"To Do" List for Springtime in Charleston!

While winter continues to barrel through most of the country for a few more months, with blustery winds and frigid temperatures, here in Charleston we will soon start to welcome springtime with open arms! It’s not too early to start making plans to attend some of Charleston’s most popular spring events. To help, we’ve put together some tips to keep in mind as you prepare for this beautiful time of year in the Lowcountry.

1. Put away the diet books. It’s time to get your tickets for the 5th Annual BB&T Charleston Food and Wine Festival! Celebrating “5 Years of Good Taste,” this culinary spectacular has become one of the most anticipated (not to mention most delicious) food festivals around. Want to see more for yourself? Click HERE to watch a video. March 3 – 7 | www.charlestonfoodandwine.com

2. Learn from the past. Experience one of the Festival of Houses & Gardens historical music concerts! Visit some of Charleston’s most beautiful gardens and experience music in intimate historic settings, with performances ranging from classical to Gullah-inspired jazz. March 18 – April 17 | www.historiccharleston.org

3. Stop and smell the roses. Literally. Come smell the flowers as they bloom while artists and craftsmen from throughout the country display their work for sale on the beautiful grounds of Azalea Park and on Main Street at the Summerville Flowertown Festival! March 26 – 28 | www.summervilleymca.org/flowertown

4. Start running. Hit the pavement with thousands of your closest friends, family and fellow runners at the 2010 Cooper River Bridge Run! This annual 10-k is one of Charleston’s most popular events. Whether you run or walk, enjoy the scenery of Charleston Harbor as you make your way across the Ravenel Bridge. Don’t forget to look to your right for a great view of the tip of Daniel Island! March 27 | www.bridgerun.com

5. Wear sunscreen. Grab your sunscreen and come watch as the top professional female tennis players from around the world take to the courts to compete at the Family Circle Cup! It’s the tournament’s 10th year on Daniel Island and there are some special events planned to celebrate. April 10 – 18 | www.familycirclecup.com

6. Support local businesses. Enjoy fresh, delicious South Carolina shrimp and seafood at the Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival! Created to support the local shrimping industry, this event now includes a lively parade, the blessing of the fleets and tons and tons of fresh seafood and live music. April 26 | www.mtpleasantrec.com

7. Get outside. And what better way than on a spring evening with family and friends on the shaded banks of Smythe Lake on Daniel Island while enjoying the harmonic sounds of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. The best part? It’s free! May 15 | www.dicommunity.org