By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

While temperatures continue to hover around freezing and snow keeps falling where my family lives in the northeast, this time of year makes me especially thankful for the weather here in Shelby County.

If warmer weather, sun and blooming flowers are not enough of an excuse to get outside, Shelby County also offers a number of great activities and events this season.

On Saturday, April 11, stop by Montevallo’s Orr Park for Art Fest. The free, family friendly event offers games and activities for kids as well as artwork. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., booths will be set up displaying University of Montevallo student artwork.

Also be sure to swing by Mt Laurel on April 11 for the town’s annual Spring Festival celebration. A petting zoo, hay rides and face painting are just a few of the great activities offered. There will also be food and shopping from local vendors.

Looking for something to get your heart pumping? Sign up for the Purple Stride run and walk supporting pancreatic cancer research on April 18 at Hoover’s Veterans Park. The event features a 5K run and a 1-mile walk, all for a great cause.

Oak Mountain State Park also offers endless options and fun, with several new additions and improvements this season. Drop by the Alabama Wildlife Center’s Tree Top Nature Trail and meet some of Alabama’s native birds of prey, give cable wakeboarding a whirl at Flip Side Watersports or try your hand at archery in park’s new facility, with 16 targets built for both adults and children.

High school sports are also heating up, with exciting competition throughout the week. With so many schools throughout the county, there are baseball, softball and soccer games happening almost any day during the week.

Be sure to check out our calendar for more great activities and events, both indoor and outdoor, for all ages and interests.