�Top 20 Events�
July - August - September 2004
In The Southeast USA
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| Atlanta, GA � June 2004
� Since 1985 the Southeast Tourism
Society has published the Top 20 Events. The best events across the
Southeast compete to receive the prestigious Top 20 designation. Through
a nomination process, the Southeast Tourism Society chooses the Top 20
events going on in the Southeast for each month of the year, and publishes
this list of winners quarterly. The Top 20 Events publication is sent to
over 300 newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations and others,
as well as 125 AAA publications. The combined circulation runs into the
millions.
| To be nominated for a Top 20 Event, an event must be at least in its 3rd year and must have a minimum attendance of 1000. | Contact: Chuck Bonelli chuck@southeasttourism.org 404-364-9847 | |
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July - August - September - 2004 July
- Aug. 16 - Summer at Callaway
- Pine Mountain, GA - Summer at Callaway Gardens offers something for the
whole family from paddleboating and riding the miniature train on Robin
Lake Beach, to watching acrobats and clowns perform in the Flying High
Circus, to dancing to music by the Swinging Medallions while watching a
fireworks finale. 800-CALLAWAY; Rachel Crumbley;
www.callawayonline.com;
info@callawaygardens.com
July
1-4 - Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo - Gulfport, MS - Experience
the great fishing of Mississippi's Gulf Coast, saltwater and fresh water,
the glitz of casinos and the warmth of Southern hospitality along with
continuous entertainment, carnival rides and a spectacular fireworks display.
228-863-2713; Chuck Dedeaux; www.fishrodeo.com;
mdsfr1947@yahoo.com
July
2-3 - Pepsi 400 Weekend - Daytona Beach, FL - Daytona International
Speedway will celebrate Independence Day in high style with thrilling NASCAR
racing action. Enjoy the spectacle of nighttime racing under 1,800 lights
followed by a fireworks extravaganza. 800-854-1234; Tangela Boyd; www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com;
info@daytonabeachcvb.org
July
2-3 - Official State and National Championship Fiddlers' Jamboree and Crafts
Festival - Smithville, TN - 140,000 will gather to hear the best fiddlers
of all ages compete for prizes in categories such as Best Junior Fiddler,
Best Senior Fiddler and the Grand Champion. Along with this celebration
of Appalachian music, over 235 crafters will be exhibiting hand-made mountain
crafts. 615-597-8500; Neil Dudney; https://www.smithvilletn.com/jamboree/index.htm
July
3-4 - Spirit of America Festival - Decatur, AL - An All-American celebration
and one of the largest free festivals in Alabama. Major highlights include
a ceremony where deserving individuals will be honored with the Patriotism
Award, Freedom Award and Humanitarian Award, plus talent shows, children's
games live entertainment and fireworks. 800-524-6181; Beverly Walker; www.decaturcvb.org
July
4 - Go 4th on the River - New Orleans, LA - Celebrate the 4th in the
"Big Easy" with a patriotic Parade of Heroes, and all-day family activities
along the New Orleans Riverfront, culminating with a one-of-a-kind dueling
barges fireworks extravaganza over the mighty Mississippi River. 985-630-4604;
Debra Bresler; www.go4thontheriver.com;
dlbpooh@aol.com
July
8-11 - South Carolina Peach Festival - Gaffney, SC - Just follow I-85
until you see the giant peach and you're almost where the fun is. There's
the Peach Dessert Contest, Peach Jam, Peach Fair, a giant parade and concerts
by national recording artists. 864-489-5716; Dennis Fowler; www.scpeachfestival.org
July 8-11 - Grandfather Mountain Highland Games & Gathering of Scottish Clans - Linville, NC - The world's largest annual gathering of Scottish clans is not in the highlands of Scotland, but rather in the highlands of North Carolina. See tartan banners unfurl, hear bagpipes echo through the glen and witness thousands of kilt-clad Scots make their way to Grandfather Mountain. 828-733-1333; Frank Vance; www.gmhg.org; highlandgames@vol.com July 9-10 - Blue Angels Air Show - Pensacola Beach, FL - The U.S. Navy Precision Flight Team, based in Pensacola, offers two free air shows a year on Pensacola Beach. Soak up the rays and watch the best aviators in the world do their stuff. 850-932-1500; Shelia Waites; shelia-waites@sria-fla.com July 10-11 - Battle of Huck's Defeat at Historic Brattonsville - McConnells, SC - Step back in history to the American Revolution and experience first-hand the reenactment of great battles at the site of Mel Gibson's movie, The Patriot. Brattonsville is a 775-acre living history village and Revolutionary War battle site with 29 historic structures. 803-684-2327; https://cultureandheritagemuseums.org/brattonsville/index.html; hbratton@comporium.net July 12-17 - Lexington Junior League Horse Show - Lexington, KY - The world's largest outdoor Saddlebred horse show is in the beautiful Bluegrass area of Kentucky - an area known for world champion horses. This show is the first leg of the Saddlebred Triple Crown and draws competitors from across the U.S. and Canada. 859-252-1893; Ame Sweetall; www.lexjrleague.com; gen@lexjrleague.com July 15-18 - Virginia Lake Festival - Clarksville, VA - The skies over Clarksville fill with hot air balloons and boats skip across the water as clowns, line dancers, and musicians perform, along with a tethered balloon race for kids, plus mouth-watering Southern and ethnic food. 434-374-2436/800-557-5582; Linda Williams; www.clarksvilleva.org; clarksville@kerrlake.com July 16-25 - Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair - Gatlinburg, TN - Over 180 of the finest craftspeople in woodcarving, pottery, broom making, stained glass, metal work, basket weaving, calligraphy, jewelry, plus country and bluegrass music performed daily. 865-436-7479; Sam Large; www.craftsmenfair.com; office@craftsmenfair.com July 16-25 - Paducah Summer Festival - Paducah, KY - This 10-day festival offers activities for the whole family, including live music, a hot air balloon glow, lawn mower race, 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles parachute show, grand fireworks finale and more. 800-PADUCAH; Brian Uthoff; www.paducahsummerfestival.com July 17-18 - 17th Annual Cajun Music & Food Festival - Lake Charles, LA - A true celebration of Cajun heritage, highlighting all aspects of Cajun life, including food, dance, live music, amateur accordion contest, and a Sunday morning French Catholic mass with a Cajun choir. 800-456-7952; Lesa Cormier; lcormier1@msn.com July 21-Aug. 1 - Georgia Mountain Fair - Hiawassee, GA - One day isn't enough to enjoy this great fair. Features include Bluegrass and gospel music, clogging, 70 arts and crafts booths, pioneer village with authentic mountain demonstrations and delicious smoked mountain trout and Bar-B-Q. 706-896-4191; Hilda Thomason; www.georgia-mountain-fair.com; gamtfair@alltel.net July 23-25 - Bele Chere - Asheville, NC - Three days of sizzling-hot food, cool music and home-grown talent can be found in the streets of downtown Asheville. The largest outdoor street festival in the Southeast features national and regional musicians, and handmade arts and crafts. 828-259-5800; Melissa Porter; www.belechere.com; mporter@ashevillenc.gov July 23 - 30 - Neshoba County Fair - Philadelphia, MS - Mississippi's Giant House Party sparkles with politicians making fiery speeches - the fair is THE political forum for the State of Mississippi - plus harness racing, livestock shows, a game-filled midway and country music concerts. 601-656-8480; Doug Johnson; www.neshobacountyfair.org; ncfa@netalpha.net July 25-31 - W.C. Handy Music Festival - Florence, AL - A week-long celebration honoring the musical heritage of Florence native W.C. Handy, "The Father of the Blues." More than 200 events are scheduled, including concerts, exhibits, jam sessions, "Street Strut" and educational events. 256-766-7642; Nancy Gonce; www.wchandymusicfestival.org; handyfst@bellsouth.net July
31-Aug. 15 - Virginia Highlands Festival - Abingdon, VA - Experience
the culture of Virginia's Blue Ridge Highlands through arts and crafts,
antiques, creative writing, literature workshops, fine foods, drama, concerts,
nature walks and historical tours. 800-435-3440/276-676-2282; Steve Galyean;
www.vahighlandsfestival.org;
acvb@abingdon.com
Aug.
4-7 - North Carolina Watermelon Festival - Murfreesboro, NC - This
four-day event features a variety of entertainment, amusement rides, a
large craft and food fair, fireworks, watermelon contests and the state's
largest agricultural parade - plus the charm and hospitality of this Southern
town. 252-398-5922; Kay Mitchell; www.murfreesboronc.com;
ncheritage@earthlink.net
Aug.
4-8 - Satchmo SummerFest - New Orleans, LA - "What a wonderful world"
you'll discover at the French Quarter celebration honoring new Orleans'
native son, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. The program includes music, discussions,
exhibits, a jazz mass, a club crawl, "red beans and ricely yours" foods,
and a line-up of performances that would have made Louis smile. 504-522-5730;
Laurie Toups; www.fqfi.org; feedback@fqfi.org
Aug.
5-7 - 49th Annual Robbins Farmers Day - Robbins, NC - What began in
1955 as a celebration of the weekly wagon ride into town by the area's
farm families has become a huge, four-day event that includes gospel and
country music, street dances, clogging, square dancing, arts and crafts
and food galore. The big parade features over 600 horses and 30,000 spectators.
910-464-1290; Jarius Garner; www.robbinsfarmersday.com;
contact@robbinsfarmersday.com
Aug.
5-14 - Putnam County Agricultural & Industrial Fair - Cookeville,
TN - Experience a county fair at its finest as you thrill to the rides
on the midway, sample homemade lemonade, cotton candy and popcorn and watch
mule pulling contests, horse shows, motorcycle races, a demolition derby
and local entertainment. 931-526-7685; Bill Dyer; www.putnamcountyfair.org;
info@putnamcountyfair.org
Aug.
6-7 - 48th Annual Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair - Burnsville, NC - Escape
the August heat in Burnsville (elevation 2,185 feet above sea level) and
enjoy the oldest, largest outdoor crafts fair in the mountains. Includes
225 crafters plus live gospel, bluegrass and country music. 800-948-1632;
www.mtmitchellcraftsfair.com;
info@yanceychamber.com
Aug.
7 - Smokey Bear's Birthday Party - Pisgah Forest, NC - Smokey Bear
has been working over 50 years to remind Americans of the importance of
outdoor fire safety and prevention and you're invited to join him for his
birthday party. The party takes place at the "Cradle of Forestry," a 6,500
acre Historic Site that commemorates the beginning of forestry conservation
in the U.S. Enjoy games, puppet shows, animals, fire-fighting equipment
exhibits and, of course, Smokey Bear himself will be on hand to blow out
candles on his birthday cake - keeping fire safety in mind, of course!
828-877-3130; Cindy Carpenter; www.cradleofforestry.com;
cfaia@citcom.net
Aug.
7-8 - Pleasant Hill Craft Fair - Harrodsburg, KY - The Shaker Village
hosts 75 outstanding artisans from across Kentucky, the South and Midwest
demonstrating their art and fine crafts at America's finest, and most completely
restored Shaker community. 859-734-1545/800-734-5611; Diana Ratliff; www.shakervillageky.org
Aug. 7-15 - 127 Corridor Longest Outdoor Yard Sale - Covington, KY - Gadsden, AL - From northern Kentucky to Alabama, this internationally known sale brings shoppers from as far away as Japan to browse yard sales along 450 miles of U.S. Highway 27. Anything can be found - quilts, old furniture, antiques, maybe even a good "yard car." 800-327-3945; www.127sale.com; sharonr@jamestowntn.org Aug. 7-16 - Elvis Week 2004 - Memphis, TN - This year marks the 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley's career with the recording of his first hit single, "That's All Right" in 1954. Graceland celebrates with a dance party and concert, official collector's club conference, special tours and the annual candlelight vigil. 800-238-2000/901-332-3322; www.elvis.com; glsales@elvis.com Aug. 11-14 - NIBROC FunFest - Corbin, KY - Four days of fun, family & friends on Corbin's Main Street. Activities include the NIBROC Scholarship Pageant, parades, crafts, carnival rides, and free entertainment every night including gospel, country, blues, and rock 'n roll. 606-528-6390; Lynda Meadows; www.corbinkentucky.us Aug. 13-22 - State Fair of West Virginia - Lewisburg, WV - West Virginia's State Fair is one of the premier events in the state, offering something for everyone. Fairgoers can check out a wide variety of entertainment, exhibits, livestock shows and harness racing. 304-645-1090; Michael Alkire; www.wvstatefair.com; publicrelations@wvstatefair.com Aug. 14 - Bon Festival - Delray Beach, FL - Morikami Museum's Bon Festival is inspired by the Japanese holiday of Obon, which honors ancestors and thanks them for the quality of life enjoyed by the living. Enjoy taiko drum performances, Japaneses folk dancing, ghost stories and a street fair while sampling sushi, Japanese beer and saki. 561-495-0233; Erin Molloy; www.morikami.org; morikami@co.palm-beach.fl.us Aug. 14-28 - 3rd Annual Gatlinburg "Heritage on Display" - Gatlinburg, TN - Enjoy two weeks of mountain heritage in the arts and crafts community of the Great Smoky Mountains. Visit over 80 shops filled with crafts, handmade gifts, collectibles and one-of-a-kind pieces. 865-436-0500; George Hawkins; www.gatlinburg-tn.com; georgeh@ci.gatlinburg.tn.us Aug. 20-21 - Fiddle Fest - Moulton, AL - Two individuals will be inducted into the World Fiddlers Hall of Fame at this year's event which includes arts and crafts and activities for children in the midst of some of the best Bluegrass fiddlin' you'll find anywhere. 256-974-7330; Mike Frost; https://www.northalabama.org/Pages/Festivals/fesmain.html Aug. 20-21 - Franklin County Watermelon Festival - Russellville, AL - A festival that will make a Southerner love watermelon even more, featuring a concert in the park, golf and tennis tournaments, a beauty pageant for all ages, 5K and one mile runs, and great southern food. 256-332-1760; www.franklincountychamber.org; franklincounty@charter.net Aug. 20-22 - "Le Cajun" Cajun French Music Association Festival - Lafayette, LA - What the Grammy is to pop music, the Le Cajun is to Cajun music. The CFMA is dedicated to Cajun French music, language and heritage. The event features the best in Cajun music, Louisiana crafts, Cajun dancing and Cajun cuisine. 337-232-3737/800-346-1958; www.lafayettetravel.com; info@lafayettetravel.com Aug. 28 - Jubilee Festival of Heritage - Columbia, SC - A celebration of African American culture with traditional artists, dancers, musicians and performers. This award-winning festival is one of the oldest African-American festivals in the state. 803-252-7742; Adam Roy; www.historiccolumbia.org Aug. 25-29 - East Coast Surfing Championships - Virginia Beach, VA - The second oldest surfing contest in the world is part beach party, part music festival, part athletic event, including beach volleyball, skimboarding golf tournament, and live music on a beachfront stage. 800-861-SURF; Myron Nahra; www.surfecsc.com; publicrelations@surfecsc.com Aug. 25-Sept. 4 - Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration - Shelbyville, TN - This premier event draws nearly a quarter-million fans from more than 40 states to the Walking Horse counterpart to thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown. Twenty World Champions will be named. 931-684-5915; www.twhnc.com; twhnc@twhnc.com Aug.
28 - Summerfest - York, SC - York's historic district becomes a day-long
extravaganza with music and dancing, an outstanding arts and crafts fair
along the beautiful, tree-lined streets, classic car shows, and a giant-sized
model airplane fly-in. 803-684-2590; Les Arkin; www.yorksc.com;
yorkchamber@rhtc.net
Sept.
3-5 - West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival - Clarksburg, WV - Offers
authentic Italian cuisine and fun and games for people of all ages. A special
children's area has been added that features the Rugrats and Happy the
Clown, magicians and music. Top-named entertainers will perform. Past performers
include Tony Danza, Kathy Mattea, Jo Dee Messina, Dion and Fabian. 304-622-7314,
Rachel Torchia; www.wvihf.com; benvenuto79@wvihf.com
Sept.
3-6 - Annual Labor Day Weekend Catfish Festival - Kingsland, GA - Nothing
goes better with southern-fried catfish than a serving of sizzling country
music. Headliners such as Lee An Womack, Charlie Daniels and Aaron Tippin
have played this event. Activities include a baseball tournament, 30K bicycle
race, fishing tournament, and a parade. 800-433-0225; Tonya Rosado; www.visitkingsland.com;
info@visitkingsland.com
Sept.
4, 8, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26 - Virginia Beach Neptune Festival
- Virginia Beach, VA - During this end-of-summer celebration, millions
will gather on the Virginia Beach oceanfront to enjoy multiple entertainment
stages, 250+ artists and crafters, a grand parade, and fireworks over the
ocean . 757-498-0215; Whit Collins; www.neptunefestival.com;
wbc@neptunefestival.com
Sept.
9-12 - Yellow Daisy Festival - Stone Mountain, GA - The wild yellow
daisy blooms each September but only within a 50-mile radius of Stone Mountain,
and it's a cause for celebration. The nation's No. 1 arts and crafts show
features 440-plus of the nation's top crafters, a Creative Children's Corner,
and southern food. 770-498-5690; Jeanine Battle;www.stonemountainpark.com;
jbattle@stonemountainpark.com
Sept.
10-19 - Tennessee Valley Fair - Knoxville, TN - A showcase for east
Tennessee arts, crafts, domestic goods and livestock, plus a Bluegrass
festival, tractor pull, rodeos, youth talent contests, Hispanic festival,
and Down on the Farm field trips. 865-214-1476; Ginger Huskey; www.tnvalleyfair.org;
fair@tnvalleyfair.org
Sept.
10 - Oct. 31 - Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival - Gatlinburg, TN - Enjoy
this festival in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains which features
arts and crafts, decorating contests, special entertainment and more in
the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. 865-436-0500; George
Hawkins; www.gatlinburg-tn.com;
georgeh@ci.gatlinburg.tn.us
Sept.
11 - Mississippi Gulf Coast Blues & Heritage Festival - Biloxi,
MS - Blues fans flock to Biloxi during this festival which features top-quality
music by nationally-known Bluesmen. Two outdoor stages offer music rain
or shine, plus great food and arts & crafts. 228-497-5493; Addie Brent;
www.gulfcoast.org;
janicej@gulfcoast.org
Sept. 11 - 12 - Biloxi Seafood Festival - Biloxi, MS - This two-day affair is filled with continuous live entertainment, children's activities such as the Fishing Rodeo and the Seafood Olympics; and all you can eat of boiled and fried shrimp, fried fish, po-boys, seafood gumbo, alligator sausage and more. 228-374-2717; www.biloxi.org; biloxiseafoodfestival@biloxi.org Sept. 11 - 12 - Louisiana Folklife Festival - Monroe, LA - A celebration of Louisiana heritage and culture that brings together the state's finest musicians, cooks, storytellers, and craftspeople to provide six stages of family-friendly entertainment. 318-503-1618; J. Michael Luster; luster@aol.com Sept. 15 - 19 - Kentucky Bourbon Festival - Bardstown, KY - Celebrates the passion, history and art of making Kentucky Bourbon with 30 major events, including Bourbon Q Cookoff, distillery tours, live entertainment, Bourbon tasting and Bourbon barrel relay. 502-348-3623/800-638-4877; www.kybourbonfestival.com; info@kybourbonfestival.com Sept. 16-Oct. 23 - 28th Annual Fall Candlelight Tour of Homes & Gardens - Charleston, SC - Residents of the Historic district open their homes to visitors for self-guided, self-paced walking tours. The properties on tour range from early Georgian design to the 20th century. 843-722-4630/800-968/8175; Stephen Skelton; www.preservationsociety.org; preserve@preservationsociety.org Sept. 17-19 - Festivals Acadiens - Lafayette, LA - Celebrate the rhythm of Cajun life in the heart of French Louisiana with Cajun and Creole cooking, Cajun and Zydeco bands, dancing in the streets, exhibits for hunting & fishing and arts & crafts. 337-232-3737; www.festivalsacadiens.com Sept. 17-25 - Racking Horse World Celebration - Decatur, AL - More than 700,000 pay tribute to Alabama's "official" horse and enjoy the spectacle and excitement as some 2,000 horses compete in 157 classes for cash and prizes. 256-353-7225; Melisa Taylor; www.rackinghorse.com Sept. 18 - March of Dimes 22nd Annual NC Chili Championship & Rubber Duck Regatta - Clemmons, NC - Chili cooks from across the South do their best to fire up the taste buds while visitors enjoy country music, browse arts and crafts exhibits and watch thousands of rubber ducks float down the Yadkin River - and it all goes to benefit the March of Dimes. 336-723-4386; Nell Jo Hall; www.ncchilichampionship.com; nhall@marchofdimes.com Sept. 18 - Trail of Tears Commemoration & Motorcycle Ride - Waterloo, AL - Some 100,000 cyclists will ride from Chattanooga to Waterloo along the route of the tragic Trail of Tears. The event includes a Native American Pow Wow and live entertainment. 256-536-3702/888-FLO-TOUR; Jerry Davis; www.al-tn-trailoftears.org Sept. 21 - 15th Annual Taste of Clearwater - Clearwater, FL - Over 50 area restaurants will serve up the best food and drinks around. For one admission price, attendees can eat and drink to their fill, then relax and be entertained by jazz bands, caricaturists, and magicians. 727-461-0011; Doug Kemp; www.clearwaterflorida.org; dkemp@clearwaterflorida.org Sept. 23-26 - World Chicken Festival - London, KY - Col. Harlan Sanders opened his first Kentucky Fried Chicken café here, and now it hosts an egg-citing weekend that features live entertainment on four stages, a Col. Sanders look-alike contest, the world's largest skillet (filled with chicken), crowing, strutting and clucking contest and more. 606-878-6900/800-348-0095; www.chickenfestival.com; tourism@lltc.net Sept. 23-Oct. 3 - 21st Annual MOJA Arts Festival - Charleston, SC - MOJA is a Swahili word that means "one," as this festival celebrates harmony among all people. The event highlights African-American and Caribbean contributions to western culture and includes visual arts, classical music, theater, dance, ethnic foods and children's activities. 843-724-7305; Eleasa Amos-Goodwin; www.mojafestival.com Sept. 24-26 - 27th Pensacola Seafood Festival Pensacola, FL - Sample a huge variety of mouth-watering seafood and then ease your conscience with the 5K run. Event also offers arts & crafts vendors and children's activities, including puppet shows and hands-on arts and crafts. 850-433-6512; Angie Irvin; www.fiestaoffiveflags.org; info@fiestaoffiveflags.org Sept.
25 - Everybody's Day - Thomasville, NC - With an estimated attendance
of 70,000 in a community of 25,000 people, this event lives up to its promise
of having something for everyone. The day-long street festival features
175 arts & crafts vendors, kid's rides, games and several stages of
entertainment. 336-475-6134; Judy Smith; www.everybodysday.com;
tvillecoc@northstate.net
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Small Business Hospitality Association (SBHA) |