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39th Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade in Birmingham

Posted on by Angie

If you’re looking for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration that’s filled with green, great food, and an unforgettable parade, then you’ll want to spend the day in Five Points South enjoying all things Irish! Here’s the rundown on what to expect this St Paddy’s Day in Birmingham

From 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday March 18th participating restaurants and bars will offer Irish-themed food and drink specials, along with live entertainment.

The Kids Lucky Zone will be open from 10 a.m. until the start of the parade with fun activities like face painting and more! The Lucky Zone will be located on the corner in front of Filter Coffee Parlor and The Original Pancake House.

Then the main event! The parade will travel up 20th Street South starting at 1:30 p.m., led by the Ian Sturrock Memorial Pipe Band and other area organizations and businesses, and will end at 2:30 p.m.

Click here to see the parade route

Summer Camp Spotlight: Summer Theatre Camps At Red Mountain Theatre

Posted on by Angie

When School is out, fun is in at Red Mountain Theatre!

RMT’s Theatre Camps give kids an outlet to use their creativity and imagination in dramatic ways, at all ages and skill levels. Countless studies have shown arts education improves children’s development and academic success. It’s not just about singing and dancing. It’s about teaching them teamwork, time management, focus, discipline, confidence and so much more!

Whole day and half day camps are available. Most camps end with a short performance for parents and friends. There are also before or after care options and lunch plans to add on as desired.

Camps options are available May 30th through August 4th and include the following ages and themes.

Play Making
AGES 4-6. Budding artists are allowed to let their imaginations run wild while they creatively explore theatrical storytelling. These half-day classes are designed to cultivate inventiveness as students learn the basics of theatre through collaboration and creative play.

Summer Sprouts
AGES 7-8. Sprouts is a week-long program for young people wishing to learn performance skills. Students will learn 3-5 Broadway style production numbers to be performed for friends and family. In preparing for a show, students learn discipline and memorization skills.

Theme Camps
AGES 7-12. Creative students will get a chance to immerse themselves in a favorite book or film world, like Hogwarts, Narnia, or Arendelle. Through the week, they’ll create original characters and learn the basics of storytelling, stagecraft, and presentation.

Blast Camps
AGES 9-14. Dip your toe in the theatre world! These fast-paced camps ask students to learn an entire 30 minute original script, music, and choreography in five days — then share with a supportive audience of family and friends.

Bootcamp and Intensives
AGES 9-18 These intensives are built to be the stepping stone to larger achievements. Students will concentrate on increasing their triple threat skills: acting, dancing, and singing.  *Please note that attending a Broadway Bootcamp is a prerequisite to audition for the RMT Performing Ensembles. If you’re aiming for the stars, wherever that is, this is a great place to start!

For more information or to register for camps, visit their website

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Please click here for more details on financial aid.

4 Tips for Parents to Maximize Your Tax Refunds

Posted on by Angie

Raise your hand if the phrase  “Tax Season” makes you sweat.

Honestly, same. But it doesn’t have to because I’m here to share with you some really great news! There’s A LOT of money out there for parents to collect when you have a new baby. But can you believe every year parents miss out on $12 Billion by making mistakes on taxes or not filing at all!?

Follow these 4 tips to make sure you get the $$$ that’s owed to you:

1 – Make sure you have all your baby docs ready to go so you can add your baby to your taxes this year. This means knowing your baby’s SSN at a minimum, and sometimes having their birth certificate handy if you are going in-person to file taxes. Remember, if your child was born AT ANY POINT in 2022, not just in the first 6 months, you can put them on your taxes (assuming you were the one caring for them).

2 – Look out for two credits that get MUCH BIGGER when you have children – the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. To get both you need to have made some money from work (gig work, hourly, salary – you name it), but together these credits can mean $5,200 back in your pocket with one kid and $9,100 for two children. That’s MAJOR money.

3 – Don’t forget the Child and Dependent Care Credit – a benefit that can decrease the amount of taxes you owe if you paid for childcare (like daycare) during 2022. Your kids will need to be 13 or younger but this credit may be worth up to $1,000 for one eligible child and $2,100 for two or more children.

4 – If you are a student, make sure you get your education-specific credits. If you, your spouse, or your child are going to college for a degree you may be eligible for the American Opportunity Credit. The credit is available for the first four years of your postsecondary education.

If you want tailored tax support as a parent, and want help with any of the tips above, check out Let’s Get Set. Let’s Get Set is powered by Column Tax and is tailored to help families making under $70,000 per year in annual income. We love that in addition to tax filing services, they offer free financial tools to help families make better financial decisions. This includes a refund estimator and bank match tool to help families choose a bank account that works for their needs.

Now… Raise your hand if these tips are going to make you breathe easier when you file this year!

 

Easter Egg Hunts and Activities in Birmingham

Posted on by Angie

It’s time to get those Easter Baskets ready for your ultimate guide to all the Easter Eggs Hunts and Activities in and around Birmingham!

Easter Egg Hunts In Birmingham

Easter Egg-Sperience at the Birmingham Zoo
Saturday, April 1st

More than 10,000 eggs will be hidden in Henley Park with FOUR different hunts offered, INCLUDING AN ADULT EASTER EGG HUNT! Children can collect 10 eggs and receive a plush bunny toy! The children’s hunts are free for Zoo members and included in admission for non-members.
Ages 0-4 hunt from 10:00 am – 10:30 am | Ages 5-9 hunt from 11:00 am – 11:30 am | Ages 10+ hunt from 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
**All eggs are empty. For children’s hunts, collect 10 eggs and turn them in at the redemption station for your prizes.
***While supplies last
ADULT Egg hunt will be from 11:15 am – 12:00 pm! Each participant will find 1 egg on the Trails of Africa playground and bring it to our prize table to redeem their exclusive prize. The exclusive prizes included certificates provided by area businesses, special Zoo tours, memberships, and much more all valued at $50 or greater. Space is limited so make sure you get your tickets now!TICKETS: $25 https://www.birminghamzoo.com/event/easter-egg-sperience/
All Easter Egg Hunts are a rain-or-shine event*Adult Easter Egg Hunt tickets DO NOT include Zoo admission. Guests will need to purchase a Zoo admission ticket or use their Membership card to gain entry into the Zoo.

Church Picnic and Easter Egg Hunt at Children’s Fresh Air Farm in Bluff Park
Saturday, April 1st
The Highlands United Methodist Church invites you to bring the whole family for a church picnic, Easter Egg Hunt, and Easter Bonnet Contest!
10am – 11:30am

Homewood Parks and Recreation Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 1st 

The Homewood Easter Egg Hunt is for toddlers and kids up to 10 years of age. Participants will hunt for eggs with children of their own age group. In addition to the hunt there will be games, prizes, and the Easter Bunny will make a visit for pictures.

Ages 0-2 years: 10:00am
Ages 3-4 years: 10:00am
Ages 5-7 years: 11:00am
Ages 8-10 years: 11:00am

Bluff Park Methodist Church Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 1st

Calling all kids 5th grade and under. Bluff Park UMC is hosting our annual Community Easter Egg Hunt on April 9th.

Welcome and Registration for the egg hunt begins at 9:30 am and the egg hunt follows at 10:30 am. Everything will take place outdoors this year.

The Easter Bunny will be walking around for pictures.

The event takes place, rain or shine

Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Market at Oak Mountain State Park
Saturday April 1st

Oak Mountain State Park will be hosting their annual Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Market on Saturday April 1st! Grab your basket and be ready to have fun, with have OVER 20,000 FILLED eggs this year!

This year’s Easter Egg Hunt will be located off of Terrace Drive in the Multi-use Field by the Discover Shelby Pavilion!

9am until 4pm on Saturday, April 1st! Everyone is Welcome!

Egg Hunts will be hosted for children Ages 0-12
Egg Hunt Times:
10AM- Ages 0-3
10:30AM- Ages 4-6
11AM- Ages 7-9
11:30AM- Ages 10-12
LUNCH BREAK
1PM- Ages 0-3
1:30PM- Ages 4-6
2PM- Ages 7-9
2:30PM- Ages 10-12
3PM- Easter Egg Hunt for our four-legged friends!

The Easter Bunny will be hopping around for pictures at no cost!
Easter Bunny Meet and Greet Times:
9AM-12PM
LUNCH BREAK
1PM-3PM
*The Bunny will be taking a few short breaks throughout these times to make sure he stays cool and comfortable; we thank you in advance for understanding*

Easter Egg Hunt at Canterbury UMC 
Sunday, April 2nd 

The annual Canterbury Easter Egg Hunt. It will be a sweet and simple celebration. Families will gather in Canterbury Center at 3pm for fellowship, and photos with the bunny. From there, families will hunt for eggs with their child’s age group. We’ll have groups for our very smallest children up through 5th grade. If the weather forecasts rain, the hunt will be inside! Parents, bring a bag or basket for your children’s eggs.

Community Wide Easter Egg Hunt, Pleasant Hill UMC
Sunday, April 2nd

This community wide egg hunt will be held on April 2nd! The fun begins at 2pm with inflatables, games, prizes, face painting, food trucks, cornhole, basketball and more! You will only need money if you plan to purchase from a food truck. All games and activities are free! The egg hunt will begin at 3pm.

UAB Dragon Egg Hunt at Protective Stadium
April 6th 

Kids 6th grade and younger are invited to participate in this year’s Dragon Egg Hunt on Thursday, April 6th during halftime of the UAB Football Spring Game. The Spring Game will kickoff at Protective Stadium at 6 p.m. The Dragon Egg Hunt will take place during halftime at approximately 7:15 p.m. on the field of Protective Stadium.

A ticket to the Spring Game is required and can be purchased by clicking here or by calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-8221. Pre-registration is highly encouraged for a faster Dragon Egg Hunt check-in process. If registering multiple participants, please submit an additional form.

Easter Eggstravaganza Hunt at Wald Park
Friday, April 7th

Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest presents this Eggstravaganze at Wald Park in Vestavia. Visit the baby animal petting zoo, take a picture with the Easter Bunny, make a craft and find a prize egg! This non-competitive, relaxed egg hunt is for children ages 6 and under. April 7th 12pm – 2pm

Trinity UMC West Campus in Homewood
Saturday, April 8th

You are invited to hop, hop, hop on over for an egg-venture on Saturday, April 8 at 10:00 am at our Trinity West Homewood campus. This is a family-friendly FREE event for kids of every age with an egg hunt, meaningful crafts, and fun-filled activities. Hunts are staggered by age group. Bring your basket and a few friends!

Birmingham Southern Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday April 8th

BSC’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, April 8, 2023 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the President’s Home Lawn

The egg hunt will begin at 10:30 a.m. Cookies and punch will be provided. In the event of rain, the egg hunt will be held in Striplin Center.

Easter Egg Roll Emmet O Neal Library Lawn
Saturday, April 8th 

10am – 11am
More details coming soon!

 

12th Annual Holi Festival

Posted on by Angie

Join the BMA and the Indian Cultural Society for the 12th annual HOLI Festival, the Indian celebration of color, sponsored by Medical Properties Trust.  This popular event brings communities together for a fun-filled day celebrating Indian culture and featuring music, dance, food, henna, art-making, gallery exploration, and the throwing of the colors. Come on out Saturday, March 11th from 11am – 3pm!

11AM – 2PM // Main Lobby // Artmaking

Discover your inner artist and create your own Holi-inspired works of art using a variety of materials in our lobby area.
11am-2pm //  Sculpture Garden // Art activities, Henna & Face Painting

Venture into our outdoor sculpture garden and get a beautiful henna design by Blue Lotus Mehndi or get your face painted by Painted Personalities! Take some time to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the sculpture garden while getting a henna art design family-friendly face painted design.
12 – 1PM //  Auditorium // Dance Performances

Talented local Indian dance troupes will dazzle visitors with traditional and fusion performances in the auditorium. Enjoy their unique styles and the energy and excitement they bring to the festival. Performing local dance troupes include: Aastha’s dance classes, Natyananda, Notinee Indian Dance, Prema and Purnima Bhat, SAI Choir, Creations Kathak Adults and Kids Groups & Folks of Dakshin.
1- 2PM // City Walk Amphitheater (Behind the Museum) // Music, DJ, Dancing, Food Trucks

For the first time, we will partner with City Walk to provide an expanded footprint for our popular festival. Stop by the City Walk Amphitheater for an afternoon of lively Bollywood music by DJ Krish and Dance Performances by Aastha’s Dance Classes.
The group will also be providing a pop-up instructional workshop where you can learn some of the moves and steps of traditional Indian dance to do while you participate in the throwing of the colors.
After you’ve danced up an appetite, enjoy the many delicious food truck options available!
2 – 4PM // City Walk Main Ground (Behind Boutwell Parking Deck) // Music, DJ, Food Trucks, Throwing of Colors!

Join us at the City Walk Main Ground for the most joyous and popular part of the event – the throwing of colors!  We’ll provide plenty of colorful gulal for everyone to use, or feel free to bring your own. DJ Krish will provide all the Bollywood tunes for you to dance to while you throw and celebrate this colorful and fun-filled activity with your friends and family.

March Events Not To Miss in Birmingham

Posted on by Angie

We’re just a few short weeks away from a time change and Spring will officially be here, with it comes some of the best events in town, and they kick off THIS weekend!! Get ready for some fun, Birmingham!

Birmingham Bulls Hockey

You’ve got about a month left to catch the Bulls in action!

When:

Friday, March 3rd Adult Jersey Night
Friday, March 10th, Viper Weekend
Saturday, March 11th Viper Weekend, Adult Cap Night
Friday, March 17th, St Patrick’s Day Puck Giveaway
Thursday, March 30th, College Night

Where:
Pelham Civic Complex

Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook Off

The Chili Cook-Off is The Exceptional Foundation’s largest event of the year and one of Birmingham’s favorite annual fundraisers! This family-friendly event, features live music, a kids’ zone, beverages, and all the chili you can eat.

When :
Saturday, March 5th 10:30am – 3pm

Where:
Brookwood Village
Purchase tickets in advance here 

March for Hunger Food Truck Rally

Food, fun and community!  Who doesn’t love a good excuse to check out our local food trucks. Join FeedBhm as they kick off their March for Hunger campaign and help them supplement their rescue boxes with staples like, peanut butter, jelly, sugar, salt, canned veggies and soups, oatmeals and cereals, pasta and rice! Donate if you can

When:
Saturday, March 11 11am – 4pm

Where:

Veteran’s Park in Hoover

12th Annual Holi Fest

This popular event brings communities together for a fun-filled day celebrating Indian culture and featuring music, dance, food, henna, art-making, gallery exploration, and the throwing of the colors.

When:
Saturday, March 11th

Where:
Birmingham Museum of Art

Puppy Palooza

Grab your furry friend for this ulti-MUTT event at Lane Parke in Mountain Brook, AL! Join us on Saturday, March 18 from 11 AM – 2 PM for Puppy Palooza. The event features live music from Derek Day, doggy activities, and more! This is a free, family and pet-friendly event.

When:
Saturday, March 18th 11am – 2pm

Where:
Lane Park

39th Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade

Put on some green and feel the luck of the Irish at the 39th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Five Points South! The parade will travel up 20th Street South starting at 1:30 p.m., led by the Ian Sturrock Memorial Pipe Band and other area organizations and businesses, and will end at 2:30 p.m.

Click HERE to view the parade map

When:
Saturday, March 18th 1:30pm

Where:
5pts South

Building with Bricks Exhibits

It’s time to show off your brick creations! Use your imagination to create your best architectural designs using LEGO bricks with an architect or engineer to help create the coolest building.

This exhibit will feature projects & architectural models from local architects, designers, & structural engineers. Come gather inspiration for your next renovation, office, new construction, investment property or home! Learn how to read drawings onsite.

When:
Saturday, Mar 25, 2023 at 10:00 am – 03:00 pm
Tuesday, Mar 28, 2023 at 10:00 am – 05:00 pm
Wednesday, Mar 29, 2023 at 10:00 am – 05:00 pm
Thursday, Mar 30, 2023 at 10:00 am – 05:00 pm
Friday, Mar 31, 2023 at 10:00 am – 05:00 pm
Saturday, Apr 1, 2023 at 10:00 am – 03:00 pm

Where:
Alabama Center for Architecture

If you’re still looking for something for the kiddos to do during spring break. make sure to check out our full list of Spring Break Camps and Classes and see if you can still snag a spot!!

 

Thank you to our site sponsors, Sophia Leece and Scott Boudreaux with LAH Real Estate. For more information on what’s happening in the Birmingham Housing Market, or to schedule a free home buyer/seller consultation, you can reach them:

Sophia Leece, 205.895.9120 | sleece@lahrealestate.com
Scott Boudreaux, 205.835.9787 | sboudreaux@lahrealestate.com

The Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook-Off

Posted on by Angie

It’s time again for one of our most favorite Spring events, we absolutely do everything we can to try and make it to this event every year, whether we’re juggling Birthday parties or sporting events, it’s definitely worth stopping in for at least a few minutes to sample some of the best chili in town, all in one spot, while supporting a great cause!

The Chili Cook-Off is The Exceptional Foundation’s largest event of the year and one of Birmingham’s favorite annual fundraisers! This family-friendly event, features live music, a kids’ zone, beverages, and all the chili you can eat. Um, yes, please!

Proceeds directly benefit The Exceptional Foundation programs for adults and youth with intellectual disabilities.

The 19th Annual Chili Cook-Off will be held on Saturday, March 4,  from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Brookwood Village. General Admission tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased online HERE

 

Festival of Tulips 2023

Posted on by Angie

The American Village Festival of Tulips will once again provide a fantastic outing for clubs, groups, and families. The event is perfect for motorcoach tours as well. The field of over 100,000 tulips, with replicas of some of America’s most historic places as a backdrop, creates a one-of-a-kind photo opportunity, so bring your camera! The Festival of Tulips at the American Village will be open Monday-Friday 10-4, Saturday 10-4, and Sunday 12-4 as long as the flowers are in bloom (depending on weather). The Village advises that you check their website (www.americanvillage.org) and Facebook page for current availability.

Admission to the Festival of Tulips is $5 per person, free to veterans, active military and children ages 4 and under.  *Enter the front gate and follow the signs to the parking lot directly beside the tulip field. You’ll pay admission and pay for the tulips you pick at the field. Tulips are $2.00 each, and include both flower and bulb.

Birmingham Area Spring Break Camps and Classes in Birmingham

Posted on by Angie

If you’re looking for something to keep your kids busy during Spring Break, make sure to check out one of these Birmingham camps! The break will be here before you know it and these spots will fill up fast, grab them before they’re gone!

ATA Martial Arts

Spring Break Camp

Registration open
Camp Dates, March 27th – 31s

Dodgeball, nerf wars, martial arts, pizza party, water wars and more!
Register HERE

Birmingham Zoo

Registration Open 1/16/23 to 3/7/23

Camp Dates March 20th to March 24th and March 27th to March 31st
Camp Times 8:30am – 3:30pm

Price: MEMBER $60/day NON-MEMBER $70/day

For registration and camp options visit the Zoo Website

Itty Bitty Bakers

Spring Break Dr Seuss Baking Camp

Registration Now Open
March 28-March 30, 9am-12pm, Ages 3-5

A spring break camp merging all things Dr. Seuss and baking! Each day of camp kids will make two recipes based on one of Dr. Seuss’s beloved books. Kids attending this camp will also receive their very own copy of “Cook It! The Dr. Seuss Cookbook for Kid Chefs” to take home on their last day of camp.

Register HERE

Mason Music

Camp Registrations are OPEN!
For over a decade, Mason Music has been celebrating music with thousands of children across Birmingham. Mason Music’s spring camps are designed to give incredible music experiences tailored to each child’s stage of musicianship to make sure they have something exciting and educational to do during their Spring and Summer break. Registrations will sell out fast for every age, from preschool children (ages 3-5) to advanced musicians (up to age 18) so be sure to sign your rockstar up for the most fun Spring and Summer camps in Birmingham!
Click the link below to learn more about all our exciting camps!
https://masonmusic.com/music-camps/

McWane Science Center

Registration now open!

Half Day and Full Day options available. March 27th – 31st

Register HERE

Red Mountain Theatre

There’s still time to send somebunny you love to Theatre Camp over Spring Break (March 27-31). Or try a one-day Play Day to dip a toe in the theatre world!
Visit https://www.redmountaintheatre.org/…/spring-break-camps/ to check out options ranging from Play Making with Paw Patrol or Peppa Pig (ages 4-6) to a fully scripted short musical “The Wizard of AL” for ages 9-14.

Celebrate Mardi Gras in Birmingham

Posted on by Angie

If you can’t make it to the Big Easy for Mardi Gras, here are some events happening in Birmingham to help you get in the spirit! Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Mardi Gras Night with the Birmingham Squadron
Wednesday, February 1st 7pm

Mardi Gras Market at Ross Bridge
Saturday, February 18th 1pm – 5pm

Enjoy a free community event that supports local farmers, artisans, & more!
✨Live Music
✨FOOD TRUCKS
✨Make your own mask station
& local shopping with free kids activities

Fat Tuesday Parade
Tuesday, February 21st 11am

Near Morris Ave and 14th street.

Kids Mardi Gras Parade at Homewood Central Park
Tuesday, February 21st 4pm

Decorate your wagon, stroller or box to join in on the fun! Bring beads, candy or moon pies to throw. Line up in you’re participating will be at 3:45. In case of rain the parade will be held on Thursday the 23rd

 

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