Shelby Farms Park at Patriot Lake is the place to be to celebrate the 4th Annual Memphis Israel Festival on Sunday, May 22, 2011. The free festival, which is open to the entire Mid-south community, promises a full day of Israeli and Jewish cultural music, dancing, food and fun for the entire family.

In addition to the cultural activities, there will also be numerous free children’s rides – balloon bounces, rock walls, balloon slides, face painting and a petting zoo. The educational exhibit features Israel’s history, tourist sites, advancements in technology and more.

“The Memphis Friends of Israel (MFOI) board is extremely pleased with the broad level of support the festival has received over the past four years,” said MFOI president Scott Baum. “Each year the event has grown in numbers and support from the Jewish and Christian communities, as well as from those not religiously affiliated but who want to learn more about Israel than what they read in the news.”

Every year during June and July, Collierville residents as well as residents in our region have come to know that 7 p.m. on Thursday evening is the time when you drop what you’re doing, grab your lawn chairs and a picnic basket and head for the Town Square in Downtown Collierville Historic District. Main Street Collierville has planned and organized this event for 20 years and has offered them to the public free of charge with the support of community partners and the Town of Collierville.

Entertainment line-up is posted on the Main Street Collierville website www.mainstreetcollierville.org

The 5th annual Earth Week at Shelby Farms Park will see an exciting shift in style and setting in 2011.

The week-long series of events runs from April 17 through 23 and will be held on the shores of Patriot Lake near the visitor center, reflecting the focus of the Park’s next big project - expanding Patriot Lake to nearly twice its size.

Earth Week will promote environmental stewardship, nature, health and recreation with events that offer fun and entertainment for the entire family.