Doesn't it seem like it always rains on Toad Suck Daze?  In 2009, many acts were even canceled (or at least postponed) due to the rain.  I hate to jinx it, but it seems like it may be clear this year.  I'm hoping to get no days of rain.

The festival starts tonight with headliner and Conway native, American Idol  Kris Allen.  Kris Allen appears at 9:30 p.m.  Other performers on Friday are Ashley Sullivan, Adam Hambrick and Riverbilly.  Toad Suck Daze is "general admission" type seating, so get there early for good seats.  All performances take place at Simon Park.

Saturday's lineup has Some Guy Named Robb, Ben Coulter, Joe Pitts Band, Somebody's Darilng, Wes Jeans, Django Walker and Jerry Jeff Walker.  Sunday features The Found, Belair, New Life Praise Band and Shawn Mcdonald.

I don't think Toad Suck Daze is about the bands.  For bands I go to Riverfest or Memphis in May.  Toad Suck Daze is about all of the other fun events:  great festival food, clowns, toad races, live animals, vendors galore, craft for kids and more.  Toad Suck Daze is the home of "Stuck on a Truck" (started Thursday) and the Toad Suck Daze 10k/5k Run (Saturday).     It's just a good, fun, family festival.

This year is their 30th anniversary.  The festival has grown from an attendance of 25,000 that first year to over 160,000 people who visit the festival every year.

Proceeds support higher education in Faulkner County.  Throughout 30 years, the Toad Suck Daze Committee has funded more than $1 Million in scholarships and endowments to the University of Central Arkansas, Central Baptist College, Hendrix College, the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton and Faulkner County Community Foundation. These scholarships go to Faulkner County recipients and your attendance and patronage help make these scholarships possible.

Best of all, all performances at Toad Suck Daze, including Kris Allen, are free. Festival admission is free.   Do visit the vendors and grab some festival food or arts/crafts.

Don't forget Toad Suck Daze this weekend.

April 29:

• Foam Fest from 6-9 p.m. in the River Market Pavilions. Over 100 varieties of beer and wine and live music. Tickets are $35. . For more information call Angela at 501-664-7242 Ext. 223.
• American Cancer Center Relay for Life at the Clinton Library lawn.
• Peabody Rivertop Party - Every Friday night all spring and summer, party at the Peabody starting at 8 p.m.

April 30:

• Arkansas Heritage Month Kick-Off from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Old Statehouse Museum, Arkansas Heritage Month kicks off. This year's Heritage Month theme is "Conflict and Consequence: Commemorating the Civil War." Living history performances, exhibit opening and more.
• Blues on the River at 2 p.m. at the Riverfest Amphitheater. General admission $25.
• Owl Prowl from 7:30 to 9:30 at Pinnacle Mountain state park. Guided hike. Admission is $5.
• Stiletto Nights from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the M2Gallery (Pleasant Ridge). Live music, appetizers and wine, tickets $10. 501-5541280.
• Spring Garden Tour on Saturday at 9 a.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Tour nine private gardens in North Little Rock and The Old Mill.  Tickets $20.

May 1:

• Cinco de Mayo Fiesta from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the River Market. Free from 10 a.m. to noon; $10 per adult after.
• Picnic on the Grounds of Mount Holly Cemetery from 5-7 p.m. A mini-fair will take place throughout the event. Tickets $75 for adults, $25 for children (benefits fund to restore the walls around the Little Rock's oldest cemetery). 501-376-1843

With all this severe weather we've been having, I put together a list of places where you can get severe weather information without your television.   For example, on your smartphone or iPad.

Many local weather stations offer streaming newscasts, live radar and will even call or text you.  I've also linked places where you can get flight information, information on power outages and highway conditions.

Twitter is a great resource.  I've noticed that Twitter users often pass on warnings and information a few minutes before the newscasts.  In a storm, a few minutes can save lives.  I followed #arwx last night along with my TV.

Good luck, everyone.

Tonight and tomorrow night, On the Border is giving back and donating 10% of their profit to local causes.  If you're planning to visit, you just have to show them a flyer for them to donate.  If you have a smartphone, you can show them on your phone.  You can also print it out.  I've linked them below.

Tonight (April 25), On the Border is giving 10% of profits the Arkansas Earth Day Foundation.  Their flyer is on Facebook (if you can't get to it, email me).  Their event is from 4-10 p.m.

Tomorrow night (April 26) from 6-10 p.m., the Little Rock Zoo is the beneficiary of give back back night.  Their flyer is on their website.

Why not go to On the Border, have some margaritas and great Mexican food and give back to a local cause?  Participation will encourage On the Border to do more give back events.