FamilyCalendar

Hilltop Art Festival (FREE)

10AM - 3PM, Hilltop Public House, 3 Goldthwaite Street Montgomery, AL, 36104 The Hilltop Howlers are so excited to bring to you our first large art festival! We hope to grow this in the coming years to one of the premier festivals in the city, and help shine a spotlight on the Hilltop area that we love so much! Featuring food, music, scores of artists, vendors, non-profits, and so, so much more we look forward to welcoming you to the Hilltop! This is a family friendly event with a little something for everyone, so come on out and make a day of it!

(334) 239.7752 hilltophowlers.org/hilltop-art-festival

Touch a Truck (FREE)

10AM - 2PM, Pratt Park, 347 Doster Road Prattville, AL, 36067 A free family event! Kids of all ages are invited to explore the trucks that serve our community. (334) 595.0850 prattvilleal.gov/

Show up and Show out for AUTISM (FREE)

11AM - 4PM, Harley-Davidson of Montgomery, 655 N Eastern Blvd Montgomery, AL, 36104 All Final Details For This Motorcycle / Jeep / Car / Truck / Custom Side x Side Show will be posted in a Flyer Attachment. Lets raise money to help the Children. (334) 277.2540 experiencemontgomeral.org

11th Annual Crawfish Broil Benefitting

PRS Arts & Athletics ($50-$75)

10AM - 6PM, Century Church, 1001 Marlar Road Pike Road, AL, 36064 Supoorting Pike Road School’s Arts and Athletics programs. 3 Bands, Crawfish - thousands of Pounds, Hampburgers, Hotdogs, BBQ and other treats for the kids. Bring your tents and coolers! Kid and Family friendly.

(334) 801.9080

Sunday, May 21

Cruisin with the Top Down

1PM - 4PM, Downtown Prattville, Prattville, AL, 36067

Featuring Live music and convertibles, other types of vehicles welcome. Call to register your vehicle.

(334) 595.0850 prattvilleal.gov/

Music in May at The Waters

4PM - 6PM, The Waters’ Town Square, 201 Waters View Dr. Pike Road, AL, 36064 Join your friends at The Waters in Pike Road for Music in May - LIVE MUSIC at The Square from 4-6 PM! Grab your lawn chairs and snacks for a series of great afternoons. (334) 277.5551 .visitingmontgomery.com

Tuesday, May 23

Art & Nature Exploration Day ($20)

9:30AM - 2PM, Natureplex, 3374 Lanark Rd. Millbrook, AL, 36054 Come learn all about Alabama’s longleaf pine ecosystem and the animals that live there with Alabma Nautre Center. (334) 285.4550 alabamawildlife.org

May 26-27

RXR Fest- Russell Crossroads (FREE)

6:30PM - 9:30PM, Russell Crossroads, Russell Farms Road Alexander City, AL, 35010 What a great line up for the 10th Annual RXR Fest at Russell Crossroads! Come join us for a great weekend of music. Grab your comfy stuff, the fam and friends, pup, on a leash!

We’ll throw out the lawn games, a couple of food trucks will be on hand, and of course we’ll have some great music. (256) 397.1019 russellcrossroads.com/events.html

Saturday, May 27

Inaugural Red Bluff Music & Arts Festival

($25-$100) 4PM - 11PM, Riverwalk Amphitheatre, Riverfront Park Montgomery, AL, 36104 Vintage Hospitality Group presents the inaugural Red Bluff Music and Arts Festival on the banks of the historic Alabama river in downtown Montgomery. Musicians for the event include headliner Robert Randolph Band along with Sweet Tea Trio, T.U.B. and Blues Old Stand. DJ Jeffrey James will also be spinnin’ tunes. (334) 241.2129 redblufffest.com

May 27-28

Art on the Lake (FREE)

9AM - 4PM, Russell Crossroads, Russell Farms Road Alexander City, AL, 35010 Join us for the first juried art show of the season, Art on the Lake, Memorial Day weekend. Come out and shop the artists under the big tents on Saturday and Sunday. Again this year, the show will be held in conjunction with RXR FEST (Friday and Saturday)!

(256) 397.1019 russellcrossroads.com/events.html

May 27-29

Memorial Day Holiday and WeekendMontgomery Zoo

9AM - 5PM, Montgomery Zoo, 2301 Coliseum Pkwy Montgomery, AL, 36110 Montgomery Zoo and Mann Museum WILL BE OPEN on Memorial Day. The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum are OPEN on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29. We look forward to seeing you and your family enjoy this holiday exploring the great outdoors and the continents of the world while visiting the Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum.

(334) 625.4905 zooinfo@montgomeryal.gov montgomeryzoo.com

Sunday, May 28

Guided Nature Tour - Wilson Road Trailhead

($10.00) 7AM - 8:30AM, Wilson Road Trailhead, Wilson Road Alexander City, AL, 35010 Let’s get up and go! We will explore habitats influenced by damp soils and creeks during this slow-paced walk through the woods. As we move from one area to the next, the variety of flora and fauna specific to the each region’s moisture content will be examined, discussed, and enjoyed!

(256) 397.1019 russellcrossroads.com/events.html

Wildlife Presentation-Naturalist Cabin (FREE)

9AM - 1PM, Russell Crossroads Naturalist Cabin, Russell Farms Road Alexander City, AL, 35010 Stop by the Naturalist’s Cabin and discover a display of wildlife artifacts (including live animals). Touch, discover, and learn from the Russell Forest items and get tips on how to get more enjoyment from your time spent outdoors.

(256) 397.1019 russellcrossroads.com/events.html

Monday, May 29

Retro Pool Party ($1.00 per person)

10AM - 5PM, Pratt Pool, 256 Doster St. Prattville , AL, 36067 Come celebrate Memorial Day at the Pratt Pool!

(334) 595.0800 prattvilleal.gov/

Tuesday, May 30

Pool Open Swim Days

12PM - 5PM, Pratt Pool, 250 Doster St. Prattville , AL, 36067 A great place to come cool off. The pool will be open every day during Memorial Day WEEK and July 4th WEEK from 12noon – 5pm.

(334) 595.0800 prattvilleal.gov/

June 1-17

Prattville’s Way Off Broadway Theatre presents 9 to 5 ($14.00) Performing Arts Center, 203 W 4th St. Prattville, AL, 36067 Music and lyrics by Dolly Parton (334) 595.0850 prattvilleal.gov/

Friday, June 2

Friday on the Green (FREE)

6:30PM - 8:30PM, Russell Crossroads on the Town Green, Russell Farms Road Alexander City, AL, 35010 Grab your comfy stuff, kids, friends and leash for the pup and claim your spot on the Town Green to kick off the season with 3 Hand Jam. (256) 397.1019 russellcrossroads.com/events.html

Saturday, June 3

Farmer’s Market

7AM - 12PM, The Grove at Pratt Park, 347 Doster Road Prattville, AL, 36067 There will be local and regional growers, bakers and makers, special giveaways, fun activities and live music.

Hydrangea Fest

8AM - 12PM, Alabama Wildlife’s Federation Paviliion, 3050 Lanark Road Millbrook, AL, 36054 Maria Pacheco will do a short program on Hydrangeas at 9:30 and then a guided tour to the Heirloom garden, past the 1820’s Historic Lanark home, and then down to view 1,000 hydrangeas growing around the Catfish pond. A few golf cart’s will be available to give rides. Plants will be on sale at great prices during the whole event. (334)657-.9414 alabamawildlife.org

Capital City Bike Rally

9PM Capital City Motorsports Park, 2600 North Belt Drive Montgomery, AL, 36110(256) 618.1848 capitalcitymototsportspark.com

June 9-10

Alexander City Jazz Fest (FREE)

The Amp and Strand Park on Lake Martin, 8878 Kowaliga Road

Eclectic, AL, 36024 The Alexander City Jazz Fest returns June 9 to Strand Park in Alex City and to The AMP on 10th. (256) 397.1019 russellcrossroads.com/events.html

Now through November2

Community Market Wetumpka

4PM - 7PM, Merchant’s Ally in Downtown Wetumpka, Wetumpka, AL, 36092 The Community Market showcases a variety of handmade, homemade and homegrown products created by local artisans, and farmers. First Thursday of every month April- November. mainstreetwetumpka.org

Please check with each venue prior to attending the event to verify the information provided is still accurate and up to date.

Tonya Speed’s Dancers Are Wow! Just Wow!

Six dancers (Natali McCord, Danielle Turner, Elly Robinson, Elizabeth Stewart, Amy Treloar, Maya Stokes) on stage at Inspire National Dance Competition in Montgomery had overalls including: the Senior Rec. Miss Inspire title winner (Amy Treloar), several Crystal Diamonds, Diamonds & Sapphire awards, and three judges awards (Best Personality-Natali McCord, Best of Broadway- duet of Amy Treloar & Natali McCord) and a Prop award (duet of Danielle Turner & Elly Robinson). Elly Robinson was the Teen Photogenic Winner. Elizabeth Stewart was a teen overall Contemporary winner.

It’s just the beginning of competition season for Tonya Speed’s Dance Connection! Girls don’t have to win for us to be proud. It’s the journey to get there and the lessons learned along the way. Our words to our dancers are if you do YOUR BEST, then you have won!

TSDC is thankful to do what we love and to love the ones that do what they love...DANCE! Instructors and

Opportunities Abound at 40th Alabama State Games

Registration (alagames.com) for the 40th Alabama State Games is now open, and we are expecting a record-setting 6,000 participants to flood Jefferson County to participate in the Games. The Alabama State Games, founded in 1982 at the request of the US Olympic committee, are inclusive, encouraging participants of all ages and abilities to register.

Over the past 39 years, we’ve had track and field stars barely old enough to see over the hurdles, an 89-year-old pickleballer, and Athletes of the Year who come back generations later to watch their children and grandchildren compete.

We are ever forward-facing, adding new and exciting sports. This year’s event includes ESports, Baseball, Flag Football, Swimming, Track and Field, and Wrestling. Visit alagames.com for a full list of sports and to register. Aside from a gold medal moment, participants who attend the June 9 Opening Ceremony are eligible to win one of 17 scholarships. In honor of our 40th Anniversary, we are giving away scholarships totalling $20,000. We have - so far - awarded $335,610 in scholarships.

Founder Ron Creel says: “We expect our 40th anniversary to be memorable. We want to have athletes of all ages, from all over Alabama register.”

The Opening Ceremony for the 40th Alabama State Games will be June 9 at UAB’s Bartow Arena and will be televised life statewide on the Alabama State Games Television Network. If you have any questions, send a message to support@alagames.com.

Visit www.alagames.com oir www.asffoundation.org for more information.

RRP: What has been the greatest surprise in your motherhood journey?

RW: When my kids were young, simple errands like grocery shopping were next to impossible. First, once you stick two babies in a buggy, there’s hardly room for groceries. Second, I don’t know who designed the big race car buggies, but those things are hard to push. I remember being in Publix, and both babies were crying and pitching a fit. After several futile attempts at calming them down, I abandoned my half-full racecar buggy, carried the babies back to the car with tears in my eyes, and drove home. Whew, those were tough years.

RRP: How do you prioritize your own needs while being a mother?

RW: Being a public official involved in the community, I am around people all day and love it, but it drains my energy. To recharge, I must have alone time. When my kids were young – and I was so tired and worn out all the time – I would occasionally get a hotel room at the Hampton Inn in downtown Montgomery and grab some take-out food, watch TV, sleep in, and relax all by myself! My husband always supports me in recharging and taking care of myself.

RRP: What was the most difficult challenge you faced as a mother, and how did you overcome that challenge?

RW: In 2015 I had to explain to my young children that I had cancer and went bald. My younger children did not comprehend how sick I was. The day I picked them up from school, and I was bald, it was a difficult day. I will never forget the look in my seven-year-old son’s eyes. It was a mix of shock, hurt, and confusion. It crushed me. Enduring a year of chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple surgeries with four children ages six to sixteen was brutal. I would take them to school each morning, and some days I would go home and sleep all day, then go back and pick them up, do homework, and hang out with them. My goal was normality, despite how I felt. When they look back at that year, their memories revolve around me wearing crazy wigs and the same pajamas too much. And they remember our family had great food in the house, thanks to my amazing friends.

RRP: Raising your four children, what’s the most important lesson you have learned as a mother?

RW: Be an example to them of love, respect, and wisdom. Let them stumble. Let them explore and make their own decisions even when they aren’t the decisions you want them to make. Above all, show them your love and support.

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