Spring is definitely in the air these days. The arrival of spring is marked in many different ways for people. Fellow Howard County Times columnist Lisa Peklo is sharing this week news of the annual Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. The festival takes place this weekend, May 3-4, at the Howard County Fairgrounds. I have worked on the festival committee since I was in high school, helping to organize and run this event each year. I recently received an e-mail from someone who shared that the festival marks the start of spring for them.

For the younger crowd (and even some parents) the start of spring is marked by the opening of snowball stands. My children were very happy to see the reappearance of Groovie Smoothies and Snowballs, behind Old Time Liquors in Glenelg. The snowball stand features fruit smoothies, snowballs and even shakes, and is open daily -- Sunday through Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m.

Personally, I am looking forward to the opening of the local farmers market. I recently received news that the farmers market will be back in Glenwood again this year.

Beginning in May and going through October, the farmers market will be open in the parking lot of the Glenwood Branch Library on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Stop by to get the season's freshest, locally grown produce, baked goods, flowers, and organically grown produce and specialty items. The farmers market draws vendors and patrons from all over the region. It is a great place to meet the farmers and eat healthy, locally grown food.

Another sure sign of spring is the Glenelg High School Jazz Ensemble's annual Jazz Under the Stars picnic dinner and concert. This year's event will take place at Chapel View Farm, in Woodbine, May 18 at 5 p.m.

For the past nine years, this has been a much anticipated event in the Glenelg community, bringing together family, friends and music fans for a fun evening of great food and outstanding entertainment.

Last year, more than 800 music fans gathered with lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy a catered picnic dinner, followed by a concert in the country featuring the Glenelg High School Jazz Ensemble, along with special guest performer Deanna Bogart.

This is a popular event, so be sure to purchase your tickets early. Tickets cost $30 for adults, and $15 for children 5-12. The cost includes dinner and the concert. All proceeds benefit the Glenelg High School bands and Marching Unit. All tickets must be purchased by May 14. For additional information, go to www.glenelgbands.com/jus.php or call Bob Vechery at 410-489-4401.

If you visited Columbia mall during the first week in April, you were able to observe the annual spring student art exhibition. Students from public schools around the county had art on display. Congratulations are in order for the following student artists, who each had a piece of their work on display at Columbia mall.

Representing Dayton Oaks Elementary School were Talia Schwelling, Julia Nardone, Lauren Hessler, Jake Ballard, Lauren Scrandis, Nikita Datta, Jackie Bauer, Courtney McCarthy, Cole Robertson, Gage Snook, Caitlyn Lydon, Michael Li, Madison Stepherson, Allison Howard, Lynda Phillips, Mary Kate O'Neill, Raymond Xu, Eli Schwelling, Julia Wolfrey, Joseph Huh, Mary Kate Barret, Josh Turney, Luke Champion, Emily O'Keefe, Chelsea Baker, Emily Lee, Jack Rich, Nathan Kim, Quinn Kingbom, Anna Lawson, Vito DeValentin, Maryem Mansuer, Abby Bae, Rachel Ball, Melissa Anderson, Colby Higgins, Arden Perry and Connor Coleman.

From Glenwood Middle School: Ben Stocksdale, Erika Koontz, Colin Archambeault, Noah Congedo, Nick Green, Delaney Jordan, Bria Warren, Michael Ryan, Luke Markwordt, Andrew Capazolli, Paige Elseth, Michael Shekletski, Kristen Clark, Brenden Caffey, Emily Caffrey, Steven Votta, Matt Jung, Chris Winter, Ryan Hughs, Hannah Cash, Evan Folsum, Jessica Cooper, Mary Alice Allnut, Lauren Wright, Grace Daigle, Alexandra Miller, Nick Forest, Maggie McIntyre, Alyssa Sumpter, Nick Gorey, Wayne Nichols, Carissa Doody, Jack Hayden, Thomas Gardner, Brandon Cho, Cat Ippolito, Anthony Arnette, Eddie Brown, Katrina Carey, Katelyn Chewning, Joe Tolbert, Clint Thomas, Ken Kwon, Stephanie Clark, Alyssa Andre, Katerina DiBenedetto, Grace Kim, Lucy Hung, Lee Moore, Rachel Bieligk, Jennifer Marion, Jeff Jacoby, Melissa Shaughness, Jake Tolson and Robbie Stott.

In addition to the art exhibition at Columbia mall, several students from Dayton Oaks Elementary School also had their work on display at the Howard County Center for the Arts in an exhibit titled, "Structures." The Dayton Oaks students who created imaginary flying machines for this exhibit were Cyrus Sadaat, Arman Bhardwaj, Kevin Cincotta, Brianna Mentle, Mari Harutunian and Elijah Darden.

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