New York City Highlights Gay Pride Events

New York City is highlighting several annual gay pride events throughout the City as the summer travel season begins.

From the flagship Heritage of Pride events in Manhattan – where nearly 2-million people are expected to attend – to the diverse pride events and celebrations happening in the boroughs outside Manhattan, New York City is the ideal destination for visitors seeking a unique and festive pride experience.

A full listing of NYC 2013 pride activity can be accessed at nycgo.com/gay.  Here are the highlights of activity taking place throughout the City, organized by borough: 

Manhattan – Heritage of Pride, which organizes the City’s flagship LGBT events and commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots that sparked the modern gay-rights movement, features the theme “Rain to Rainbows” for its lineup of pride events this year.

The PrideFest street fair, now in its 20th year, will take place on Sunday, June 30 from 11am to 6pm. The March is at noon. Three events will take place at Pier 26 (on the West Side Highway):  The Rally honors the first NYC pride rally that occurred one month after the Stonewall Riots; Rapture on the River, one of the nation’s largest ladies-only dance events; and  Dance on the Pier is back for its 27th year with award-winning DJs and the world’s longest-running LGBT fireworks display along the Hudson River. 

To purchase tickets, register and access a comprehensive list of all events, visit nycpride.org or follow Heritage of Pride on Twitter (twitter.com/nycpride) or on Facebook (facebook.com/nycpride).

Bronx – The third annual Bronx LGBT Allies Award Ceremony is on Thursday, June 20, at 6pm, at the Rotunda at 851 Grand Concourse. The event will honour individuals who have made positive contributions to the LGBT community in the Bronx. 

Brooklyn – New York City’s most populous borough celebrates gay pride with events on Saturday, June 8. Brooklyn Pride 2013 features the 16th annual Brooklyn Pride LGBT 5K Run through the historic Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Pride Festival and the Brooklyn Pride Parade.

Queens – On Sunday, June 2, Queens Pride, which promotes education and awareness of LGBT issues in the borough, hosts its Parade and Multicultural Festival, from noon-6pm, in Jackson Heights, with the theme “Equality. Everyday. Everyone.”  

Staten Island – The Staten Island LGBT Community Center hosts LGBT Pride Parade & Festival 2013 in the St. George neighborhood on Saturday, June 1, from noon-5pm. 

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

Two Great Central Arkansas Festivals

Get your entertainment fix with the two huge events that begin and end the month of May in Central Arkansas (writes Kerry Kraus).

As it has for the past 31 years, May jumps off to a hopping start with the annual Toad Suck Daze. The 32nd edition is May 3 to 5 in downtown Conway. 

The festival has a boatload of entertainment packed with local and national performers. The schedule begins at 5:30pm on Friday with Handmade Moments followed over the three days by a number of headliners. 

The Toadal Kid Zone is back with activities for children of all ages with puppet shows, music, games, magic and crafts. Over 35 vendors will be selling a wide variety of food. 

The always popular Stuck on a Truck, the Toad Run 10 and 5K, Mardi Daze parade, and Tour de Toad bicycle ride, plus the general and championship toad races are just a few of the other events taking place. This free, family festival has awarded more than $1.2 million in scholarships and scholarship endowments to students in Faulkner County.

Little Rock and North Little Rock’s Riverfest wraps up the month over Memorial Day Weekend: May 24 to May 26. Riverfest is known for its wide variety of entertainment and this year is no different. Local and regional performers are showcased along with headliners such as Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, and Peter Frampton. 

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Family Zone area has free activities including music, Super Retriever Crown Championship Series and other dog-oriented contests, an International Village, a fun run, and more.

The Deltic Timber KidZone area features arts and crafts for children, face painting, finger casting, bean bag tossing, bubble blowing, a rock climbing wall, Chalk it Up Art and vendors. A fireworks display over the Arkansas River on Sunday evening concludes the celebration. 

Click on Toad Suck Daze and Riverfest for details.

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.

50 Years Honoring Pro Football Legends

This year the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Enshrinement Festival will mark the 50th anniversary of honoring the legends of professional football with 19 diverse events from July 19 through August 6.

The central focus and highlight of this year’s Enshrinement Festival will be the August 3 Enshrinement Ceremony for the Class of 2013 Enshrinees, comprised of guard/tackle Larry Allen, wide receiver Cris Carter, defensive tackle Curley Culp, tackle Jonathan Ogden, coach Bill Parcells, linebacker Dave Robinson and defensive tackle Warren Sapp.

The annual Enshrinement Festival Queen Pageant signals the start of the 50th anniversary celebration at The Canton Palace Theatre, Canton on Thursday May 9.

Join in the fun and excitement in Canton from July 19 through July 21 as 65 hot air balloons take flight at the Balloon Classic/Jackson-Belden Food Fest and Fireworks. This awesome spectacle delights about 130,000 spectators over three days. In combination with the fantastic Food Fest, this free event offers families the opportunity to enjoy dozens of food vendors, live music, children’s activities, illuminating Balloon Night Glow and spectacular fireworks.

The final events is the Drum Corps International Competition on Tuesday, August 6 when Drum Corps fans enjoy the pageantry of the best corps in America, at the peak of their performance just days before the world championships. 

Loathe to bring an end to the festivities, Canton will enjoy Community Celebration Day on Saturday, September 7 with a “One of a Kind 50-Year Celebration” at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Enshrinement Festival activities, attended by nearly 700,000 people, are expected to produce an economic impact of over $32 million for the Canton/Stark County area and $56 million for the State of Ohio. 

Many events are free, some require tickets, but all are guaranteed to be fun. For the complete schedule of events, ticket information, and latest news, check the web sites: www.profootballhofef.com or www.profootballhof.com.

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

New Orleans Celebrates 21 Years of Wine and Food

Twenty-one years ago a small group of forward-thinking wine lovers sat around a table concocting an event that today is considered one of the top wine events in the country. The 21st anniversary of the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience will be held May 22 – 25, 2013.

It will include wine dinners hosted by more than 30 local restaurants; Vinola, NOWFE’s premium tasting event; the Royal Street Stroll sponsored by Rouse’s, NOWFE’s signature event set in the heart of the French Quarter; and The Big Gateaux Show, its newest culinary confection.

There’s also a seminar series based on the current trends in wine and food; two days of Grand Tastings with over 75 restaurants and more than 1,000 wines; and culminating with the Ella Brennan Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality Award Gala.

Taking place in “America’s Favourite City” as awarded by Travel + Leisure Magazine, NOWFE annually attracts over 10,000 foodies, wine connoisseurs, art aficionados and music lovers to New Orleans’ restaurants, shops and art galleries.

“NOWFE has come a long way over the last 21 years, but one thing never changes—our commitment to providing a one-of-a-kind experience for wine and food lovers,” states Jamie Peckenpaugh, NOWFE Executive Director. 

Inspired by world-class, local ingredients and culinary talent NOWFE showcases New Orleans’ restaurants, arts and music scene, as well as its architecture and cultural diversity.

Over its 20-year history NOWFE has contributed more than $1 million to local non-profit organizations. This year 100% of the proceeds will go towards two causes: fighting hunger in the community and supporting culinary education. 

Click on NOWFE for more details.

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.

Lindsay, Nebraska, Celebrates 125 Years

The community of Lindsay, Nebraska is celebrating the 125th anniversary of the town's existence. Its Quasquicentennial will take place this 2013 summer with three full days of fun-filled activities on July 5, 6, and 7.

The first day includes a Tractor Ride and a Softball Tournament, the Opening of the Centennial (100 year) Time Capsule that was buried in 1988, and a Trail (Horse) Ride. The Idaho Potato Truck Appearance which is celebrating its 75 year anniversary will stop in Lindsay on their Coast-to-Coast tour. 

There will be family activities/games, the appearance of the US92 Radio Station Airtime Truck, an arm wrestling competition,  People's Choice Cook-Off Competition, a Beard & Mustache Competition, a Lip Sync/Talent Show and Big Bang Boom Fireworks.

Day 2 (July 6), consists of Kid's Fun Run, a Donut Run, Quilt Show, a tour of Lindsay Holy Family School, a Parade, Car Show, "Sheltered Reality Band" Performance, Ditzy the Clown, a Pork Loin Bar-B-Que Meal, Card Tournaments, Kid's Inflatables, Sand Volleyball, Outhouse Races, Music Jam Session, Kid's Pedal Tractor Pull, Catholic Mass and Street Dance featuring "Taxi Driver".

Day 3 (July 7) will begin with Catholic Mass, a continuation of the Quilt Show and of the touring of the Lindsay Holy Family School, and a Pancake and Sausage Breakfast featuring "The Pancake Man". The celebration ends with the Closing Ceremony, the burial of the Q125 Time Capsule and a Tour of Gardens.

If you're looking for a weekend packed with fun, food and activities for the whole family, join the community of Lindsay's celebrating its 125 years.

For a full schedule of the Lindsay celebrations click on Lindsay Quasquicentennial

For more information about top events in Nebraska take a look at 

the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Nebraska 

Birdwatchers Flock to Annual Birding festival

Birdwatchers and aficionados from around the country will gather in southwest Colorado May 8 to 12 to search for and spot over 150 birds on the Colorado Plateau.

Spring migrants and early nesters attract birdwatchers from across the nation to the Ute Mountain/Mesa Verde Birding Festival.

Now in its 9th year, the festival takes place in the diverse habitats of southwest Colorado’s Mesa Verde Country®. Several of the birding field trips visit spectacular archaeological areas such as Mesa Verde National Park and the Ute Tribal Park.

Along with expert-led tours to spot and document sightings, the festival includes a reception, workshops and lectures, an art show and dinner with keynote speaker Mark Obmascik. He is the author of “The Big Year,” the story of a 365-day marathon of birdwatching, which was later made into a popular movie starring Steve Martin.

Habitats in the area include mountain high country, river corridors and rugged red rock canyons, says Lynn Dyer, executive director of Mesa Verde Country®, the southwest Colorado travel destination surrounding Mesa Verde National Park.

In past years, birdwatchers have documented up to 166 bird species, including: Lucy’s warbler; black Phoebe; wild turkey; western tanager; black-chinned hummingbird; roadrunner; Clark’s nutcracker; and green-tailed and spotted towhee.

Last year’s tour to Vermillion Cliffs, AZ to view the California Condors, was such a spectacular success it will be repeated again this year. One of the new tours for 2013, in celebration of the anniversary of The Old Spanish Trail, will follow the Historic Trail between Cortez and Pagosa Springs, with an overnight in Pagosa, and a stop at Colorado’s newest National Monument, Chimney Rock.

Festival registration, which includes the welcome reception, lectures and workshops, and the dinner, is $50. Tours are priced separately. To register, contact the Cortez Cultural Center at 970-565-1151 or info@cortezculturalcenter.com, or visit www.cortezculturalcenter.org. 

For a full schedule of festival events, see 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

Florida’s Largest Waterfront Music/Art Festival

For five fabulous days the first week of May 1 to 5, SunFest, the annual music and art festival in downtown West Palm Beach along Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway, has great activities day and night in addition to the 50 featured bands.

Rock to the music of Train and Barenaked Ladies; or maybe Boz Scaggs and Jimmy Cliff are more your style; one thing is for sure, SunFest is a party for all ages. Friday through Sunday, there is even Youth Park – a hot spot for families with a mini-SunFest with kid-size fun, activities and entertainment.

To help you enjoy SunFest to the fullest, the elegant four-star boutique The Chesterfield Palm Beach has created a very special SunFest package where everything is taken care of – including tickets to the festival. 

With The Chesterfield located just a hop, skip, and a boogie over the bridge to SunFest, you can walk along the yacht-lined waterfront; browse the incredible array of wonderful arts and crafts exhibits, including a juried fine arts and crafts show featuring the work of more than 130 national artists; and indulge your taste buds at the tantalizing food stands.

For details and reservations contact The Chesterfield Palm Beach at 800.243.7871, online at www.chesterfieldpb.com or email: bookchpb@rchmail.com.

The Chesterfield Palm Beach is part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, an award-winning collection of five- and four star family-run boutique hotels in London, Dorset, Guernsey, Geneva, Palm Beach and South Africa. 

Click on www.sunfest.com for more details on SunFest

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

Hawaii Bridges Pacific-Rim Cultures

Celebrating its 34th year in 2013, the Pan-Pacific Festival from June 7 to 9 – one of Hawai‘i’s largest festivals – brings together and bridges various Pacific-Rim cultures and people through the sharing of music, arts, dance, performances, food and more.

The three-day festival showcases nearly 100 different performance groups and organizations from around the world and Hawai‘i, and attracts an audience of approximately 100,000 annually, 50 percent of whom are visitors from abroad.

Kicking off the weekend of events with a festive block party in Waikīkī, the Pan-Pacific Ho‘olaule‘a features multiple stages along Kalākaua Avenue filled with cultural performances; live entertainment by local and international bands; a wide range of Island crafters and vendors selling unique items; and dozens of food booths offering delicious culinary creations.

The 13th annual Pan-Pacific Hula Festival is held every evening throughout the festival weekend at the revered Kūhiō Beach Hula Mound, featuring hula hālau (troupes) from Japan as well as exhibitions by a local hula hālau.

Held daily throughout the festival weekend, the Performing Arts Showcase features traditional Japanese songs and dances, hula performances and other cultural presentations from more than 25 groups from Japan and Hawai‘i.

The weekend-long festivities culminate with the grand finale, the Pan-Pacific Parade on Kalākaua Avenue, which starts from Fort DeRussy and ends at Kapi‘olani Park. The parade features a mix of cultural performers, colorful entertainers, and music and dance groups from around the world, marching through Waikīkī at sunset.

Matsuri in Hawai‘i was established in 1980 after a group of people envisioned an event that would continue to increase interaction between Japan and Hawaii. The festival’s mission was to enrich the lives of both participating artists and audiences with exposure to traditional Japanese culture – music, dance, food, crafts and more. In its first year, Matsuri (Japanese for “festival”) in Hawai‘i attracted about 25,000 attendees. In 1998, Matsuri in Hawai‘i became the Pan-Pacific Festival to broaden its scope and appeal  

Visit www.pan-pacific-festival.com for schedule and other details.

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

Experience Albuquerque this Spring

The experts at Fodor’s Travel, not surprisingly, have named Albuquerque, New Mexico among the “Top 25 Places to Go in 2013” and Spring is a good time to start.

There is Native American dancing and singing competitions with over 3,000 participants to enjoy at the 30th annual Gathering of Nations Pow Wow event from April 25 to 27 at the University of New Mexico Arena "The Pit". An Indian Traders Market will feature aisles of shopping, native foods and music, and the crowning of Miss Indian World.

The week-long celebration of dance and other events at the 34th annual American Indian Week: Pueblo Days from April 20 to 28 celebrates Pueblo Indian tribes and other American Indian heritage at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. The week includes two Indian art markets, sales in the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center gift shop, specials in the Pueblo Harvest Café & Bakery, a children’s art show and the popular daily dance performances of tribes from New Mexico and the Southwest.

The Albuquerque Wine Festival from May 25 to 27 at Balloon Fiesta Park over Memorial Day weekend will showcase a wide variety of award-winning New Mexico wines in a relaxed, park-like setting with live music, international food and crafts vendors.

At the same time the Exhibition: Titanic – The Artifact Exhibition is available at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (through October 27). The Artifact Exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the 100-year history of Titanic. The exhibition features countless stories of heroism and humanity that pay honor to the incredible stories and people on the Titanic. From construction, launching, and life on board to the tragic sinking and dramatic rescue of some 700 people, the Exhibition concludes with the amazing discovery of the ship 73 years after its sinking, and highlighting the innovative recovery and conservation efforts made over the last 25 years.

Visit www.itsatrip.org/events for more information on events in Albuquerque.

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

April Events in Alabama

You’ve read the book or maybe you’ve seen the movie with Gregory Peck. Now experience To Kill a Mockingbird and lots more first-hand on a visit to the "Literary Capital of Alabama" for Monroeville's annual theatrical production of Christopher Sergel’s famous book from April 18 to May 18.

For more than 20 years, the city has hosted acclaimed performances of To Kill a Mockingbird each April and May. While in Monroeville, tour the Old Courthouse Museum, take in the authentic charm of local art galleries and see what inspired authors Harper Lee, Truman Capote, Mark Childress, and others.

Before that, for three days in April, visitors from across the southeastern United States will flock to Moulton, Alabama for a weekend of old-fashioned fun.

From April 12 to 14, the Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival returns to Moulton for the ninth year, bringing with it a dozen family-friendly contests where bragging rights, trophies, cash and other prizes including $10,000 in diamonds, are up for grabs. Food vendors feature chicken entrees prepared in a variety of ways and popular regional bands and local favorites provide live entertainment on three stages.

The sanctioned poultry show brings in hundreds of exotic colorful chickens of all sizes and breeds. The VIP bike night and Poker Run is fun for motorcycle enthusiasts. Additional highlights include a juried art exhibition, a chicken clucking contest, an egg toss competition and eating contests where contestants stuff their faces with chicken wings and hard boiled eggs.

The award-winning, Top 20 Southeast Tourism event Magic City Art Connection celebrates its 30th anniversary in Birmingham from April 26 to April 28.

It transforms Linn Park each year with its blast of fresh talent, sights, sounds and aromas, drawing from a pool of artists who have been recognized locally, regionally and nationally in visual art, food and wine, dance and music.

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

Celebrating Louisiana Culture with Crawfish and Zydeco

Shreveport-Bossier’s 30th annual Mudbug Madness Festival will take place on Memorial Day Weekend, May 23 to 26, in downtown Shreveport’s Festival Plaza.

The annual event, which is known for around-the-clock live zydeco music and Louisiana crawfish served every imaginable way, is recognized as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events. Last year’s Mudbug Madness Festival was attended by more than 200,000 guests who consumed more than 80,000 pounds of boiled crawfish.

Special to this year’s festival, there will be a closing night fireworks show in celebration of the 30^th anniversary milestone. The closing night fireworks show will take place at 8:45pm Sunday, May 26.

In addition to hot, boiled crawfish and a variety of vendors selling Creole and Cajun cuisine, the Mudbug Madness Festival will feature three stages of live entertainment, crawfish eating and calling contests for all ages, street performers, children’s activity areas, and a Louisiana arts marketplace featuring original paintings, carvings, jewelry and crafts.

Live music headliners on the MetroPCS Stage include Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, Grammy Award-winners Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys and Louisiana Music Hall of Fame members Wayne Toups & ZyDeCajun.

The Swamp Stage will feature popular music acts from Shreveport-Bossier and the surrounding communities, including Trini Triggs, Bushrod Jenkins, Twang Darkly and Professor Porkchop & the Dirty Dishes.

The Kids on the Bayou Stage will open at 11am each day and will feature clowns, kids’ karaoke, singers, story-tellers, magic shows, hands-on art activities and a giant sculpture that kids can help create.

Admission to the festival is free until 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. After 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday, admission is $5 per person. Children under 12 and military with ID are free at all times. Free shuttle service is available from Mall St. Vincent and Pierre Bossier Mall. 

Visit www.shreveport-bossier.org for more in formation on events in Shreveport-Bossier.

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.

Events on Florida’s Unspoiled Island Sanctuary

Ready, set, mark your calendars and plan a holiday based on some of the upcoming special events and festivals a Florida's unspoiled island sanctuary – The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel.

Among the many events is the 17th annual MangoMania, a tropical fruit fair at the German-American Social Club on Cape Coral/Pine Island from July 13 and 14.

The mango is the star attraction for two days each summer on Pine Island. Go wild for fruit as you sample locally-grown delicacies at this annual affair, an unusual celebration of all the tropical fruit grown on the island, which includes lychee, carambola, longan, papaya, and "chocolate pudding fruit". Fruit, exotic fruit trees, and fruit-related products are available for purchase. The festival also offers live music, kids activities and rides.

The 24th annual JN “Ding” Darling Days on Sanibel Island from October 20 to 26 include a week of eco-activities with free refuge tram tours, live wildlife presentations, kids activities, Federal Duck Stamp artist presentation, art day, family day and more. Birding and kayaking tours, environmental speakers, a nature photography contest, and the Junior Duck Stamp Awards will fill the week with environmental activities for all pages.

The festival celebrates the birthday of the refuge's namesake, conservationist and Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist Jay N. "Ding" Darling. The event kicks off with Family Fun Day on October 20.

Hosted by the German-American Club, the huge Cape Coral Oktoberfest celebration over the last two weekends in October includes German culture, food, music and dancing. Highlights include authentic live entertainment with large musical groups from Germany, along with enough German food and beer to make anyone do the "Chicken Dance."

The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida includes:  Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Boca Grande & Outer islands, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres.

Visit www.fortmyerssanibel.com for details of many other events.

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

Feathered Festivals in Oregon

The daffodils are up, the cherry trees are blossoming and spring is in the air. The air is also full of birds migrating and nesting across the state of Oregon. Whether you’re a beginning birder or well-weathered friend of the feathered, you’ll enjoy these and other birding events in Oregon (writes Eileen Garvin).

Don’t miss the 32nd Annual John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival in Eastern Oregon’s Harney County. It’s your chance to view thousands of birds migrating through the high desert landscape of the Harney Basin. The family-friendly event includes a variety of birding activities as well as historical and cultural elements.

The 10th Annual Birding and Blues Festival in Pacific City takes off April 12-14. Daytime activities include bird outings, nature sketching and educational walks at the Nestucca Bay Wildlife Refuge, the Neskowin Marsh and the Clay Meyers State Natural Area. The Norman Sylvester Band and the Duffy Bishop Band will get the evening rocking on Friday and Saturday nights, respectively.

The Ladd Marsh Bird Festival in La Grande, May 17-19, commemorates International Migratory Bird Day. Held at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Ladd Marsh, the weekend includes talks from experts, marsh outings and kids’ activities. Visitors will have the chance to see more than 200 bird species that live at or pass through the area, including ducks, geese, raptors, passerines and shore birds.

The Tualatin River Bird Festival will take place on May 18 at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge in Sherwood. In its 19th year, the family-focused event will include workshops on building bee boards and bird and bat houses, fly fishing and archery demos, and various educational outings, including an early morning bird walk as well as wildlife, wildflower and twilight walks.

For more information about bird migrations and bird viewing areas, visit the ODFW’s Wildlife Viewing map.

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. 

April Festivals Abound in Arkansas Delta and Ozarks

The 15th annual Air Field Reunion is slated for April 5-6 at the Wings of Honor WW II Museum in Walnut Ridge. The event is a reunion of former airfield personnel, both military and civilian, who worked and trained at the facility during World War II. Activities include museum and airfield tours, a memorial service, self-guided tours, bus tours, a barbecue luncheon and a silent auction. For more information, visit www.wingsofhonor.org or contact the museum at 800-584-5575.

Stuttgart celebrates the town’s early settlers during the German Heritage Festival on April 20 at the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie. You’ll find a bratwurst cook-off, children’s old fashion games, baked goods, a 5K run/walk, wine tasting, brats and beer, a genealogy booth, live polka music, and a variety of arts and crafts. Visit www.GrandPrairieMuseum.org or phone 870-673-7001 for more information.

Head to West Memphis on April 20 for the sights, smells and sounds of the 10th annual Gumbo Fest. Teams will be cooking throughout the day and, if you’re lucky, you’ll get a chance to taste-test food from the variety of cooking categories, including gumbo, chicken wings and exotic meat. Spend the afternoon and evening enjoying great food and live music. For more information visit www.wmcoc.com or contact the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce at 870-735-1134.

Motorcycles and music take over Cherry Street during the 13th annual Wild Hog Musicfest and Motorcycle Rally on April 25-28 in historic downtown Helena. The event features food and merchandise vendors, a motorcycle parade, a poker run, field events, Ms. Wild Hog contest, and music, music, music! Delbert McClinton, 7 Bridges (the Ultimate Eagles Experience), the Return: A Beatles Flashback, Geneva, Grand Theft Audio, Purfek Daze, the Casual Flyze, and the Memphis Yahoos are all scheduled to perform. For a detailed schedule of events, visit the Wild Hog Musicfest and Motorcycle Rally website at www.wildhogmusic.org.

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.