GARYVILLE — Five years ago, guitarist Peyton Falgoust and his uncle Carl Monica sat down at Fatty’s Bar and Grill, flipped over a guest check and sketched out their shared vision of a music festival that would support the historical preservation of Garyville.

Held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 8 on the grounds of the historic Garyville Timbermill Museum and across downtown Garyville, the fifth annual Sings and Strings Jam Fest is one of many family friendly events planned to kick-off Spring in the River Parishes.

General admission to Sings and Strings is $5, and children under 12 are admitted for free when accompanied by an adult.

Organizer Donna Falgoust, Peyton’s mother, said musicians who come to play get in free. More than 100 musicians are slated to appear, and musician profiles can be found on the Sings and Strings Jam Fest Facebook page.

Since 2014, Sings and Strings has contributed $54,000 in improvements to the Garyville Timbermill Museum, according to Donna.

A chef’s choice cook-off, craft vendors and a 5K run will also be featured. To access registration forms, call Donna at 504-416-6060 or message the Sings and Strings Facebook page.

The Festival is two weeks away, but springtime fun starts today with Easter celebrations throughout the River Region.

• Easter in the Park sets the scene for family friendly fun from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Celebration Church on the East Bank, 3400 U.S. 51 in LaPlace, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the West Bank Recreational Complex, 3445 Highway 18 in Edgard.

Children ages 2 to 12 are invited to enjoy free food, fun and prizes.

• The ReBirth Center of LaPlace is hosting its own free Easter egg hunt from 1 to 4 p.m. today at 625 Woodland Drive in LaPlace, featuring games, music, food, a spacewalk and pictures with the Easter Bunny.

Donations are welcome. For more information, message @TheReBirthCenter on Facebook.

• St. John Parish-based outreach organization No Kids Left Behind hosts its inaugural Easter egg hunt from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Lutcher Park, 1601 Lutcher Avenue.

With the support of a host of community sponsors, the event features music, games, giveaways, food, a spacewalk and face painting. Organizer Rondell Scott said up to 150 candy-filled Easter baskets will be handed out to children.

With a mission to provide guidance and education to all children, Scott said No Kids Left Behind hosts holiday events, career days with motivational speakers and outreach to the underprivileged. For more information, call 985-210-9739.

• Three additional Easter egg hunts will take place Thursday at St. John Parish libraries.

At the Central Branch Library in LaPlace, children preschool age and under can take part in an Easter egg hunt following story time from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Children ages 4 and up can find a wonderful surprise inside Easter eggs on the lawn of the Edgard Library from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday. At the Reserve Library, children ages 3 to 8 will complete an Easter basket craft to use in the Easter egg hunt from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Other events are being held to raise money for worthy causes.

• The 17th annual ARC Fest fundraiser takes place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Sunday at the West Bank Bridge Park in St. Charles Parish with food, fun and games in honor of National Disability Awareness Month.

• A “Run 4 the Angels” 5K walk, 10-mile bike race and Easter fun fest takes place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 31 at 201 Post Drive in Luling to raise money for individuals with special needs.

Those not participating in the race can enjoy fun activities for $5, and children under 10 or with special needs are free with a paid adult. For more information, contact Vicki L. Cain at vcain8157@attnet.

• The annual Ray Laiche Memorial Golf Tournament fundraiser for the St. Charles Catholic Quarterback Club will see flights at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. April 6 at Riverlands Golf and Country Club in LaPlace. The entry fee for the tournament is $100 per player, $400 per team or $500 per team with a hole sponsorship. Registration and sponsorship information can be found online at stcharlescatholic.org. Completed forms can be emailed to Seth Bourgeois at sethmb3@gmail.com or Sammy Accardo at accardo@rtconline.com.

• Spring cleaning begins with Household Hazardous Collection Day, held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 7 at the New Wine Ministries Parking Lot, 1921 West Airline Highway in LaPlace, and at the Dufresne Community Center, 274 Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway in Luling.

Paint, cleaning products, used oil and pesticide are among the items allowed, and the first 150 vehicles to show up in each location receive a complimentary Pelican Pointe car wash pass. For a full list of acceptable items, see hhmcd.com.

• Cleaning continues with the Spring Clean Sweep, a community effort to promote beautification of St. John Parish from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. April 21 at Thomas F. Daley Memorial Park in LaPlace.

• Ideal for Spring, the River Region Children’s Association Farmers and Community Market is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 7 and the first Saturday of every month at 2335 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace, offering residents fresh produce, prepared food, homemade desserts, uniquely handcrafted art and other gift items.

• In St. Charles Parish, the German Coast Farmer’s Market offers a similar selection from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays in Destrehan and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays on Paul Maillard Road in Luling.

• Music lovers can enjoy a free “Rockin’ at the Lake” outdoor concert featuring bucket beer specials and musical hits from the 1960s-80s from 1 to 4:30 p.m. April 17 at Frenier Landing Restaurant. For more information, call 985-224-2178.

• Seafood, music also highlights the River Region Chamber of Commerce’s annual Crawfish boil with an added focus on networking April 19 at Lutcher Park Pavilion.

Tickets cost $40 per person, giving each guest access to crawfish, pastalaya, drinks, live music and a silent auction. A Yeti Ice Chest and Echo Chainsaw are being auctioned off for $10 a chance or $20 for three chances.

The event is open to the public. Registration forms are available at riverregionchamber.com.

• Crawfish season is far from over, and the fun continues April 21 with the second annual St. Charles First Responders Crawfish Cook-off at Monsanto Park in Luling.

A non-refundable flat fee entry of $150 includes four team admission wristbands and two sacks of crawfish. Checks should be made out to One Team – One Fight Nonprofit Corp and mailed to P.O. Box 71 in Norco, LA 70079. For more information, call 504-559-5643 or visit oneteam-onefight.com.

• Throughout Spring and beyond, the St. John Parish Council on Aging in Reserve is offering free zumba classes at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and senior dances at 6 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month.