Special Events in Pensacola Before the Tourists Arrive

Memorial Day weekend marks the official start of tourist season in the Pensacola area, but there are plenty of attractions earlier in the spring as well. In fact, the months of March, April and May are a glorious time to visit the region: the oppressive heat and bugs of summer haven't arrived yet (nor has hurricane season), hotel rates are low and popular beaches and other attractions are much less crowded than they'll be come June, June and August.

So what's on the area's calendar in weeks to come? Check out some of these events:

Elberta German Sausage Festival. Scheduled for 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 31, this event was launched in 1978 as a fund-raiser for the fire department in the small Alabama town of Elberta. The festival has proven to be so successful that it is now held twice a year, once in March and once in October. Besides the obvious sausage, other specialties served at the fest will include German-style filled cabbage, goulash and red beans and rice, along with more typical fare like hamburgers, hot dogs and popcorn. The event will also feature some 200 arts and crafts booths, music and carnival rides. Admission is free.

Pensacola JazzFest 2007. Held in the beautiful and historic Seville Square in downtown Pensacola, this year's JazzFest runs from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 31, and Sunday, April 1. Featured performers will include vocalist Kevin Mahogany, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, pianist John Colianni, bassist/vocalist Nicki Parrott, vocalist Kathy Lyon, vocalist Stephanie Pettis and her Latin Group, Joe Occhipinti's Big Band and Tim Jackson's "Mr. Big." Admission to the fest is free.