Deb's Monthly Review

April 2011

Editor: Deb Thompson deb@lightpatch.com

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

Bringing you festivals and other fun since 1997!

Special Quotation "The drop of rain maketh a hole in the stone, not by violence, but by oft falling." --Hugh Latimer

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	The Artsy Site Of The Month: Art for the Cash Poor Plan a June trip to Philly and get affordable art.		Handy Site Of The Month: Stopwatch Be sure you have sound turned up.
	Just Fun Site Of The Month: Shirt.woot It's a commercial site, but finding a deal is fun.		Scientific/Technical Sites Of The Month: Wikipedia: Vitamin D Fight osteoporosis, kidney disease and other ailments with sunshine.

 April 2011 Festivals and Events

Books to help you make more money for travel fun or make the most of the money you already have! Making Your Money Count Buy It, Sell It, Make Money The Naked Truth About Your Money Gold: The Once and Future Money Your Money After the Big 5-0 Show Me the Money Make Your Money Make Money For You

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

April 1-3, 2011 Strawberry Festival Festival Grounds on Highway 16 at Amphion Road, Poteet, Texas	Celebrate the festival's 64th year with rodeo events, commercial exhibits, activities for kids, strawberry grower judging and auction, Taste of Texas Food Show (Sunday), carnival, music and other entertainment. Please let pets relax at home while you enjoy the festival. (Service animals are welcomed, of course.) Learn More: Call 830-742-8144
April 1-30, 2011 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Various venues, Mount Vernon, Washington	Let's first mention the Chili, Chowdah and Chocolate Cookoff, which is a benefit for Skagit High School students. You can also get in on a huge garage sale (April 9-10), tours of historic homes, Tulip Pedal (60, 40, 20-mile routes), scrapbooking swap meet, gala dinner, Art in a Pickle Barn, Garden Art Fair, choir and bell concert, street fair downtown, merchant open houses, dense plantings of tulips and other flowers, sculpture tour with maps, US Bank Parade April 9 at 2pm, nursery trees and roses for sale, alpaca farm open house, Tulip Run with 2-mile and 5-mile courses on April 9, tulip bike tours, Lacrosse Jamboree, Prodigious Potato Silent Auction, PACCAR Open House, boat tours, art and other activities for kids, wine festival, Anacortes Quilt Walk, woodworking show. Bring a chair to the parade if you like. More events are planned throughout the month with many being free to attend. Details: Call 360-428-5959
April 2, 2011 World Catfish Festival Downtown, Belzoni, Mississippi	For a 36th year you can enjoy carnival rides and games, arts and crafts, festival foods, a 5K run/walk plus a 1-mile fun run for kids, catfish eating contest, entertainment (including a Jack in the Beanstalk play presented at both 11am and 1pm. Questions? Call 800-408-4838
April 2-3, 2011 Big Hat Days Old Town, Clovis, California	Carnival, merchant specials, more than 400 arts and crafts booths, commercial vendors, beer garden, food vendors, pony rides for the kids, not-for-profit booths. You're encouraged to put on your biggest-brimmed hat for some fun under the intense sunlight of the Central Valley. Hours for this 71st year are 9am-6pm on Saturday and 9am-5pm on Sunday. Please leave pets at home while you enjoy the activities. Get The Facts: Call 559-299-7363
April 6-10, 2011 North Carolina Azalea Festival Across from Courthouse, Wilmington, North Carolina	It's the festival's 64th season. Enjoy a tennis tournament, tours of historic homes, coin show, juried art show and sale, visitng ships, parade on Saturday morning, pageant, garden tours, 5K/10K run/walk (the weekend before the main festival), fireworks, circus acts, Azalea Cake Challenge, concerts, food vendors. Get the Facts: Call 910-794-4650
April 7-10, 2011 French Quarter Festival French Quarter neighborhood, New Orleans, Louisiana	For a 28th year a huge Jazz Brunch brings people in to enjoy food and great music. Acts scheduled for 2011 at this writing include Lynn Drury Band, Brother Tyrone, Panorama Jazz Band, Zazou City, Jonno and Bayou Deville, Flow Tribe, Revealers, Storyville Stompers. Fill up on Cajun specialties, strawberry crepes, strawberry shortcake, smoked turkey legs, ice cream, pralines, mustard greens and rice (vegetarian), macaroni and cheese, Nutella crepes, doughnuts, egg rolls, fish tacos, Po Boy sandwiches, vegetarian beans and rice, BBQ specialties, and sweet potato pie. Plans also include a juried art show, dance lessons, tours of historic homes, face painting and other activities for kids plus the St. Louis Cathedral Spring Concert with choir and orchestra. Questions? Call 504-522-6730 or 800-673-5725
April 8-9, 2011 Baxley Tree Fest Across from Courthouse, Baxley, Georgia	Pageant, entertainment, children's games and rides, car show, Cake Bake, street dance Friday night, Pet Parade, arts and crafts, antique tractors on display, Tree-tography Contest. It's the festival's 21st season. Further Information: Call 912-367-7731
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State Sticker Map from Camping World.
April 8-9, 2011 Totally Texas Music Festival Jimmy Burke Activity Center at 500 West 13th Street, Deer Park, Texas	A walk to beneift cystic fibrosis, festival foods, parade on Saturday at 10am, music, face painting, commercial vendors and (new this year) a baking contest. Learn More: Call 281-478-2050
Did you know that Margaret Truman, the only daughter of President Harry Truman, penned several mysteries? Two of them were Murder in the Supreme Court and Murder Inside the Beltway
April 8-10, 2011 Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival North 6th Street area, Ponchatoula, Louisiana	Celebrate 40 seasons with a strawberry eating contest, strawberry grower judging and auction, parade on Saturday at 9:30am, Strawberry Idol competition, strawberry baking contest, food booths, activities for kids, carnival, Strawberry Strut (1-mile and 10K). Get the Facts: Call 985-370-1889 or 800-917-7045
April 8-10, 2011 World Grits Festival Near Hwy. 115 and Hwy. 78, St. George, South Carolina	5K run and kid's fun run, Rolling in the Grits Contest (various age divisions), parade at 11am on Saturday, grits eating contest, wheelbarrow races, arts and crafts, carnival rides and games, corn toss, basketball contest, business and civic booths, music, clothesline art, festival foods, Hula Hoop Contest, grits grinding demonstration, grits breakfast. 2011 marks the festival's 28th anniversary. Find Out More: Call 843-563-7943
April 9, 2011 National Grits Festival Downtown, Warwick, Georgia	Plans for this 14th year include a Roll in the Quaker Instant Grits Contest, festival parade at noon, arts and crafts, antique tractor and car show, corn shelling contest, Grits Breakfast 7:30-9:30am, Quaker Grits Eating Contest, festival merchandise, entertainment. There is no admission charge. Details: Call 229-947-0023
April 9, 2011 Franklin Parish Catfish Festival Historic Downtown, Winnsboro, Louisiana	Plans for this 25th season include a cooking contest, flower show, antique car show, festival foods (including catfish and tradtional funnel cakes), festival merchandise, commercial vendors, video games, activities for kids, educational booths, musical entertainment. Learn More: Call 318-435-7607
April 9-10, 2011 Bloomin' Festival St. Bernard Prep School, Culman, Alabama	Southern specialty foods, drawings for prizes, more than 140 arts and crafts booths, 5K cross-country race Saturday at 8am. Musical entertainment is scheduled to come from Jessi Wood, Tim Fernandez, Jerrica Ford, Saints Intermediate Band and others. Please, no pets. Additional Information: Call 256-739-6682 or 800-723-0999
April 9-10, 2011 Baldwin County Strawberry Festival Municipal Park, Loxley, Alabama	For a 24th year festival-goers can celebrate with arts and crafts, an antique tractor show, strawberry shortcake, fresh strawberries, classic cars, music from Alabama Blues Brothers and more. Get the Facts: Call 251-550-2003
April 9-10, 2011 Alabama Chicken & Egg Festival Lions Club Fairgrounds at 455 School Street, Moulton, Alabama	Celebrate 7 years with arts and crafts, commercial vendors, wing eating contests, geocache opportunities, antique tractors on display, rooster art, an egg toss contest, Egg Drop for future engineers, activities for kids, Egg Roulette (in which contestants get 6 eggs, 5 of which are hard-cooked and one raw. The eggs are smashed on the forehead until the raw egg comes along. We should mention that the contestants are politicians and the proceeds go to charity.) There will also be a Chicken Motorcyle Run, NASCAR exhibit, festival foods, a chicken clucking contest, Music from Shake Down Kings, Confederate Railroad, DB Rielly and others will have you keeping time. Get the Facts: Call 256-905-0700 or 800-974-1658
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April 9-10, 2011 Good Old Days Celebration Downtown, Pacific Grove, California	Basketball tournament, walking tours, food vendors, games and contests, parade down Pine Avenue on Saturday at 10am, arts and crafts, Kiwanis pancake breakfast at Jewell Park on Saturday from 7:30-11am, California Police Motorcycle Competition, classic cars on Saturday, carnival rides, pony rides for the kids, firefighters muster, Puppy Love Dog Show, vintage fashion, 5 stages of entertainment. General hours are 9am-5pm and there is no admission charge. It's the 54th year for this event. Questions? Call 831-373-3304
April 9-10, 2011 Great American Pie Festival Lakeside Park, Celebration, Florida	Try out the Never-Ending Pie Buffet (Ten dollars for adults, five dollars for seniors). Then you'll have fuel for enjoying musical entertainment, pie baking contests, cooking demos, craft and other vendors, plus art activities and games for the children. If you're not too full after the buffet you might enter the pie eating contest. Additional Info: Call 847-371-0170
April 15-16, 2011 Magnolia Festival Civic Center, Gardendale, Alabama	For a 10th year people gather in Gardendale to enjoy classic cars, a bicycle stunt show, arts and crafts, Pooch Parade, fireworks (Friday night), art activities for kids, food, a cookie eating contest, 3 stages of entertainment. General hours are 5-9pm on Friday and 10am-5pm on Saturday. Get the Facts: Call 205-631-8789
April 15-16, 2011 StarDaze Festival Downtown, Star City, Alabama	It's the event's 8th anniversary. Plans include festival foods, entertainment, carnival rides and games, motorcycle point run, car show, arts and crafts. Learn More: Call 870-626-6400 or 870-370-1903
April 15-16, 2011 Riverfest Historic Downtown, Vicksburg, Mississippi	Street performers, classic cars, festival merchandise, games, arts and crafts, festival foods, activities for kids, music from the likes of Anthony Walls, Dr. Dee, Asphalt Cowboy, The Chill, William Michael Morgan. (Always check with the locals before traveling in hopes of seeing particular musicians.) Questions? Call 808-221-3536
April 15-17, 2011 Stockton Asparagus Festival Downtown (Weber Point area), Stockton, California	The event marks its 26th anniversary this year. Enjoy Tyson the skateboarding bulldog, Skyydogs, festival cookbooks for sale, Spear-It Run on April 16 (1-mile, 5K, 5-mile) with both serious competitors and costumed-for-fun folks who show up, Sea Lion Encounter, asparagus recipe contest, deep-fried asparagus and other festival foods in Asparagus Alley, entertainment for kids, Canned Creation, food and merchandise vendors, deep-fried asparagus eating competition, hole-in-one golf contest, arts and crafts, plus music from Caravanserai, Pride and Joy, Smash Mouth, Department of Rock and others. General festival hours are 10am-7pm. Get The Facts: Call 209-644-3740
April 15-17, 2011 Atlanta Dogwood Festival Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Georgia	Celebrate 75 years with Disk Dog Exhibitions, festival foods, International Village and Stage, High School art exhibit, activities for kids, festival merchandise, not-for-profit displays. Those scheduled to perform on stage at this writing include Emily Lynch, Stokewood, School of Rock, Future Shock, Musical Madness, Arena Sound, Turkish Dance Troupe, local choirs and orchestras, Frets on Fire. General hours for the festival are noon-9pm on Friday, 10am-9pm on Saturday and 10am-5pm on Sunday. Further Information: Call 404-817-6642
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April 15-17, 2011 Bloomin' Temple Festival Downtown, Temple, Texas	Arts and crafts, Bloomin' Temple Tour (bicycle), activities for kids, carnival games and rides, commercial vendors, car show, 5K fun run, festival foods, music from Charlie Daniels Band and others. Get Details: Call 254-773-2105
April 15-17, 2011 Vermont Maple Festival Main Street area Downtown, St. Albans, Vermont	The festival celebrates 45 years of fun. Plans include a Fiddlers Variety Show, maple cooking demonstrations and cooking contests, Maple Buffet Dinner, pancake breakfast at City Elementary School (on Bellows St.) Saturday and Sunday from 7am-noon with samples of Cabot cheese and also ice cream (with admission being eight dollars for adults), face painting, pony rides and other activities for the kids, staged entertainment, sugarhouse tours, youth talent show, museum displays, arts and crafts booths, carnival, antiques, Sap Run (8.5 miles). Information: Call 802-524-5800
April 16, 2011 Spinach Festival Downtown, Alma, Arkansas	It's the festival's 25th anniversary. Get ready for arts and crafts, entertainment, spinach grower competitions, spinach eating contests, quilts on display, festival foods, activities for kids, golf tournament, Spinach Drop. There are often Friday evening events, so think about arriving a day or two early. Check out the town water tower. It's painted to look like a spinach can. Alma is home to Allen Canning Company, producer of Popeye brand spinach. Get The Facts: Call 479-632-4127
April 16, 2011 Cotton Gin Festival Museum at 307 North Main Street, Burton, Texas	Tours of the Wehring Shoe Shop, pie eating contest, grand parade at 11am, historic baling of cotton, tractor pull, bubble gum blowing contest, folk life demonstrations, antique machinery on display, crafts, prizes, petting zoo, silent auction, festival foods (including root beer floats, baked potatoes, fried fish, funnel cakes). 2011 marks the 22nd season of the festival. More: Call 979-289-3378
April 16-17, 2011 Cherry Blossom Festival Barnes Park at 350 South McPherrin Avenue, Monterey Park, California	Asian food festival, Japanese music and dance, commercial vendors, taiko drums, civic and business vendors, Japanese tea ceremony, activities for children, staged entertainment from Chikara Daiko, MKHS Aztec Singers, Grateful Crane, Kuntau Martial Arts, Local Mojo and others. 2011 marks the 14th year for this event. Questions? Call 478-751-7429
April 16-17, 2011 Butter & Egg Days Historic Downtown, Petaluma, California	It's the festival's 30th year and most of the activities are between the hours of 10am and 5pm. Enjoy the Cutest Little Chick Contest (costume contest for small children with preregistration required by April 13), non-profit booths, inflatables and other activities for kids, cow chip toss, entertainment, food court, Kid's Parade on Saturday at 11:30am with the Festival Parade following at noon, antique faire on Sunday. Further Details: Call 405-270-4848
April 16-17, 2011 Mainsail Arts Festival Vinoy Park, Bayshore Drive and 7th Avenue NE, St. Petersburg, Florida	More than 200 artisans showing and selling their work, festival foods ranging from seafood to collard greens to spinach pie to sweet potato fries. Enjoy calyoso, reggae and other music genres. General hours are 9am-6pm on Saturday and 10am-5pm on Sunday. Mainsail Arts celebrates 36 seasons in 2011. Get the Facts: Call 727-892-5885 or 727-893-7734
April 16-17, 2011 Bradford County Strawberry Festival Downtown, Starke, Florida	Arts and crafts, festival foods, activities for children, berry products and berry treats, classic cars, entertainment. Help celebrate this 13th year of fun. Learn More: Call 904-964-5278
April 16-17, 2011 Big Shanty Festival Main Street Downtown, Kennesaw, Georgia	2 stages of musical entertainment, parade on Saturday at 9:30am, festival foods, commercial vendors, more than 200 arts and crafts booths, activities for kids. This event is now in its 35th year. Find Out Details: Call 770-423-1330
April 16-17, 2011 Red Poppy Festival Downtown Square, Georgetown, Texas	It's the event's 12th celebration. Plans include a parade on Saturday at 10am, Red Poppy Tour, Red Poppy Art, shuttle services, Saturday night concert and street dance, Red Poppy Bike Ride (14, 30, 62 or 100 miles) Saturday, Safe Place Kids village, arts and crafts, car show. You can enjoy music from Cowboy Nemo Band, Mark Chesnutt, Shelley King and others. When you get hungry you might choose from treats such as Frito pie, fried pickles, grilled chicken, baked potatoes, burgers, hot dogs, nachos and cotton candy. Questions? Call 512-930-3545
April 16-17, 2011 Heritage Jubilee Ben Gill Park, Terrell, Texas	Celebrate the festival's 30th anniversary with a BBQ cook-off, arts and crafts, library book sale, motorcycle and car show, quilt show, activities for kids, carnival, all-breed dog show, cowboy poetry, business expo, entertainment, rodeo events, Fountain 5K Run. Hours are 8am-8pm both days. Learn More: Call 972-542-5703
April 17, 2011 Springfest Street Fair Main & South Broadway area, Nyack, New York	Music and other entertainment in Veteran's Memorial Park, festival foods, commercial vendors, merchant specials, arts and crafts. The fun goes from 10am-5pm. Information: Call 845-253-2221
April 18-19, 2011 Magnolia Festival Magnolia Park on Hwy. 96 at Hebo Street, Kirbyville, Texas	Parade Saturday at 10am, carnival (opens Wednesday evening), entertainment, festival foods, commercial vendors, activities for children, door prizes, art contest, pet show and more. Further Details: Call 409-423-5827 or 409-423-6500
April 26-May 1, 2011 Festival of the Arts Downtown, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	Artist Market, 200 entertainment acts on 4 stages, Young at Art Mart (with kids-only shopping), art showcase, more than 140 arts and crafts booths, Festival Idol competition, face painting, Creation Station (where you can create your own art), Children's Art Field, Pottery Place, festival foods. Please, no pets. Learn More: Call 405-270-4848
April 27-May 1, 2011 Vinton Dogwood Festival Downtown, Vinton, Virginia	Plans for this 56th year include a carnival, auto show, activities for kids, parade Saturday at 2:30pm, food vendors, arts and crafts plus music from Steve Holy, Steve Wicks and others. Get The Facts: Call 540-983-0613 or 540-983-0614
April 27-May 14, 2011 National Trout Festival Various locations, Kalkaska, Michigan	King and queen coronation, senior fundraiser breakfast, motorcycle show and swap meet, animal display, fly tying and fly casting demos, gospel sing-along, golf outing, queen's luncheon, grocery cart races, Chamber of Commerce open house, Celtic music, gospel music, flea market, children's trout fishing contest, fireworks, kids' karaoke contest, Ugly Truck Contest, classic car show, euchre tournament, Wii Bowling Tournament, horseshoe tournament, carnival. There's plenty of fun planned for this 75th year. Questions? Call 231-258-9103 or 800-4-TROUT-O
April 28-30, 2011 Sugar Festival City Park area, Clewiston, Florida	It's the festival's 25th anniversary. Plans inclue arts and crafts, Seminole Star Search, rod run, dance on Bond Street, rodeo events and a dance, activities for kids, Taste of Sugar recipe contest and sampling, Seminole Heritage Day at Clewiston Museum, tennis tournament, alligator wrestling, cornhole tournament, music, horseshoe tournament. Further Information: Call 863-983-7979
April 28-May 1, 2011 Gold Nugget Days Various venues, Paradise, California	Gold panning, Gold Nugget Review, children's costume contest, Donkey Derby, merchant's decorating contest, pageant, parade at noon on April 30, museum events, Miners' Tent City. Back in 1858 a 54-pound gold nugget was discovered in the area and the Paradise boom began. Additional Details: Call 530-872-8722
April 28-May 1, 2011 Vidalia Onion Festival Various locations, Vidalia, Georgia	Cooking demos, recipe contest, car show, local grower onion sales, sidewalk sales and merchant specials, art show, motorcycle rally, festival rodeo, arts and crafts, fireworks, movie at the high school football stadium (bring chairs), music, street dance, onion rings and other festival foods. A pre-festival pageant and a carnival are also part of the festivities. This is the event's 34th year. Get The Facts: Call 912-636-8687
April 29-30-3, 2011 Dewberry Festival Wilson Ledbetter Park, Cameron, Texas	Help celebrate 15 years with classic cars, dewberry cobbler and ice cream, youth fishing tournament, entertainment, cake contest and auction, chili, arts and crafts, cobbler baking contest, festival foods. Learn More: Call 254-697-4979
April 29-May 1, 2011 Nantucket Daffodil Festival Throughout the island, Nantucket, Massachusetts	It's the festival's 37th anniversary. Plans include a Daffy Hat Pageant, art walking tours, Daffy Dog Parade, flower show at Bartlett's Oceanview Farm on Saturday and Sunday, Daffodil Tailgate Party (no alcohol), antique car parade on Saturday, merchant window decorating contest, Daffodil Children's Parade, raffle, millions of flowers to view and enjoy. Further Information: Call 508-228-1700
April 29-May 1, 2011 Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival Various locations, Vermontville, Michigan	It's the festival's 71st anniversary. Plans include museum displays, pedal tractor pull, arts and crafts, fireworks Friday night, BBQ chicken fundraiser, petting zoo, food vendors, arm wrestling, children's parade April 30 at 11am, pancake breakfast with maple syrup, grand parade April 30 at 2pm, roast beef dinner, princess pageant, woodworking demos, entertainment. Questions? Call 517-725-0394 or 517-726-0670
April 29-May 1, 2011 Astoria-Warrentown Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival County Fairgrounds on Hwy. 202, Astoria, Oregon	Arts and crafts, beer garden, seafood dinners, wine competition, music from LuLu Lafever, Los Gallos Rumba, RaiChiChi and others. 2011 marks the 29th season for the event. Get the Facts: Call 503-325-6311 or 800-875-6807
April 29-May 1, 2011 Germanfest City Park area, Muenster, Texas	Plans for this 36th year include 5K and 10K runs at noon on Sunday, folk dancing, a wrestling tournament, rock climbing wall, rib cooking competition, arts and crafts, activities for kids (including sand art and face painting), sausage cooking competition, Nagelshlag (nail pounding contest), Kinder Theater, homemade breads and strudel, cakes and pies, storytelling mimes, music from Hard Nights Day (Beatles Tribute), Willy Kickit, Brave Combo and others. General hours are 4pm-midnight Friday, 10am-midnight Saturday and 10am-8pm on Sunday. Further Information: Call 940-759-2227 or 800-943-8037
April 30, 2011 Auburn CityFest Kiesel Park, Auburn, Alabama	It's the festival's 11th season. Enjoy children's art and art activities for the children, non-profit booths, arts and crafts (9am-4pm), festival foods, juried art show, entertainment and more. The fun goes on rain or shine. Well-behaved pets on leashes are permitted to join the party. Details: Call 334-501-2963 or 334-501-2930
April 30, 2011 Derrick Days Downtown, Corsicana, Texas	Pancake breakfast at Monica's Cafe on Beaton, tours, wing eating contest, arts and crafts, washer pitching tournament, musical entertainment, carnival at Bank of America parking lot, Shakers & Scrapers Car Show, chili-cooking competition, food court at Collin & Beaton, BBQ competition, 3-on-3 basketball, bounce houses, Gospel Stage, parade at 9am, vendors, horseshoe tournament, dog agility demo. Further Information: Call 903-654-4851
April 30, 2011 Onion Festival Princeton High School, Princeton, Texas	It's the festival's 7th anniversary. Get ready for the onion cooking contest, auction and raffle, 5K run, pageant, arts and crafts, tennis round-robin tournament, festival merchandise for sale, Onion Bowl football, food vendors, classic cars. Questions? Call 972-548-2048 or 972-523-6665
April 30, 2011 Ramps and Rails Railroad Avenue, Elkins, West Virginiabr>	Celebrate 21 years with festival foods, activities for kids, arts and crafts, taste testing, ramp cooking contest, train ride (separate fee), music. Most events take place between the hours of 10am and 5pm. Additional Deatils: Call 304-636-5358 or 304-635-7803
April 30-May 1, 2011 Fishman's Festival Westside Park on Westshore Road, Bodega Bay, California	Wooden Boat Challenge, pet (and llama) parade at 3pm on Saturday, wine tasting., raffle, activities for kids, boat parade and blessing of the fleet on Sunday at 11:30am, arts and crafts, BBQ and other festival foods, golf tournament. Get the Facts: Call 707-875-3866
April 30-May 1, 2011 Great Griffin Mayfling City Park, Griffin, Georgia	There will be local entertainment, juried arts and crafts, community and non-profit booths, activities for kids, car show, festival foods. There is no admission charge. Further Information: Call 770-228-8200
April 30-May 1, 2011 Main Street Festival Historic Main, Franklin, Tennessee	Fuel your day (from 2 food courts) with smoked turkey legs, stuffed baked potatoes, corn on the cob, Mexican dishes, BBQ, burger, Asian favorites, hot dogs, ice cream and sweet funnel cakes. Then enjoy 4 stages of music and other entertainment, juried arts and crafts, an area for kids on Third Street, 2 carnivals. It's the 28th year for this one. More: Call 615-591-8500
April 30-May 1, 2011 National Cornbread Festival Downtown, South Pittsburgh, Tennessee	Celebrate the festival's 15th anniversary with classic cars, tours of historical sites, pancakes on Sunday from 7:30-10am at the Cook-Off Tent, carnival (opening a few days earlier), ecumenical church service Sunday, quilt exhibit, 5K road race, arts and crafts, music, cornbread baking competition, jam tent for musicians. Questions? Call 423-837-0022
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.
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April Somethings! Brief, bare-boned last-minute festival listings:
Apr 1-3 Next Generation Jazz Festival, Conference Center, Monterey, California, 831-373-3366 Apr 1-3 Cypress Sawmill Festival (21st), Kemper Williams Park Campground, Patterson, Louisiana, 985-395-4905 or 800-256-2931 Apr 1-3 Deep Ellum Arts Festival (17th), Entertainment District on Main, Dallas, Texas, 214-855-1881 Apr 1-30 Bluebonnet Trails Festival (60th), Ennis, Texas, 972-878-4748 Apr 2 Orange Cove Blossom Festival, 10-5, Eaton Park, Orange Cove, California, 550-626-5179 Apr 2 Threefoot Festival , 9-5, Downtown, Meridian, Mississippi, 601-485-1944 or 601-693-2787 Apr 2 Thunder Road Festival, Downtown, Rockwood, Tennessee, 865-250-6717 Apr 2 Billy the Kid Day (23rd), Downtown on Pecan Street, Hico, Texas, 800-361-4426 Apr 2-3 Hawaiian Scottish Festival, Kapiolani Park, Waikiki, Hawaii, 808-625-3559 Apr 3 Festival de la Familia (20th), 10-6, Cal Expo, Sacramento, California, 916-422-2700 Apr 7-10 Leesburg Bikefest (15th), Downtown, Leesburg, Florida, 352-365-0053 Apr 7-16 Come See Me Festival, Rock Hill, South Carolina, 803-329-7625 or 800-681-7635 Apr 8-9 Crawfish Festival (20th), Faunsdale, Alabama, 334-628-3240 Apr 9 Pear Blossom Festival (58th), Downtown, Medford, Oregon, 541-734-PEAR Apr 9 Lewisburg Chocolate Festival (5th), Historic Downtown, Lewisburg, West Virginia, 800-833-2068 Apr 9-10 Spring Fest, 10-4, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 765-456-7649 Apr 9-10 Texas Bluebonnet Festival, 10-6/Noon-5, Downtown, Chappel Hill, Texas, 979-836-6033 Apr 9-17 Cimarron Territory Celebration, Various venues, Beaver, Oklahoma, 580-625-4725 Apr 14-16 Hillbilly Days Festival, Pikeville, Kentucky, 605-432-5504 Apr 14-17 Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival (36th), Main Street, Fort Worth, Texas, 817-336-2767 Apr 14-17 Windfest, Community Center, Portland, Texas, 361-643-2475 or 877-643-6475 Apr 15-16 Green Frog Festival, Downtown, Wilburton, Oklahoma, 918-465-2254 Apr 15-17 Vintage Days (37th), California State University of Fresno, Fresno, California, 559-278-2741 Apr 15-17 Central Valley Pizza Festival (11th), Downtown, Lemoore, California, 559-924-3421 Apr 15-17 Pompano Beach Seafood Festival (27th), On the beach, Pompano Beach, Florida, 954-941-2940 Apr 15-17 National Mayhaw Festival, Spring Creek Recreational Park, Colquitt, Georgia, 229-758-2400 Apr 15-17 Teche Bear Festival (8th), Historic Downtown, Franklin, Louisiana, 800-256-2931 Apr 15-17 Texas Sandfest (15th), Beach Markers 9 & 10, Port Aransas, Texas, 800-452-6278 Apr 16 Strawberry Festival (25th), 9-5, Downtown, Castleberry, Alabama, 251-989-2422 Apr 16 Picnic Day (97th), UC Davis Campus, Davis, California, 530-752-6320 Apr 16 San Jacinto Day Festival, 10-6, One Monument Circle, La Porte, Texas, 281-479-2421 Apr 16 Bluebird Festival (18th), Willis Point, Texas, 903-873-3111 or 903-560-0156 Apr 16-17 California Poppy Festival (20th), 10-6, Hubbard Park, Lancaster, California, 661-723-6173 Apr 16-17 Wamego Tulip Festival (24th), 9-6/10-4, City Park, Wamego, Kansas, 785-456-7649 Apr 16-17 Chocolate Festival (24th), Old Town, Washington, Kentucky, 606-759-0505 Apr 17 Spring Bada-Bing, 11-5, Plant Zero on E. 4th St., Richmond, Tennessee, 804-304-4312 Apr 17 St. Michael Spring Festival, Veterans Hall at 503 Park Drive, Weimar, Texas, 979-263-5251 Apr 21-23 Rose Show & Festival (90th), Downtown & Paradise Park, Thomasville, Georgia, 229-227-3310 or 229-227-7020 Apr 23 Norman 89er Day, Norman, Oklahoma, 405, 366-8095 or 405-217-9611 Apr 23-24 Wildflower Show, 10-4, Mission College, Santa Clara, California, 650-691-9749 or 650-941-1066 Apr 23-24 Carrabelle Riverfront Festival (21st),                    10-6/10-4, Marine Street along Riverwalk, Carrabelle, Florida, 850-697-2565 Apr 23-24 Melbourne Art Festival, Downtown, Melbourne, Florida, 321-722-1964 Apr 23-May 7 (main days May 5-7) Pine Tree Festival (66th), Rec Complex Downtown, Swainsboro, Georgia, 478-237-6426 Apr 24 Apple Blossom Festival 5-8pm, Presbyterian Manor Grounds, Newton, Kansas, 216-263-5400 Apr 26-May 1 World's Biggest Fish Fry, Henry County Fairgrounds, Paris, Tennessee, 731-642-3431 Apr 28-May 1 Clarendon Country Striped Bass Festival (32nd), Downtown Square, Manning, South Carolina, 803-432-4405 Apr 29-30 Double Decker Arts Festival, Oxford Square, Oxford, Mississippi, 662-232-2367 or 800-765-9177 Apr 29-30 Red Fern Festival, Norris Park Downtown, Tahlequa, Oklahoma, 918-456-3742 Apr 29-30 Riverfest, Municipal Park, Freeport, Texas, 979-233-3305 or 979-233-5051 Apr 29-May 1 Festival of the Rivers (36th),                    Robert Fowler Memorial Park & Von Braun Center, Geneva Alabama, 334-684-6582 or 334-684-2485 Apr 30 Ducky Derby & Carnival (21st), 10:30am-3:30pm, Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz, California, 831-479-4070 Apr 30-May 1 Armadillo Festival (40th), Main Street's Downtown Square, Hamburg, Arkansas, 870-853-8345 Apr 29-May 1 Panoply Arts Festival (30th), Big Spring International Park, Huntsville, Alabama, 256-519-2767 Apr 29-May 1 Santa Maria Strawberry Festival (24th), Fairpark, Santa Maria, California, 805-925-8824 Apr 29-May 1 Fisherman's Festival, Boothbay Harbor, Maine, 207-633-2325 or 207-633-4825 Apr 30 Eeyore's Birthday Party (48th), 11am-dusk, Pease Park, Austin, Texas, 512-446-5160 Apr 30-May 1 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, USC University Park Campus, Los Angeles, California, 213-237-7335 or 800-LATIMES Apr 30-May 1 Daffodil Festival (33rd), Hubbard Park, Meriden, Connecticut, 203-630-4259 Apr 30-May 1 Apopka Art & Foliage Festival (50thth),                    9-5, Kit Land Nelson Park, Apopka, Florida, 407-884-6488 Apr 30-May 1 Spring Jonquil Festival, 10-5/Noon-5, Village Green, Smyrna, Georgia, 770-423-6600 Apr 30-May 1 East Maui Taro Festival (19th), Hana, Hawaii, 808-264-1553 Apr 30-May 1 Dirty Dan Seafood Festival (9th), Village Green (and other venues),                    Fairhaven, Washington, 360-733-2682
Other April 2011 Events You Might Enjoy
Apr 1 St. Stupid's Day Parade (33rd),                    Noon, Embarcadero Plaza, San Francisco, California, 510-841-1898 Apr 7-9 Book Bazaar, Nelson Memorial Bldg. & Mini Farm Bldg., Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 225-578-5925 Apr 7-10 Texas International Boat Show (5th), Marina, Corpus Christi, Texas, 581-842-8808 Apr 8-9 Big One Spring Art & Craft Fair (20th), State Fair Center, Minot, North Dakota, 701-836-9385 Apr 8-10 Best of the Valley Quilt Show (16th), Modermont Field House on Sweet Brier, Lindsay, California, 550-562-3326 Apr 8-10 Bloom 'n' Garden Expo (7th), County Expo Center on Long Lane, Franklin, Tennessee, 615-790-5721 Apr 8-11 Book Fair Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, California, 707-545-0831 ext. 541 Apr 9 Prairie Dog Chili Cook-Off (36th), 10-5, Traders Village, Grand Prairie, Texas, 972-647-2331 Apr 9-10 Bay Area Anarchist Bookfair (16th), 10-5,                    10-6/11-5, Country Fair Bldg in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California Apr 10 Spring Breakout Motorcycle Show & Swap Meet, 10:30-5, Ice Time Arena, Newburgh, New York, 807-863-4295 Apr 10 New York Autograph Show, 9-5, Helmsley Park Lane Hotel, New York, New York, 888-338-4338 Apr 13-16 Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association National Championships (8th), Paul Battle Arena, Tunica, Mississippi, 480-683-0485 Apr 15 Art Parade, Stroll & Chili Feed, Downtown, Sisters, Oregon, 541-549-4979 Apr 15-17 Wildflower Show (50th), 10-5, Museum of Natural History, Pacific Grove, California, 831-548-5716 Apr 15-17 Pittsburgh ComiCon, Convention Center, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, 814-467-4116 Apr 15-17 Antique Alley, 25-mile area,                    Cleburne (and Grandview and Maypearl), Texas, 817-645-2455 Apr 15-17 Dallas Guitar Show (24th), Market Hall on Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas, 972-260-4201 or 972-240-2206 Apr 15-17 Dogwood Arts & Crafts Festival, Big Sandy Superstore Arena, Huntington, West Virginia, 304-696-5990 Apr 16 Kingsburg Car Show, Kingsburg, California, 559-897-1111 Apr 16 Southern Kentucky Book Fest (13th), 9-4, Carroll Knicely Conference Center, Bowling Green, Kentucky, 270-745-6016 Apr 16 Thunder Over Louisiana, Louisville, Kentucky, 502-564-6383 Apr 16 Spring Fair to Remember (12th), Fair Pavilion at 3000 Hwy. PV, West Bend, Wisconsin, 262-692-9488 Apr 16-17 Art on the Lake (50th), 10-5, Rec Center at 1503 Sunset Drive, Guntersville, Alabama, 256-582-4378 Apr 21-24 Clovis Rodeo (97th), Rodeo Grounds, Clovis, California, 559-299-8838 Apr 22-May 1 International Auto Show, Javits Convention Center, New York, New York, 800-282-3338 Apr 23 Crescent City Classic (33rd), New Orleans, Louisiana, 504-861-8686 Apr 29-May 1 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con, Convention Center, Anaheim, California Apr 29-May 1 New Living Expo, Concourse Exhibition Center at 8th & Brannon, San Francisco, California, 415-382-8300 Apr 29-May 1 Connecticut Storytelling Festival (30th), Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut, 860-439-2764 Apr 29-May 1 Interstate Mullet Toss, Flora-Bama Lounge, Perdido Keys, Florida, 850-492-6838 Apr 29-May 1 April Action Car Show, City Park, Moab, Utah, 435-259-5858
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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.

Above: Metallic Choker Necklace Left: Feather Choker Necklace

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!

Urban fun: Asian Garden Mall in Orange County, California Tribune Tower in Chicago, Illinois Soundwalk in Denver, Colorado Pirate and Treasure Museum in St. Augustine, Florida Starlight Six Drive-In Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia
Looking for something unique to do this spring/summer? How about a trip to the Kansas Underground Salt Museum?		National Geographic Geoguide: Wolves
Beginning April 4, 2011, youth ages 10-14 have a chance to participate free in a mystery called Vanished. The quest takes place online and involves Smithsonian scientists. The quest goes on for 8 weeks. The link here will take you to a registration page where you can also find a link to an About Page.

Send Deb email: deb@lightpatch.com
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Last Updated March 30, 2011

Deb's Monthly Review © copyright Deb Thompson