August
is a busy, busy month around America. Here are but some of the highlights:
Some folks from elsewhere seem to believe that New Jersey is devoid
of culture. Not true. We have great new arts center in Newark and
there's alot to be proud of in the state's diversity. It truly is
more than the Turnpike. For example, August 16-20 is Weird Contest
Week in Ocean City, New Jersey. There one contest per day will be
staged including artistic pie eating, saltwater taffy sculpting,
french fry sculpting, animal and celebrity impersonations, and a
Miss Miscellaneous Contest. Info: (609) 525-9300....If that's not
enough for you the Garden State is also the host for a Cockroach
Derby at Rutgers University's Cook College Campus on August 18.
This 13th annual race, sponsored by the N.J. Pest Control Association
pits the fastest roaches in the state against one another to determine
the title of the state's quickest roach. Info: (973) 763-6392.
The Festival of Nations, Red Lodge, MT is a nine day event highlighting
the cooking, customs, dances and languages of different cultures
from around the world. This year it is being staged from August
7-14. Info: (406) 446-1718.
The country's largest inland river regatta takes place at Pittsburgh
at the Three Rivers Regatta, August 5-8. featured are air, and water
events. Info: (412) 261-7055.
The Annual Weekend Ragtime Festival will take place on August 20-22
in Indianapolis. There are nationally known ragtime perfomers, vintage
dance demosntrations, and ragtime era seminars. Info: (317) 359-6452.
The 75th annual editionof the Old Fiddlers Convention will be staged
in Galax, Virginia between August 11-15.. This annual event features
dance, folk songs, old-time and bluegrass music competitions. Info:
(540) 236-8541.
It's now thirty-three years since Elvis passed away in Memphis,
Tenn. Nonetheless, thousands continue to make an annual pilgrimage
to Graceland to remember the King at the date of his death - August
16, 1977. a formal observance is Elvis Week (August 9-16), more
than 35 events occurring around town and which is sponsored by Graceland.
It includes a candlelight vigil on August 16 at Graceland. Info:
(800) 238-2000.
Jours de Fete is French for Days of Celebration. It is the name
used by Ste. Genevieve, Missouri for its annual celebration of the
town's French heritage (August 14-15). There are tours of historic
homes dating back to French times locally in the 1700's. Also arts
and crafts, music and more. Info: (573) 883-7097.
As long as the topic is French culture, we should note the unique
"Le Cajun" Music Awards and Ceremonies, set for August 20-22 in
Lafayette, Louisiana. The event opens with the singing of America
the Beautiful and the National Anthem - both in French, of
course. Then there are a range of presentations and honorees, including
Fiddler of the Year, Accordionist of the Year, Vocalist (Male &
Female) of the Year and more. In addition to the Cajun music and
awards, there are also Cajun crafts and music. The event is sponsored
by the Cajun French Music Association, a non-profit organization
dedicated to the promotion of Cajun music, language and culture.
Info: (318) 232-3737..
At Promontory, Utah each year they celebrate the uniting of North
America by the railroad at the spot that it occurred at the annual
Railroader's Festival, this year August 14. The highlight is the
spike-driving contest in which professionals compete to see who
can drive the most rail spikes fastest. Info: (801) 471-2209.
Before the railroad they used to transport mail via the Pony Express.
The spirit of the Express can still be felt in communities along
the path. For example, Hanover, Kansas is holding its Pony Express
Festival on August 29. It is being staged at the Hollenberg Pony
Express Station, State Historic Site. There is a re-enactment of
a Pony Express ride, pioneer living history demonstrations, an 1860's
historic dress group, and a re-enactment of the arrival of an Oregon
Trail wagon train. Info: (913) 337-2635.
There are some unique races on the schedule for this month. In Leadville,
Colorado they race burros in the Pack Burro Race (August 8) from
Main Street up Mosquito Pass and back. Info: (719) 486-3900. The
All-American Soap Box Derby world championship race takes place
in Akron, Ohio on August 8. Info: (330) 733-8723; and in Deming,
New Mexico they race ducks what is described as "The World's richest
duck race" - the Great American Duck Race (August 26-27). Info:
(800) 848-4955.
They will gather in Mount Olivet, Kentucky on August 14-15 for a
Battle of Blue Licks Celebration. It commemorates the anniversary
of a Revolutionary War Battle of Blue Licks. This battle is said
to have involved Daniel Boone. There is a living history, battle
re-enactment, crafts. games and more. Info: (606) 289-5507.
Cowboy poetry fills the air this month.Cowboy poets will gather
on August 13-15 in Lewiston, Montana for the Montana Cowboy Poetry
Gathering. Info: (406) 538-5436. Also taking place that same weekend
is the Great Pikes Peak Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Colorado Springs,
Colorado. At this event there will also be western art on display.
Info: (719) 531-6333.
In Lewiston, Maine (and nearby Auburn) on the other side of the
country, some 125,000 folks will assemble on August 20-22 for the
Great Falls Balloon festival. The festval features over 40 ballonosts,
music, parades and activities from early morning until late afternoon.
Also in Maine, it's bluegberry time - especially at the 28th Annual
Wilton Blueberry festival on August 7-8. There are sidewalk arts
and crafts, boat rides, opaardes, barbecuses, fireworks, hay rides,
fireman's mnuster, and, of course. lots of blueberries. For example
there's a blueberry breakfast, blueberyy bazar and "blueberry everything".
Info: (207) 778-4726.
If you are looking for an offbeat sports activity you might consider
Clark, South Dakota on August 7. The annual Potato Day festivities
are highlighted by Mashed Potato Wrestling.In this activity participants
wrestle in a ring of mashed potatoes.If you still need more potatoes
the event also features potato sculpting, The Best Dressed Potato
and a Potato Olympics. Info: (605) 532-3769.
You
can try on garments worn by 17th century English sailors and settlers,
Indiands, Continental Army soldeirs and 18th century Virginia farmers
at " Wear What They Wore", August 1-31 at Jamestown Settlement,
Williamsburg, VA and Yorktown Vistory Center, Yorktown, VA; Info:
(757) 253-4838 or (888) 593-4682.
From folks out on the internet these suggestions for some August:
Riverboat Days in Yankton, SD (August 20-22) which features ethnic
food, a large parade, ski show, ar show, tractor pull, sports and
entertainemnt and more. Info: (800) 888-1460 and the Kiawanis Lakest
in Sheboygan, WI (August 20-22), with nationally known entertainment
music and more at Deland Park.
Finally, one of the nation's top folk festivals is the Philadelphia
Folk Festival, August 27-29 on the Old Pool Fram near Schwenksville,
PA. John Prine, Loudon Wainrright III, Suzy Oggus and Doc Watson
are just some ofthose routinely featured at this annual event. Info:
(215) 242-0150 or (800) 556-FOLK.
See you next month in September!
