While the first day of spring has just passed, we on the Gulf Coast have felt the fever for several weeks. With the exception of a cold snap or two, sunny skies, bright blooms and blankets of pollen tell us that warm-weather fun is on its way. Easter dress shopping, egg dying and basket stuffing make their way to priority this week, along with dreams of juicy, German sausage and dreams of Denim and Diamonds.

Elberta German Sausage Festival

The town fund raiser held by Elberta's Volunteer Fire Department features a variety of German sausage booths, about 7,000 pounds worth plus other food and beverages, arts and crafts vendors, live music and children’s activities 8 a.m.-5 p.m. March 30 in the Elberta Town Park.

Elberta will pay homage to its German roots, plus provide hours of festival fun for attendees. Expect The Bellview Stumpfiddle Band to perform with the North End Stompers, plus cloggers, carnival rides and polka, country and German music

Although the recipe has changed somewhat over the years, the original secret recipe for Elberta's famous sausage is credited to Alfred Stucki who managed Elberta's Locker Plant from 1953 until his death in 1973, according to the festival website.

The festival is now held twice a year on the last Saturday of March and October. These attract an estimated 30,000 visitors to each event. For more information, email festival@elbertafire.com.

Demin and Diamonds

The 6th annual event will be held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, April 5 at Oak Hollow Farm, located at 14210 Greeno Road, Fairhope. Guests will have a chance of winning $2,500 in addition to a pair of one-carat diamond hoop earrings, donated by Estate Jewelers of Fairhope, valued at $4,500.

Covenant Hospice invites the public to don their blue jeans and cowboy attire to join them in this fun-filled, fund raising event. For $100 per couple, guests can enjoy live music by The Major Moves Band, food and drinks, silent auction and one entry in the drawdown pot. Guests need not be present to win.

Tickets for Denim and Diamond and additional drawdown tickets can be purchased online at www.eventsatcovenant.org, through the Covenant Hospice Daphne branch office, located at 1040 Stanton Road or at Estate Jewelers of Fairhope, located at 309 De La Mare. All proceeds from the event will benefit Covenant Hospice, a not-for-profit organization that provides quality end-of-life care to patients in Baldwin County, regardless of their ability to pay.

April First Friday Art Walk and Art for a Cause

Art abounds in Fairhope with the monthly art walk held the first Friday of the month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; the event starts at Eastern Shore Art Center and continues throughout downtown Fairhope with open art galleries, refreshments and live music. This month’s event will be held on April 5 and includes Art for a Cause silent auction.

The scholarship event at the University of South Alabama's Baldwin County Campus Administration office is a fund raiser with all proceeds to help with student scholarships. The silent auction will be held 6-7:45 p.m.

Featured artists include Jolane Edwards, Vicky Nix Cook, Michael Carmichael, Ricky Trione and Tom Meyer. For more information, call Cathi Jones, USABC marketing coordinator, 251-517-5162