Old Michie Theatre presents their spring main stage show “Anne of Green Gables.” It’s the classic tale of the high-spirited and imaginative Miss Anne Shirley, an orphan girl growing up on a farm in Canada. 221 East Water St. 977-3690.

American Girl Rebecca.
Publicity photo

Young history lovers can enjoy life as American Girl Rebecca Rubin did at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library. Have fun at Coney Island where you will eat hot dogs and drink lemonade. Learn to play jacks, see a Charlie Chaplin movie, and much more. Participants will make their own arcade game to take home. Recommended for ages 6 to 12. Reservations are required.  Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, 18 N. Coalter St., Staunton. 540-885-0897.

Blown glass.
PHOTO courtesy of Sunspots Studio

The mystery and magic of the making of art glass come alive at the Virginia Hot Glass Festival — the only festival in the area devoted to hot glass artistry. Many of the region’s finest hot glass and glass jewelry artists will gather at Sunspots Studios to demonstrate and sell their artwork. Come learn about the history of glass, feel the heat from the furnaces, and touch the beauty of art glass. Sunspots Studios, 202 S. Lewis St., Staunton. 540-885-0678.

In the garden.
PHOTO courtesy of LGBG

Wee ones and others are invited to kick off the gardening season at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens Children’s Garden Spring Fling. This community celebration offers family-friendly music, entertainment, activities, and food. The event includes activities promoting environmental stewardship and highlighting the work of local “green” partners. 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond, off I-95. 804-262-9887.

Earth and Moon.
PHOTO courtesy of SMV

The Science Museum of Virginia and the Richmond Astronomical Society celebrate National Astronomy Day. Visitors to the museum can get an up-close and personal look at the sun without injuring your eyes, build a rocket and watch it blast off, walk from Earth to the moon, explore an invisible universe, build and take home a scale model solar system, touch a rock from outer space, tour the current night sky at a special Live Sky Planetarium Show at 1 p.m. Outdoor activities weather permitting. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 804-864-1431.

PHOTO BY Brian Wheeler

The 61^st annual Dogwood Festival Parade winds its way up Market Street and down High Street in the grand finale of the Charlottesville celebration. Arrive early for this popular tradition that features old-time cars, floats, Scout groups, horseback riders, musical bands and, or course, the Dogwood Queen and her court. 961-9824.

PHOTO BY Kahuna Luna - Flickr

Charlottesville celebrates Earth Day with an Eco-Fair at the Charlottesville Pavilion. Spend the day learning how you and your family can make local adjustments to address global climate change. There will be live music, speakers, children’s activities, and more. East end of the Downtown Mall.

Virginia Cavalier Spring Football Festival offers fun football activities for all ages. Don’t miss a football game featuring UVA’s team split in two and competing against each other. The game starts at 2pm. Scott Stadium.

Carter Mountain.
PHOTO BY Linda J. Kobert

Carter Mountain Orchard celebrates spring with arts and crafts, food, wine, and entertainment. The fun includes hayrides, Grandma’s Country Store, the Mountain Grille, craft vendors, and live music, too. 1435 Carter Mountain Trail. 977-1833.

African Children’s Choir.
Publicity photo

The internationally acclaimed African Children’s Choir performs at The Paramount Theater. The Choir, comprised of 24 African children ages 7-11, has been working with the most vulnerable children in Africa for 23 years. Each child in the Choir has lost one or both parents to poverty or AIDS. They perform throughout the world spreading their unique music, dance, and hope. 979-1333.

Charlottesville Municipal Band.
PHOTO  courtesy of CMB

Charlottesville Municipal Band, under the direction of Steve Layman, opens its 88 Annual Concert Series with a Spring Concert at Dickinson Auditorium on the campus of Piedmont Virginia Community College.  The theme of the program is “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue” and features works by George Gershwin, Leroy Anderson, John Williams, and John Philip Sousa. The entire schedule for the 2010 concert season is available at the band’s new website.

Night sky.
PHOTO BY Jasen Miller - Flickr

The stars are out over Nelson County and folks are invited to an evening gazing and grazing at the Rockfish River Trail Head. Bring your picnic and enjoy a country sing-a-long, too. Beside the bridge on Rt. 151, 2 miles south of Nellysford. 434-226-0446.

Go fly a kite.
PHOTO BY Poissant Family - Flickr

Rockfish Valley Foundation hosts a day of fun-filled activities for the whole family at the Rockfish Valley Kite Festival. Children’s activities include free kites and assembly to the first 100 children, stunt kite demonstrations, running races with miniature parachutes, jugglers, a mime, and other games as the wind and participation allows. Bring a family picnic, or enjoy foods from Botali’s of Staunton Spruce Creek Park in Nelson County. Spruce Creek Park in the big field off Glenthorne Loop (Rt. 627 off Rt. 151). 434-226-0446.

The Village School hosts a concert featuring local favorites Jan Smith, Carleigh Nesbit, Genna Matthew, and more to benefit The Haven at First and Market. Village School’s goal is to fill the venue to capacity to raise funds for this wonderful resource center for the homeless in our community.  Tickets can be purchased at the door, as well as from The Village School prior to the event. Please call Janet at 434-984-4404 with any questions or to buy tickets.