Top Events for May 2012

• Gardendale Magnolia Festival

  Gardendale | May 4-5, 2012

  Billed as the "total family experience," the activities and attractions at this festival offer something for every age. Carnival rides, a doggie parade, a fishing tank, multiple home and garden vendors, a classic car show and much more will entertain. And a variety of food choices like Greek gyros, barbecued ribs and smoked sausage, fried catfish, and fried oreos will satisfy appetites.

• WhistleStop Festival & Rocket City BBQ Cook-off

  Huntsville | May 4-5, 2012

  Come to the Huntsville Depot for two days of barbecue contests - featuring both amateur and professional cooks - as well as a children's play area and live entertainment on two stages. New this year - the Alabama Corn Hole Championship. Proceeds go to the EarlyWorks Museum Complex.

• Mayfest 2012

  Atmore | May 5, 2012

  Celebrate spring in the park with arts and crafts, food, live entertainment, and children's rides and activities. Don't miss the Mayfest Beautiful Baby Contest, Pooch Parade and much more.

• Blessing of the Fleet, 63rd Annual

  Bayou La Batre | May 6, 2012

  Alabama's Gulf Coast fishing and shrimping communities will once again come together to offer prayers for a bountiful harvest and the safety of the boats and their crews. The celebration includes a boat parade, an arts and crafts festival, a gumbo cook-off, a street parade and a quilt raffle.

• Cullman Strawberry Fest

  Cullman | May 11-12, 2012

  Tasty strawberries are just one of the attractions at this annual celebration that includes tours of the historic district, a crafts fair, children's carnival, and a 5K run. Browse the sidewalk sale and enjoy the music, contests and food as well as a classic car, truck and antique tractor show.

• Art in the Park, 40th Annual

  Foley | May 12-13, 2012

  This arts and crafts event held on Mother's Day weekend features more than 120 exhibitors proudly displaying their original works - pen and ink, oil, watercolor, pottery, stained glass, wood, porcelain and more. Other handcrafted items include smocked children’s clothing and woven pieces. In addition to high-quality arts and crafts, there will be live entertainment, a hands-on children’s activity area, face painting and a variety of foods from local chefs, perfect for that Mother's Day lunch.

• Jubilee Cityfest

  Montgomery | May 18-19, 2012

  The noisiest attraction at the Jubilee CityFest is always Bama's Big Bang, the state's largest musical pryotechnic show. But that's just part of the fun. Take a riverboat ride, run in the 8k race and check out the contest for best fried chicken. Children will enjoy KidsFest, a venue just for them.

• The Hangout Music Festival

  Gulf Shores | May 18-20, 2012

  Dave Matthews Band, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jack White headline an impressive lineup of bands and musicians performing on the white-sand beaches of Alabama's beautiful Gulf Coast.

• Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Festival

  Decatur | May 26-27, 2012

  More than 60 balloons are featured at this free event, one of the largest hot-air balloon festivals in the Southeast. There will be races, a nighttime balloon glow, a key grab and tether rides. Enjoy arts and crafts, an antique car and tractor show, food vendors, children's activities and fireworks.

• Muleday/Chickenfest, 25th Annual

  Gordo | May 31-Jun 2, 2012

  A celebration of the area's agricultural roots, this festival offers a carnival for the kids, live entertainment, arts and crafts, an assortment of food vendors, a 5K race and a parade featuring the event's namesake, the mule.