Georgia
Jekyll Island — Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival, Sept. 19-21, features chef demonstrations, food, live music and craft beer tastings. 1-877-453-5955, www.shrimpandgritsfestival.com.
Macon — Ocmulgee Indian Celebration, Sept. 20-21, features artifacts and nature, music, dance, storytelling, crafts and demonstrations by Native Americans. 478-752-8257, www.nps.gov/ocmu.
Clarkesville — Taste of Clarkesville, Sept. 27, features wine and beer tastings, food, cooking demonstrations and wine pairings. 706-754-2220, www.tasteof
clarkesville.com.
Alabama
Huntsville — Scarecrow Trail at the Huntsville Botanical Garden, through Oct. 31, features custom scarecrows, hay bale art, a sorghum maze, weekend hayrides and BOOtanica. 256-830-4447, ext. 290, www.hsvbg.org.
Gulf Shores — National Shrimp Festival, Oct. 9-12, features food, arts and crafts, entertainment and children's activities. 251-968-6091, www.myshrimpfest.com.
Florida
Amelia Island — Blues Festival, Sept. 12-13, features performances from blues and blues-rock artists. 404-784-7687, www.ameliaislandbluesfest.com.
Pensacola — Seafood Festival, Sept. 26-28, features food, entertainment, arts and crafts. 850-433-6512, www.fiestaoffiveflags.org.
Miami — Seed Food & Wine Festival, Oct. 15-18, features wine sampling, craft beer, film screenings, parties, music and vegetarian-friendly food. www.seedfoodandwine.com.
Pensacola — Taste of the Beach, Sept. 19-21, features signature dishes prepared by island chefs. 850-932-1500, www.visitpensacolabeach.com
Kentucky
Covington — MainStrasse Oktoberfest, Sept. 5-7, features arts and crafts, food, entertainment, contests and carnival rides. 859-491-0458, www.mainstrasse.org.
Bardstown — Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Sept.16-21, features a balloon glow, barrel races, the Kentucky Bourbon Tasting and Gala, live music and food. 800-638-4877, ext. 4, www.kybourbonfestival.com.
Louisiana
Lake Charles — Boozoo's Labor Day Festival, through Sept. 30, celebrates Creole culture with food and music. 800-456-7952, www.visitlakecharles.org.
Sulphur — Stars and Stripes in the Park/Boudin Wars, Sept. 13, features hundreds of classic cars, hot rods, trucks and motorcycles, door prizes, food booths, live music, contests and children's activities. 800-456-7952, www.visitlakecharles.org.
Mississippi
Greenville — Mississippi Delta Blues and Heritage Festival, Sept. 20, features poetry, tales, crafts, dance and music. 662-335-3523, www.deltablues.org.
Jackson — WellsFest, Sept. 27, features music, a 5K run and walk and one-mile fun run, a pet parade, food vendors, arts and crafts booths, a plant sale and a silent auction. www.wells
fest.org.
North Carolina
Blowing Rock — Art in the Park, Oct. 4, features arts and crafts, photography, painting and more. 1-877-750-4636, www.blowingrock.com.
Oxford — N.C. Hot Sauce Contest, Sept. 13, features hot sauces and barbecue sauces, local craft breweries and wineries, pepper-eating contest, art and music. 919-691-3590, www.nchotsaucecontest.com.
Kenansville — Muscadine Festival, Sept. 27-28, features music, wine, food, tailgating and contests. 910-290-0525, www.muscadineharvest
festival.com.
South Carolina
Greenville — Euphoria Food Festival, Sept. 18-21, features wine tastings, wine and beer seminars, cooking demonstrations and music. www.euphoriagreenville.com.
Tennessee
Columbia — Southern Fried Festival, Sept. 26-27, features cooking challenges, vendors and children's activities. 931-381-7176, www.southernfriedfest.com.
Knoxville — Tennessee Valley Fair, Sept. 5-14, features exhibits, livestock shows, concert series, action sports, exciting rides and food. 865-215-1471, www.tnvalleyfair.org.
Virginia
Virginia Beach — Neptune Festival, Sept. 26-29, features a wine festival, triathlon, parade, fireworks, arts and crafts, concerts and sand-sculpting competitions. 757-498-0215, www.neptunefestival.com.
Compiled from Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 Events and staff reports. If you find a mistake, email scanady@ajc.com.
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