Family Fun in New Bern, North Carolina

Mumfest, New Bern’s premier award-winning fall festival on October 13 and 14, provides non-stop family fun which draws more than 80,000 festival-goers to this North Carolina city’s beautifully restored historic downtown and waterfront. 

It’s a two-day extravaganza of music, dance, great shopping, savory food and art galore.

Festival-goers will want to step aboard SeaFair, the 288-foot megayacht filled with fine art, jewelry and sculpture. 

Other Mumfest favorites include live bands and roving street performers, dance troupes, choral groups, KIDSTUFF and Lil’Kidstuff, a boat show, amusement park rides, magicians, clowns, the Gabardine sisters, a huge model train show, Weller Kennels retriever exhibits, face painting, Little River Winery, and many artists, craftsman, commercial and nonprofit exhibitors.

For those seeking adventure, there's the King BMX stunt show, dog lovers will enjoy the Incredible Purina Dog Team and music lovers will rock the night away with YPG River Jam’s Band of Oz. Racecar fans will even discover a real Indy Car on exhibit in downtown New Bern. 

The Outdoor Life and Recreation exhibits include a trailerable boat show which has grown to include all things outdoor recreation – bicycling, camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, running, sailing, standup paddle boarding are just a few of the exhibits.

There really is something for everyone at Mumfest which Southeastern Tourism Society has named a Top 20 Event in the Southeastern U.S. Go to Mumfest to learn why.

For more information about top events in North Carolina take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in North Carolina.

Augusta, Georgia Fetes Arts

Showcasing its visual, performing, literary, and culinary arts and celebrating the different ethnic groups which form the heart of Augusta, The Greater Augusta Arts Council will hold the 32nd annual Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival in historic downtown Augusta, Georgia from September 14 to 16.

This year’s featured country will be Germany, hosted by the German Friendship Club of Augusta. In addition to offering traditional German fare from regions such as Bavaria and the Black Forest, they will also have a beverage tent selling many types of German beers. The Amazing Channellheimer Oompah Band will also be on stage leading the crowd in German favorites.

Festivities will again take place on Broad Street between 8th and 10th Streets, which will be closed to traffic during the festival. The Global Food Village and Global stage will continue to occupy the Augusta Commons with ethnic food from 35 countries provided by local cultural groups.

This year Turkey has been added to the Global Village. Atanur Caliskan of the Turkish Association of the CSRA says, "We are delighted to share our delicious food with people of Augusta, and we look forward to being part of the festival for many years to come." 

Over 90 Fine Arts and Crafts booths will extend down Broad Street with plenty of shade to make the festival an enjoyable experience for attendees. 

This year’s performance lineup includes the Living Room Legends. All stages – the Global, Community, Family and Troubadour Stages – will return, as well as the free Children’s Area, where kids can create crafts from around the world, and the Young Artist Market.

The popular southern beer garden will be open all three days as well. Additional opportunities for fun will include a raffle for an E-ZG-O golf cart sponsored by E-Z-GO, The Augusta Chronicle Singer Songwriter Competition and over 40 shows by performers throughout the CSRA.

Click on Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival for details.

For more information about top events in Georgia take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Georgia.

Oktoberfest in MainStrasse Village, Kentucky

A great mix of German and international foods, music, and arts and crafts, MainStrasse Village’s Oktoberfest will attract some 125,000 people to historic MainStrasse Village, Covington, Kentucky on September 7 – 9.

The festival has been named as one of Southeast Tourism Society’s “Top 20 Festivals for September 2012”, one of Top Events USA's “Top Ten 2012 Events in Kentucky” and one of Kentucky Travel Industry Association's “Top Ten 2012 Fall Festivals”.

The Oktoberfest extends over 6 city blocks, along the tree-lined 6th Street Promenade, Philadelphia Street, Main Street and Goebel Park, creating the perfect backdrop for the variety of appealing foods, drinks and works by over 75 artisans and crafters from all over the country. There will be traditional German food as always and of course, a variety of other festival favorites. 

And be sure to visit the Kinderplatz, full of adventures and rides for the kids and the Amusement Midway. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you can purchase an "All You Can Ride" bracelet for just $15. Bracelets may be purchased from opening until 9 pm on Friday and will be valid until 10 pm Friday only.  Saturday and Sunday bracelets may be purchased from opening until 5 pm and will be valid until 6 pm the day of purchase only.

Quality live entertainment by top local performers will spread the festival mood throughout Oktoberfest. Great Pop, Classic Rock, Blues, Country and German will be featured at the Festival Stage, the Main Street Bier Garten, the Goose Girl Stage and the Goebel Park Stage. 

Directions: MainStrasse Village is conveniently located just across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio in Covington, Kentucky.  From I-75/71, take the Covington Fifth Street Exit (Exit 192) and follow the signs to the Village. Free Parking is available in the IRS Parking Lot at 4th & Johnson Streets.

Visit www.mainstrasse.org or call 859-491-0458 for details.

For more information about top events in Kentucky take a look at Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Kentucky

Georgia Celebrates Japanese Culture

Georgia’s JapanFest, one of the country’s largest Japanese cultural festivals, every year draws close to 20,000 visitors wanting to experience Japanese culture in a relaxed and familiar environment. 

This year Georgia celebrates its 26th year of the festival on Saturday, September 15 (10 am – 6 pm) and Sunday, September 16 (10 am – 5 pm). The venue is Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, Georgia. 

JapanFest is an annual celebration of Japanese culture designed to promote understanding between Japanese and Americans in the Southeast. 

It is two days of immersing oneself in Japanese culture, dance and music; learning the intricate maneuvers of martial arts such as sumo, aikido, judo, karate, kendo or kyudo; sampling authentic Japanese foods from the region’s best restaurants; shopping at dozens of vendors booths; enjoying more than 50 performances and workshops; and appreciating product displays from Japanese companies in Georgia, the only such display in the United States. 

JapanFest will feature a variety of musical performances sure to suit all ages and interests, including taiko drumming, J-Rock and J-Pop, and classical music. 

Dance performances will include both traditional and modern Japanese dance, as well as traditional Okinawan dance. All are invited to join in the spirited Bon dance! 

Whether the visitors’ interest lies in the intricate embroidery that decorates a finely woven kimono, the mechanics of a Japanese kite, or the art of caring for a bonsai tree, there is something for everyone. 

Tickets are $8. Children age 6 or younger free. Teachers can bring their students to JapanFest for free by applying online at www.japanfest.org. Larger organizations can save money by purchasing advanced ticket packages online. 

JapanFest is organized by The Japan-America Society of Georgia and The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, with the help of over 150 dedicated volunteers. Gwinnett County is just 25 minutes northeast of Atlanta.

Visit www.japanfest.org for more information.

For more information about top events in Georgia take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Georgia. 

Louisville, Kentucky Popularizes Jug Band Music

While bluegrass and country music are more commonly associated with Kentucky, another genre with deep roots in the state is jug band music. Many music historians cite Louisville, where jugs abounded due to the city’s bourbon distilling industry, as the birthplace of this light-hearted musical form that spread up and down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers around the turn of the 20^th century.

The music has come full circle, with the seventh annual National Jug Band Jubilee in Louisville on September 15 set to celebrate the genre’s origins. Nine of the country’s best bands will play from 1 to 11pm at the free festival at the Brown-Forman Amphitheater in Waterfront Park, on the banks of the Ohio River near downtown Louisville. The acts will include Louisville’s Juggernaut Jug Band and groups from Ohio, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Washington and other states.

The festival also includes free workshops where you can learn to play a jug, washboard, kazoo or even a saw. This family-friendly event also offers instrument-building workshops for children, and food and drinks will be sold.

Jug band music is played on a combination of instruments, both makeshift (whiskey jugs, washboards, washtub basins and kazoos) and traditional (fiddles, banjos and guitars). Originated by African-American street performers, jug band music gradually made its way from the streets of Louisville, Memphis and New Orleans to entertain upscale crowds at venues as varied as Churchill Downs, river-travelling steamboats and music halls and theaters as far away as Chicago, New York and Europe. 

For more information on the National Jug Band Jubilee, visit www.jugbandjubilee.com, call 502-417-1107 or email juggernautpr@yahoo.com.

For more information about top events in Kentucky take a look at Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Kentucky

Hot Springs, Arkansas Blues Festival

The blues are one of the most influential forms of American music. Arkansas has deep ties to this music art form, and blues legends like Robert Lockwood, Jr. and Sister Rosetta Tharpe are from here. 

Hot Springs showcases the genre during the 16th annual Hot Springs Blues Festival August 30 through September 1. The family friendly event is held each Labor Day Weekend (Friday and Saturday) in Hill Wheatley Plaza in downtown Hot Springs.

“The atmosphere is laid back with lawn chairs scattered about, kids dancing to the music and blues lovers enjoying some down time,” said David Hughes, president of the Spa City Blues Society, which hosts the festival. “It’s an almost carnival style atmosphere. It’s definitely a good time.”

According to Hughes, the event is a solid mid-size festival that will run between 3,000 and 4,000 people through the gates over two days.

Hughes said some performers to watch out include headliners The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Along with the music lineup, there will be workshops on Friday and Saturday afternoon at Star Gallery, directly across the street from the festival. Workshops include sessions on slide guitar, harmonica, lap steel guitar, recording music using an i-Pad, blues history and the Blues Foundation’s efforts to build the Blues Hall of Fame. There will also be after parties for fans to access before and after the shows and an Artists Alley featuring local crafters selling their wares.

For those interested in the history of the blues in Arkansas, check out the Delta Cultural Center in Helena-West Helena sometime. The city is also home to the popular King Biscuit Festival each October.

More details on the Hot Springs Blues Festival can be found at www.spacityblues.org or by calling 501-815-2939. Admission is $10 per day or $15 for a weekend pass. Tickets can be purchases on-line through the website. Of note, weekend passes are not available at the gate and are pre-purchase only.

For more information about top events in Arkansas take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Arkansas.

August events sizzling in North Dakota

The JakeStar Festival Weekend, held near LaMoure, North Dakota on August 25 and 26, is a celebration to raise funds to enrich the lives of children through quality entertainment and creative community involvement.

It begins on Saturday, August 25 with a charity golf scramble and an archery tournament and kicks into high gear at the LaMoure County Memorial Park just north of Grand Rapids, ND on Sunday. This all day family event features kids attractions and games, car show, silent auction, helicopter rides, food vendors, cold beer for the adults and live bands. Ages six and under are free.

Visit www.jakestar.org for tickets and more details.

Earlier in August other summer activities are sizzling as North Dakota inches its way toward fall. Here are a few.

The 8^th annual International Country Gospel and Quilt Show at the International Peace Garden, Dunseith on August 18 and 19 features performers from United States and Canada, and is one of the most popular events at the International Peace Garden. 

Enjoy a variety of regional ethnic foods offered at individual booths, including Czech, German, Scandinavian, Norwegian and Ukrainian foods at the Northern Plains Ethnic Festival, Dickinson on August 18 and 19. The event also features entertainment at the Prairie Outpost Park at the Dickinson Museum Center on the Saturday.

At the 54 annual Pioneer Days at  Bonanzaville, West Fargo from August 18 to 20, Pioneer Village comes to life with a historic bridal fashion showcase, Native American powwow,  tepees and crafts, food, entertainers, children's games, WWI artifacts, barrel train rides, horse drawn wagon rides, and a genealogy program.  

  

To find more information about these activities, and for a complete list of events, go to NDtourism.com or call 800-435-5663 or 701-328-2525

For more information about top events in North Dakota take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in North Dakota.

Largest Labor Day Fireworks Show in the Nation

Boomsday returns to the Tennessee River for another year of thrilling effects and thunderous sounds of celebration.  The nation’s largest Labor Day weekend fireworks show will illuminate the sky over Knoxville with a 22-minute jaw dropping spectacle. 

The 25^th annual Boomsday Festival is set for Sunday, September 2 from 1pm to 10pm on Neyland Drive and Volunteer Landing in downtown Knoxville. Fireworks begin at about 9:30pm, and will create a rumble to remember with more than 50,000 shells in a fireworks display, and choreographed to an original soundtrack produced by Star 102.1 FM.

Since 1988, the Boomsday Festival has been a successful one-day, free event that has brought more than 400,000 visitors to Knoxville’s riverfront for food, a children’s play area, live music, and of course the biggest boom in the nation for one highly anticipated night each year. This year there will be new events, activities, and entertainment.

For updates on Boomsday, visit www.boomsday.org.  

From blues to bluegrass or ballet to Boomsday, there's always something happening in Knoxville. Over 120 Knoxville attractions include museums, historical homes, art galleries, collegiate sport arenas, Tennessee Riverboat tours, the Knoxville Zoo, Botanical Gardens, music, and more. Visit www.Knoxville.org for details.

For more information about top events in Tennessee take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Tennessee.

Fall Comes Alive on Louisiana’s Other Side

Fall festival season kicks off in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana starting in September with four festivals that celebrate everything from arts and crafts to zombies, beer and film. 

Here are some of the highlights.

The 4th annual North Louisiana Gay & Lesbian Film Festival is set for September 7-13 at the Robinson Film Center. The event will feature seven days of critically acclaimed movies, short films and documentaries and panel discussions. This year's celebrity guest is renowned actress/comedian Margaret Cho, who will perform live on Sept. 8 at the Municipal Auditorium. 

The season rolls out with the 36th annual Red River Revel Arts Festival October 6-13, in downtown Shreveport's Festival Plaza. The eight-day event, known as the region's largest arts festival, celebrates the arts with visual artists from across the country, four performance stages that feature live music and a large area dedicated specifically to providing arts education for children. 

Shreveport's premier beer tasting event, BREW returns October 20 in Festival Plaza. Now in its fourth year, the daylong event is becoming a fall tradition offering beer lovers a chance to sample and savor everything from All-American favorites to local one-of-a-kind microbrews while enjoying live entertainment and mouthwatering fare provided by some of the area's most well-known restaurants.  

"Zombies" clad in full regalia will gather from everywhere for the 5th annual Shreveport Zombie Walk held on October 27 in downtown Shreveport. The free, annual event is said to be the largest annual zombie walk in the southern United States and the only one in the state that happens on the World Zombie Day. The Zombie Walk also serves as a fundraiser for the Northwest Louisiana Food Bank. 

Hand-crafted jewelry, artwork, live entertainment, diverse cuisine and more will abound at the Fall 2012 Texas Avenue Makers Fair, November 10 at the corner of Texas Avenue and Common Street. However, as their slogan suggests, "This Ain't Your Momma's Crafts Fair," but instead it brings together an eclectic group of some of the community's most interesting and crafty people offering fascinating finds. 

Learn more about these events and more at www.shreveportbossierfunguide.com.

For more information about top events in Louisiana take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Louisiana.

All-day Celebration of Scandinavia at its Best

The largest Nordic festival on the east coast – Scandinavian Fest ’12 – celebrates the food, customs, crafts, arts, traditions and lifestyles of the Nordic countries.

It is an all-day outdoor event (rain or shine, entertainment covered) – from 10am to 6pm on the Sunday of Labor-Day weekend, September 2 – of the lifestyles of the peoples of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

The venue for this 28th annual Smörgåsbord of Family Fun is the fields and groves of the NJ Vasa Park, a sylvan recreational site near Hackettstown in New Jersey’s “Skylands” region. In all, ScanFest ’12 will have 7 performance & demo areas, over 30 performances for adults & kids, and some 60 specialized craft and gift vendors with a variety of articles, crafts, and designs.

Heading the list of entertainers will be ABBAGirlz, the spectacular ABBA tribute group, the Kari Sjostrand duo direct from Denmark and Sweden, and the amazing accordionist, Brent Buswell and a long list of returning favorites.

Food is important to any heritage festival and the Fest’s 18-plus ethnic & festival food vendors offer the traditional popular (and some not-so-familiar) dishes as well as those delicious Nordic desserts, plus lots more to enjoy with beer and other beverages.  Of course, there's familiar American festival fare for the less adventurous.

ScanFest has an extensive Nordic Marketplace of many specialized vendors who offer Nordic handicrafts, traditional folk and contemporary dress, and modern Nordic gifts ranging from knickknacks to lush Icelandic sweaters and elaborate decorative furnishings, artwork, and jewelry. 

For updated vendor and program information, the detailed performance schedule, advanced-sale discount tickets, driving directions, or a printable version of the '12 flyer to download, visit the ScanFest website at www.ScanFest.org.

For more information about top events in New Jersey take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in New Jersey.

Wilmington Celebrates African American Heritage

Southeast North Carolina is among the most historically significant African American regions in the United States. In Wilmington, African American ancestry traces back to the 1700s. 

The 2012 Southeastern North Carolina African American Heritage Festival will celebrate the region's rich African American culture and history on August 17 to 19 at Robert Strange Park (Ann Street between 8^th & 10^th streets) in Wilmington, North Carolina.

The theme for the 2012 Southeastern North Carolina African American Heritage Festival is “Appreciating Your Heritage.” The public festivities begin at 9am on Saturday, August 18 with its annual Teen Summit, followed by a ribbon-cutting and pouring of libations ceremony (12 noon). 

Thousands of attendees will enjoy live entertainment provided by national recording artists and local talent. Festivities on Sunday, August 19 begin again at 2pm with regional and local gospel acts, children's groups, and other acts.  Sunday’s Festival activities will be dedicated to the Life and Legacy of Anthony Jinwright, a local community activist and minister of song.  On both days there will be a Kids' Pavilion with activities for children, such as storytelling, magicians, clowns and more.  Food and merchandise vendors, informational brochures and a Festival Guide with a schedule of events and historical information will also be available.

Other festival highlights include  a Gullah Geechee/Know Your Roots display in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center; the Powerhouse Tumblers, a tumble ministry that teaches boys and girls to reach their horizons by mastering elite tumbling skills.  

Visit www.GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com for information about Wilmington, North Carolina and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach.

For more information about top events in North Carolina take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in North Carolina. 

Oregon’s Biggest Event Kicks Off Friday August 24

For some 151 years now Oregon residents and visitors from all over the country have been entertained at the Oregon State Fair in Salem by local community groups, big name headliners, animals, and commercial vendors for the 11 day duration of the fair.

Every year there are performers who travel all over the country and make a stop at the Oregon State Fair ... as they will from August 24 to September 3 this year.

The biggest event in the state of Oregon was begun unofficially in 1858 by a group of local farmers with the first official Fair being held in 1861. 

The annual tradition of rides, food, animals, games, entertainment, and more continues to be a popular event all these years later. In 1987 attendance broke the records with 818,285 attendees. 

The Fair continues to stay relevant for every age group with carnival games, livestock showing, canned goods contests, local entertainment, and big name headliners including Sammy Davis Jr (1946) Johnny Cash (1990), The Judds and Selena Gomez. 

2012 brings new and exciting things to the fair. In addition to all the traditional exhibits at the Fair, in the Pavilion will be a Rock U exhibit which is a tribute to Rock & Roll music over the years. Music memorabilia will be displayed and contests such as battle of the bands and a DJ contest will be featured throughout the Fair. 

Throughout the Fair local favorites such as Ben Rue and Ty Curtis will be playing, while headliners such as Jeff Dunham and Jake Owen will take on the big stage at Comcast’s LB Day Amphitheater. 

Les Schwab’s Familyville will have entertainment for the whole family, including Cirque Zuma Zuma African Acrobats (as seen on America’s Best Dance Crew) and a big cat exhibit called Walk on the Wild Side. 

On Sunday, September 2 the Oregon State Fair will host the annual Oregon Fairs Talent Search which is the result of participating county fairs around Oregon sending their local winner to the State Fair to compete in the final competition.

Visit www.oregonstatefair.org for details of the Oregon State Fair.

For more information about top events in Oregon take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Oregon. 

Hudson Valley’s Premiere Jazz Festival

The Hudson Valley Jazz Festival, a 4-day, 14-event festival from August 16 to 19 highlights some of Warwick and the Hudson Valley's diverse and deep resource of jazz artists. 

Now the singular jazz festival for the Hudson Valley region of New York State, the Hudson Valley Jazz Festival –  formerly the Warwick Valley Jazz Festival – is an umbrella event made possible by the participating venues. It features musicians often heard in NYC and international jazz clubs. Most shows are free.

This season marks the first self-produced performance with a final night at the Sugar Loaf Center of Performing Art, formerly the Lycian Theatre in Sugar Loaf NY, about 11 miles from Warwick.

The festival was founded in 2009 by drummer Steve Rubin, who after living in Village of Warwick for 4 years from NYC, was inspired by the depth and quality of local players to set up a local jazz festival.

The first, in 2010, was intended as a 2-day showcase for local talent and immediately became a four-day festival.  The shows are presented by the supporting venues , the Village of Warwick and sponsors. 

Moving forward the goal is to continue to highlight local talent and to engage "name" artists to develop this as a wide net including venues into the greater Hudson Valley creating the opportunity for additional musicians from the area to be showcased.

See www.hudsonvalleyjazzfest.org for the musicians taking part and for additional information and details.

For a complete list of events in New York State visit the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in New York.

Wine, Food & Art in Mesa Verde Country, Colorado

Mesa Verde Country® knows the best way to discover more about wine, food and art is to experience it – one sip, one bite, one canvas at a time. 

From August 24 -26, in Cortez, Colorado another exceptional season filled with southwestern flavor, food and flair is uncorked at the Mesa Verde Country Wine, Food and Art Festival.

The Festival opens on Friday, August 24, with a true gourmet experience – the Winemaker’s dinner at Nero’s Mediterranean Grill in downtown Cortez. 

On Saturday, August 25, head to Cortez City Park between 12noon and 5pm to swirl, sip, and purchase wines from the many fine Colorado vintners. 

While sampling the fruit of the vine is a delicious highlight, there’s more to enjoy at the festival, including music, local artists and food. Wood-fired pizzas will be available for purchase. Sample hand crafted breads, cheeses and infused olive oils, as well as local jams, jellies, and mustards. 

Don’t neglect to treat your eyes as well as your palate; as artists from around the region gather to showcase their work adding a dynamic and diverse visual component to the festival. Throughout the day Thomas Martin Scott will entertain crowds with his brand of heartfelt blues-rock with a touch of jazz.

On Sunday, August 26, from noon to six, journey down McElmo Canyon to Guy Drew Vineyards for an Open House featuring Wine, Food, and Music. Wines will be available for tasting and purchase.

Mesa Verde Country® is the southwest Colorado travel destination surrounding Mesa Verde National Park. Visitors to the area will find – along with the park – two national scenic byways, one national forest, two national monuments, one tribal park and the largest archaeological reserve in the United States. The towns of Cortez, Dolores, Mancos and Towaoc, and the entire Mesa Verde Country area, comprise the archaeological center of America.

For a full schedule of festival events, visit www.mesaverdecountry.com

For more information about top events in Colorado take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Colorado.

Gorge Yourself on Illinois Sweetcorn

The 37th annual Urbana Sweetcorn Festival will take place in the heart of Downtown Urbana, Illinois on Main Street between Race and Vine Streets on Friday, August 24 from 5-11pm and on Saturday, August 25, from 11am to 11pm. 

Each year this festival draws some 50,000 individuals from both the Champaign-Urbana and surrounding communities in Central Illinois. This festival is also the official welcome for incoming and returning University of Illinois students

The first Urbana Sweetcorn Festival was held in August 1975 in the Busey Bank parking lot in downtown Urbana. It was a community event put on by employees of Busey Bank. Since then the Sweetcorn Festival has continued to grow. The Urbana Business Association is now responsible for the planning of the festival, over the years adding a local car show, an expanded family area, live music on multiple stages, food, vendors, beer, in the heart of downtown Urbana.

All the local Illinois sweetcorn you can eat is the main attraction at this festival. There will also be live music both nights on two different stages from both regional and national headliners – Timmy D and Blind Justice, the Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Dr. Duke Tumatoe & the Power Trio, X-Krush, Firehouse, and Warrant. 

Car enthusiasts can look forward to the Motor Muster Car Show, a showcase of vintage automobiles. For children and families there are Action Inflatables, a rock climbing wall, indoor laser tag, pony rides, and a petting zoo along with all of the quality merchandise and delicious food from the Festival vendors.

Visit Urbana Business Association for details.

For more information about top events in Illinois take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Illinois.

Wow! Missouri State Fair Celebrates 110 Years

This August marks year 110 for the Missouri State Fair (August 9 to 19) – and its theme, “Celebrate Then and Wow”, reflects the Fair’s rich history and its role in the state’s agriculture and entertainment industries through the years.

“Many activities are being planned that will pay tribute to Missouri State Fair milestones, as well as achievements being celebrated by Missourians across our great state,” said Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe.

This year the Fair, in Sedalia, is honoring Missouri heroes on three special days: Military Appreciation Day Sunday, August 12; Missouri Firefighters Appreciation Day Thursday, August 16 and Law Enforcement Day Sunday, August 19.

The opening day ceremony August 9 will include special recognition of the Missouri State Fair Volunteer Firefighters’ 50 years of service to the Fair.  Among others celebrating anniversaries, with special activities being planned on the fairgrounds during the 11-day event, are National 4-H, 100 years; Missouri Dept. of Conservation, 75 years; John Deere, 175 years; and Missouri Travel Council, 50 years. 

Truck and tractor pull fans will have several opportunities to enjoy the sport at this year’s Missouri State Fair, as some favorite shows are returning and a new show is introduced showcasing new and vintage agriculture equipment. The new show, The Old and Wow Tractor and Equipment Show, will be held August 14-15.

“The long-time favorite, Missouri Association Championship Truck and Tractor Pull, will be held again this year,” said Mr. Wolfe. “Qualifying and final rounds will be held in the Pepsi Grandstand Sunday and Monday, August 12-13.”  

The second annual Show-Me Bluegrass Festival returns to the Missouri State Fair on Wednesday August 15 with more than 10 bluegrass bands.

 A highlight in this year’s special celebration will be the return from August 16-19 of the world-renowned Budweiser Clydesdales, last shown at the State Fair in 2006. 

More information is available at www.mostatefair.com

For more information about top events in Missouri take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Missouri