GEORGIA
Blairsville — The Grape Stomp Fest, Sept. 1, features live music, local vendors, food and wine and a Lucille Ball lookalike contest. www.exploregeorgia.org.
Douglas — The South Georgia BBQ & Outdoor Festival, Sept. 7-8, has a barbecue competition, car and motorcycle show, aviation display and fly-in and shows. www.cityofdouglas.com.
Villa Rica — The Gold Rush Festival, Sept. 8, features a 5K race, parade, food and craft vendors, along with entertainment. www.downtownvillarica.com.
Dahlonega — Trailfest, Sept. 7-9, is a festival for outdoor enthusiasts revolving around all aspects of non-motorized recreation that will feature speakers, workshops, music, food and vendors. dahlonegatrailfest.org.
Blue Ridge — The Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Music Festival, Sept. 15, starts with a Blues Crawl with bands set up in restaurants downtown and the actual festival is Saturday. www.stayinblueridge.com.
Macon — The Ocmulgee Indian Celebration, Sept. 15-16, celebrates the culture of the Southeastern Native Americans with dancing, storytelling, music, crafts, games, food and demonstrations. www.ocmulgeemounds.org.
Sautee Nacoochee — Georgia's Spirit of Appalachia Food, Wine and Art Festival, Sept. 15, features Georgia products made by Georgia chefs, accompanied by Georgia wines and beers. There also will be arts and music. www.whitecountychamber.org.
Jekyll Island — The Shrimp & Grits Festival, Sept. 14-16, features an artists market, live music, craft brew fest, cooking competition, classic car show and more. www.jekyllisland.com/shrimpgrits.
ALABAMA
Eutaw — Black Belt Folk Roots Festival, through Aug. 26, brings together musicians, dancers, crafters, storytellers, artists and community worksers in the West Alabama region. alabama.travel.
Tuscumbia — The Oka Kapassa/Return to Coldwater Native American Festival, Sept. 7-8, will educate students and the community regarding folk traditions of their cultural heritage with artisans and performers demonstrating Native American arts and crafts as well as historic tribal dance. www.okakapassa.org.
Waterloo — The Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride & Pow Wow, Sept. 14-16, features a motorcycle ride ending with live music and Native American arts and crafts. www.al-tn-trailoftears.net.
Huntsville — Eva Frontier Days, Sept. 22-29, features singing, a greased pig chase, craft show, antique tractor show, food contests, parades and more. www.alabama.travel/upcoming-events/eva-frontier-days.
FLORIDA
Tampa — The Summer of Rum Festival, Sept. 1-2, features live music from Sugar Ray, as well as a variety of drinks made with all kinds of rum. ww.summerofrumfest.com.
Pensacola — The fifth annual Dragonboat Race, Sept. 8, takes place and includes the race along with children's activities and vendors. www.pensacoladragonboatfestival.com.
Pensacola — Taste of Pensacola Beach, Sept. 14-15, starts with a special VIP dinner with five chefs and continues the next day with cook-offs, demonstrations, a chef challenge, samplings and a live concert. www.tasteofpensacolabeach.com.
Fort Myers — The Island Hopper Songwriter Fest, Sept. 21-30, brings more than 80 songswriters, including Hall of Fame musicians, to perform as well as participate in new activities such as resort pool parties, wine pairis and workshops. www.island-hopper.fortmyers-sanibel.com.
N ORTH CAROLINA
Beech Mountain — The Mile High Kite Festival, Sept. 1-2, includes kite-flying music, prizes, face painting and food and craft vendors, and on Saturday night, a street dance. beechmtn.com.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Myrtle Beach — The Beach Boogie & BBQ Festival, Sept. 1-2, is an official BBQ Championship of SC competition and also features a beer garden, wing tasting and competition, live entertainment and arts and crafts. www.visitmyrtlebeach.com.
Hilton Head — The Italian Heritage Festival, Sept. 15, celebrates the heritage of the Italian people with food, music, competitions and games. www.iachh.org.
TENNESSEE
Livingston — The Muddy Roots Music Festival, Aug. 30, is three days of camping for hillybilly, bluegrass and punk music like X, Fu Manchu, the Meat Puppets, Pat Reedy & the Longtime Goners and Rock Bottom String Band. www.muddyrootsrecords.com.
Knoxville — A Gathering of Ancient Sounds: Celtic and Appalachian Musical Roots, Sept. 1, offers music from Kelly Ann Shipe, the Traveling Caudells, Sigean, Wild Blue Yonder and Four Leaf Pete. ramseyhouse.org.
Knoxville — The Tennessee Valley Fair, Sept. 7-16, is known for innovative exhibits, livestock shows, concert series, action sports, midways and food. www.tnvalleyfair.org.
About the Author
