GEORGIA
Dahlonega — The Arts & Wine Festival, May 20, features an art raffle, wine garden, live music and more. www.chestateeartists.org/events-and-exhibits.php.
Evans — Papa Joe's Banjo-B-Que, May 25-26, features Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Old Crow Medicine Show, The Infamous Stringdusters and Robert Randolph & the Family Band. banjobque.com.
Helen — Bavarianfest, May 26, has a live Oompa band, dancing and Bavarian food. www.helenchamber.com.
Dublin — DubJam, June 1-3, brings in musical acts like Rachel Carter, Kara Evans and Sunbelt Revolution. www.visitdublinga.org/events/dubjam-2018.
Alma — The 44th Georgia Blueberry Festival, June 1-2, has art vendors, music, a blueberry pie contest and kids activities. georgiablueberryfestival.org.
Young Harris — The North Georgia Highlands Seafood Festival, June 1-3, will have seafood and sweet treats, as well as live music, arts and crafts and more. www.northgeorgiahighlandsseafoodfestival.com.
Blairsville — The Scottish Festival & Highland Games, June 9-10, features games, animals, dancing, demonstrations, music and more. blairsvillescottishfestival.com.
ALABAMA
Gulf Shores — Hangout Music Festival, May 20, is a concert on the beach featuring the Killers, the Chainsmokers and Kendrick Lamar as headliners. www.hangoutmusicfest.com.
Decatur — Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Festival, May 26-27, features more than 60 balloons with races, tether rides and arts and crafts, food vendors, an antique car and tractor show, musical entertainment and children's activities. www.alabamajubilee.net.
Haleyville — 911 Festival, June 1-2, features music, children's activities, street vendors, a parade, classic car show and more to honor police and emergency personnel. www.haleyvillechamber.org.
FLORIDA
Panama City Beach — Jeep Beach Jam, through May 20, is when thousands of Jeep owners gather for concerts, scavanger hunts, off-road excursions, bonfires and more. www.eventbrite.com/e/jeep-beach-jam-2018-registration-34926119965.
Lake Buena Vista — The 2018 International Flower & Garden Festival, through May 28, has brilliant gardens, interactive playgrounds and entertainment. disneyworld.disney.go.com.
Tallahassee — The 21st annual Florida African Dance Festival, June 7-9, is a three-day conference that features internationally renowned artists in dance and drum workshops and a performance concert. www.fadf.org.
Coral Gables — The Mango and Tropical Fruit Festival, July 14-15, offers lectures, cooking demonstrations and tips on keeping a mango tree thriving. Also shop vendors and sample brews. www.fairchildgarden.org.
LOUISIANA
Baton Rouge — The first Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival, through May 20, is two days of live music, good food and a judged soul food competition. hitcitydigital.wixsite.com/brsoulfoodfest
New Orleans — The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience, May 23-27, is in its 26th year, attracting more than 7,000 gourmands and connoisseurs as well as art and music lovers. www.nowfe.com.
MISSISSIPPI
Tupelo —The Elvis Festival, June 6-10, is a musical celebration to honor Elvis Presley with the ultimate tribute artist contest, artists, a 5K, living history, food vendors and more. www.tupeloelvisfestival.com.
NORTH CAROLINA
Elizabeth City — The North Carolina Potato Festival, through May 20, opens with the Midway for rides, and has live music, street fair, exhibits, fireworks and dancing.
Asheboro — The annual North Carolina Aviation Museum & Hall of Game Fly-in, June 9, hosts more than 100 unique and classic aircraft from across the Eastern seaboard and includes food vendors, aviation attractions, hayrides and aircraft rides. www.ncaviationmuseumhalloffame.com.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Little River — The World Famous Blue Crab Festival, through May 20, features beach music, a kids zone, arts and crafts, specialty food and business vendors. www.bluecrabfestival.org.
Myrtle Beach — The Carolina Country Music Fest, June 7-10, features Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band, Toby Keith, Tracy Lawrence, Deana Carter, Cole Swindall and more. carolinacountrymusicfest.com.
TENNESSEE
Ooltewah — Summertime on the Square, June 2, is a family festival with a petting zoo, food vendors, inflatables, craft vendors and music. www.tnvacation.com.
Gatlinburg — Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales, June 22-Aug. 11, is a summer-long street performance festival featuring costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying characters from time periods as far back as the 1800s. www.gatlinburg.com.
