Jackets are unzipping. The world is slowly becoming soft and green. Suddenly, flowers are blooming everywhere. Spring is here, and there are a number of festivals that celebrate the season. 1 p.m. Kids ages 7 and under are invited to dress up in their best St. Paddy's Day duds and enter the Most Original Looking Leprechaun contest.
All contestants receive valuable prizes, and winners get to ride on a parade float.
The big St. Patrick's Day Parade in Seaside Heights, N.J., takes place the following week, March 10, at noon. It's a celebration of all things cowboy in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. Folks can mosey through the western art show, where everything from bronze sculptures to paintings to hand-tooled saddles is offered. The festival offers plenty of dancing and music, good chow, and a British Columbia Cowboy Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday night. Come for the Gumbo Cookoff, stay for the dance contest, and of course, there's more than enough Zydeco music being played, including the scorching hot Battle of the Bands.