By GINNY COOPER / Staff Writer

Spring is just around the corner! And after the unbelievably cold winter we’ve had in Shelby County, I couldn’t be more excited.

For me, spring is a time to get out and bask in the warmer weather after hibernating for the winter. There are certainly a lot of wonderful events coming up in the area that make me want to get moving.

The 2th annual Vincent Middle High Yellow Jacket 5k and 1 Mile Run is set for 8 a.m. March 8. This run is not only a great way to get out and get moving, but it’s also a way to support the Vincent Middle High PTO. The course will run through historic Vincent, and it features gently rolling hills that will make for fast times.

If timed races aren’t your thing, pack a picnic and head over to Oak Mountain State Park’s Peavine Falls Road, which was recently listed as one of the “running locations to add to your bucket list” by Runner’s World magazine. The park joined 27 other locations such as Maui, Hawaii and the Florida Keys.

Spring also marks the beginning of festivals and farmer’s markets, and on Saturday, April 26, New Life Church will host the first annual Sonshine Festival. This festival, organized to raise money for missionaries returning from the field, will have barbecue, hand-dipped corndogs and lots of great vendors.

If you want to skip the farmer’s market and go straight to the farm, head to Stone Hollow Farmstead, an artisan farm in Harpersville, where it’s baby goat season. The farm expects to have more than 300 little ones this year, and hosts a farm school to teach children (and adults) how much fun a farm can be.

So join me in packing up those scarves and sweaters, and let’s welcome spring!