQ Cook-Off in Columbiana. The event benefits the Shelby County Arts Council and the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce.

Teams will be cooking beginning at the crack of dawn. However, tasting begins at 4 p.m. and continues to 7 p.m. Tickets are available now.

This event continues to grow each year. Our Shelby County Reporter team along with chefs from Full Moon Bar-B-Que will be preparing leg of lamb as our chef’s specialty. Last year, our team took second place in ribs, and we’re looking to move up this year.

For tasting ticket prices and more details, please go to Shelbycountyartscouncil.com.

-The fourth annual Bark and Wine fundraiser, hosted by and benefiting the Shelby Humane Society, is May 4 at the Pelham Civic Complex.

Anyone who has ever read one of my columns knows the plight of unwanted animals in Shelby County is a burden on my heart. Shelby Humane is doing tremendous work and has made a remarkable difference in the lives of animals in our county. It and they are deserving of our financial support.

Bark and Wine is Shelby Humane’s biggest fundraiser of the year and represents a large portion of its annual budget, officials say.

Tickets are $100 per person and may be purchased online at Barkandwine.eventbrite.com. For your ticket, you get food, wine and both live and silent auctions. Auction items are being donated by area merchants.

-Relay for Life returns to Columbiana beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 10, ending at 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 11.

The event is set for the Columbiana Sports Complex on McDow Road.

Cancer survivors are honored and its victims are remembered during this poignant event, which also provides information on how to better protect yourself and how to react when faced with a cancer diagnosis.

For more information, see Relayforlife.org/Southshelby.

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