This is the time of year when it’s hard not to smile. The sunshine’s brighter, the city’s greener and the beautiful people – that means you – are finding more places to visit and things to do. Many of them free, compliments of great corporate sponsors and dedicated civic organizers.

Columbus has become the home of many “New Americans” as leaders at Columbus City Hall describe. The Sixth Annual Columbus Culture Fest is a great way to experience the richness of the city’s cultural diversity. On May 18 and 19, Marconi Boulevard between Broad and Gay streets will be transformed into a global village featuring music, food and exhibits from around the world.

Every June, Columbus hosts one of the premier arts festivals in the country. The 2007 Columbus Arts Festival is a feast. From June 7-10 the Greater Columbus Arts Council turns the east side of the downtown riverfront into an outdoor mall for the arts. It’s been a community favorite for more than 45 years and features artists from all over the country, specializing in ceramics, oil paintings, wood carvings, jewelry, sculpture and more.

Another art form will be prominently on display too – music, and lots of it. During the festival’s four day run, more than 75 live acts will perform on the stage at Bicentennial Park and Broad Street. It will include everything from rock to reggae, funk, folk music, jazz and R&B. On Saturday and Sunday, the spotlight will shine on local groups who can tap, square and belly dance. Want to learn how to blow glass? How about making pottery? It’s all here. You’ll also find a Poetry Corner featuring local poets at Second and Cherry streets.

Will Shakespeare said “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” but why mess with a good thing? The annual Columbus Rose Festival has been delighting gardeners for years. On June 9 and 10, you’ll be dazzled by the talent converging at Whetstone Park’s carefully manicured Park of Roses.

A week later, June 15 and 16, it’s fiesta time, with the Festival Latino, the largest Hispanic/Latino event in Ohio. It’s 12 years old and getting bigger and better all the time. You can put a little salsa in your samba at any of four performance areas featuring music and dance, mariachi bands, even Andean folk music.

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, remembers the end of slavery in America. On June 19, 1865, a Union General rode in to Galveston, Texas to tell slaves they were forever free. It was almost two and a half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Columbus will mark the occasion from June 14-17 at the Franklin Park Conservatory with talent shows, jazz concerts, a cultural marketplace, along with health, children’s and soul food pavilions.

And what would summer be without ComFest? In its 34th year, it remains one of the oldest, continuous community festivals in the United States. From June 23-25, rain or shine, local acts will perform on six stages in Goodale Park. Also, due to popular demand, a new venue, the Solar Stage, will feature spoken-word presentations. Come early, stay late and wear your favorite tie-dye.

Make the spring of 2007 a season to remember. Take advantage of Columbus’ scene, which goes so well with the sunshine, the green grass and your smile!

Watch Jerry Revish on the 5, 6 and 11 p.m. editions of WBNS-10TV Eyewitness News.