While this certainly is a summer like none other, the show will go on, with social distance, for farmers markets, outdoor movies, fireworks and more.

1. Farmers Markets

You can still shop local businesses and farmers’ selections local farmers’ markets. Here are the markets that are open are opening soon for the summer:

2. Alabaster’s July Fourth Fireworks Show

Thursday, July 2 | 9 p.m.
Thompson High School

Alabaster’s annual is moving to Thompson High School this year. The fireworks will be launched from an area near the THS athletic facilities, so the best viewing areas will be the parking lots around those facilities, including Warrior Stadium, and behind the school. The fireworks will still likely be visible from other locations in the city, such as the Publix shopping center, Alabaster Municipal Park and perhaps even the Promenade shopping center. In previous years, fireworks had been shot from the east side of Alabama 119.

3. Helena Festival Independence Day

Friday, July 3 | 5:30 p.m.
Old Town Helena

Start your Fourth of July celebration a day early with food trucks, live music, and a fireworks display starting around 9 p.m. Old Town’s merchants will be open for the festivities too, and social distancing guidelines will be in place among the vendors. Visit hbahelena.com for more information or to purchase a Fourth of July themed shirt ($20 each) to help fund the fireworks display.

4. Friday Night Movies

Select Friday Nights
Veterans Park, Alabaster

The show is going on with social distance at these free movie nights, starting around dusk (8 p.m.). Just bring a chair or blanket to set on and snacks and drinks. Catch the 2019 Aladdin on July 10, and Playing With Fire on July 24. Find more details at Cityofalabaster.com/165/Parks-Recreation.

5. Alabama Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

Saturday, July 18
Local Shops

Save the date to shop sales tax free for back to school clothes, supplies and more in Homewood city limits and lots of other counties and municipalities around the state. For more details on what items qualify, visit revenue.alabama.gov.

6. Liberty Day

Friday & Saturday, July 24 & 25
Columbiana

COVID-19 changed the dates of this annual festival, but it will still go on with music, food trucks, arts and craft vendors, activities for children, a car show, a hotdog eating contest, a parade down Main Street, and, of course, a fireworks show.

7. Free Friday Flicks

Select Friday Nights
Veterans Park, Valleydale Road

COVID-19 might have delayed this summertime tradition, but it’s set to come back to life with social distancing July 31 and August 7, 14 and 21. Find updates on films and more on the event Facebook page.

8. Third Annual Summer Shindig

Saturday, Aug. 15 | 5-9 p.m.
Old Baker Farm

Time for farm-style summer fun with a sunflower maze, watermelon cutting, visits with animals, live music, fireworks, arts and crafts, food trucks and more. Special regulations for activities such as watermelon cutting will be in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and features such as the sunflower maze will be spread out so that social distancing can easily take place. Tickets are $10 at the gate (cash) or $12 in advance (card).  For more information and updates call 205-672-7209 or visit oldbakerfarm.com or the farm’s Facebook page.

Are there  any local events we should add to this list? Do you have an event scheduled for a future month you are looking to spread the word about? Email them to our editor at mm@shelbyliving.com.