Long Grove, Illinois Kicks off Summer Sundays

Sundays are heating up as Sunday Fun-day in the historic downtown district of Long Grove, Illinois, a 35-mile jaunt from Chicago. 

There are lots of free activities with the annual Farmer’s Market and Summer Concert series presented by the Long Grove Arts & Music Council. The merchants in Long Grove welcome you to stroll the cobblestone streets and enjoy shopping local and their quaint downtown village.

The Long Grove Farmers’ Market in the new Archer Parking Lot offers a wide assortment of fresh, local and Midwest, fruits and vegetables, along with a variety of organic products. New to the market is Grassroots Farm. They broaden the market’s organic offerings with their Free-Range non-GMO fed, no antibiotic used, large brown eggs, heirloom sweet corn, cottage garden flowers, plants and plant products. 

The Farmers’ Market also offers a generous selection of artisan breads, pastries, pies, gourmet coffee, salsas, sauces, pickled vegetables, health products, salad greens and organic salad dressings.

The Long Grove Arts & Music Council, renowned for the talent presented, again offers their free Outdoor Summer Concert series. All concerts are outdoors, on the grass, at Fountain Square, near Archer Lot. The series presents top notch headliners, at Fountain Square, in the center of the Historic Downtown. The concerts begin at 4pm.

Originally settled as a German farming community, the Village of Long Grove’s rich historical background gave way to a multitude of additional cultures such as French, Polish, Greek, Irish, Canadian, Scottish, British, Scandinavian, Italian, Native American and many more. Known as a ‘must-see’ destination in Lake County, the Village gives visitors a very unique feel unlike any other place.

Recognized as one of the nation’s genuine historic villages, and famous for their annual festivals, the Village of Long Grove also serves as a Midwest destination, known for its one-of-a-kind, unique shopping experience. 

Long Grove is located in the northern suburbs, near Routes 53 and 83, north of Lake Cook Road. For more information, call the Visitor's Information Center at 847.634.0888 or visit www.visitlonggrove.com. 

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.

Delaware Jazz Funeral Bids Farewell to Summer

The combined forces of three New Orleans-style Dixieland Bands helps Bethany, Delaware bid a "Fond Farewell to Summer" with its 

Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral on Labor Day Monday.

The annual "End of Summer Celebration" begins at 5:30pm at the North end of the Bethany Beach Boardwalk. 

This "quirky" Jazz Funeral tradition is family-friendly, free to the public, and you can even dress in costume for the occasion. The Dixieland Bands are part of the procession that carries a casket with a mannequin representing "Summer" to its final resting place at the Boardwalk Bandstand. 

Those who attend the Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral will see a gathering of mourners – some draped in black shrouds, some donning dark sunglasses, some dressed in full comedic costume, some carrying flowers and reeds, and others twirling oversized umbrellas – all sobbing as they shuffle along the Bethany Boardwalk from the North end toward the town's bandstand at the center of the Boardwalk. These "Friends of Summer" have mourned the passing of the summer tourist season at the "Quiet Resort" of Bethany Beach since 1985.

But Delaware doesn’t mourn the passing of summer for long. It follows the Bethany Beach funeral with a number of great events and festivals in September including the Nanticoke Indian Powwow in Millsboro. The dates this year for the 36th Annual Nanticoke Powwow are Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8. 

A celebration of Delaware's native inhabitants, the Powwow includes group singing and dancing by men, women and children, along with handcrafts done by skilled Native American artisans.

  

And of course in late May and late September Dover hosts the NASCAR race weekends. Tens of thousands of fans converge on Dover International Speedway for two weekends every year to see the nation's top NASCAR drivers duel it out on the famous "Monster Mile." 

In late September the Millbilly Festival and Redneck Games in Millsboro, Delaware will mark the inaugural year for this offbeat event. One of the 2013 festival’s main attractions will be a special appearance by “Cooter Davenport” from “The Dukes of Hazzard.” 

Click on www.visitdelaware for news of many other events in Delaware.

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

Jonesboro, Arkansas Hosts Johnny Cash Music Festival

The 3rd annual Johnny Cash Music Festival is slated for August 17 at the ASU Convocation Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Scheduled to perform at this year’s benefit concert are Vince Gill, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Jimmy Fortune of the Statler Brothers, Cash’s sister Joanne Cash Yates and Johnny’s younger brother Tommy, who will also serve as the host of the event (writes Kim Williams).

Ticket prices range from $37.50 to $150. The $150 tickets include admission to the concert, as well as an artist pre-show event, seats in the first five rows, and a commemorative program. As in the past two years, money raised by the concert will go towards refurbishing Johnny Cash’s Boyhood Home in Dyess and funding a college scholarship established in Cash’s name. The Boyhood Home is scheduled to open in the spring of 2014.

Vince Gill is an award-winning singer, songwriter and musician. One of his first Top Ten country singles was a duet with Roseanne Cash in 1985. He has released 18 albums during his career. His awards include 20 Grammys and 12 Country Music Association awards. He is a member of the Grand Ole Opry and has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers were one of the most successful country music acts of the 1970s and 1980s. Gatlin earned 33 Top 40 singles between his solo efforts and performing with his brothers. Gatlin starred on Broadway in The Will Rogers Follies. He has also served as a television news political and social commentator. Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers have been members of the Grand Ole Opry since 1976.

Jimmy Fortune was a member of the legendary country group the Statler Brothers for more than two decades. He wrote several of the group’s No. 1 singles shortly after joining the group in 1982. The Statler Brothers were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2007. Since the group retired in 2002, Fortune has continued writing and performing solo.

Visit www.johnnycashmusicfest.com for more 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.

Fall Into Arts at Kennett, Missouri

The Kennett Alliance for the Arts (KAFTA) is hosting its fourth annual Fall Into Arts Festival from September 6 to 8. 

Fall Into Arts is a three-day festival that brings local artists, live music, theatrical performances, and great food to Downtown Kennett, Missouri. All events take place around the Kennett Square. The event is designed for all ages to enjoy with a variety of activities and scheduled entertainment. Fall Into Arts is an exciting cultural event which highlights local talent in the Bootheel of Missouri! 

Artists/Crafters and Photographers have the opportunity to show off their work by becoming a Vendor or entering their pieces in either the Adult or Youth Competitions. Along with the Artists’ booths, there will be several Community & Informational booths at this year’s festival.  You can learn what is happening in the community and about the art, music, dance, and theater opportunities available in the area. 

Kids also have a variety of activities to keep them entertained at Fall Into Arts. There will be art related booths, an activity zone, a jump house, story time, and a balloon artist and street performers. Adults and kids alike will also enjoy the return of the Art Cars; an ordinary vehicle that has added design and art features to make it extraordinary.  

As always, Fall Into Arts will have a great lineup of performers throughout the weekend.  The festival starts off with a performance of Oedipus Rex by the SEMO Little Theater Group. Musicians, magicians, and dance groups will perform continuously on Saturday and Sunday. 

And don’t worry about leaving Fall Into Arts hungry. Area food vendors come to serve up festival favorites.  KAFTA will also be partnering with the Kennett Jaycees to hold a Chili Cook-Off as part of the festival.  

Find all the information about Fall Into Arts Festival you need by visiting www.kafta.org. Check the Festival Facebook at www.facebook.com/fallintoartskennett for updates on all the excitement at this year’s event.

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.

Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival

For the 33^rd year in a row, the Greater Augusta Arts Council presents the Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival, sponsored by American Family Insurance, September 20-22. 

Comprised of a Global Village with authentic ethnic foods; a Fine Arts and Crafts Market with 110 juried fine artists and crafts booths; four stages packed with local entertainment; a free hands-on Children’s Area, sponsored by McDonald’s; and a Young Artists Market, this year’s Festival was selected as a TOP 20 EVENT by Southeastern Festivals and Events Association. 

The Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival was also selected as Best Festival in 2012 by readers of Augusta Magazine. Festivities will take place on the Augusta Common and Broad Street which will be closed from 8^th-10^th Streets.

This year the Festival Committee will host a Celebration of Community to bring awareness to the abundant diversity in Augusta, instead of focusing on just one single country. New countries participating in the Global Village in 2013 will be Trinidad, France and Bulgaria. 

SGI International will present a special exhibit, “The Century of Women,” that highlights the critical role of women in creating a peaceful future with a focus on female winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. 

The four performance stages at the Festival boast non-stop entertainment. New this year will be concerts by Mama Says and AcostA, as well as an entire afternoon concert series by Augusta’s Singer Songwriter Guild. The Augusta Chronicle AMPED Original Music Contest returns in 2013.

The Greater Augusta Arts Council’s mission is to advance the arts and thus enrich the quality of life in Augusta and the Central Savannah River Area. For more information visit www.augustaarts.com

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.

Authentic Festivals and Fairs in True South

One of the great traditions of summer in the True South is to attend an outdoor festival or fair for a taste of the diverse cultural heritage displayed across Mississippi. 

Here is a small sampling of the entertaining festivals and fairs you can experience this summer in Mississippi.

The Natchez Food and Wine Festival from July 26 to 28 will take you from one remarkable experience to the next, constantly surrounded with some of the region's most prominent chefs and restaurants, and indulged in the finest of food, wine and entertainment.

Established in 1889, the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia from July 26 to August 23 fosters political, agricultural and social exchanges of knowledge and ideas. Home of the state’s only licensed horse track since 1922 and the nation's largest campground fair, the fair is “Mississippi's Giant House Party®” and has been entered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Rides, games, entertainment and hundreds of fair cabins provide a great atmosphere for visiting and discussing the latest political issues.

The Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival in Clarksdale from August 9 to 11 first took place in 1988 and is one of the largest blues and gospel festivals in Mississippi. Celebrated for its authenticity and focus on Mississippi's musical heritage, the event features entertainment by local and nationally known blues and gospel artists and also offers lectures and seminars about music and its unique roots.

On multiple stages at the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum, the inaugural Jackson Rhythm and Blues Festival on August 16 and 17 will be headlined by six-time Grammy Winner Dr. John and the Nite Trippers and will feature over 30 of the best R&B artists ever assembled in the Southeast, including: Laura Izibor, Mint Condition, Bobby Rush, Denise LaSalle, Zac Harmon an Grady Champion.

There are plenty of festivals and fairs to experience this summer ... and the list above highlights just a few of the main events. Go to www.VisitMississippi.org and click on “EVENTS” to get all of the details and specifics about these events and many more happening all summer in the True South.

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

Fort Myers, Florida Hosts Top Sand Sculptors

The 27th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship from November 22 to December 1, attracting an estimated crowd of 50,000 to Fort Myers Beach over the entire 10-day event, continues its tradition as one of the most popular, family-friendly events in Florida.

With name entertainment, this island-wide festival has been named one of 20 recommended events for November in the southeastern United States by the Southeast Tourism Society. 

Presented by the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, the event owes much of its success to the area's abundant natural resources, particularly the soft, sugar-white sands of Fort Myers Beach, which are considered the best in the world for sand sculpting events. 

This year's festival will feature 16 of the world's best master sculptors along with Florida state and amateur sculptors. These artists will unite on Fort Myers Beach to create their imaginatively stunning works of art.

Earlier, from November 1 to 3, the 8th annual Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival showcases the 190-mile Great Calusa Blueway paddling trail, which helps stand-up paddle boarders, kayakers and canoeists explore southwest Florida's waterfront communities. 

This signature eco event, named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society, includes a family fun race, a kayak fishing tournament, paddling clinics and demonstrations, seminars, wildlife activities, archaeological events, guided tours, and more. 

The Cape Coral CoCoNut Festival from November 8 to 10 celebrates Cape Coral's reputation in the Lee County area for coconuts, multi-cultural food, boating, fishing and wildlife. The festival will feature a national musical act, gymnastic entertainment, carnival rides, water-ski shows, tropical food, contests, coconut crafts, fireworks, and more.

Tastes of the Islands is back for its 32nd year on November 10 to celebrate three Sanibel signatures - community, cuisine and the wildlife organization CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife). Local restaurants will descend on Sanibel Community Park with their most decadent delicacies from 12:30pm to 5pm and duke it out to earn top honors for their dishes from judges and the crowd, accompanied by live entertainment.

For the latest information on the area's many accommodation choices, event and activities, visit www.FortMyers-Sanibel.com. 

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. 

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.

Lucy-Desi Centre Hosts Top Comedians

The Lucille Ball Festival of Comedy takes place in Jamestown, NY (Lucy’s hometown) on the first weekend in August every year – this year from August 1 to 4, preserving Lucille Ball’s vision of an annual festival of comedy that would support rising comedians in her hometown. 

The Lucy Desi Center for Comedy started out with the Lucy Desi Museum and the annual Lucy Comedy Fest and has since grown to include attractions such as the Desilu Studios and The Tropicana Room – a museum and private event venue in tribute to “I Love Lucy,” recently named “Best Television Show of All-Time” and “Best Comedy Show of All-Time” by ABC’s 20/20. 

Lucille Ball worked with the Arts Council in Jamestown to develop a comedy festival and comedy film festival in her hometown in the late 1980s. Ball was to visit and attend the first-ever Lucy Comedy Fest, as well as accept an honorary degree at Jamestown Community College commencement in the spring of 1989. Unfortunately, Lucille Ball passed away in April 1989 before attending the festival that would attract thousands of Lucy fans and contemporary comedy lovers a-like.

Since the festival started in 1991, Lucy Comedy Fest has featured performances by Lewis Black, Ray Romano, Ellen DeGeneres, Paula Poundstone, Joan Rivers, Bob Newhart, George Wallace, Billy Gardell, and many more. 

Today, the festival attracts over 10,000 visitors annually. Events include performances from some of the hottest rising comedians, live bands, live comedy theater, the world’s premiere “I Love Lucy’ impersonators, Latenight Stand-Up in the Tropicana Room, Lucy Town Tours, Party on the Plaza, a critically-acclaimed kids comedy show and much more. 

For more information about the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy and its year-round attractions, visit www.lucy-desi.com/.

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

Summer/Fall Events Along California Coast

The California coast is full of spectacular views, but this summer and fall, visitors will also find a variety of entertaining events to choose from while cruising the coast. From art and music to food and wine, the event calendar along the California coast is as varied as its many residents and visitors. 

In Southern California, art will come to life at the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach. After dark, take in "The Big Picture," with productions nightly from July 7 to  August 31. Celebrating 80 years of "living pictures" that re-create classic works of art, more than 500 volunteers from Laguna Beach and surrounding communities are transformed into life-sized world-famous paintings, sculptures and other works of art. 

Heading north to the central coast, visitors can rock out to an eclectic variety of music at the Stone Soup Music Festival in Grover Beach, San Luis Obispo County on August 24. This popular two-day festival offers a great variety of live music on two stages, eclectic vendor booths, and plenty of international foods. 

Or take a bite out of summer at the Avocado & Margarita Festival in Morro Bay on September 14 and 15. Sample guacamole till you see green! Quench your thirst with Cabo Wabo Margarita's. Held outdoors, there are contests for best guacamole and best local avocado-based recipes, live music and kids events. Beer and wine also available.

Up along the scenic Northern California coast, from August 30 to September 2 visitors can go back in time and say hello to Paul Bunyon and his big blue ox, Babe during the Paul Bunyan Days in Fort Bragg, Mendocino County. It’s a lumberjack rowdy good time for the family – watch the logging show, vote in the Ugly Dog Contest, meet Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, stay out of the Kangaroo Kort, get wet at the Fireman's Water Fight, and enjoy fresh fish, BBQ, pies, and a whole lot more. 

For more information on these and many other California coastal events: www.VisitCalifornia.com.

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

Dig the New Free Family Entertainment Shows

Families attending this year’s Missouri State Fair can enjoy hours of free, exciting professional entertainment. 

The schedule will include everything from new features like the Welde’s Big Bear Expedition and Knights of Valour, a full metal jousting troupe, to returning crowd favorites, such as the Amazing Anastasini Circus, sponsored by U.S. Cellular, racing pigs, sponsored by Bluegreen Corporation and petting zoo, sponsored by Sam’s Club.

“The Missouri State Fair will offer an incredible schedule of free entertainment,” Fair Director Mark Wolfe said. “The free shows this year will entertain fairgoers of all ages, making the State Fair an especially economical choice as a summer family destination.”

The new Welde’s Big Bear Expedition features a family of bears, which serves as wildlife ambassadors, located west of the Agriculture Building from August 8-18. The bears have notable lineage, with their bear relatives performing with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in the 1940s.

Knights of Valour, as seen on the History Channel, are North America’s premier full-contact joust troupe.  The troupe will alternate between performing weapons demonstrations and jousting in shows at the State Fair Arena. This one-day-only experience will include exciting horsemanship, bravery and chivalry from noon to 5:15pm on August 11.

The State Fair will also provide four stages packed with 11 days of free, professional entertainment.  Acts on the Kids Stage, sponsored by Subway, will include the Thank a Farmer Magic Show August 8-18, Babaloo Music and Fun August 8-12 and Spoon Man August 13-18.  The Thank a Farmer Magic Show will engage children in learning about agriculture, while Babaloo will provide over-the-top singing, dancing and shouting fun. The Spoon Man act will be a real stirring experience of comedy and laughter.

Music, comedy and variety acts are scheduled on three other free entertainment venues.

The 111th Missouri State Fair, themed “Chicks Dig It!", will be held August 8-18 in Sedalia. For more information about the Missouri State Fair and the entertainment line-up, visit www.mostatefair.com, follow the Fair on Facebook Missouri State Fair  and Twitter, or call 1-800-422-FAIR (3247).

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.