I love April and September. Cooler temperatures (sometimes, maybe not this week) means lots and lots of festivals. Big, small — I love ’em all.

This Friday and Saturday is the 10^th Annual Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival at St. Elias Maronite Church, 836 8^th St. South. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Good food, dancing, tours of the church, did I mention the food? Follow the link to see this year’s menu. In case you’re at work, I’ll warn you that the festival website plays traditional music … but that just puts me in the mood to go hear the real thing by the band coming in from NYC. The fest is FREE but the food is not.

Take the short drive on Saturday to Montevallo for the second Montevallo Arts Fest in Orr Park, 277 Park Road. There will be art on display, music on two stages, children’s activities and food vendors. I’ll admit the formula really doesn’t change much from art fest to art fest. The fun part is getting outside, people-watching, maybe discovering a new piece of art to hang in the house … and now that I have a kid, watching him make stuff for the fridge is tops. Festival is FREE and the hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are also some related activities on Friday/Friday night so check the website.

Closer to home, enjoy a FREE family fun day at the Birmingham Museum of Art Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Members only at 10 a.m.). The event is tied with the Vanishing Worlds: Art and Ritual in Amazonia exhibit at the museum through July 27. Children can go on an Amazon rain forest adventure with live animals, art activities, face painting and more. As Charles pointed out, the museum is always FREE but there is no charge for the extra activities Saturday.

Next weekend, more festivals!