Spring fever seems to be catching quickly here in southern Minnesota. We’re all eager to get out the shorts and the barbecues, and so I was excited to stop by the 35th annual Austin Home & Vacation Show Friday at Riverside Arena.

After all, it was the first official day of spring, even though most of those in attendance still bundled up with sweaters and jackets, myself included.

I volunteered for the 5 to 7 p.m. shift at the Herald booth, passing out free newspapers and special sections, while giving away Herald mugs, pens and these all-in-one handy measuring spoons.

It was also fun to see some familiar faces and meet some new ones.

Former state representative candidate Brian Thiel and Herald columnist Wallace Alcorn were the first two I recognized, and they stopped by to chat about politics and newspapers.

Everyone seemed to be in a good mood during the home show’s opening night, even Craig Jurgensen, owner of Christian Bros. Sealcoating in Austin, who was situated in the booth next to the Herald’s.

At one point, Jurgensen took a break for a moment to purchase a blueberry slushy, and it wasn’t long before he was suffering a dreaded brain freeze.

“It’s deceiving,” Jurgensen admitted. “It’s cool and sweet and then you take a sip and your brain turns to slush.”

Back at the Herald booth, Jim and Cathy Wegner stopped in to say hello. The couple has been a subscriber for more than 50 years.

Jim admitted to having spring fever a little bit more than Cathy and talked in detail about his love for gardening and his collection of Hostas, a perennial plant that features broad leaves.

“They’re a wonderful plant because they have a sense of containment,” Jim said.

After the close of my shift, I decided to do some exploring on my own.

It was a world of John Deere riding lawn mowers, hub cap clocks and custom cabinets.

Even Island Pool and Spa brought in a large pool to display, a reminder that the warmer weather could be just around the corner.

“We’ve had a lot of interest in them last year, and we expect to again this summer,” said Sheri Greer, sales manager.

The signs of spring continued.

Four sparkling Harley Davidsons were parked at the Bergdale Harley display, while Steve Bartholomew, club manager for River Oaks Golf Club, talked at his booth about the start of golf season and the new clubhouse that’s scheduled to open June 1.

He said the course itself is still about two weeks away from being ready to open.

“It’s a piranha fest,” Bartholomew said, about those waiting to golf.

“Everybody would be out today if they could, but we’re just making sure that we’re ready.”

So there you go.

It seems like most southern Minnesotans are in agreement: Spring fever is spreading and spreading fast.

Now, if only the weather would cooperate.