- NATIONAL BALLOON CLASSIC
Through August 8; 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
Through August 7; Springfield, MO
Regional fair with exhibits, carnival, livestock and entertainment.
Info: (417) 833-2660.
- ABBOTTS MAGIC GET TOGETHER
August 5-8; Colon, MI
Workshops, contests and performances for magicians and those
interested in magic. Info: (616) 432-3235.
- MUSTARD DAY
August 8; 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
August 7-8; 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 6-15; Milwaukee, WI
Giant midway, concessions, flower judging and top name entertainment
are some of the highlights. Info: (414) 266-7188.
- OHIO STATE FAIR
August 6-22; Columbus, OH
Amusement rides, midway, agricultural exhibits, entertainment,
rodeos, circus, tractor pull and more. Info: (614) 644-4000.
- WHITE OAK RENDEZVOUS
August 7-8; 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 7-8; 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 8; New Harmony, IN
Celebration recalls the funding of what was then a utopian
village in 1814. Info: (812) 682-4488.
- NATIONAL HOBO CONVENTION
August 13-15; 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 14-15; 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 14-15; 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 20-22; 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 21-22; 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 21-22; Mount Olivet, KY
Recalls Revolutionary War battle that involved Daniel
Boone. Living history, arts, crafts, battle re-enactment
and more. Info: (606) 289-5507
NATIONAL SWEETCORN FESTIVAL
September 4-6; 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.
GLOBAL FEST
September 4-5; West Lafayette,
IN
A celebration of the community's many
cultures. Events representing the commmunity's diversity include
free music, dance cultural displays, an international music.
Crafts will be sold. Info: (765) 775-5120
WISCONSIN STATE
COWCHIP THROW
September 3-6; Prairie du Sac,
WI
Cow-chip throw, arts and crafts fair,
music, parade, cow-pie eating contest and more. Info: (608)
643-4317.
BOX CAR DAYS
September 3-6; Tracy, MN
Celebration of community's railroad
heritage. Info: (507) 629-4021.
HOG CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
September 3-6; Kewanee, IL
Described as the world's largest pork
BBQ. Also carnival, pageant and sports. Info: (309) 852-2175
WILHELM TELL FESTIVAL
September 4-6; New Glarus, WI
Presentation of drama in German and
English in an outdoor theatre. Also an Alpine festival presenting
Swiss culture. Info: (800) 527-6838.
RIVERFEST USA
September 4-6; Cincinnati, OH
Three day regional celebration based
in Cincinnati and northern Kentucky. Entertainment on six stages
and a giant fireworks display are highlights. Info: (513) 677-8028.
JUBILEE DAYS FESTIVAL
September 5-6; Zion, IL
Annual community-wide celebration includes
arts and crafts, a pageant, parade and fireworks. Info: (847)
746-5500.
DEFEAT OF JESSE JAMES
September 8-12; Northfield, MN
Bankraid reenactment, arts and crafts,
bike race, parade and more. Info: (507) 645-5604.
POTATO FESTIVAL
September 9-11; Edmore, MI
Annual event features Living Civil War
Encampment with Mr. & Mrs. Abe Lincoln at Old Fence Museum;
arts and crafts, potato food booths, parade and more. Info:
(517) 427-5222.
KERMIS DUTCH FESTIVAL
September 11-12
; Little Chute, WI
Annual event at Doyle Park
features traditional dancers, musicians, costumes, traditions
and more. Info: (920) 788-7390.
INDIAN SUMMER FESTIVAL
September 10-12; Milwaukee, WI
Cultural demonstrations, music, competition
powwow, five stages of entertainment, fine arts, American Indian
foods, fireworks and more. This year's event focuses on indigenous
peoples of Centar land South America. Info: (414) 774-7119.
MARION POPCORN
FESTIVAL
September 10-12; Marion, OH
Music, entertainment, arts and crafts
and lots of popcorn. Info: (614) 387-3378.
STEAMBOAT DAYS
September 11-12; Jeffersonville,
IN
Community across the river from Louisville
celebrates with a parade, arts and crafts, air show and whacky
races. Info: (812) 284-2628.
UNITED TRIBE INTERNATIONAL POWWOW
September 10-12; Bismarck, ND
Dancers from over 30 tribes participate
in this event that also includes a pageant and exposition. Info:
(800) 767-3555.
OKTOBERFEST
September 10-12; Covington, KY
German fall celebration features German
and American foods, ethnic music, dance and culture at the MainStrasse
Village. Info: (606) 491-0458.
CORN PALACE FESTIVAL
September 10-19; Mitchell, SD
Polka and big band music, carnival,
midway rides, childrens' activities and more. Info: (605) 995-4020.
VALAPRAISO POPCORN FESTIVAL
September 11; Valparaiso, IN
Celebration of popcorn with a parade,
"Popcorn Panic", childrens' events and hot air balloons. Info:
(219) 464-8332.
SODBUSTER DAYS
September 11-12; Fort Ransom,
ND
Celebration of the harvest season as
it was during the 1920's on a small family farm. Threshing,
fall fieldwork, gathering hay, food, music, and demonstrations
of horse-drawn equipment. Info: (701) 973-4331.
WATERMELON SEED-SPITTING & SEED-EATING
CHAMPIONSHIP
September 12; Pardeeville, WI
National championship draws contestants
from far away as New York and Algeria. Also melon sculptures,
parade, entertainment and lots of free watermelon. Info: (608)
429-2873.
CORN ISLAND STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
September 18-19; Louisville, KY
Weekend of storytelling at various sites
including a graveyard for ghost stories. Over 50 storytellers
participate. Info: (502) 245-0643.
OLD TIME MUSIC FEST
September 16-17; Coshocton, OH
19th century music is the focus at this
annual event at Historic Roscoe Village. Authentic music includes
banjos, barbershop quartets, dulcimers, fiddles and flat pick
guitars. Concerts, jam sessions and lessons. Also old-fashioned
games for kids, watermelon-eating contest and more. Info: (800)
877-1830.
SALEM DAYS FEST
September 16-17; Salem, IL
Celebration of the soap opera, "Days
of Our Lives" whose characters reside in the fictional Salem.
Stars from the show will appear on the grounds of the 100 year
old courthouse to meet and greet fans. Also crafts, children's
games, Sand sculpture. Info: (618) 548-0878.
JOHNNY APPLESEED FESTIVAL
September 18-19; Fort Wayne, IN
Event recalls the pioneer days of the
early 1800's and especially John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed,
who planted hundreds of apple orchards along the Indiana frontier
in pioneer times. Crafts, foods, demonstrations. Info: (219)
427-6003.
WORLD CHICKEN FESTIVAL
September 25-26; London, KY
Festival celebrating areas heritage
with Colonel Harland Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken
(KFC). Many chicken-theme related events.
ANNUAL ADAM MATTHEWS CHEESECAKE BALLOON
FESTIVAL
September 24-26;Louisville,
KY
Approximately 70 balloons willfill
the Kentucky skies at Bowman Field ("America's oldest continually
operating airport") Sunset and morning glows. Info: (502)
499-CAKE.