Shenandoah Valley, Va. – April showers brings May flowers. The Valley is beginning to bloom. And, don’t miss out on the strawberries! On May 29 and 30, in Delaplane, enjoy the “Strawberry Festival” at Sky Meadows State Park.

Celebrate Spring,and the region’s strawberry season, with live music, arts and crafts, old-fashioned kids’ games, a petting zoo, hay rides, historical exhibits, a silent auction, lots of great food … and fresh strawberries and strawberry sundaes. Treat yourself to good old country fun. (Admission is $15 per car in advance or $20 per car at the gate. Details: 540-592-3556.)

Other May 2010 events in the Valley

Here’s what’s in store for visitors – and Valley residents – during May 2010:

May 1 – Roanoke

31st Annual Virginia State Championship Chili Cook-off, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at Railside Plaza, 19 Salem Avenue. Live entertainment and music all day, including headliner band “The Kings”. A free childrens’ crafts and entertainment area. Also a Jalepeno eating/chili slurp contest. There will be a beer garden adjacent to the stage. Admission fee is $4.00 in advance, or $5.00 at the gate, kids 10 and under are free. 540-342-4716, or visit their web site.

May 2 – Harrisonburg

Model Train Show at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds. Over 100 tables of everything to do with railroads. Admission fee. 540-434-0005.

May 8 – Middletown

14th Annual “Of Ale and History” at Belle Grove Plantation. Celebrate our German and English heritage by tasting more than 35 specialty micro-brewed and imported beers. Food and music. For more information, call 540-869-2028.

May 8 – Verona

Shenandoah Valley Blues Festival, 845 Quick’s Mill Road, Rt 612. Enjoy a variety of regional blues offerings from the Nicholson Brothers, Lisa Miller and the Allstars, The Biscuit Rollers, Bryan Elijah Smith, Stephen Michael Smith, with headliner “Steady Rollin” Bob Margolin from the late Muddy Waters Band.

Second stage will feature more local blues artists. Enjoy food and beverages from local vendors. Tailgating is allowed. Admission fee 540-245-0609.

May 14-16 – Strasburg

The annual MayFest celebration will be held the weekend of May 14-16, 2010 in downtown Strasburg, VA. This year’s theme is “Racing To Mayfest.” It’s small town fun for the whole family!

For more information call (540) 465-3187. To download a form to be a food or arts & craft vendor, visit this web site.

May 15 – Waynesboro

“XtremeFest” will be held at Ridgeview Park.Climb the rock wall, kayak the South River or watch the BMX Stunt Show. Food and giveways. 540-942-6735.

May 15 – Luray

Wildflower Spring Celebration at Skyland Resort, milepost 42.5 on Skyline Drive. Music, food and more. Children and pets are welcome. 540-843-2100.

May 15 – Front Royal

The 24th Annual Virginia Wine and Craft Festival will be held on Main and Chester Streets from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Enjoy wine tasting from 18+ Virginia wineries. Also crafts, art, food, and childrens area. 540-635-3185.

May 15 – Harrisonburg

7th Annual Herb and Garden Festival at James Madison University (JMU). Over 30 plus vendors, and artists. 540-568-3194.

May 15 – Roanoke

Amazing Treasure Hunt and Geocaching at Garst Mill Park, 2599 Willowlawn Street. Registration required. 540-387-6078,  extension 251.

May 15-16 – New Market

146th Anniversary of the Battle of New Market will be held at the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park – which is part of the original 1864 battle site. There will be food, music, and more. Call 866-515-1864.

May 27 – Staunton
Shenandoah Harley-Davidson/Buell, at 213 Rolling Thunder Lane, will host their annual “Carry the Flame” event. Motorcycle riders ride across the nation will be on hand to honor, remember, and support our POW/MIAs ,and the brave men and women of the Armed Forces. (May is also Womens Ridrers month at Harley-Davidson.) Call 540-213-7433.

May 29-30 – Stephens City

“Newtown Heritage Festival” on Main Street. There will be a variety of activities and food throughout both days. Pets are welcome. 540-869-3087.

May 31 – Harrisonburg

24th  Annual Memorial Day Horse Fair and Auction at the Rockingham County Fair Grounds. 540-434-0005.

The Wild West Mayfest is underway today in Strasburg Virginia. Hundreds of people – young and old, and every age in between, lined the streets to see the parade at 4 p.m.

Music is now out on the street, including the band, “Outlaw Jazz,” from the D.C. area. They’re playing at 234 West King Street (Route 11) outside the new office of 7Bends.com and LtdPrints.com – and right next door to Outkast Customz Motorcycles. Come join us. … And, watch for more Mayfest photos through the evening. (Free Shenandoah County event)

(Bottom Photo: The Mykle Lyons band played at the Strasburg Mayfest in the Shenandoah Valley this evening.)

This Saturday, May 16, in Strasburg, Virginia, The Mykle Lyons Band will be performing outside of the new 7Bends.com office following the Mayfest Parade in Strasburg. The jazz duo (upright double-bass and saxophone) will begin playing tunes around 5:30 p.m. at 234 West King Street – on the south side of downtown Strasburg (across from Christina’s Cafe).

The band has been dubbed “Outlaw Jazz” by many, as they often play rock songs in a jazz format, as well as music reflective of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, similar to the style of Miles Davis.

Originally from New Orleans, their “ringleader,” Mykle Lyons, 30, lives in Reston, Virginia, where he regularly entertains at the Hyatt Regency Reston. A former member of the Loston Harris Trio, Lyons and “Three For All” have been playing together for about a year.

A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, Lyons was heavily influenced by the teachings of Ellis Marsalis. Lyons has toured and performed throughout the country with such entertainers as Ellis Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis and Vinton Herring. He was also a featured performer at the 1992 Inaugural Gala at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. and occasionally performs for former Vice President Al Gore and his family.

In addition to 7Bends.com, other sponsors of the Band include: ltdprints.com and Outkast Kustomz, a new custom motorcycle shop in Strasburg.

For more information about the Mykle Lyons Band, visit: myklelyons.com