Happy May, everyone! Spring is in full swing, and we’ve got some fun events for you in this week’s Friday Five roundup. With Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby falling on the same day, you can bet there’s tons of fun to be had in the Lowcountry this weekend. Whatever you choose to do, the staff and agents at Johnson & Wilson Real Estate Company wish you a safe and happy weekend. (And for all the Star Wars fans out there, May the Fourth be with you!)

Celebrate Pet Helpers and all the good deeds they do for animals in the Lowcountry at the Joe on Friday evening from 7pm until 10pm. Join Pet Helpers’ staff, board members, and volunteers as they celebrate 40 years of saving animals and being the first no-kill shelter in Charleston. Past and current adopters and their furry family members will be invited to join the alumni circle in the outfield before the game. There will be a kissing booth, giveaways, and lots of fun for the family!

In case you weren’t aware, May the fourth is officially known as Star Wars Day! Celebrate at May the 4th Frothy Beard Beer Pairing. There will be special chocolate and beer pairings from Evolution Through Chocolate and Frothy Beard, featuring special guests C3PO, Yoda, Chewbacca, and Darth Vader. And of course there will be a costume contest. May the froth be with you!

Saturday is Cinco de Mayo, the annual celebration of the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The day isn’t widely celebrated in Mexico, but here in the States, it’s grown to be a commercial celebratory day of Mexican culture and heritage with an emphasis on food, drinks, and music. Celebrate the day at the 13th annual Charleston Cinco de Mayo Festival at the Visitor’s Center Bus Shed, the Cinco de Mayo on King Bar Crawl, Mex 1’s Cinco de Mayo Block Party, or at other local restaurants like Taco Boy.

Also taking place this Saturday is the Kentucky Derby. Even if we can’t make it to Churchill Downs for the races, there will be lots of opportunities to don your seersucker and biggest hats, socialize with friends and strangers, and watch the televised derby. Check out Kentucky Derby socials at local spots like Warehouse, the Rooftop Bar at Vendue, Edmund’s Oast, and more.

The 36th annual North Charleston Arts Fest takes place all weekend long, produced by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department. This multi-day celebration of arts and culture features national, regional, and local artists and performers in dance, music, theater, visual arts, media arts, and literature. Choose from a diverse selection of free and modestly priced performances, workshops, exhibitions, and activities in a variety of venues. With offerings such as concerts, theater presentations, children’s programs, film screenings, workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions, public art installations, and more, the festival offers something for everyone!