FOURTH
OF JULY PARADE
July 4; Chappel Hill, TX
Old-fashioned
Fourth of July celebration. Parade includes a kazoo band, homemade
floats, classic autos, clowns and more. Info: (409) 277-1122/800-225-3695.
WORLD’ S GREATEST LIZARD RACE
July
4; Lovington, NM
Lizards
and iguanas are raced down a 16 foot ramp. Trophies to winners.
Other lizard events. Also entertainment and food. Info: (505) 396-5311.
OREGON TRAIL DAYS
July 6-9; Gering, NE
Nebraska’s
oldest commemoration of the Oregon Trail, this is the 78th annual
edition of this event that includes parades, barbecues, street dances,
International Food Fair, concert, chili cookoff and more. Info:
(308) 436-4457.
FRONTIER DAYS
July
9- Round Rock, TX
Celebration
commemorating the early history of the old cattle drivee days on
the Chisolm Trail. Food and arts and crafts, dances and re-ennactments.
Info: (512) 255-5805.
NIGHT IN OLD FREDERICKSBURG
July
15-16; Fredreicksburg, TX
German
and country ,msuic, carnival, horseshoe pitching, folk dancers and
Hill Country food. Music ranges from the sounds of Nashville to
oompah. Info: (830) 997-6523.
NATCHITOCHES-NORTHWESTERN FOLK FESTIVAL
July 15-16; Natchitoches, LA
Music,
food and crafts representing the state’s various cultures. Info:
(318) 357-4332
INTERNATIONAL BRICK & ROLLING PIN CONTEST
July
15; Stroud, OK
Competitors
from towns with the same name in England, Australia and Canada join
in. Brick tossing for men and women. Info: (918) 968-3321.
GREAT TEXAS MOSQUITO FESTIVAL
July 20-22; Clute, TX
Crafts,
food, games, carnival, and "Willie Man Chew", a 25 foot inflatable
mosquito dressed in cowboy boots and hat. Info: (409) 265-8392 or
(800) 371-2971.
CENTRAL NEBRASKA ETHNIC FESTIVAL
July 21-23; Grand Island, NE
Gathering
of the various ethnic cultures of Nebraska. Info: (308) 385-5444,
ext. 230.
TEXAS
FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
August
1-3; San Antonio, TX
Celebration of the crafts, music and customs of the various culture
that make up the citizenry of Texas. Info: (210) 458-2300
WATERMELON
CARNIVAL
August
2-3; Water Valley, MS
Street party on Main Street includes crafts, entertainment, old
car display and a contest to find the largest watermelon. Info:
(601) 473-1122.
CROP
DAY, COTTON ROW ON PARADE
August
3; Greenwood, MS
Downtown event features a boat parade on the Yazoo River, water
ski exhibitions, and live entertainment on three stages. Info: (601)
453-4152.
DECATUR
BAR-B-QUE
August
3; Decatur, AR
For over four decades they have been staging a big BBQ party each
year. Big name entertainment, parade, contests and BBQ chicken dinners.
Info: (501) 752-3281.
ELVIS
WEEK
August
4-10; Memphis, TN
Tribute to the king at the anniversary date. More than 35 events
around town. The highlight is a vigil at Graceland on the death
anniversary. Info: (800) 238-2000.
INTERNATIONAL
GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP WALKING HORSE SHOW
August
4-10; Murfreesboro, TN
More than 800 horses. Info: (615) 890-9120.
NATIONAL
COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
August
7-10; Ainsworth, NE
Annual event in what is described as the "Country Music Capital
of Nebraska". Country music contest, auction caller's contest and
lots of music. Info: (402) 387-2844.
HOPE
WATERMELON FESTIVAL
August
7-10; Hope, AR
Watermelon eating, seed-spitting contest, watermelon weigh-in, free
watermelon to eat, street dance and more. Info: (870) 777-3640.
BAT FLIGHT
BREAKFAST
August
10; Carlsbad, NM
Folks gather to watch one of nature's amazing sites as hundreds
of bats return to their nesting sites at the Carlsbad Caves. Info:
(505) 785-2232.
DELCAMBRE
SHRIMP FESTIVAL
August
14-17; Delcambre, LA
Observance and celebration before port's shrimp boats take to fishing
in the Gulf of Mexico. Activities include a blessing of the fleet
followed by Cajun music, dancing and food. Info: 888-9-IBERIA.
TEXAS
RANCH ROUND-UP
August
16-17; Witchita Falls, TX
Cowboys from around Texas compete in activities that normally comprise
their daily work.. Cattle roping, penning, and other rodeo activities,
cooking contests and more. Info: (800) 799-6732 or (817) 716-5500.
INTERNATIONAL
BBQ COOKOFF
August
16; Taylor, TX
Teams compete in seven categories. Also arts and crafts, food and
drink and kids' games. Info: (512) 352-6364.
GREAT
AMERICAN DUCK RACE
August
23-24; Deming, NM
They race ducks here. Also duck pageant, tortilla toss, parade and
more. Info: (800) 848-4955.
OATMEAL
FESTIVAL
August
29-September 1; Bertram/Oatmeal, TX
Celebration
of events that helped put the town back on the map. Weekend starts
with the serving up of bowl of oatmeal. Info: (512) 355-2197.
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.
