Ready to shed your extra winter padding? Milwaukee's upcoming summer runs, walks and bike rides for charity are a great motivator for getting back into your fitness routine. Start now and you'll be in great shape to make some money for some worthy organizations when the warm weather hits. Many of these events will lead you right to the lakefront festival du jour, while others take participants off the beaten trail to enjoy the scenery outside the city.

Find the right event for you: Milwaukee Runs, Walks & Bike Rides for Charity.

Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

The Summerfest Marcus Amphitheater lineup is starting to take shape for 2010, and features Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood and a two-night appearance by Tom Petty.

• 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 24: Tim McGraw with Lady Antebellum, Love and Theft
• 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 25: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with ZZ Top
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 26: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with ZZ Top
• 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 4: Carrie Underwood

Summerfest 2010 will run from June 24 - July 4.

Image © Milwaukee World Festival Inc.

Spring is right around the corner, which means the growing season is almost upon us! If this is exciting to you, then you're probably a prime candidate for Milwaukee Urban Gardens Seed Swap from 1-2 p.m. this Saturday, March 6. Gardeners are invited to this free event to share seeds collected from last year's harvest and collect new seeds to enhance this year's garden. Flowers and vegetable seeds welcome! The Seed Swap will be held at the Riverside Urban Ecology Center, 1500 E. Park Pl.

Photodisc / Getty Images

March is here, and that means one thing: St. Patrick's Day. Okay, March can mean a lot of things, but really, here in Brew City, they're all eclipsed by this day of revelry. Find out what St. Patrick's Day events are going on around Milwaukee during the green holiday, beginning on March 12.

Photodisc / Getty Images