HIGHLIGHTS FROM AROUND AMERICA:

It's July - time to hit the road and experince some of the doversity America's festivals offer this month:

Of course, the month starts with all eyes on America's celebration of itself - Independence Day on the Fourth of July. Afew highlight events are profiled in our Newsletter from the Road. Here we provide some quick summaries of other unique events to celebrate the Fourth:

* One of the icons of American literature and American culture is the writings of Mark Twain. Twain and his writings are celebrated annually at the National Tom Sawyer Days in Twain's childhood home of Hannibal, Missouri, July 4-6. This event along the banks of the Mississippi River features frog jumping, mud volleyball, Tom & Becky Contest, parade, Tomboy Sawyer Contest, sports, crafts and fireworks from the banks of the river. But the highlight is the National Fence Painting Contest. Info: (573) 21-2477.

They celebrate turkeys in McMinnville, Oregon. Once known as the "Turkey Capital of the World", the community celebrates its history with Turkey Rama (July 11-13). The event includes a traditional turkey BBQ, biggest turkey contest, music, sports and more. Info: (503) 472-6196.

* In Austin, Minnesota one of their local claims to fame is Spam. This unique culinary delicacy is celebrated at the Spam Town USA Festival. This annual event features recipe contests, tastings and a lot of talk about spam. Info: (507) 437-3448.

* On July Fourth, they will again stage a parade in Bristol, Rhode Island. That is not much of surprise since they have been doing so since 1785, making this the oldest July Fourth parade and exercises in the land. Info: (401) 245-0750

* In Willimantic, Connecticut the parade tradition is a little different. One year the marching ban did not show up for the parade as scheduled. Local folks managed to improvise by means of a unique partnership with the local radio station. The station played marching music, and residents carried portable radios in the parade.This tradition continues today in the Boom Box Parade. Anyone can march - the only requirement is they they bring a radio - no "real bands". Info: (860) 456-1111.

* There are many communities large and small that are celebrating Independence Day with an "Old-Fashioned" celebration. Some include Cincinnati, Ohio with their All-American Birthday Party featuring a family picnic, national talent and fireworks along the riverfront; (513) 677-8028...Hood River (Oregon) Old-Fashioned Fourth of July with a parade, BBQ, and fireworks over the Columbia River. Info: (800) 366-3530....Old-Fashioned Picnic in the Park in Pittsburg, Kansas; (316) 231-8310...and an Old Vermont Fourth in Woodstock, Vermont with patriotic speeches, debates, making 1890 flags, ice cream making and more. At the Billings Farm and Museum. Info: (802) 457-2355.

* Independence Day in Philadelphia is patriotic by the mere presence of Indpendence Hall and the Liberty Hall. But there is much more going for the occasion in "America's Birthday in America's Birthplace". There are more than 50 events. Some highlights include four parades, fireworks, concerts, five neighborhood festivals, and more . Info: (215) 633-3320.

* In Centreville, Maryland, they call their local celebration American Redneck Day. It is to celebrate "the work-hard, play-hard independent of the rural working class". Info: (410) 758-0777. There are a number of events scheduled for the Fourth of July period that are not patriotic in them, but just plain fun: * World's Greatest Lizard Race in Lovington, New Mexico, where participants and observers root on lizards and iguanas as they race down a 16 foot ramp. They are other lizard events as well. Info: (505) 396-5311.

* At Ducktonia 500 in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin they race plastic ducks in the lagoon at Riverside Park. There is also a "Kiss the Pig" contest as well as a number of other fun activities. Info: (414) 467-6206. * And in Oatman, Arizona, they fry eggs on the sidewalk at the annual Sidewalk Egg Frying Contest. Held at "high noon" on Old Route 66 participants can only rely on solar heat to fry eggs on the sidewalk during the course of 15 minutes of "cooking". There are also a variety of "Old West" activities. Info: (520) 763-5885. The celebration in July, however, does not end on Independence Day.

There are other events through the rest of month as well: Schooner Days in Rockland, Maine (July 11-13) celebrates historic and landmark schooners engaged in the windjammer trade. There is a parade of tall ships, fireworks, Maine arts and crafts, nautical exhibits and demonstrations and more. Info: (207) 596-0376.

The World Championship Domino Tournament is staged each July.This year it will be held on July 5-6 in Andalusia, Alabama -prizes and trophies to winners; profits to charity. Info: (334) 222-5673 or (334) 222-8466.

A unique event: the Talkeetna Moose Dropping Festival in Talkeetna, Alaska which includes a Moose Dropping Toss Game. Info: (907) 733-2487

Author Ernest Hemingway spent much time in Key West, Florida and wrote many of his most famous works while living on Whitehead Street in town during the 1930's. Hemingway is recalled and celebrated each year at the Hemingway days Festival, this year scheduled for July 23-27. A highlight is the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest. A new wrinkle is an online preliminary round. There aspiring Hemingway look-alikes may post photos of themselves and a short text block explaining why they should be chosen (For a link to this site visit our Backroads Forum). Hemingway Days will also includeee a walking tour of Hemingway's Key West, a writers' workshop, storrytelling competition, street fair and sports. Info: 1-800-FLA-KEYS.

Animals are also the theme at Cow Appreciation Days on July 12 at the Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock, Vermont. There is a "cowledge bowl" competition as well as educational programs, butter and ice cream making and more. Info: (802) 457-2355.

You can witness the Civil War up close and personal at the Landis Village Musuem in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on July 12-13 at a Civil war village and living history which includes music, food, and milkitray and civilian re-enactments of the period. Info: (717) 569-0401.

With warm weather Christmas is not in many people's minds - except in Moodus, Connecticut where they celebrate Christmas in July (July 14-26). There is a tree, a Santa, and gifts as organizers try to capture the "real meaning" of Christmas. Info: (860) 873-8681 or (800) 225-9033.

Back to summer themes - nothing is more summer than mosquitoes. July 18-20 in Clute, Texas marks the annual Great Mosquito Festival. There are over 100 booths, games and a carnival But the highlight is "Willie Man Chew" , a 25 foot inflatable mosquito dressed in cowboy boots and hat (The event is in Texas). Info: (409) 265-8392 or (800) 371-2971.

Hayward, Wisconsin is the home of the Lumberjack World Championships, July 18-20. Professional lumberjacks and log rollers gather and compete in events including speed sawing, pole climbing, log rolling and chopping. There are activities for amateurs and kids too. Info: (715) 634-2484.

Bele Chere in Asheville, North Carolina is marking its 21st anniversary on July 18-20. It celebrates mountain living with an array of special events, food, live entertainment and family activities. Launched in the 1970's to draw folks back to downtown Bele Chere now lures some 365,000 to town. Dr. John and Doc Watson headline the performers who serve up a variety of music forms ranging from bluegrass to jazz to reggae.A highlight is the mountain heritage area in the Drhumor Building Parking Lot that features a hand-made log cabin along with a blacksmith, quilters, circut rider and ptter. old time clogging and fiddling will be featured throughout the weekend. Info: (828) 259-5800.

Mystic Seaport will be the site for the annual Antique and Classic Boat Rendez-vous (July 19-20) that highlights pre-1952 power and sailing yachts along the Mystic River. Info: (203) 527-5315.

The largest free folk festival in the United States will take place on July 19-20 at the Lowell Folk Festival. There are five outdoor stages, three days of traditional music and dnace, street parades, ethnic foods, and crafts demonstrations presented throughout the city. The focus for the festival and any tower to Lowell is the Lowell National Historical Park, which recalls Lowell's industrial history in restored factories and surroundings, they tell the story of the industrial revoltion in New England and America. Info:(978) 970-5000.

Finally, A most unique site can be seen at Chincoteague Island on July 23-24 at the annual Pony Penning. There some 150 wild ponies living on Assateague Island are rounded up and swam across an inlet to Chincoteague, where some 50-60 are sold. It's an Eastern Shore tradition. Info: (757) 336-6161.

See you next month with more.