Pretty puppies, yummy crawfish and a 420 celebration

The amount of events going down today is crazy. Here's my suggestion: pet owners, definitely start your day at Pet Palooza then make your way to Louisiana Spring Fest for the crawfish boil. Everyone else start at the Healthy Home Market Health Fair and then take it from there.  See you in the streets. Let's get this party started!

OMB Louisina SpringFest - The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery for its fifth consecutive Louisiana Spring Fest! Listen to live bluegrass music and enjoy Cajun food. 12 p.m. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Rd. $25 tickets includes a 17 oz. mug of beer and plate of food.

Pet Fun - Bring your beloved pets out for a day at the park at Pet Palooza. There's a dog walk, vendor fair, live music, fashion show and a beer and wing garden. Read Helen Schwab’s story to see how this event benefits the Humane Society of Charlotte. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Independence Park, 300 Hawthorne Ln. Be sure to read the parking links.

Goodbye Party - The Latin American Coalition celebrates the departure of executive director Jess George at Muchas Gracias Jess! Read Mark Price’s story about George's lasting impact on the LAC. She's taking her skills to Google Fiber. George is a young leader to watch. Cash Bar and hors d'oeuvres. 7 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St.








Don't Forget!

For The Family - Curious about how to live a healthy lifestyle? Start with the Healthy Home Market Fair. There will be practitioners from the Community Wellness Center, food vendors, vitamin educators and more. 1 p.m. - 4 p.m Plaza Midwood, 1330 Central Ave. Free.

Brew Beatdown - The annual Battle of the Brews puts Charlotte's local breweries against each other. Each of the 10 breweries will bring three kegs. There will be eight food truck and live music from 5 on Sundays. 3.m.m - 6 p.m. Southend’s Food Truck lot, 100 W. Park Ave. $40

420 Fest - Tyber Creek is hosting a 420fest on Saturday April 18th. Start with a FREE Fun Run/Walk at 11 a.m. There’s a Kan Jam Tourney at 2 p.m. and live music all night. Tyber Creek,1933 South Boulevard. Free entry. 

Art Gala - Studio Party 15: Upcycled Gala, presented by Bank of America, is the McColl Center for Art + Innovation annual celebration and contemporary art sale, with complimentary cocktails, gourmet tapas, and an Art Showcase featuring exceptional works for sale from current Artists-in-Residence and Alumni curated exclusively by Renee McColl and Brad Thomas. 7 p.m. McCoy Center,721 N Tryon St. $150. 

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com