July 4
Independence Day at the American Village: The American Village will open Independence Day at 11 a.m. Scheduled events start at 11:30 a.m. and continue through the Main Stage Evening Program and fireworks, which start at 7 p.m. and end shortly after 9 p.m. Admission for the day is just $5 per person. Veterans and active military are admitted free. The theme throughout the day will be red, white and blue all-American family fun, including hands-on children’s activities, colonial games, patriotic music, dancing, Continental Army reenactments, salutes to veterans and signature firsthand experiences with patriots of the past such as Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Benjamin Franklin, Abigail Adams and Martha Washington. For a complete schedule of events for Independence Day, visit the American Village website: Americanvillage.org.
July 5
Tot Spot: The Chelsea Public Library will hold Tot Spot summer reading on July 5 (no special guest this time), July 12 (waiting for confirmation) and July 19 (Tot Spot party at Chelsea Community Center). Pick up a registration form and book bag with the reading guide at the library.
Tween Program – Build a Better Suncatcher: Morphing magic! Decorate a cup with a design, and watch it melt into something new July 5 from 2-3 p.m. at the North Shelby Library. The event is for ages 8-12. Registration is required.
July 6
Alabama 4H Center at Mt Laurel: Keep it wild by meeting live animals and discovering how they make the world a better place at the Mt Laurel Library on July 6 from 2-3 p.m. The event is sponsored by Jimbo’s Soda Fountain. For more information, call (205) 991-1660.
July 9
Jazz in the Park: Magic City Smooth Jazz and the Jazz in the Park program will visit the Helena Amphitheater July 9 from 6-9 p.m. to provide a free concert featuring smooth jazz artists to make for a fun and relaxing summer evening near the banks of Buck Creek. Joe Carnaggio Trio and Phil Denny will provide the entertainment. For more information, visit Magiccitysmoothjazz.com.
July 11
Summer movies in Chelsea: The Chelsea Public Library will offer movies for families this summer at the Chelsea Community Center at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays in the dining room. Those who attend may bring lunch and a drink. The library will provide popcorn. Movies planned for July are as follows: July 11, “Rogue One;” July 18, “Beauty and the Beast;” and July 25, “Moana.”
Mt Laurel Family Movie: All ages are welcome to attend Mt Laurel Family Movies on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. Snacks will be served. A movie list is available at the library. Call (205) 991-1660. Registration is not required.
July 12
Summer Seminar Series with Johnny Carcioppolo: This South Shelby Chamber of Commerce event will be held July 12 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Hampton Inn at Eagle Point, 6220 Farley Court in Birmingham. RSVP is required; call (205) 669-9075 to confirm attendance. The topic is “Sales Breakthrough Program.”
July 13
Monthly Membership Luncheon: The South Shelby Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly membership luncheon for July on July 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Columbiana First Baptist Church, 208 North Main Street. The speaker is John Sharp, owner of John Emerald Distillery in Opelika. The sponsor is Candlewood Suites of Alabaster. The caterer is Lazy Boy BBQ. The dessert caterer is Frios Pops. The cost to attend the luncheon is $15 per person. RSVP not required.
Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. Tournament: Who will reign supreme? Compete against other teens July 13 from 6-7:45 p.m. to see who can make it through Coconut Mall the fastest in Mario Kart and who will come out on top in Super Smash Bros. Prizes will be awarded. Register to make the brackets.
July 14
Summer Adventure in Learning Programs: The Alabaster and Pelham YMCAs are holding Summer Adventure In Learning programs for children grades 3-5 that need additional help in math and reading activities through July 14. The cost is $50 per week. The hours of the camp are 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. To register for the Alabaster camp, contact Briana Williams at 358-9738. More information can be found by visiting ymcabham.org/sail.
July 15
Shelby County Shindig: The Shelby County Shindig BBQ Cookoff will be held July 15 in Columbiana from 1-7 p.m. The event will feature live music, barbecue and brews. A $10 ticket includes barbecue sampling. For more information, visit Shelbycountyshindig.com.
Best Barbecue Butt in Helena Contest: The Best Butt in Helena contest is set for Saturday, July 15, during Helena’s Market Days at the Helena Amphitheater. The contest is an amateur competition open to anyone wishing to compete. The money raised will help support the Helena Miracle League. Space is limited to enter the competition. Anyone interested in registering a team should contact Brian Crumpton at briancrumpton@gmail.com.
July 16
Summer Cocktails in Mt Laurel: Get inspired for your next party with new drink ideas from a professional bartender on July 16 from 4-6 p.m. at the Mt Laurel Library. Must be 21 years old or older to participate. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Mt Laurel Library.
July 18
Brushes and Slushes: Create art with the help of a professional on July 18 from 6-8 p.m. at the North Shelby Library. The event is planned by the Teen Leadership Council. Space is limited. For more information, call (205) 439-5512.
July 19
ASBURY UMC KIDSTOWN EVENTS: On Wednesdays starting July 19 and continuing through Aug. 16, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Asbury United Methodist Church KidsTown will have praise, worship, an interactive Bible story, games and activities for kindergarten through fifth grade students. Foloow @AsburyKidsTown on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates on what’s happening.
July 21
Summer Food Drive: Join the Chelsea Public Library again this summer for a food drive benefitting Heavenly Smile, a food pantry in Chelsea. The library has helped stock the pantry for the past couple years, and will set up a donation center in the library. Collection will continue through July 21. Items need to be non-perishable and not expired.
July 22
Bark & Wine 2017: The eighth annual Bark & Wine benefitting Shelby Humane Society is set for July 22. Complimentary wine and beer and a silent auction will be held at 6 p.m.; a strolling dinner including a carving station, pasta station and more will be held at 7 p.m.; and the program and live auction will be at 7:30 p.m. The event will be held at Greystone Country Club, 4100 Greystone Drive in Birmingham. The cost is $150 per person (limited to 140 reservations). RSVP by July 1 at (205) 216-3303. Attire is dressy casual. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to Shelbyhumane.org. Sponsorships, reserved tables and individual tickets will be available. Check the site for updates and follow Bark & Wine on Facebook. Tickets may be purchased by texting BARKWINE17 to 41444.
July 26
Tween Finale – Drum to the Beat with John Scalici: The Tween Summer Programming will end with a bang at the North Shelby Library on July 26 from 2-3 p.m. Join in with a hands-on rhythm party presented by talented Birmingham musician and drum along expert John Scalici. The event is for ages 8-12. Registration is required.
July 27
A Minor Film School Basic Mobile Filmmaking Class: Teens who are first-time mobile filmmakers are invited to attend A Minor Film School Basic Mobile Filmmaking Class on Thursdays at the Chelsea Community Center from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. through July 27. Those who attend last summer’s basic class or attended the monthly meet-ups may sign up for A Minor Film School Advanced Mobile Filmmaking Class. These will be held at the Chelsea Community Center on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. through July 27 (bring a bag lunch). A Minor Film Festival will be held July 29 at the Chelsea Community Center.
July 29
Pelham Adult Summer Reading Program: The program will run through July 29 at the Pelham Public Library for participants 18 years old and older. When an adult checks out three or more books or audio books at one time per visit (included are adult fiction, non-fiction books, magazines and books on CD; excluded are juvenile and young adultmaterial, games, music or movies.) An entry form may be entered in the drawing. There is no limit to the number of entries one may enter. Exciting prizes will be awarded to the lucky winners in early August. Call the library at 620-6418 for more information.
July 31
PCS Summer Care Program: Pelham City Schools is offering a summer care program through July and into early August for incoming kindergarten through sixth grade students. The program will be housed at Pelham Ridge Elementary on Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Registration costs $20 and is currently open to students who are enrolled in PCS. The program costs $125 per week, which doesn’t include the cost of field trips.
