Quite possibly the sweetest weekend of spring in Logan County is here. Tonight and tomorrow, Adairville will host the Strawberry Festival, a celebration of community, country and, of course, everyone's favorite red fruit.

At the height of the "crimson tide" is Saturday's parade, which begins at 2 p.m. But there are plenty more activities to keep you busy and delighted all weekend.

Count on Casey's Rides to lend a soundtrack of screaming children to many of our local fiestas, including the Tobacco and Heritage Festival and the Logan County Fair. The Ferris Wheel, the Gravitron and more will be open for business and dizziness today at 4 p.m. and tomorrow morning beginning at 10. Just don't have lemonade until after you ride.

Both Timmy and Lassie will enjoy the Kids & Pets Parade on the square tonight at 6. Dress up your dog, turn your cat into a glamour-puss, or just sit back and enjoy the show.

Ed McMann has a prior engagement, but you just might see Justin or Britney's future replacements at the ever-popular Star Search Talent Competition, which begins at 7 p.m. this evening.

Strawberry Festival attendees will swear that Elvis is alive after Danny Dale and family present Elvis on the Square at 8:30 tonight. But don't let anyone step on your blue suede shoes--or your open-toed white sandals--because you have plenty more walking to do on Saturday!

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Get May 18 started off right-- with good food. The Fireman's Breakfast begins at 5:30 a.m., giving you plenty of time to work up an appetite for those funnel cakes later on.

If you can't make the break-of-dawn meal, be at the square by nine that morning... or be square, because the craft show is something you won't want to miss.

Whether you're a tough guy or the type who cries at long-distance commercials, get ready to say "Awwww...." on Saturday at 10 a.m. That's when the world's cutest 'strawbabies' will appear at the festival's baby contest at Adairville Elementary School.

If you don't get a taste of local flavor at the Strawberry Shoppe, which also opens at 10 on Saturday, you are denying yourself a real delicacy, so stop by before the strawberry pie runs out.

At noon, the dignitaries' reception will be held in honor of all the VIPs who travel to Adairville to ride in the parade or just enjoy the festivities.

After the lingering excitement from the parade dies down a bit, the jump rope team will demonstrate their skills at 3:30, and 15 minutes later, there will be an auction on the square.

By 5 p.m., if you've spent your life savings bidding at the auction, you can ask for forgiveness during the gospel singing at Living Word Church.

And if you're in need of hearty laughs, the 'girls' of summer will put on quite a show at the 7 p.m. Womanless Beauty Pageant. Who knew a little mascara could go such a long way?

All good things must come to an end, but the final event of the Strawberry Festival is a nice way to say goodbye. Enjoy entertainment on the square, provided by Pedigo & Tinsley, beginning at 8:30 p.m.

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Guaranteed, you won't hear many moments of silence, but this weekend is more than a time to have fun. It's also one for remembrance. The theme for the 56th annual Adairville Strawberry Festival is "Stars and Stripes Forever," particularly potent after the events of Sept. 11.

Keep in mind that while you're perusing the craft tables, wandering the streets or just hovering around the Strawberry Shoppe, the American flags blowing in the breeze were purchased by members of the public in honor of special individuals.

No matter what you do, see, or pig out on, make the most of this weekend, because by Sunday morning, the traveling circus that rode into Adairville and changed its face for a week will have disappeared, leaving only the ghostly remains of hot dog wrappers, ticket stubs, and a year's worth of memories to tide us over until next spring.