TOP 20 EVENTS Summer 2008

July 3-6, 60^{th Annual Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo.} A reel whopper of an event! Over 5,000 competitors in 30 saltwater and freshwater categories. Join 50,000 attendees for rides, parades and live entertainment. Gulfport, Miss. 228-832-0079; ^{jaffep@gulfcoast.org. (mississippideepseafishingrodeo.com)}

July 4, Clamerica Celebration. Clamania! Clam hunts, clam bag races, guess the clam count, cultured clam cook-off and free open-air concerts and clam served every which way, plus landlubber foods, too! Cedar Key, Fla., 352-543-5057; ^{lnst@ufl.edu. (cedarkey.org)}

July 4, Sertoma’s 4th of July Celebration. Free admission and tons of patriotic fun for families includes parade, arts and crafts, food, exhibits and a huge fireworks explosion over beautiful Pensacola Bay! Pensacola, Fla., 850-434-1234; ^{vicoperator01@visitpensacola.com. (visitpensacola.com)}

July 4, Shoals Spirit of Freedom Celebration. Premier event along the Tennessee River at McFarland Park offers outdoor fun with live music from morning to night. Ends with a bang during a fantastic fireworks display! Florence, Ala., 888-FLO-TOUR; ^{lindsey@visitflorenceal.com. (visitflorenceal.com)}

July 4-5, 37th Annual Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival. Everyone loves this toe-tappin’ good time of family-oriented programs promoting old-time Appalachian and bluegrass music and dance that preserves mountain heritage and benefits the community! Smithville, Tenn., 615-597-8500; ^{edudney@dtccom.net. (smithvillejamboree.com)}

July 4-6, 41st Annual Fantastic Fourth Celebration. Nearly 100,000 attend this, well, fantastic event! Purchase a one-day pass to tour all of the park’s attractions for one price. Gigantic Lasershow Spectacular and fireworks both nights. Stone Mountain, Ga., 770-413-5058; ^{generalinfo@stonemountainpark.com. (stonemountainpark.com)}

July 4-6, Jonesborough Days. "Farming on the Fourth" is this year’s theme to honor agricultural heritage and promote agritourism. Country ho’ down with BBQ, bluegrass and gospel, parades, period villages, traditional crafts attracts over 60,000. Jonesborough, Tenn., 423-791-3819; ^{melindacopp@embarqmail.com. (jonesboroughtn.org)}

July 4, 5, 11 & 12, The "Miracle Worker" Play. Inspiring play based on Helen Keller’s remarkable life takes place under the stars at Ivy Green, her childhood home. Period costumes and authentic sets. Tuscumbia, Ala., 888-329-2124; ^{suepilkilton@comcast.net. (themiracleworker.org)}

July 5, Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race. The summer’s most anticipated auto event and the second half of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season features top drivers, Independence Day fireworks celebration at Daytona International Speedway. Daytona Beach, Fla., 800-854-1234; ^{info@daytonabeach.com. (daytonabeach.com)}

July 10-13, 53rd Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. Gathering of Scottish clans features athletic events, bagpipe band parades, sheep herding demonstrations and Celtic music atop 6,000ft Grandfather Mountain. Linville, N.C., 828-733-1333; ^{highlandgames@vol.com. (gmhg.org)}

July 11-12, 17th Annual "Fire On the Mountain Chili Cook-Off." Over 100 cooks compete for cash and prizes in Regional cook-off sanctioned by the Governor and Int’l Chili Society. Spiced with family events and entertainment. Snowshoe, W.V., 304-572-5922; ^{ccassell@snowshoemtn.com. (snowshoemtn.com)}

July 11-19, Daviess County Lions Club Fair. Join 35,000 people for this delightful county fair featuring the good clean fun of carnival rides, animal exhibits, beauty pageants, truck & tractor pulls and more. Owensboro, KY 270-683-8314; ^{info@visitowensboro.com. (daviesscountyfair.com)}

July 11-19, Fun Fest. Mardi Gras-themed summer fun with over 100 activities on 60 sites! Come for the Crazy 8’s 8-K run, Tour de Possum Creek bike rides, concerts and hot air balloon launches. Kingsport, Tenn., 423-392-8806; ^{funfest@funfest.net. (funfest.net)}

July 14-27, Folkmoot USA. Over 50,000 come to see international dancers and musicians perform in 60 events and programs celebrating friendship and cultural exchange. Parades, free street festival, ticketed events, food, arts and crafts. Waynesville, N.C., 828-452-2997; ^{info@folkmoot.com. (folkmootusa.org)}

July 16-27, The Georgia Mountain Fair. Spectacular fair draws 60,000! Pioneer Village with "old ways" demonstrations and Craft Village filled with artisans and crafters. Headliner entertainment, cloggers convention, agri-exhibits, Miss Georgia Fair pageant. Hiawassee, Ga., 706-896-4191; ^{gamtfair@alltel.net. (georgiamountainfairgrounds.com)}

July 17-19, Festival of Native Peoples. Culturally-inspired exposition of native dance, song, storytelling, art, culture, traditions and foods of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. Colorful family event! Cherokee, N.C., 828-259-9910, x108; ^{lorekirb@nc-cherokee.com. (Cherokee-nc.com)}

July 17-20, Keeneland Concours d'Elegance. A different kind of horsepower at Keeneland Race Course! Inspired by 1930s practice of a gathering the most spectacular vehicle manufacturers; showcasing Cadillac this year and many others on display. Lexington, Ky., 859-552-5551; ^{frank.entwisle@keenelandconcourse.com.} [Back to Press Releases Main]