It's that time of the year with March Madness, the Masters, the NFL draft and the NBA playoffs just around the corner… a great time of the year for sports fans. It's also a terrific time of the year for community "Spring Flings" all over North America.

This column appears in over 700 newspapers in 23 different countries around the world, many of which are kind enough to send me a copy of their newspaper for my litter box. I do read them and get a kick out of what's going in my reading public and specifically around our country.

In my newly adopted hometown of St. Cloud, Florida we recently had our spring fling on the shores of East Lake Toho in downtown St. Cloud. I always enjoy visiting the beer truck. My wife's favorite stop is the junk food booth that features such delectable items as corn dogs and elephant ears. No sugar there.

In Spartanburg, SC, they use their spring fling to promote their music and arts festival, two specialties of "sparkle city," as I'm fond of calling it.

Tens of thousands of students have gathered for nearly four decades for a Penn tradition on the campus of the University of Penn in Philadelphia featuring concerts, arts and a film festival. Penn was founded by Ben Franklin.

The Cincy Spring Fling in Cincinnati offers much of the same with a big bash that culminates at the Coney Island Moonlite Pavilion. I always thought Coney Island was in New York. Oh well…

Most downtowns have ulterior motives for hosting spring flings, particularly in small town America. Just ask the folks in Jasper, Alabama where they block off the streets and encourage the merchants to stay open late in hopes of starting a tradition like those in other cities. Since Jasper is the county seat, it makes "cents" as in dollars and cents to stay open.

They've been at the Spring Fling business for some 35 years in Sacramento, California.

The University of Arizona claims to have the largest student-run spring fling carnival in the nation, attracting some 25,000 people last year alone. Their gig features the usual carnival rides, games, food booths and entertainment from both the University and nearby Tucson communities.

In Miamisburg, Ohio the arts and crafts drill coupled with a parade and the usual hot dog vendors draws nice crowds.

In Zillah, Washington they break out the fine wine for a weekend of tasting which begins at the Old Warehouse Event Center. A Classic Car and Bike Show brings collectors and enthusiasts. The day culminates with "dueling pianos", barbecue oysters, prime rib, shrimp cocktails and much more. Make no mistake; it's all about the wine!

The Spring Fling Hoop Thing in Montana has been going on for nearly two decades and it features (are you ready for this?) the largest 3-on-3 street ball tournament. From all I can surmise, big sky country is fed up with the snow and wants to get the folks out and about exercising and enjoying some physical fitness. Ballers of all age and skill levels come to strut their stuff.

In Providence, NC the locals use their spring fling to get donations to fund the Providence Fire and Rescue. Even today, many small towns across America depend on volunteers to staff their fire and rescue teams. Growing up in my birthplace of Lexington, SC, you were expected to volunteer for a tour of duty at the local fire department. I have a broken foot as a souvenir from my limited days as a Lexington firefighter.

Magic Hat is the theme of Salem, Massachusetts big Salem Spring Fling which abounds with (and we're quoting here) an abundance of wine, women and song. They also brag about having the largest Toga Party in the world. How would you know? They call the event a Bacchanalia, which Wikipedia defines as a Roman orgy with forms of drunken revelry. Whatever you say folks…

The Urban Dictionary defines a Spring Fling as a casual relationship between two persons who are usually attracted to one another involving puppy love or just plain "hooking up." I guess the folks in Salem have a hard earned reputation that has stood the test of centuries dating back to the Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692. This is what you get when you mix witchcraft and orgies.

I'll settle for a cold one from the local beer truck if it's all the same to you. No problem… my sober wife is driving!