Everywhere you go, the signs are clear: Spring is here. Say so long to those winter blues and get ready for sunny days that make you never want to go indoors. Texas is kicking things off with some cool events.

There’s no better way to celebrate Czech heritage than with the National Polka Festival in Ennis, Texas! Saturday, May 23 kicks off with a parade that features floats, bands and colorful costumes. The Shriners will make their annual appearance, as will celebrities, public officials, motorcycle and horseback riders and kids. During the weekend, you’ll learn about Czechoslovakian traditions, customs, folk dances and songs. You’ll have the chance to hear 15 amazing polka bands including Grammy award-winning Brave Combo. This year’s National Polka Festival takes place Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24 in Ennis, Texas. For more information, visit www.nationalpolkafestival.com.

Give a dog a bone! How about spending a weekend with your favorite four-legged friend? The Dog Days of Denton, Texas are perfect for you and your pets! There’ll be paw reading by the Great Barkini, dogs on parade, canine contests, live entertainment, arts and crafts and “Glamfur” photo shoots. Contests include dog singing, pet tricks and the Heinz 57 dog show. Just make sure your dog is on a non-retractable leash, has current vaccinations and is wearing proper tags. This year’s Dog Days are Friday, May 29 from 5:00 to 8:30 P.M. and Saturday, May 30 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. in the north end of Quakertown Park in Denton, Texas. For more information, visit www.dogdaysdenton.com.

Get your kilt and bagpipes ready. It’s time for the Texas Scottish Festival & Highland Games in Arlington, Texas. On the schedule, there’s the Scotch whiskey tasting and seminar, a Scottish fiddle workshop, children’s games and activities, a Gaelic language seminar, Scottish country dancing, the Bonniest Knee’s Contest, music, an all-Scottish bred dog show, a Scotch Ale brewing competition and, trust us, a lot more! You’ll see Scottish Athletic competitions, as well as the Championship Scottish Highland Dance and Scottish National Dance competitions. There will, of course, be Scottish food including haggis, fish and chips, scotch eggs, meat pies, bridies and bangers! This year’s festivities take place Friday, June 5 through Sunday, June 7 at Maverick Stadium in Arlington, Texas. For more information, visit www.texasscottishfestival.com.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Pepper! Come celebrate the soft drink’s birthday with the Dublin Dr. Pepper Birthday Celebration. This year’s theme is “There’s no place like home,” and you can expect to meet Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and everyone else from the Land of Oz. So why the celebration? Dublin is home to the oldest Dr. Pepper bottling plant in the world. On Monday, June 8, the city limit signs are changed to “Dr. Pepper, Texas” for one week. The real fun comes Saturday, June 13 starting with the 10-2-4k charity run. Also on the schedule are the Tour de Pepper bike ride, free Dublin Dr. Pepper and free tours of the bottling plant and museum, as well as carnival games and food booths. All of the money raised during the birthday will go to charity, and helping a good cause has never been so refreshing! The party takes place at the Dr. Pepper Bottling Company, 221 South Patrick Street, Dublin, Texas. For more information, visit www.dublindrpepper.com/birthday.aspx.