OCTOBER 2008

Oct. 1-25, Covered Bridge Festival. Spotlight on Blount County’s historic covered bridges, with month-long fun including bridge tours and river walks, crafts shows, pageants, parades, Family Fun Run, golf tourneys and antique car show. Oneonta, AL, 205-274-2153; cvbridge@otelco.net. (blountoneontachamber.org)

Oct. 3-4, 6th Annual Cajun, Country, Swamp Pop Music Fest & Car Show. Jam-packed charity event draws 30,000 to the coast for non-stop entertainment, kids’ activities, southern favorites and fresh seafood at the Harrison County Fairgrounds. Gulfport, MS., 228-547-7323.

Oct. 3-5, 30th Annual Destin Seafood Festival. Kick-off the Destin Fishing Rodeo at HarborWalk Village with 25,000 partygoers enjoying music, street dancing, crafts, kids’ fun and a bounty of succulent sea treats! Destin, FL, 850-837-6241; rgarner@destinchamber.com. (destinseafoodfestival.org)

Oct. 3-5, Gretna Heritage Festival. Mississippi River madness includes a midway, carnival, crafts, beer gardens and a deliciously diverse display of foods attracting all cultures pledging their international allegiance to good times! Gretna, LA, 504-361-7748; info@gretnafest.com. (gretnafest.com)

Oct. 3-5, Invasion of the Pirates Flotilla & Treasure Hunt. That scurvy crew of the Meka II be back! Pirate’s Ball, Flotilla, street fair, costume contest, treasure hunt and fireworks over the river. Wilmington, NC, 910-815-3426; dianeboissiere@bellsouth.net. (invasionofthepirates.com)

Oct. 3-5, 22nd Annual North Carolina Seafood Festival. Fund-raiser brings fun to all with chef demonstrations, boat show, regatta, SasSea's Island Playground for Children, golf and fishing tourneys, fireworks, Open Aire Seafood Market. Morehead City, NC, 252-726-6273; fun@ncseafoodfestival.org. (ncseafoodfestival.org)

Oct. 4, Celebration of Cultures Festival. Awesome event that’s free for all! Come share the fun honoring and exploring the diversity of Nashville’s multi-cultural fabric. Exotic foods and ethic music, dance, storytelling and crafts. Nashville, TN, 615-340-8804; cpolitte@scarrittbennett.org. (celebrationofcultures.org)  

Oct. 4-5, The Cotton Pickin’ Fair. Lovely little community attracts over 30,000 with a return to the early 1900s at the Farmhouse, Cotton Gin and Cotton Warehouse. Mountain music, crafts and farming demonstrations. Gay, GA, 706-538-6814; info@cpfair.org. (cpfair.org)

Oct. 4,11,18,25, 25th Anniversary of the Lasershow Spectacular. Re-mastered, Silver Anniversary celebration of music, lights and fireworks with themes from Star Wars, Indiana Jones, High School Musical, patriotic medleys and more! Stone Mountain, GA, 770-413-5058; generalinfo@stonemountainpark.com. (stonemountainpark.com)

Oct. 9-12, Museum of Appalachia Tennessee Fall Homecoming. Authentic log cabin village; craft fair with hundreds of costumed artisans sharing farming, spinning, sawmilling skills and more. Bluegrass, gospel and folk music; fabulous food, too! Norris, TN, 865-494-7680; museum@museumofappalachia.org. (museumofappalachia.org)

Oct. 9-12, 37th Annual National Shrimp Festival. Hit the Public Beach for back-to-back music, Sand Sculpture Contest, Children’s Activity Village, hundreds of arts and crafts vendors and shrimp prepared every which way! Gulf Shores, AL, 251-968-6094; info@alagulfcoastchamer.com. (nationalshrimpfestival.com)

Oct. 11-12, DeltaFest. Celebration of the culture, food and music of North Louisiana is family-oriented fun with a Kid’s Zone, jumpers, water slides and music entertainment. Motorcycle Poker Run to the chicken Cook-off! Monroe, LA, 318-329-4947; myra.gatling@ci.monroe.la.us. (ladeltafest.com)

Oct. 11-13, Heritage Days 2008. Historic homes, picturesque town square and quaint shops provide a warm welcome for this community celebration, with music, storytellers, pioneer skills, traditional foods, kids events and crafts show. Rogersville, TN, 423-2721961; phumbert@rogersvilleheritage.org. (rogersvilleheritage.org)

Oct. 17-19, 37th Annual Louisiana Gumbo Festival. Proceeds from five acres of fun keep the volunteer fire department running each year! Cajun music, dancing and foods; raffle, auction and a carnival with midway. Chackbay, LA, 985-633-7789; lagumbofest@mobiletel.com. (lagumbofest.com)

Oct. 18, International Gold Cup Races. Exciting racing over brush and timber fences in the classic steeplechase tradition, with a purse of over $100K at stake, attracts the finest jump/race contenders in the country! The Plains, VA, 800-69RACES. (vagoldcup.com)

Oct. 18-20, Kentuck Festival of the Arts. Celebrating thirty-seven years of nurturing artistic expression! Fine and folk artists, traditional and heritage crafters, two stages of live entertainment, hands-on fun for kids, barbeque and Cajun foods. Northport, AL, 205-758-1257; kentuck@dbtech.net. (kentuck.org)

Oct. 24-26, Carolina BalloonFest. Coming to a sky near you! Over 50 hot air balloons, the Amazing Balloon Glow, Kid’s Fun Zone, BB&T Wine Festival, live music, local crafts and great food all weekend long! Statesville, NC, 704-873-2892; info@visitstatesville.org. (carolinaballoonfest.com) 

Oct. 25, 25th Annual Barbecue Festival. Rides, games, antique cars, bicycle stunts, 50-ton Pig-Themed Sand Sculpture, juried arts and crafts, “Hogway Speedway” pig races and barbecue complemented by Childress Vineyards’ Fine Swine Wine! Lexington, KY, 336-956-1880; ss@barbecuefestival.com. (barbecuefestival.com)

Oct. 25-26, Alabama Renaissance Faire. Trolls, wizards, sword fighters, minstrels, knights in armor and ladies fair are under the King’s command to eat, drink and be merry during this weekend of medieval gaiety! Florence, AL, 888-FLO-Tour; lindsey@visitflorenceal.com. (alarenfaire.org)

Oct. 25-26, Mountain Makins Festival. Fall in love with East Tennessee! Juried crafters demonstrate traditional Appalachia quilting, woodcarving, blacksmithing, basket weaving and lye soap making skills. Southern foods and kids’ activities. Morristown, TN, 423-581-4330; rosecenter@musfiber.com. (rosecenter.com)

Nov. 1-2, Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival. More than 300 arts and crafts vendors offering everything from paintings, prints and pottery, to sculptures, metals and woodworks! Great food and just $2 admission. Ocean Springs, MS., 228-875-4424; mail@oceanspringschamber.com. (oceanspringschamber.com)

Nov. 2-11, West Virginia University Mountaineer Week. Multi-faceted activities offer a diverse celebration of Appalachia history and culture. Crafts Fair of traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, music and local foods. Morgantown, WV, 304-293-2702; Sonja.wilson@mail.wvu.edu. (mountaineerweek.wvu.edu)

Nov. 6-8, Christmas Jubilee 2008. Do all your holiday shopping at the Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds and enjoy Girls’ Night Out, Santa Breakfast, Jubilee Art Walk, Author’s Corner and Hall of Wreaths. One-of-a-kind items! Mobile, AL, 251-471-3348; christmasjubilee@juniorleaguemobile.org. (juniorleaguemobile.org)

Nov. 7-9, Craftsmen’s Christmas Classic Arts & Crafts Festival. Over 500 artists and crafters sell unique and unusual creations at this event voted #6 on Sunshine Artists magazine’s “100 Best Classic and Contemporary Craft Shows.” Richmond, VA, 336-282-5550; contact@gilmoreshows.com. (www.craftshow.com)

Nov. 7-Dec. 21, Christmas in the Valley. Nostalgic country Christmas celebration turns the town into a charming, magical land of seasonal fun, with light displays, holiday shopping, dining, plays and gospel choirs. Renfro Valley, KY, 800-765-7464; specialevents@renfrovalley.com. (renfrovalley.com)

Nov. 8-9, 23rd Annual Scottish Highland Games & Celtic Music Festival. Join in the fun of friendly wrestling and piping competitions, medieval village, Irish dance workshops, children’s games, parade, Scottish vendors, Celtic Dog Show and bagpipes! Gulfport, MS, 228-860-5642. (highlandsandislands.org)  

Nov. 8-30 and Dec. 5-30, Stone Mountain Christmas. Crossroads will be decked with over 2 million magical lights, nightly snowfalls, The Polar Express 4D Experience, train rides, and nightly Santa visits. A holiday treat! Stone Mountain, GA, 770-413-5058; generalinfo@stonemountainpark.com (stonemountainpark.com)

Nov. 15, Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show. Over 300,000 enjoy free admission to see sky-high thrills provided by the famous precision flight demonstration team that makes its home at the historic seaside city’s Naval Air Station. Pensacola, FL, 850-452-2583; (blueangels.navy.mil)

Nov. 15-Dec. 31, Lights of the Ozarks. Half a million twinkling lights set Downtown aglow! Visits from Santa Claus, Light the Night parade and horse drawn carriage rides around the illuminated square.  Pets welcome! Fayetteville, AR, 479-521-1710; info@experiencefayetteville.com. (lightsoftheozarks.org)

Nov. 20-Dec. 31, Galaxy of Lights. New displays and added animation to old favorites, like the icicle forest, flying dolphins and nursery rhyme characters. 500 larger than life exhibits sparkling with more than 4 million lights! Huntsville, AL, 256-830-4447 (www.hsvbg.org)

Nov. 21-Dec. 31, Southern Lights at the Kentucky Horse Park. Enchanting spectacular with miles of lavish, lighted displays, Mini Express Train, carousel-themed pony rides, holiday crafts, model railway, seasonal music. Lexington, KY, 859-255-5727; foundation@khpfoundation.org. (khpfoundation.com)

Nov. 22-23, Seagrove Pottery Festival. Exquisite pieces by nearly 100 potters! Celebrating more than 200 years of creating pottery for everything from basic utility to ornate glazes and museum quality art. Seagrove, NC, 336-873-7887; ncpottery122@embarqmail..com. (seagrovepotteryheritage.com)

Nov. 22-Dec. 30, Lights Before Christmas. Enter the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden under a canopy of lights, and then wind past hundreds of hand-crafted animal images illuminated by 500,000 lights. Enchanting light shows and musicales. Columbia, SC, 803-779-8717; dbroadway@riverbanks.org. (riverbanks.org)

Nov. 22-Dec. 31, Christmas in Roswell. Historic District celebrates with candlelight tours of antebellum homes decked in seasonal splendor. Reenactments of Mittie Bullock’s Christmastime 1853 wedding to Theodore Roosevelt, High Teas, holiday shopping and musicals. Roswell, GA, 800-776-7935; info@cvb.roswell.ga.us. (www.cvb.roswell.ga.us)

Nov. 22-Dec. 31, Holidays in the City. Unique, multi-city, multi-cultural celebration in the Hampton Roads region celebrates Thanksgiving, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas and New Year’s. Check for web-based promotions, savings and an online map! Norfolk, VA, 757-623-1757; hic@downtownnorfolk.org. (downtownnorfolk.org)

Nov. 25-Jan. 1, Christmas on the Cumberland. Holiday festival illuminates the city’s signature RiverWalk with traditional and whimsical holiday creations, visits by Santa, night parade of lighted floats, Downtown for the Holidays celebration. Clarksville, TN, 931-648-6129; Jennifer.byard@cityofclarksville.com. (christmasonthecumberland.com)

Nov. 27-Dec. 30, Christmas at the Falls. Walk or ride the train, caroling down the tracks through Noccalula Falls Park, transformed into a winter wonderland of blinking lights, snowmen, decorations and kids’ play area. Gadsden, AL, 256-549-4643; kpayne@cityofgadsden.com. (cityofgadsden.com)

Nov. 28-29, North Carolina Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach. Kick off the holiday season beach-style! Tree lighting ceremony, Santa and Mrs. Claus, arts and crafts, illuminated boat parade and awesome fireworks! Wrightsville Beach, NC, 910-256-2120; info@ncholidayflotilla.org. (ncholidayflotilla.org) 

Nov. 28-Jan. 1, Newport Aquarium’s “Scuba Santa’s” Water Wonderland. Delightful event features Scuba Santa dive shows and thousands of fish and animals, with underwater decorations and a sleigh pulled by seahorses! Newport, KY, 859-261-7444; info@newportaquarium.com. (newportaquarium.com)

Nov. 29, Jacksonville Light Parade. More than 200,000 come to enjoy Downtown’s holiday decorations, celebrations at local eateries, spectacular fireworks and the St. Johns River transformed into a sparkling cavalcade of festive vessels on parade! Jacksonville, GA., 940-630-3690; events@coj.net. (coj.net)

Dec. 1, 2008 Hometown Holidays Parade. Picturesque downtown comes to light as dozens of floats wind down the streets in illuminated night parade. Marching bands, beauty queens, dance troupes, St. Nick and the Mrs.! Forsyth, GA., 888-642-4628; Beverly@forsyth-monroechamber.com. (themiddleofeverywhere.com)

Dec. 1-6, Christmas on the River. Fair in the Square and a week of fun with small town appeal culminates with a huge nautical parade and fireworks shot from the banks of the Tombigbee River. Demopolis, AL, 334-289-0270; dacc@westal.net. (christmasontheriver.net)

Dec. 1-31, Christmas in Charleston. Historic homes and plantations decorated in period fashion, quaint shops and unique boutiques offering holiday values, delicious dining and candlelight garden tours. Charleston, SC, 843-805-3081; cburbage@charlestoncvb.com. (christmasincharleston.com)

Dec. 1-31, Southwest Louisiana Christmas Lighting Festival. Fifty-thousand people celebrate the season in Calcasieu County with a lighted flotilla, giant balloon parade, carnival, “snow,” fireworks and mistletoe-topped trees. Somebody’s gonna get a Christmas kiss! Lake Charles, LA, 800-456-7952; info@visitlakecharles.org. (visitlakecharles.org)

Dec. 4-6, Campagna Center’s Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend. The fresh scent of heather and bagpipes usher in the season! Nearly 100 clans in colorful tartans, Celtic Concert, scotch tastings and a charming, children’s gingerbread tea. Alexandria, VA, 703-549-0111; info@campagnacenter.org. (scottishchristmaswalk.com)

Dec. 4-7, 41st Annual Snowball Derby. More than 30,000 fans cheer some of the biggest names in motorsports competing in this 300-lap race at Five Flags Speedway. Premier short track event! Pensacola, FL, 850-944-8400; tim@snowballderby.com. (www.fiveflagsspeedway.com)
 
Dec. 5, Hollydazzle. High-tech special effects, lighting of the 44-foot, animated light structure, fireworks, glowing fountains and holiday entertainment encircling the city’s five-acre pond. Strolling musicians, stilt walkers, kids’ crafts and costumed characters. Newport News, VA, 757-926-1400; festivals@nngov.com. (nngov.com)

Dec. 5-7, Chimneyville Crafts Festival. Master crafters gather at the MS Trade Mart to show fine and unusual creations. Juried event includes wine and spirits; hosted by the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi. Jackson, MS, 601-856-7546; info@mscrafts.org. (mscrafts.org)

Dec. 5-7,12-14,19-21, Christmas Shop at Gumdrop Square. Around decorated trees, children share their wishes with Santa, and elves assist the wee ones as they find gifts for their families in the “Secret Shop”. Adorable event! Warrenton, VA, 540-349-8606. (www.historicwarrenton.org)

Dec. 6-7, Core Sound Decoy Festival. Proceeds support local services and preserves the art of decoy carving, with competitions consisting of decorative and non-decorative (floating) contemporary carvings. Decoy painting, retriever contests, kids’ events. Harkers Island, NC, 252-838-8818; info@decoyguild.com. (decoyguild.com)

Dec. 6-7, Christmas Candlelight Tours. Costumed interpreters, including enslaved African Americans, depict holiday plantation life and the holiday traditions of the 1800s. Period costumed Santa, wassailing party, storytelling, ornament-making and nightly tours of historic sites. McConnels, SC, 803-684-2327. (chmuseums.org)

Dec. 6-7, Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour. Historic homes decorated for the holidays, Decorator Showcase at the restored Strand Theatre, Candlelight Shopping on the Square and treats at the elegant “Merry Olde Marietta Tea Room.” Marietta, GA, 800-835-0445; welcomem@bellsouth.net. (mariettapilgrimage.com)

Dec. 6-7, Old Wilmington by Candlelight. Lower Cape Fear Historical Society takes you on breathtaking walking tours of homes, churches and historical sites throughout the lovely downtown area. Tour lamplighters, storytellers and strolling carolers. Wilmington, NC., 910-762-0492; cmcgreevy@latimerhouse.org. (latimerhouse.org)

Dec. 7,14,21, SunTrust Dickens of a Christmas. St. Nicholas, tree lighting, toy workshop, live Nativity, Victorian era costumed street musicians and carolers, horse-drawn carriages, storytelling, parade and an adorable pet costume contest! Roanoke, VA. 540-342-2028, x10; tinaw@downtownroanoke.org. (downtownroanoke.org)

Dec. 13, NCAA Division II Championship Game. Football fans from around the nation come for this exciting game at Braly Stadium and awarding of the Harlon Hill trophy to the season’s most valuable player. Florence, AL., 256-764-4661; Lindsey@visitflorenceal.com. (d2championship.com)

Dec. 13, 7th Annual Christmas on the Bayou. Lighted boat parade features 25 decked out watercrafts floating down Bayou Bernard and ends with a gigantic party the whole family can enjoy! Gulfport, MS, 228-324-2724; jenniferclark81@gmail.com. (christmasonthebayou.org)

Dec. 13, Seminole Hard Rock WINTERFEST Boat Parade. The world’s most watched parade with over a million spectators along the New River and Intracoastal waterways! Brightly colored boatloads of celebrities, musicians and more! Fort Lauderdale, FL, 954-767-0686; boats@winterfestparade.com. (winterfestparade.com)

Dec. 13-14, 15th Annual Holiday Tour of Inns. Specialty foods and wine sampling; Christmas trimmings and trolley trips highlight this holiday tour of 26 historic inns along the decorated streets of our nation’s oldest city. St. Augustine, FL, 904-543-0785; chuckday@bellsouth.net. (www.staugustineinns.com)

Dec. 13,20, Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens Christmas Candlelight Tour. It’s 1770 and Governor Tryon invites you to an elegant evening of dining, dancing and fireworks to celebrate his palace’s completion and King George’s birthday! New Bern, NC, 800-767-1560; info@tryonpalace.org. (www.tryonpalace.org)

Dec. 24, Old Country Store Christmas Eve Breakfast. Take the entire family to this delightful holiday tradition in Casey Jones Village, where the Southern-style buffet is just $3.99 for adults and $1.99 for kids until 2pm! Jackson, TN, 800-748-9588; caseyjonestn@yahoo.com. (caseyjones.com)