Can’t Miss Alabama: Jewish Food and Culture Fest, Birmingham Folk Festival, other outings

Jewish Food and Culture Fest

The Jewish Food and Culture Fest is one of Birmingham’s favorite outdoor food events. The annual event will take place Sunday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Levite Jewish Community Center. Volunteers and staff have prepared a variety of kosher foods, including sweet and savory brisket, pomegranate-walnut chicken, matzah ball soup, cabbage rolls and giant corned beef sandwiches. The festival will include nearly 24 vendors (including many craftspeople), along with a recreation of a Middle Eastern Shuk market, where people can buy a variety of Jewish food and spice samples from around the world. Guests can expect live music by Bigfoot Country Revue, Horah dancing and a pickle-eating contest. To learn more, visit the website.

Renew Our Rivers

The Renew Our Rivers (ROR) volunteer cleanup at Smith Lake (Cullman County) is Friday, May 16. Cleanup supplies will be provided. For details, contact Jim Murphy at 205-529-5981. ROR is a national-award-winning campaign originated by Alabama Power in 2000. Since its start, more than 134,000 volunteers have removed more than 8,450 tons of trash and debris from rivers, lakes and creeks across four Southeastern states. For the complete ROR schedule, visit apcshorelines.com.

Leeds’ Creek Bank Festival

The annual Creek Bank Festival, hosted by the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce, is one of Leeds’ biggest family festivals. The festival will have live entertainment, a car show, vendors and family activities. Food options will include local and international cuisines along with cold treats. The free event is Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If it rains, the alternate date is Saturday, May 24. The venue is Leeds Memorial Park.

Cahaba Lily Festival

Celebrate the beauty of the Cahaba Lily on Saturday, May 17, in West Blocton. Larry Davenport, professor of biology at Samford University and the world’s leading authority on the lily, will provide the keynote presentation. The festival includes presentations by environmental groups, entertainment, vendors, a children’s play area, lunch and trips to the river. Check here for updates as the details have not been finalized.

Birmingham Folk Festival

The Birmingham Folk Festival will showcase diverse expressions of music Saturday, May 17, with blues, jazz, gospel roots, bluegrass, folk, hip hop, Irish jam, singers, songwriters, a marching band and West African drumming and dance. Food, arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities, dance instructions and other activities for the whole family will be ongoing throughout the day. For the complete schedule of events and more information, visit birminghamfolkfest.org. Follow on Facebook. Avondale Park is at 4101 Fifth Ave. South.

Montgomery’s Red Bluff Music, Arts & Food Festival

The third annual Red Bluff Music, Arts & Food Festival is scheduled for May 16-18 at Montgomery’s Riverfront Park. A celebration of the region’s storied and vibrant culture will feature performances by Mononeon, Eggy, Clay Street Unit, DJ Logic, Buffalo Nichols, Boukou Groove, Winston Ramble, Little Raine Band and other performers. A diverse group of artists from the region will showcase their work. Attendees will enjoy Southern cuisine prepared by some of the best chefs and culinary creatives. For more information and tickets, go to redblufffest.com.

Birmingham Taco Fest

Everyone is invited to Bare Hands Inc.’s eighth annual Birmingham Taco Fest on Sunday, May 18, featuring some of the city’s top taco vendors and food trucks, dessert vendors, music, dancing, community arts activities, farm stand and art market. Proceeds benefit Bare Hands Inc.’s mission of collaborating with individuals and communities to create immersive arts experiences and arts education programs. Visit the website for the complete lineup and ticket information.

Birmingham Stallions

The Birmingham Stallions will face Detroit City FC on Sunday, May 18, at 4 p.m. at Protective Stadium. Click here for the complete schedule. Buy tickets here. Follow the Birmingham Stallions on Facebook and Instagram.

Sand in my Boots

Morgan Wallen’s Sand in my Boots will hit the beaches of Gulf Shores May 16-18, featuring headliners Post Malone, Brooks & Dunn and Hardy. The three-day festival brings together artists from across genres to perform on the same lineup for the first time, breaking barriers and ensuring that fans can expect the unexpected with surprise artist collaborations all weekend long. For the complete lineup and festival tickets, visit sandinmybootsfest.com.