July

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Okra Man is king at 'The Okra Strut' festival in Columbia SC Sept 26-27.

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Views like these abound during the Mountains in Bloom Garden Festival in in Highlands, NC. in July.

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Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, July 3-6. More than 5,000 competitors in 30 saltwater and freshwater categories. Rides, parades and music. Gulfport, Miss. 228-832-0079, www.mississippideepseafishingrodeo.com.

Clamerica Celebration, July 4. Clam hunts, clam bag races, guess the clam count, cultured clam cook-off and concerts, and clam served every which way. Cedar Key, Fla. 352-543-5057, www.cedarkey.org.

Sertoma's 4th of July Celebration. Parade, arts and crafts, food, exhibits and a huge fireworks explosion over Pensacola Bay. Pensacola, Fla., 850-434-1234, www.visitpensacola.com.

Fiddlers' Jamboree and Crafts Festival, July 4-5. Family-oriented programs promote old-time Appalachian and bluegrass music and dance. Smithville, Tenn. 615-597-8500, www.smithvillejamboree.com.

Jonesborough Days, July 4-6. "Farming on the Fourth" is this year's theme to honor agricultural heritage and promote agritourism. Country ho' down with barbecue, bluegrass and gospel, parades, period villages, traditional crafts. Jonesborough, Tenn. 423-791-3819, www.jonesboroughtn.org.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race, July 5. The second half of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season features top drivers, Independence Day fireworks, and celebration at Daytona International Speedway. Daytona Beach, Fla. 1-800-854-1234, www.daytonabeach.com.

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, July 10-13. Gathering of Scottish clans features athletic events, bagpipe band parades, sheep herding demonstrations and Celtic music. Linville, N.C. 828-733-1333, www.gmhg.org.

Lions Club Fair, July 11-19. County fair with carnival rides, animal exhibits, beauty pageants, truck and tractor pulls and more. Owensboro, Ky. 270-683-8314, www.daviesscountyfair.com.

Fun Fest, July 11-19. Mardi Gras-themed summer fun with over 100 activities on 60 sites. Crazy 8's 8-K run, Tour de Possum Creek bike rides, concerts and hot air balloon launches. Kingsport, Tenn. 423-392-8806, www.funfest.net.

Folkmoot USA, July 14-27. International dancers and musicians perform in 60 events and programs celebrating friendship and cultural exchange. Parades, free street festival, ticketed events, food, arts and crafts. Waynesville, N.C. 828-452-2997, www.folkmootusa.org.

The Georgia Mountain Fair, July 16-27. Pioneer Village with demonstrations and craft village filled with artisans and crafters. Entertainment, cloggers convention, agri-exhibits, Miss Georgia Fair pageant. Hiawassee. 706-896-4191, www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.

Festival of Native Peoples, July 17-19. Culturally-inspired exposition of native dance, song, storytelling, art, culture, traditions and foods of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. Cherokee, N.C. 828-259-9910, www.cherokee-nc.com.

Keeneland Concours d'Elegance, July 17-20. Inspired by 1930s practice of a gathering the most spectacular vehicle manufacturers; showcasing Cadillac this year and many others on display. Lexington, Ky. 859-552-5551, www.keenelandconcours.com.

W.C. Handy Music Festival, July 20-26. Honors native son and "Father of the Blues" with a celebration of rhythm and blues, jazz, soul, gospel and contemporary music in scores of events. Florence, Ala. 1-888-356-8687, www.visitflorenceal.com.

Kingfish Tournament and Festival, July 26-28. Includes Junior Angler Tourney and a free festival of foods, live entertainment, KidZone and boat show. Jacksonville, Fla. 904-251-3011, www.kingfishtournament.com.

August

Celebrate Freedom! Aug. 1-31. Pigeon Forge salutes active and retired men and women with month-long discount savings offered by county-wide businesses. Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 865-453-8574, www.mypigeonforge.com.

StringTime in the Smokies, Aug. 8-9. Bluegrass concerts and musicians like Doc Watson and David Grisman. Bring lawn chairs and your own instruments for Jammin' at the Old Mill. Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 865-453-8574, www.mypigeonforge.com.

Thunder on the Gulf, Aug. 14-17. More than 35,000 raring-to-go fans race to Alabama's Gulf Coast for a weekend of power, speed and the excitement of the world's fastest powerboats! Gulf Shores, Ala., 251-974-1510, www.thunderonthegulf.com.

Multi-Cultural Festival, Aug. 16. City-wide celebration of diversity attracts thousands who enjoy a day of family-friendly activities; drum, dance and musical shows and ethic foods from around the world. Owensboro, Ky., 270-684-1467, www.firstpresbyterianowensboro.com.

Bright Lights, Belhaven Night, Aug. 16.The streets are aglow as musicians, actors, craftsmen and artists gather for a street festival promoting one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. Jackson, Miss., 601-352-8850, www.greaterbelhaven.com.

Woodland Art Fair, Aug. 16-17. Tens of thousands fill downtown Lexington for this free, outdoor event featuring 200 juried artists from around the country. Beer gardens, exhibits and great food. Lexington, Ky., 859-254-7024, www.lexingtonartleague.org/woodland.htm.

Walking Horse National Celebration, Aug. 20-30. This world championship show of Tennessee's native breed of show horse dates back to 1939. Includes Trade Fair, barbecue cook-out, dog show, equine clinics, stable decorating and more. Shelbyville, 931-684-5915, www.twhnc.com.

Festival Peachtree Latino 2008, Aug. 24, is a multicultural event with international performers focusing mainly on Hispanic markets. Brings 100 musicians, dancers and artisans together. Atlanta, 404-321-0663, www.festivalpeachtreelatino.com.

Daniel Boone Pioneer Festival, Aug. 29-31. Community event draws 30,000 for street dances, 5K run, Walk with Friends, talent contest, arts and traditional crafts, music, paintball, fireworks and foods. Winchester, Ky., 800-298-9105, www.tourwinchester.com.

September

Old Fashioned Trading Days, Sept. 4-6, is a showcase of mountain arts and crafts including gospel and bluegrass music, 5K run or walk, homemade foods judging, pet show, antique cars. Williamsburg, Ky., 606-549-0530, www.williamsburgky.com.

Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad, Sept. 4-7, Family sports festival brings people together in the spirit of friendly competition for water and land events, KidSenses Children's Interactive Museum, raffles, shag dancing, inflatable playground. Lake Lure, N.C., 828-429-9011, www.hickorynutolympiad.com.

Roots and Heritage Festival, Sept. 5-7. More than 60,000 people come to celebrate the achievements of African Americans through cultural entertainment, street party, art exhibits, a variety of music genres, basketball tourney and nationally renowned speakers. Lexington, Ky., 859-420-5696, www.rootsandheritagefestival.com.

Tennessee Valley Fair, Sept. 5-14. Rodeo, livestock and agricultural exhibits, midway and rides, headliner entertainment and more. Knoxville, Tenn., 865-215-1477, www.tnvalleyfair.org.

Oka Kapassa: Return to ColdWater Indian Festival, Sept. 12-13. American Indian festival honors the original Americans with two days of traditional crafts demonstrations, Indian foods, arts, colorful dancers, games, storytelling. Tuscumbia, Ala., 800-344-0783, www.colbertcountytourism.org.

Seafood Festival, Sept. 13-14. Fun on the beach includes junior fishing tourney, rides, music, arts and crafts, kids events, cooking contests and fresh Gulf of Mexico seafood cooking every which way. Biloxi, Miss., 228-604-0014, www.biloxi.org.

Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Sept. 16-21. Celebrate the history, passion and art of making Kentucky bourbon. Gala ball, barrel relay to the Great Kentucky Bourbon Tasting, music and food. Bardstown, Ky., 800-638-4877, www.kybourbonfestival.com.

Enchanted MAIZE. Sept. 19-Nov. 1, Rock City's tourist attraction sends you through a labyrinth of twists and turns at the foot of scenic Lookout Mountain. Chattanooga, Tenn., 706-820-2531, www.seerockcity.com.

World Chicken Festival, Sept. 25-28. Finger lickin' fun with Col. Sanders look-alike contest, parade, rides, magicians, Stars of Tomorrow showcase, soap box derby, food and crafts booths and the world's largest skillet. London, Ky., 800-348-0095, www.chickenfestival.com.

The Okra Strut, Sept. 26-27. Tout the slimy, green spout with family-friendly events like a giant street party, parade, music, 10K "Dam Run" and salute to the U.S. Navy. Columbia, S.C., 803-781-6122, www.irmookrastrut.com.

Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival, Sept. 26-28. Huntington Beach State Park becomes an art party showcasing original, juried works and crafters, music, seafood and Lowcountry fare. Perfect spot for bird-watching. Murrells Inlet, S.C., 803-734-0450, www.atalayafestival.com.

Bluegrass Balloon Festival, Sept. 26-28. A marvel of 90 gentle giants set aglow, along with concerts, races, food booths, cars and airplanes on display, fireworks extravaganza. Louisville, Ky., 502-491-1076, www.bluegrassballoons.com.

International Folk Festival, Sept. 26-28. More than 40 cultures are represented through dancing, musicians, local and international artists and foods from six continents. Hands-on creative area for kids. Fayetteville, N.C., 910-323-1776, www.theartscouncil.com.

Seafood Festival, Sept. 26-28. Dancing in the streets, succulent "fruits of the sea," lots of kids' activities and family fun. Pensacola, Fla., 850-433-6512, www.visitpensacola.com.

Wells Fest, Sept. 27. Celebrating its silver anniversary as the city's original music festival with non-stop entertainment, arts fair, silent and live auction, sporting events and food. Jackson, Miss., 601-353-0658, www.wellsfest.com.