Deb's Monthly Review

April 2006

Editor: Deb Thompson deb@lightpatch.com

Festivals for Travelers, Sites of the Month, Archives, Selected Links and more.

Special Quotation "Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face." --Victor Hugo

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	The Artsy Site Of The Month: Top 10 Strangest Lego Creations A harpsichord—even a car		Handy Site Of The Month: Pandora Suggest an artist or song, listen, give feedback and then get more music.
	Just Fun Site Of The Month: Splash Back A good game of strategy		Scientific/Technical Site Of The Month: What Can You Hemi And the winner is..

 April 2006 Festivals and Events

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Scroll down for April Festivals and other events for travelers in the U.S.

Please Note: Because of the very active hurricane season 2005, many festivals have been scaled back or cancelled. It's especially important that you verify all festival information. Once affected areas are tidied up and restored, your support of local events and festivals will be a great way to help the local economy and our national economy in general.

April 1, 2006 World Catfish Festival various venue(s), Belzoni, Mississippi	Catfish on Parade (large fiberglass version on display throughout the town), catfish fry, pageant, catfish eating contest, Colgate Country Show Down, arts and crafts, Rhino rock climbing wall, entertainment and more. The festival is in its 31st year. Information: Call 800-408-4838
April 1-2, 2006 Big Hat Days Old Town, Clovis, California	Bring your big-brimmed hat to this sunny event, which is celebrating its 66th year. Check out the Clovis Strongman Challenge and enjoy musical entertainment, some 400 arts and crafts (and food) vendors and a home and garden show. They'll also be offering carnival rides, a beverage garden, merchant specials and other fun. Festival hours are 9am-6pm on Saturday and 9am-5pm on Sunday. Further Details: Call 559-299-7363
April 1-2, 2006 Maple Syrup Festival Brady's Run Park on Rt. 51, Beavers Falls, Pennsylvania	Civil War reenactments, pony rides, arts and crafts, pancake breakfast, entertainment and more. The hours run from 8:30am-4:30pm and there is no admission charge. Learn More: Call 724-846-5600
April 1-30, 2006 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival various venues, Mount Vernon, Washington	Craft activites for kids, garage sale at the fairgounds, home show, dense plantings of tulips and daffodils on display, wine tasting, basketball tournament, Anacortes Quilt Walk, salmon barbecue, downtown street fair, opera, dairy tours, music, sculpture exhibit, Art Wood Fest. Further Information: Call 360-428-5959
April 5-8, 2006 Aliceville Dogwood Festival Downtown, Aliceville, Alabama	5K run/walk, arts and crafts, food vendors, entertainment, hot air balloon rides, activities for kids, Taste of Aliceville Luncheon, softball tournament and more. Additional Details: Call 205-373-2820
April 6-8, 2006 Baxley Tree Fest Across from courthouse, Baxley, Georgia	Pageant, parade, cake baking contest, music and dance, "Treetography" contest, arts and crafts, food. Get The Facts: Call 912-367-7731
April 6-8, 2006 Dogwood Days Festival McCurtain County Fairgrounds, Idabel, Oklahoma	Music, Sportsman's Expo, firefighter's challenge, lawn and garden show, 5K run, activities for kids, car and motorcycle show, hot air balloon rides (weather permitting), boat and RV show, chainsaw carving demonstrations, airplane rides and more. Find Out Details: Call 580-286-3305
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April 6-9, 2006 Windfest Community Center grounds, Portland, Texas	Bingo on the Move, Dachshund Dash, sail fishing competition, arts and crafts, washer tournament, golf tournament, petting zoo, fireworks, carnival, 10K run and 2-mile walk, food vendors, horseshoe tournament, chili cooking contest, entertainment, parade. Those 48-inches tall and under are admitted free. It's the festival's 33rd year, and if you're in town earlier than the dates given here, do be aware that some events do take place before the official festival opening. Learn More: Call 877-643-2475
April 7-9, 2006 Poteet Strawberry Festival Festival Grounds on Hwy. 16, Poteet, Texas	Staged and strolling entertainers, gunfighter show, Taste of Texas Food Show, strawberry eating contest, chuck wagon cooking competition, Great American Duck Race, rodeo events, carnival (begins on Thursday), festival foods, helicopter rides, arts and crafts, activities for kids, fresh strawberries for sale, strawberry shortcake, canine demonstrations. More than 100,000 people are expected to attend this event in its 59th year. Questions? Call 830-742-8144 (this is a correction)
April 7-9, 2006 Atlanta Dogwood Festival Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Georgia	This the the 70th year for the festival. Enjoy an interactive drum circle, works from more than 200 artisans, Kids' Village, music, performance art by Brian Olsen, the Disc Dog Southern Nationals and festival treats such as pizza, BBQ, Greek specialties, burgers and more. Further Info: Call 404-817-6642
Sorry, festival-goers. I am unable to fulfill requests for personalized festival lists free of charge. You may hire me by the hour for personal research.
April 7-9, 2006 Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival North 6th Street area, Ponchatoula, Louisiana	This event celebrates 35 years with a parade, pageant, musical entertainment, the Strawberry Strut (1 mile & 10K), an egg toss, sack races, hollering contest, strawberry eating contest, carnival rides and treats from more than 50 food vendors. Dig into gumbo, funnel cakes and strawberry pastries. Learn More: Call 985-542-7520 or 800-917-7045
April 7-9, 2006 Rose Festival Downtown, Tombstone, Arizona	Rose Festival Parade, fashion show, street dance the evening of April 7, breakfast, basket lunch auction and more. The festival celebrates a local rose tree that covers more than 8000 square feet. Get Information: Call 888-457-3929
April 7-9, 2006 Texas Sandfest On the beach near marker 9, Port Aransas, Texas	Look for markers 9 & 10 at the beach to find this one. Enjoy sand sculpting lessons, activities for kids, photography, sand sculpture competitions for all age groups, arts and crafts and plenty of food. Questions? Call 800-452-6278
April 7-9, 2006 World Grits Festival Near Hwy. 15 & Hwy. 78, St. George, South Carolina	Grits eating contest, corn shucking contest, arts and crafts, carnival, double Dutch rope jumping contest, corn toss contest, 5K run, and the rolling in the grits contest—contestants try to increase their weight as much as possible by falling into grits and hoping the grits stick. Enjoy this 21st year of the event. Further Details: Call 843-563-7943
April 7-30, 2006 Dogwood Arts Festival various venues, Knoxville, Tennessee	Arts and crafts, animal adoption and rescue fair, blossom walking trails and gardens, parade, Cycling Classic, Puppy Parades, theatre, Biscuit Baking contest (you should probably think of puppy biscuits and not people biscuits), quilt and photography displays, plant sale, entertainment, food and more. Information: Call 865-637-4561
April 8, 2006 Franklin Parish Catfish Festival Historic downtown, Winnsboro, Louisiana	Classic cars, 3 stages of music (Thunder Creek is among those scheduled to perform at this writing). There will be almost 300 juried arts and crafts vendors, a food court, a motorcycle show, Corvette show, softball tournament and more. "The Moving Wall", a traveling replica of the Vietname War Memorial, will arrive in town just before the festival begins. Additional Details: Call 318-435-7607
April 8, 2006 Onion Festival Princeton High School, Princeton, Texas	Pageant, onion cooking contest, arts and crafts, car show, BBQ dinner, entertainment, carnival, activity booths, food vendors, 5K run. Get The Facts: Call 972-548-2048
April 8-9, 2006 Baldwin County Strawberry Festival Municipal Park, Loxley, Alabama	Arts and crafts, food vendors, car show (Saturday only), pageant, music, games and rides. Learn More: Call 251-550-2003
April 8-9, 2006 Alabama Chicken & Egg Festival Lions Club Fairgrounds (455 School St.), Moulton, Alabama	Chicken clucking contest, Faberge egg art, activities for kids, Egg Drop for future engineers, Southern Gospel Egg-Stravaganza (Sunday), battle of the bands, staged entertainment, arts and crafts, chicken wing eating contest, photo contest, boiled egg eating contest, chicken cooking contest, Karaoke for Big Chickens, Bantam roosters on display, Chicken Motorcyle Run, food vendors. Details: Call 256-974-1658
April 8-9, 2006 Good Old Days Celebration Downtown, Pacific Grove, California	The fun begins at 10am and includes a fashion show, games and contests, a parade down Pine Avenue, arts and crafts and a carnival. There will also be a California police motorcycle competition and you can enjoy 4 stages of entertainment. There is no admission charge to the festival. Enjoy this 49th year of fun. More Information: Call 831-373-3304
April 8-9, 2006 Fisherman's Festival Westside Park, Bodega Bay, California	This event celebrates its 33rd year with a boat parade and blessing of the fleet, wine tasting, BBQ and other festival foods, arts and crafts, activities for kids, parade of pets, face painting, a golf tournament, bathtub races and entertainment. The event runs from 10am-5pm and there is an admission charge. Further Details: Call 707-875-3286
April 14-16, 2006 Placer County Strawberry Festival County Fairgrounds, Roseville, California	Begin with that tasty strawberry pancake breakfast. You can get early tickets by calling Andy at 916-417-5058. Your ticket will pay for breakfast and your admission to the festival. (You must call by 2pm on April 14 to get the special rate). Other festival fun includes the Kids Fun Zone, a spaghetti feed, flats of strawberries for sale, strawberry shortcake and pie, festival foods, a strawberry recipe contest, talent show, car show and parade, arts and crafts, strawberry beer and 4 stages of entertainment. Questions? Call 916-781-7066
April 15-16, 2006 Kerrville Easter Festival and Chili Classic Flat Rock Lake Park, Kerrville, Texas	Chili cooking contest, washer pitching tournament, activities for kids, 4x4 bed post derby, Easter egg hunt Armadillo Races, walkathon, 5K Easter Run. Further Info: Call 830-792-3535
April 15-16, 2006 Magnolia Festival Magnolia Park on Hwy. 96, Kirbyville, Texas	Food, commercial vendors, silent auction, parade, carnival (opens on April 12), pet show, arts and crafts. Learn More: Call 409-423-5827
April 21-23, 2006 French Quarter Festival French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana	Last year around half a million people attended this event. Then came the devasting hurricane season of 2005. But music is such a powerful force that no one was willing to let this festival die. Jackson Square becomes the site of the "World's Largest Jazz Brunch", as 15 stages of music come alive with everything from reggae to rock. Local merchants open their doors, and you can choose foods from area restaurants or visit one of the many booths set up throughout the area. Expect arts and crafts and plenty of activities for kids. This is the 23rd year for this event, and if you're curious about what New Orleans is up to now, this is a great place to start finding out. Questions? Call 504-522-5730 or 800-673-5725
April 21-22, 2006 Riverfest Historic Downtown, Vicksburg, Mississippi	Alcom Jazzfest, arts and crafts on Saturday, food, kayak races, Riverfest Idol talent contest. Further Information: Call 800-221-3536
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April 21-22, 2006 Totally Texas 500 W. 13th Street, Deer Park, Texas	Arts and crafts, carnival, parade, petting zoo, hot dog eating contest, pageant, entertainment, dog show, pony rides, chili cooking contest, Newlywed Game, festival foods. There is no admission charge and no fee to park. Additional Details: Call 281-478-2050 or 281-478-7201
April 21-23, 2006 Stockton Asparagus Festival Downtown (Weber Point area), Stockton, California	Enjoy the 21st year with the Great Spear-It Run (a 1-mile run on Sunday with serious competitors and costumed runners there to just have fun), harbor bay cruises, beer pavilion, Home & Garden Expo, celebrity chef demonstrations, arts and crafts, food and merchandise vendors, hole-in-one golf contest, wine, farmers' market, asparagus recipe contest, and more. Watch for "Rockin' Ray and the Amazing Skyy Dogs" to entertain you! Further Information: Call 209-644-3740
April 21-22, 2006 East Texas Gusher Days Downtown, Gladewater, Texas	Just prior to the celebration there is a golf tournament. Then the festival offers a Brownie Bowl Lick-Off, heritage parade, chili cooking contest, arts and crafts, entertainment, a bass tournament at the lake, prayer breakfast and more. This event takes a look back at those days when Texas was having a wild time with the oil boom. Find Out More: Call 903-845-5501
April 21-23, 2006 Cotton Gin Festival Museum at 307 N. Main, Burton, Texas	Grand parade, bike parade for kids, antique machinery display, auctions, arts and crafts, folk life and craft demonstrations, entertainment, food vendors, carnival rides and games. The festival is in its 17th year. Questions? Call 979-289-3378
April 21-23, 2006 Old Tyme Days Festival Main Street area, Dayton, Texas	Now in its 14th year, the festival offers a junior chili cooking contest, arts and crafts, BBQ cooking contest, petting zoo, "Nifty 50s Dance Contest", carnival, pageant, photo contest, Family Night (Friday), antique tractor show and more. Visitors are always invited to come in old-fashioned dress but it's not a requirement for joining in the fun. Details: Call 936-402-3322 or 936-336-5736
April 21-23, 2006 Terrell Heritage Festival Ben Gill Park, Terrell, Texas	Carnival (beginning Wednesday night), Wild West Show, arts and crafts, BBQ cooking competition, classic car & truck show, motorcycle show, Eagle 5K Run, quilt show, poker run, music, festival foods. There is no admission charge but some events may carry a separate fee. Further Information: Call 972-524-5703 or 1-877-TERRELL
April 22, 2006 Spinach Festival Downtown, Alma, Arkansas	Talent contest, food, activities for kids, Special Olympics 5K run, arts and crafts, entertainment and more. The festival is celebrating its 20th year in Alma, where Popeye brand spinach is processed by Allen Canning Company. You might get to see popular character Popeye at this event. Further Information: Call 479-632-4127
April 22, 2006 National Grits Festival Emmerson Park, Warwick, Georgia	Quaker Grits Breakfast, Rolling in the Oats contest, grits eating contest, grits cooking contest, Grits Queens, classic cars, pony rides, antique tractor display, entertainment, parade, arts and crafts, corn shelling contest and more. Questions? Call 229-881-6297
April 22, 2006 Sugar Festival City Park area, Clewiston, Florida	Sugar cane grinding, bass tournament, horseshoe tournament, rodeo events, food booths, arts and crafts, music. The festival is in its 20th year. Admission is free and the fun goes from 9am-7pm. Get Details: Call 863-983-7979
April 22-23, 2006 Bloomin' Festival St. Bernard Prep School, Cullman, Alabama	Activities for kids, entertainment, arts and crafts, Southern food treats. The festival runs from 9am-5pm and does have an admission charge, but you can also get discounted rates for your visit Ave Maria Grotto. Learn More: Call 800-722-0999
April 22-34, 2006 Cherry Blossom Festival Barnes Park on McPherrin Ave., Monterey Park, California	Cultural displays, Japanese tea ceremony, Japanese music and dance, martial arts demos, activities for kids, crafts, games. There is no admission charge. Find Out More: Call 625-307-2541
April 22-23, 2006 Mainsail Arts Festival Straub Park/Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg, Florida	In its 31st year the festival features some 200 artisans. Dozens of area schools also participate with student art that is sold to benefit local art education. More than 100,000 visitors are expected to browse, enjoy festival foods and listen to jazz, country rock and other music. Enjoy the fun from 9am-5pm. Info: Call 727-892-5885 or 727-893-7734
April 22-23, 2006 Strawberry Festival Downtown, Starke, Florida	Car show, strawberries for sale by flats (and half-flats), games, car show, helicopter rides, exhibits, activities and rides for the kids, music, lots of strawberry treats. Further Information: Call 904-964-5278
April 22-23, 2006 Big Shanty Festival Main Street downtown, Kennesaw, Georgia	Battle reenactments, Civil War Living History encampment, more than 200 arts and crafts booths, parade, games, activities for kids, pageant. There is no admission charge but some activities may have a fee. The festival is celebrating its 30th year. Get Details: Call 770-423-1330
April 25-30, 2006 Festival of the Arts Downtown, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	Celebrating its 40th year, the festival offers kinetic sculptures, street performers, arts and crafts booths, entertainment, face painting and other activities. When you get hungry you can enjoy sweet potato fries with cheese sauce, pot roast in bread bowls and tasty spring rolls. Apple turnovers and other desserts will also be available. There is no admission charge to the festival. You're asked to leave pets comfortably at home. (Service animals are always welcome at festivals.) Additional Information: Call 405-270-4848
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April 26-29, 2006 Vinton Dogwood Festival Downtown, Vinton, Virginia	Carnival, arts and crafts, activities for kids, 5K race, music, parade, food vendors, auto show. Learn More: Call 540-871-5142 or 540-983-0614
April 26-30, 2006 Trout Festival various venues, Kalkaska, Michigan	Disc golf tournament, grand parade, youth parade, entertainment, activities for kids, arts and crafts, drawings for prizes, senior breakfast (and other senior events), food pantry bingo, fish fry, fireworks, softball, carnival (begins April 27), Big Boys' Toys (at the fairgrounds), horseshoe tournament, classic cars, flea market, model plane air show, pizza eating contest. The festival is celebrating its 70th year of fun. Questions? Call 231-258-9103
April 28-29, 2006 Dewberry Festival Wilson-Ledbetter Park, Cameron, Texas	Horseshoe tournament, entertainment, arts and crafts, BBQ cooking contest, carnival, dewberry cobbler/cake contest and auction, youth fishing tournament, karaoke. Additional Details: Call 254-697-4979
April 28-29, 2006 International Ramp Festival City Park, Elkins, West Virginia	Ramps are a vegetable a bit like leeks and are members of the Allium family. With that in mind you can enjoy a traditional ramp dinner on Friday night (at the armory) and then stay an extra day for arts and crafts, a ramp cooking contest, activities for kids, games, tastes of ramp, food vendors and entertainment. There is no admission charge to the festival but the ramp dinner and some other activities may be subject to a fee. Get Info: Call 304-636-2780
April 28-30, 2006 Riverfest Weekend Downtown, Columbus, Georgia	Pig Jig Barbecue competition plus sample plates and full menu items for sale to festival-goers, activities for kids, Folklife Village, arts and crafts, Pooch Promenade (Sunday at 3pm), festival merchandise, 5K and 1-mile Fun Run/Walk, battle of the bands and other music on several stages. No coolers, cans or glass bottles may be brought inside festival grounds. No pets are allowed (except service dogs) other than the costumed pooches during the Promenade. There is an admission charge for those age 5 and older. The festival is celebrating its 37th year. Questions? Call 706-323-7979
April 28-30, 2006 Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival Maplewood School, Vermontville, Michigan	Flea market, syrup-making demonstrations, pancakes and sausages, BBQ, roast beef dinner, arts and crafts, egg toss, kiddie tractor pull, parade, classic cars, woodworking demos, blacksmith demos, talent show. More Information: Call 517-726-0394
April 28-30, 2006 Crab & Seafood Festival County Fairgrounds on Hwy. 202, Astoria, Oregon	Seafood, wine, music, crab dinner, arts and crafts, locally brewed beers, activities for kids. The event is in its 23rd year. Questions? Call 503-325-6311 or 800-875-6807
April 28-30, 2006 Germanfest City Park area, Muenster, Texas	Enjoy this 31st year of the event with lots of folk dancing, a beer garden, clowns and storytellers, and activities for kids. For those craving action there is a bicycle rally and the 5K/15K Fun Run. When you crave something to eat you can enjoy homemade breads, apple strudel and other treats. The festival also features a number of contests and games. Further Details: Call 940-759-2227 or 800-942-8037
April 28-30, 2006 Vermont Maple Festival Main Street area, St. Albans, Vermont	Fiddler's Variety Show, pancake breakfast (at City Elementary School on Bellows Street) on Saturday and Sunday from 7am-noon, antiques, youth talent show, exhibits, Sap Run, carnival, parade on Sunday, activities for kids, maple products for sale, entertainment. The festival is celebrating its 40th year. More Information: Call 831-373-3304
April 29, 2006 CityFest Kiesel Park, Auburn, Alabama	Hula Hoop contest, "Silver Wings" aerial demonstrations, sports events, non-profit vendors, arts and crafts, entertainment, activities for kids, food vendors. There is no admission charge. The festival fun goes from 9am-5pm. Questions? Call 334-501-2963
April 29, 2006 Wine & Saengerfest Historic Downtown, New Braunfels, Texas	Street dance, arts and crafts, Pet Parade, Wine Market, Grape Stomp, culinary demonstrations, food vendors, beverage booth, entertainment. The fun runs from 10am-11pm. There is no admission charge but tasting and other events may have a separate fee. Further Details: Call 830-608-2100 ext. 252
April 29-30, 2006 Great Griffin Mayfling City Park, Griffin, Georgia	Activities for kids, arts and crafts, food, entertainment and more. The festival events are 9am-6pm on Saturday and noon-5pm on Sunday. Questions? Call 770-228-8200
April 29-30, 2006 Vidalia Onion Festival various venues, Vidalia, Georgia	Carnival, air show, entertainment, farm tours, Onion Scramble (golf), cooking demos, onion cooking contest, theatre, street dance, rodeo events, 1-mile Fun Run and walk, 5K and 10K Onion Run and Walk, vehicle show, arts and crafts, motorcycle rally, onion eating contest, children's parade. Some activities take place just prior to the official festival dates. Some events may be ticketed separately. Learn More: Call 912-538-8687
Sorry, festival-goers. I am unable to fulfill requests for personalized festival lists free of charge. You may hire me by the hour for personal research.
April 29-30, 2006 Jimmie Rodgers Festival Singing Brakeman Park, Meridian, Mississippi	Car show, flea market, activities for kids, entertainment, BBQ cooking competition, arts and crafts, food vendors Additional Information: Call 601-482-0166 or 601-482-8001
April 29-May 6, 2006 Pine Tree Festival Downtown, Swainsboro, Georgia	In its 61st year the festival offers a pageant, arts and crafts, activities for kids, entertainment, a parade. In the past, there have been occasional tree sitters who perched in a local pine tree for a month before the festival opening. Questions? Call 478-237-6426
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April Somethings! Brief, bare-boned last-minute festival listings:
Apr. 1 Billy the Kid Day, Downtown, Hico, Texas, 800-361-HICO Apr. 1 Daffodil Days Festival, Senior Bldg. on Bagdad Ave., Round Rock, Texas, 512-244-2761 Apr. 1 Fiesta En La Calle, Coleto Creek Park, Yorktown, Texas, 361-564-2661 Apr. 1-2 Hawaiian Scottish Festival, Kapiolani Park, Waikiki, Hawaii, 808-626-3559 Apr. 1-2 East Maui Taro Festival, Hana Ballpark, Hana, Hawaii, 808-264-1553 Apr. 1-2 Austin Fine Arts Festival, Republic Square, Austin, Texas, 512-458-6073 Apr. 5-9 North Carolina Azalea Festival, Wilmington, North Carolina, 910-794-4650 Apr. 6-15 Come See Me Festival, Rock Hill, South Carolina, 800-681-7635 Apr. 7-8 Dogwood Days, Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, 870-670-5433 Apr. 7-9 Springfest (formerly Seafest), Space Coast Stadium, Cocoa Beach, Florida, 321-459-2200 Apr. 7-9 Deep Ellum Arts Festival, Dallas, Texas, 214-855-1881 Apr. 7-9 Founders Day Festival, Dripping Springs, Texas, 512-858-4725 Apr. 8 Lawn & Garden Show, 8am-2pm, 1603 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola, Florida Apr. 8 Pear Blossom Festival, Downtown, Medford, Oregon, 541-734-PEAR Apr. 8-9 Chocolate Festival, Washington, Kentucky, 606-759-7423 Apr. 8-9 Spring Fest, Purdue University, West Layafette, Indiana, 765-494-5876 Apr. 8-16 Cimarron Territory Celebration, various venues, Beaver, Oklahoma, 580-625-4726 Apr. 14-15 National Mayhaw Festival, Spring Creek Recreation Park, Colquitt, Georgia, 229-758-2400 Apr. 16-22 James Garner Festival, Norman, Oklahoma, 405-329-0402 Apr. 18-22 89er Celebration, Downtown, Guthrie, Oklahoma, 405-282-2589 Apr. 20-22 Hillbilly Days Festival, Pikeville, Kentucky, 606-432-5504 Apr. 20-23 Gold Nugget Days, Paradise, California, 530-872-8722 Apr. 20-23 Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival, Main Street, Fort Worth, Texas, 817-336-2787 Apr. 21-22 Lebanese Food & Cultural Festival,                    Saint Elias Maronite Catholic Church, Birmingham, Kentucky, 205-253-5564 or 205-251-5057 Apr. 21-23 Next Generation Festival (jazz), Conference Center, Monterey, California, 831-373-3366 Apr. 21-23 RioFest, Fair Park, Harlingen, Texas, 800-746-3378 Apr. 21-23 & 28-30 Texas Crawfish Festival, Old Town Springs, Texas, 713-249-3998 or 800-653-8696 Apr. 22 Central Valley Pizza Festival, Downtown, Lemoore, California, 559-924-6401 Apr. 22 San Jacinto Day Festival, One Monument Circle, La Porte, Texas, 281-479-2421 Apr. 22-23 Melbourne Art Festival, Downtown, Melbourne, Florida Apr. 22-23 Wamego Tulip Festival, City Park, Wamego, Kansas, 785-456-7849 Apr. 22-23 Great American Pie Festival, Market Street, Celebration, Florida, 847-371-0170 Apr. 22-23 Clarendon County Striped Bass Festival, Downtown Square area, Manning, South Carolina, 803-432-4405 Apr. 23 SpringFest, Main & South Broadway, Nyack, New York, 845-353-2221 Apr. 28 Apple Blossom Festival, Presbyterian Manor grounds, Newton, Kansas, 316-283-5400 Apr. 28-29 Lilac Festival & Fine Arts Faire, Eureka College, Eureka, Illinois, 309-467-6123 Apr. 28-30 Festival on the Rivers, Robert Fowler Memorial Park, Geneva, Alabama, 334-684-6725 Apr. 28-30 Panoply Arts Festival, Big Spring International Park, Huntsville, Alabama, 256-519-2787 Apr. 28-30 Leesburg Bikefest, Downtown, Leesburg, Florida, 352-365-0053 Apr. 28-30 Pompano Beach Seafood Festival, On the beach, Pompano Beach, Florida, 954-941-2940 Apr. 28-30 Italian Festival, Independence, Louisiana, 800-542-7520 Apr. 28-30 Fisherman's Festival, Boothbay Harbor, Maine, 207-633-2353 or 207-633-4825 Apr. 28-May 1 Homecoming, Downtown Square, Lexington, Texas, 979-773-4337 Apr. 29 Spring Fling, Dowling Memorial Park on County Rd. 222, Crane Hill, Alabama, 256-747-8635 Apr. 29 Art in the Park-Rose Festival, Paradise Park, Thomasville, Georgia, 229-227-3310 Apr. 29 Double Decker Arts Festival, 10am-10pm, Oxford, Mississippi, 800-758-9177 Apr. 29-30 Butter & Egg Days, Downtown, Petaluma, California, 707-763-0344 Apr. 29-30 Apopka Art & Foliage Festival, Kit Land Nelson Park, Apopka, Florida, 407-889-3134 Apr. 29-30 Spring Jonquil Festival, Village Green, Smyrna, Georgia, 770-423-1330 Apr. 29-30 Red Poppy Festival, Downtown Square, Georgetown, Texas, 512-930-3545 Apr. 29-30 Navasota Heritage Days, Navasota, Texas, 936-825-6600
Other April 2006 Events You Might Enjoy Events in this section may be called festivals but are generally less multi-dimensional than events in the above category
Apr. 1 Cow Patty Bingo, Union Mine High School Football Field, El Dorado, California, 530-620-4055 Apr. 1 Fireman's Barbecue Cook-Off, Elgin Memorial Park, Elgin, Texas, 512-281-4025 Apr. 1-2 Spring Into Wings, Wings Stadium, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 269-345-1125 Apr. 1-2 Home & Garden Show, County Expo Center, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 405-377-1275 Apr. 1-2 Arts in the Park, Highland Park, Meridian, Mississippi, 601-693-2787 or 601-485-1944 Apr. 1-2 Greater Pocono Home Show, 11am-4pm, Fernwood Hotel, Bushkill, Pennsylvania Apr. 6-7 The Big One Art & Craft Fair, State Fairgrounds, Minot, North Dakota, 701-838-9385 or 701-852-6964 Apr. 7-8 Southern Kentucky Book Fest, Salem Convention Center, Bowling Green, Kentucky, 270-745-5016 Apr. 7-8 Art Stroll, Downtown, Sisters, Oregon, 541-549-4979 Apr. 7-8 Pottery Show, Depot Museum, Mount Vernon, Texas, 903-537-4365 Apr. 7-9 Texas Motorcycle Roadriders Association State Rally, Glen Rose, Texas, 877-RIDE-TMRA Apr. 8-9 Art on the Lake, 10am-5pm, Carlisle Park Middle School on Sunset Drive, Guntersville, Alabama, 256-582-4378 Apr. 8-9 Spring Craft Show, State Fairgrounds, Harrington, Delaware, 717-656-3208 Apr. 8-9 Texas Bluebonnet Festival, Downtown, Chappell Hill, Texas, 888-BRENHAM Apr. 9 Old Santa Rosa Polenta Feast, Santa Rosa Catholic Church, Cambria, California, 805-927-5212 Apr. 9 Spring Breakout (motorcyles), Ice Time Arena, Newburgh, New York, 607-863-4295 Apr. 9 Spring Craft Show, Simek Recreation Center, Medford, Wisconsin, 715-748-6655 Apr. 12-16 Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association: Jeffers CMSA National Championship,                    Arena, Tunica, Mississippi, 480-683-0485 Apr. 13-16 Norwescon, Doubletree Seattle Airport, Settle, Washington, 206-270-7850 Apr. 14-16 Wildflower Show, Museum of Natural History, Pacific Grove, California, 831-648-5716 Apr. 14-23 International Auto Show, Javits Convention Center, New York, New York, 800-282-3336 Apr. 21-23 Home, Sport & Garden Show, County Fairgrounds, Ionia, Michigan, 616-527-3387 Apr. 21-23 Sugarloaf Art Fair, Expo Center, Novi, Michigan, 301-990-1400 or 800-210-9900 Apr. 21-23 History Meets the Arts, various venues, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 717-334-6274 Apr. 21-23 Antique Alley & Yard Sale, 15-mile area, Cleburne, Texas, 817-641-0183 Apr. 21-23 Dallas Guitar Show/Great Southwest Guitar Show, Market Hall, Dallas, Texas, 972-240-2206 or email Apr. 21-23 Hampton Spring Crafts, Convention Center, Hampton, Virginia, 757-417-1771 Apr. 22 Kingsburg Car Show, Kingsburg, California, 559-897-1111 Apr. 22 Thunder Over Louisville,                    (air show & pyrotechnical displays—part of Kentucky Derby Festival), Louisville, Kentucky, 502-584-6383 Apr. 22-23 Wildflower Show, Mission College, Santa Clara, California, 650-691-9749 Apr. 27-29 Kerrville Senior Games, various venues, Kerrville, Texas, 830-896-4263 Apr. 27-30 April Action Car Show, Moab, Utah, 435-259-5858 Apr. 28-30 New Living Expo, Concourse Exhibition Center on 8th, San Francisco, California, 415-382-8300 Apr. 28-30 Connecticut Storytelling Festival, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut, 860-439-2764 Apr. 28-30 Interstate Mullet Toss, Flora-Bama Lounge, Perdido Key, Florida, 850-492-6838 Apr. 28-30 Orvis Warehouse Sale, Market Hall, Dallas, Texas, 802-362-8546 Apr. 28-30 Dogwood Arts & Crafts Festival, Big Sandy Superstore Arena, Huntington, West Virginia, 304-696-5990 Apr. 28-May 1 Book Faire, Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, California, 707-545-0831 Apr. 29 Chili Cook-Off & Classic Car Show, Cambria, California, 805-927-3624 Apr. 29 Fountains Art Festival, 9am-4pm, downtown, Whitewater, Wisconsin, 262-473-5269 Apr. 29-30 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, UCLA Campus, Los Angeles, California, 213-237-7335 or 800 LATIMES Apr. 29-30 Old Monterey Plein Air Art Festival, Old Monterey, Monterey, California, 831-655-8070 Apr. 29-May 7 Love Affair Fine Arts, Fulwood Park, Tifton, Georgia, 229-391-4820 Apr. 30 Big Sur International Marathon, Big Sur, California, 831-625-6226 Apr. 30 Taste of Marietta, 11am-7pm, Marietta Square, Marietta, Georgia, 770-429-1115
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It's always best to call ahead to verify festival information. Please tell them you saw the listing in Deb's Monthly Review.

Look at this guy!

This is Scott L. Schwartz. If you ever get into trouble, you'll want him on your side. This guy means business. And his business is playing big and bad. Big may come easy, because he's 6'10" and weighs about 300 pounds. I'm not sure how he pulls off the bad part though, because he actually seems to be very... Well, never mind. Just click on the banner and get ready for some action. www.ultimatebadguy.com

Once upon a time there was a man with a gentle voice and quiet charm. He made several movies and worked in a TV show playing a character who rode a motorcycle from town to town, touching lives, and singing a little here and there. Then some of us didn't hear much of him for awhile. We wondered if he would ever come to sing for us again.
Michael Parks is singing, and he recorded 17 songs for us to enjoy, including: I'll Never Be Free Basin Street Blues Don't Go To Strangers Easy Street This CD was a long time coming, but it was worth waiting for. Take a trip to Listen Recordings where you can order your copy.

Above: Metallic Choker Necklace Left: Dreamcatcher Earrings

Joan Garnand creates from her home in Tennessee. Her design styles range from simple elegance to whimsical fun. Joan does hand-painted stationery, uses spare moments at festivals to paint faces, and entertains children at private parties. A sample of her work is illustrated online. Talk to her about what you're looking for!

Ever since William Malmskog and I began a dialogue I've been impressed by his willingness to share openly the details of his life. Most of us hide a lot of our lives from others and present only the parts we can polish and make look acceptable. He isn't afraid to talk about how his difficulties, including physical challenges, have guided him to an increased sense of abilities and possibilities.

I have a special place in my heart for people who allow themselves to be vulnerable enough to show us their pain. But this isn't about being a victim. It's about using adversity as a stepping stone to new challenges and then helping the rest of us do the same. When he sends me welcome updates of what he's been doing I know he's going to bring me something I can bite into and use in my own daily challenges. Please take time to visit his web site and explore the man who calls himself the Crazy Viking.

It's not a cruise ship, but you'll travel the world every 3 years. This floating community will let children take field trips into new countries and let everyone shop in new ports. Check out the Freedom Ship.
Go ahead and have a little silly fun with the Silly Walks Generator.		Tell the folks what you hate (or love) about your sofa and you might win a new one.
It's not cheap, but if you want to play those vinyl records without a needle, there is a way to do it. Use a Laser Turntable.

Send Deb email: deb@lightpatch.com

Last Updated March 23, 2006

Deb's Monthly Review © copyright Deb Thompson