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WEEKENDS ON THE ROAD

MIDWEST

 

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) MISSISSIPPI VALLEY BLUES FESTIVAL

July 3-5; Davenport, IA

Blues jams, concerts and workshops on the banks of the Mississippi River. Info: (319) 32B-LUES.

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) NATIONAL TOM SAWYER DAYS

July 3-5; Hannibal, MO

Frog jumping, mud volleyball, Tom & Becky Contest and the highlight National fence Painting Contest are highlights of this vent in Mark Twain’s home town. Info: (573) 221-2477.

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) ROUGHRIDER DAYS

July 3-5; Dickinson, ND

Classic western celebration features rodeo performances, a parade, demonstration derby, concerts, dances, displays and fireworks on July 4th. Info: (800) 279-7391.

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) SPAM TOWN USA FESTIVAL

July 3-5; Austin, MN

Annual festival features sports, contents, entertainment and lots of Spam recipes to be tasted. Info: (507) 437-3448.

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) FAIR ST. LOUIS

July 3-5; St. Louis, MO

Concerts, air shows, amusement rides, ethnic foods, entertainment and fireworks at site underneath the Gateway Arch along the Mississippi River. Info: (314) 434-3434.

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) FOURTH OF JULY EXTRAVANGANZA AND BUFFALO-RAMA

July 3-5; Hettinger, ND

Old fashioned Fourth celebration at the site of the "last Great Buffalo Hunt"(5,000 buffalo killed by 2,000 Teton Sioux Indians on Jun 20, 1882) Beef BBQ, parade, wagon train, music, fireworks and black powder shoot. Info: (701) 567-2531

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) GREAT SPANGLED BUTTERFLY DAYS

July 5-12; Muskegon, MI

Weeklong celebration of the Michigan’s diversity of Butterfly. Info: (616) 798-3573.

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) HERITAGEFEST

July 10-12; 17-19; New Elm, MN

Old world celebration features continuous entertainment on five stages. Info: (507) 354-8850.

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) HISTORIC FARM SHOW

July 10-12; Penfield, IL

Weekend-long event features farm machinery displays, agricultural demonstrations, square dancing, tractor parade, food and entertainment. Info: (217) 863-2681.

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) CIRCUS CITY FESTIVAL

July 10-17; Peru, IN

Youth amateur circus performed by children ages 7-21 recalls the community’s heritage and ties to the circus. Info: (765) 472-3918.

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) UGLY TRUCK CONTEST

July 11; Pelican Rapids, MN

Farm trucks, beat-up pickups go on display and are judged. Owner of ugliest driveable truck wins. Info: (218) 863-6693.

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) KENTUCKY STATE CHAMPIONSHIP OLD-TIME FIDDLER’S CONTEST

July 17-19; Falls of Rough, KY

Old-time and bluegrass music competition. Trophies and cash to the winners. At Rough River Dam State Park. Info: (502) 259-3578

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) KANSAS CITY BLUES AND JAZZ FESTIVAL

July 17-19; Kansas City, MO

Recalls time in 1920’s and 1930’s when Kansas City was the capital of the blues. Concerts and Penn Valley Park. Info: (816) 753-3378.

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) MINNEAPOLIS AQUATENNIAL

July 17-26; Minneapolis, MN

Water festival celebrates Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes. More than 30 events including water sports, entertainment, pageants, parades and fireworks. Info: (612) 331-8371 or (612) 512-1155.

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) GREAT BICYCLE RIDE ACROSS IOWA

July 19-25; Various Locations, Iowa

Weeklong bicycle ride across the state with more 8,500 riders from around the nation. Info: (515) 284-8282.

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) BAGELFEST

July 21-26; Mattoon, IL

Highlight is the world’s biggest bagel. A breakfast of bagels and cream cheese. Also music, pageant and crafts in the town that calls itself the bagel capital. Info: (217) 235-5661.

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) BERNE SWISS DAYS

July 25-26; Berne, IN

Celebration of Swiss culture. Music, foods, dancing, yodeling and a parade. Held in a 19th century Swiss village. Info: (219) 589-8080.

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) CEDAR GROVE HOLLAND FEST

July 25-26; Cedar Grove, WI

Street scrubbing, klompen dancing, wooden shoe races, parade, traditional Dutch foods and more. Info: (414) 668-6523.

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) GOLD DISCOVERY DAYS

July 24-26; Custer, SD

Parade, historic pageant, carnival, pancake breakfast, bed races, boat regatta, hot air balloons and more. Info: (605) 673-2244.

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) LUMBERJACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 25-26; Hayward, WI

Top lumberjacks and logrollers compete in speed sawing, pole climbing, logrolling and chopping events. Amateurs can participate. Special logrolling event for kids. Chopping and sawing competitions for adults. Info: (715) 634-2484.

  • NATIONAL BALLOON CLASSIC

July 27-August 2; Indianola, IA
Up to 100 balloons participate on a balloon field with an amphitheater for viewing. Morning and evening launchings. Info: (800) FLY-IOWA or (515) 961-8415.

  • OZARK EMPIRE FAIR

July 27-August 2; Springfield, MO
Regional fair with exhibits, carnival, livestock and entertainment. Info: (417) 833-2660.

  • ABBOTTS MAGIC GET TOGETHER

July 30-August 2; Colon, MI
Workshops, contests and performances for magicians and those interested in magic. Info: (616) 432-3235.

  • MUSTARD DAY

August 2; Mount Oreb, WI
Chance to taste over 300 varieties of mustard at the Mustard Museum. Info: (800) 438-6878.

  • SHANTY DAYS: CELEBRATION OF THE LAKE

July 31-August 2; Algma, WI
Celebration of the legacy of the lakeshore. Entertainment, food, music, crafts, childrens' events and fireworks. Info: (920) 487-2041.

  • WISCONSIN STATE FAIR

August 3-9; Milwaukee, WI
Giant midway, concessions, flower judging and top name entertainment are some of the highlights. Info: (414) 266-7188.

OHIO STATE FAIR

August 3-16; Columbus, OH
Amusement rides, midway, agricultural exhibits, entertainment, rodeos, circus, tractor pull and more. Info: (614) 644-4000.

  • WHITE OAK RENDEZVOUS

August 1-2; Deer River, MN
Re-enactment of fur trade era. Demonstrations, period actors, music, dance, puppets, and period food. Info: (218) 246-9393.

  • BRATWURST DAYS

August 1-2; Sheboygan, WI
Celebration of bratwurst at Kiwanis Park with music, entertainment, parade, and a brat eating contest. Info: (414) 457-9495 or (414) 458-2137.

  • FOUNDER'S DAY

August 2; New Harmony, IN
Celebration recalls the funding of what was then a utopian village in 1814. Info: (812) 682-4488.

  • NATIONAL HOBO CONVENTION

August 7-9; Britt, IA
For almost a century this annual convention recalls the Depression days when hoboes road the rails. Hobo parade, pageant, Mulligan Stew, entertainment, crafts and more. Info: (515) 843-3867.

  • JOURS DE FETE (DAYS OF CELEBRATION)

August 8-9; Ste. Genevieve, MO
Celebration of town's French heritage, dating back to the 1700's. Some 600 events. (573) 883-7097 or (800) 373-7007

  • BONANZAVILLE USA PIONEEEER DAYS

August 8-9; West Fargo, ND
Victorian era pioneer village of 43 buildings is the site for an old-time celebration including food, crafts and music. Info: (701) 282-2822 or (800) 700-5317.

  • BLACK HILLS STEAM AND GAS THRESHING BEE

August 15-16; Sturgis, SD
Old steam engines and gas tractors, threshing machine demonstrations, flea market, parade, antique autos and other demonstrations that turn back the clock. Info: (605) 347-2556.

  • COSHOCTON CANAL FESTIVAL

August 15-16; Coshocton, OH
Celebration recalls the arrival of the first canal boat in Roscoe. Parades, crafts, and entertainment. Info: (800) 877-1830 or (614) 622-9310.

  • BATTLE OF BLUE LICKS CELEBRATION

August 15-16; Mount Olive, KY
Recalls Revolutionary War battle that involved Daniel Boone. Living history, arts, crafts, battle re-enactment and more. Info: (606) 289-5507.

 

Blue Arrow.gif (140 bytes) NATIONAL SWEETCORN FESTIVAL

August 28-September 1; Hoopeston, IL

Annual event highlighted by some 29 tons of free corn on the cob. Also pageant, carnival, games and more. Info: (217) 442-2096.

 

 

 

 

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Events are listed by date and location as submitted to OTR Travel Information Services, Inc. Dates for this publication were provided by event chairpersons, local chambers of commerce, or convention and visitors bureaus and are subject to change. Please confirm the date and location of events with the you are planning to attend in case an activity has been canceled or rescheduled.