GEORGIA
Dawsonville — Uncle Shuck's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch, Sept. 1-Nov. 18, features a 12-acre corn maze, pumpkin patches, hay rides and Halloween-themed activities. 888-674-7952, www.uncleshucks.com.
Helen — Oktoberfest, Sept. 12-15, features German music, food, drinks and dance. www.helenga.org.
Augusta — Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival, Sept. 20-22, features arts and crafts, children's activities, street entertainers, food and music. 706-826-4702, www.artsintheheart.com.
Jekyll Island — Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival, Sept. 20-22, features arts and crafts, music, beer tastings, cooking competitions and demonstrations and children's activities. 877-453-5955, www.shrimpandgritsfestival.com.
Macon — Ocmulgee Indian Celebration, Sept. 21-22, features artifacts, cultural dance, music and storytelling, craft demonstrations and educational exhibits. www.nps.gov/ocmu.
Clarkesville — Taste of Clarkesville, Sept. 28, features food, wine, beer, seminars and live entertainment. 706-754-2220, www.tasteofclarkesville.com.
Saint Simons Island — Food and Spirits Festival, Oct. 1-6, features barbecue, seafood and Southern cuisine, wine tastings and a children's cooking class. www.saintsimonsfoodandspirits.com.
ALABAMA
Decatur — Riverfest, Sept. 13-14, features a barbecue cook-off, open-air concerts and children's activities. 800-524-6181, www.decaturjaycees.com.
Fort Payne — Boom Days Heritage Celebration, Sept. 21, features clowns, street artists, food, crafts, music, a vintage car show and a 5K run. 256-845-2741, www.boomdays.org.
Mobile — BayFest, Oct. 4-6, features several genres of live music from local and regional performers. www.bayfest.com.
FLORIDA
Panama City Beach — Gulf Coast Jam, Sept. 26-28, features live music from Toby Keith, Brantley Gilbert, Trace Adkins and more. 888-512-7469, www.gulfcoastjam.com.
Pensacola — Seafood Festival, Sept. 27-29, features entertainment, crafts and food. 850.433.6512, www.fiestaoffiveflags.org.
KENTUCKY
Danville — Kentucky State BBQ Festival, Sept. 7-8, features barbecue demos, raffles, an art auction and children's activities. 859-319-4444, www.kybbqfestival.com.
Covington — MainStrasse Village Oktoberfest, Sept. 6-8, features live entertainment, midway rides, arts and crafts, food and children's activities. 859-491-0458, www.mainstrasse.org.
Lexington — Roots and Heritage Festival, Sept. 6-8, features live music, art exhibitions, food, cultural films, sporting events, KidsFest and health/wellness events. www.rootsfestky.com.
Owensboro — East Bridge Art & Music Festival, Sept. 7, features visual arts, live music, dance, food, Revolutionary War re-enactments and children's activities. 270-684-3570, www.eastbridgeart.com.
Owensboro — Patriot Days, Sept. 13-15, features living history exhibits, Revolutionary War re-enactments, frontier games, children's activities and food. www.friendsofpioneervillage.org.
Bardstown — Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Sept. 17-22, features bourbon tastings, cooking classes, music and more. 1-800-638-4877, www.kybourbonfestival.com.
LOUISIANA
Lake Charles — Boozoo's Labor Day Festival, Sept. 2, features music, Creole culture and food and Zydeco music. 800-456-7952, www.visitlakecharles.org.
MISSISSIPPI
Jackson — Wellsfest 2013, Sept. 28, features music, arts and crafts, food, children's activities and a silent auction. 601-353-0658, www.wellsfest.org.
Gulf Coast — Cruisin' the Coast, Oct. 6-13, features classic cars, parades, drag races, auto auctions, and live music. 1-888-808-1188, www.cruisinthecoast.com.
NORTH CAROLINA
Lexington — Barbecue Festival, Oct. 26, features craft and food vendors, rides, family activities, music and food. www.barbecuefestival.com.
Morehead City — North Carolina Seafood Festival, Oct. 4-6, features food, fireworks, an outdoor expo and boat races. www.ncseafoodfestival.org.
Mount Airy — Autumn Leaves Festival, Oct. 11-13, features arts and crafts, food, live music and children's activities. 336-786-6116, www.autumnleavesfestival.com.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Pendleton — Historic Walking Tour, Fridays and Saturdays, Sept. 13-Dec. 14, features guided tours of the historic district. www.pendletondistrict.org.
Greenville — TD Saturday Market, through Oct. 26, features fresh produce, flowers, gourmet foods, how-to classes and kids' activities. www.saturdaymarketlive.com.
Greenville — Fall for Greenville, Oct. 11-13, food, wine and beer tastings, competitions, a chef showcase, live music and children's activities. www.fallforgreenville.net.
TENNESSEE
Knoxville — Tennessee Valley Fair, Sept. 6-15, features midway rides, carnival games, agricultural exhibits, livestock, food, demolition derby, live music and more. 865-215-1471, www.tnvalleyfair.org.
VIRGINIA
Virginia Beach — Artisans in the Park, Sept. 7-8, features arts and crafts, food vendors, live entertainment and family activities. 757-493-5406, www.vbgov.com.
Roanoke — Craftsmen's Classic Art & Craft Festival, Oct. 11-13, features paintings, baskets, sculptures, jewelry, quilts and other artworks. 336-282-5550, www.craftshow.com.
Compiled from Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events and staff reports.
If you find a mistake in the Travel Calendar, email scanady@ajc.com. Events are subject to change.
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