March 2004

Editor: Deb Thompson deb@lightpatch.com

Festivals for Travelers, Sites of the Month, Archives, Opinions, Rants, Praises.

What Do Writers Do All Day?       (Deb's Writer Cam)

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The Artsy Site Of The Month: Works Progress Administration Art Historic art, and the structures housing the art.		Handy Site Of The Month: Engineered Wood Association: Library Free .pdf files and low-cost publications on wood, building codes, and recommendations.
Just Fun Site Of The Month: Turntables Flash uses a virtual DJ to scratch.		Scientific Site Of The Month: Silly Putty University A mistake that made money and is still great fun.

Buy great spices at great prices

March Events

For March Travelers

March 6-7, 2004 Floral City Strawberry Festival Floral Park, Floral City, Florida.	More than 200 arts and crafts booths will be part of the this festival's 17th year. You can buy berries by the flat, but you can also find treats such as chocolate-covered strawberries and strawberry shortcake. There are other traditional festival foods to give you energy for the rock climbing, antique car show and other fun. Try your hand at the pie eating contest. You can park at the Citrus County Fairgrounds and take the shuttle to Floral Park. More: Call 352-726-2801.
March 6-7, 2004 Blossom Days Festival Sanger Civic Center Park, Sanger, California.	Entertainment, Blossom Trail 10K run and 2 mile walk, arts and crafts, food, Depot Museum tours, car show and more. The event is in its 16th year. Further Information: Call 559-875-4575.
March 6-7, 2004 Mussel Fest Coupeville Recreation Hall, Coupeville, Washington.	Jazz music by Azure, antiques, arts and crafts, results of Mussel Recipe Contest, scavenger hunt, Mussel Chowder cooking contest, cooking demonstrations, children's activities, sailor shanty singing. Learn Details: Call 360-678-5434.
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.
March 6-7, 2004 Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire 5200 Saufley Field Road, Pensacola, Florida.	Medieval knights (and many other characters) in costume, fight demonstrations, wandering minstrels and other entertainers, merchants, prize drawings, jousting, medieval games of chance, music food and more. Further Information: Call 850-429-8462.
March 11-13, 2004 St. Patrick's Day Festival Dublin City Park, Dublin, Texas.	Irish dancers, talent show, crafts, games, parade, carnival, cooking contests. Learn More: Call 254-445-3422.
March 12-13, 2004 Camden Daffodil Festival various venues, Camden, Arkansas.	Garden tours of bulbs in bloom, quilt show, pancake breakfast, historical cemetery walk with costumed interpreters, martial arts demonstrations, arts and crafts, herbs for sale, bulbs for sale, steak-cooking contest, 5K run. More: Call 870-836-0023.
March 12-14, 2004 Azalea Festival VSU Lawn & Drexel Park, Valdosta, Georgia.	Parade, fireworks, KidZone, circus, bike ride, 5K road race, vendors, entertainment and more. This event will have alcohol for sale. Further Information: Call 229-244-0752 or 229-245-0513.
March 12-14, 2004 Greek Festival 110 Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida.	In its 29th year, the festival features Greek dancers and music, dance lessons, arts and crafts, Greek wines and plenty of Greek pastries and other foods. Learn Details: Call 561-833-6397.
March 12-14, 2004 Chandler Ostrich Festival Tumbleweed Park, Chandler, Arizona.	In its 16th year, the festival features a Kids Zone, more than 150 exhibitors with crafts and other goods, two stages of entertainment, magic shows, ostrich races, a carnival. Tickets: Call 480-963-4571.
March 13, 2004 Ocean Arts Fest Banyan Tree Park, Lahaina, Hawaii.	Ocean and marine art for sale, activities for kids, Hawaiian music and more. More: Call 808-667-9193.
March 13, 2004 Redbud Festival Buna High School on Hwy 62, Buna, Texas.	More than 200 booths (including arts and crafts), parade, and entertainment with many local bands. Learn More: Call 409-994-5586.
March 13-14, 2004 Hebron Maple Festival various venues, Hebron, Connecticut.	Take a self-tour of one of five operating Sugar Houses in the area. You can also enjoy historical quilts, see blacksmiths in action, and enter an ice cream eating contest. There will also be a silent auction and a drawing for baskets. Festival foods include Sugar On Snow, ice maple milk, and maple cotton candy. You can also attend a pancake breakfast or roast beef church supper. Purchase maple products and Girl Scout Cookies. Additional Information: Call 860-228-5971.
March 13-14, 2004 Forsythia Festival Courthouse Square, Forsyth, Georgia.	Entertainment, 5K run, street dance, kids events, chili cooking contest, sports tournaments and more. Details: Call 478-994-9329.
March 13-14, 2004 Highland Maple Festival various venue(s), Monterey (and McDowell), Virginia.	Visit the Maple Museum on U.S. Route 220 to get in the mood for this festival, which features country crafts, antiques, vendors, entertainment, baked goods, dances, and treats such as maple-flavored funnel cakes, pancakes with maple syrup, and maple-flavored doughnuts. Further Information: Call 540-468-2550.
Colorful festivals are great for taking pictures. Please ask permission before taking photos of arts and crafts items at a festival booth.
March 13-14, 2004 Irish Fair & Music Festival Fairplex, Pomona, California.	Irish dance demonstrations, children's story readings, Irish dog breed demonstrations, rides, games, Irish genealogical assistance, athletic events, Irish music bands and more. Information: Call 213-305-8618.
March 13-14, 2004 Chatanika Days unknown venue(s), Chatanika, Alaska.	Roughly 30 miles from Fairbanks, Chatanika was once a booming mining town, and they celebrate their rugged outdoor history with events such as an outhouse race, long-johns contest, a snowmachine tug-of-war, and more. Learn Details: Call 907-389-2164.
March 13-14, 2004 Speckled Perch Festival Flagler Park, Okeechobee, Florida.	This the event's 36th year, and features include a parade, music, arts and crafts, a fish fry, drawings for prizes, Seminole products, wildlife exhibits, PRCA Rodeo events. Find Out More: Call 863-763-6464.
Italian fashion and gifts	Festival Fact: We call that sweet fluffy treat on a stick "cotton candy", but the English refer to it as "candy floss".
March 18-28, 2004 Chasco Fiesta various venues, Port Richey, Florida.	Native American heritage provides the original reason for this event, but it has become very eclectic with events such as a blood drive, flea market, baby contest, music, fish fry, 10K in-line skating, BBQ, boat parade, stamp show, high school band concerts and more. Additional Details: Call 727-842-7651.
March 19-21, 2004 Taste of Solvang various venues, Solvang, California.	Wine and food samplings at various shops and other locations around town, with musical entertainment on the side. Tickets are required and this is a rain or shine event. Tickets: Call 800-468-6765.
March 19-21, 2004 Washington Catfish Festival Downtown, Washington, Louisiana.	Kid's Corner, Farmers' Parade, Cajun and Zydeco music, antiques, Civil War reenactments, arts and crafts, Catfish cooking contest, Cajun festival foods for sale. More: Call 377-826-3627.
March 19-21, 2004 Iowa Rabbit Festival Lawrence Toups Jr. Memorial Park, Iowa, Louisiana.	Cajun (and other) musical entertainment, parade on Saturday, carnival, food, arts and crafts. Learn Details: Call 337-582-3044.
March 19-21, 2004 Arts & Crafts Festival Downtown, Fairhope, Alabama.	Some 200,000 people attend this event, which includes more than 240 juried artists. There are also plenty of festival foods on hand. Further Information: Call 251-621-8222.
ABC Art & Craft Event Directory: 2003 National Edition by Mary Reed	Carnival Secrets by Matthew L. Gryczan
March 19-28, 2004 International Cherry Blossom Festival various venues, Macon, Georgia.	Music, Bengal tiger show, balloon glow, organ concert, raffle, air show, sidewalk chalk art, fashion show, Cherry Blossom Gala Ball, choral presentations, bed races, health fair, theatre presentations, home and museum tours, Pink Pancake Breakfast, Cherries and Cream ice cream, arts and crafts, food fair and more. Ticket Details: Call 478-751-2745.
March 20, 2004 Azalea Festival County Courthouse Square, Jasper, Texas.	Classic car show, arts and crafts, poetry contest, musical entertainment, food and more. Learn Details: Call 409-384-2762.
March 20, 2004 Daffodil Days Senior Citizen Center, 205 E. Main, Round Rock, Texas.	Arts and crafts, face painting, auction, raffle, door prizes, music, displays, food court. Additional Information: Call 512-244-2761.
March 20-21, 2004 West Virginia Maple Syrup Festival Main Street, Pickens, West Virginia.	Pancakes and maple syrup will be served all day, plus you can tour a maple syrup camp, watch a chainsaw artist at work, or participate in a 5K run. There will be quilts on display, a wood-chopping exhibition, arts and crafts and plenty of food. Hold your ears when the muzzleloaders give their demonstration! Learn Details: Call 304-924-6288.
March 20-21, 2004 An Artisans Festival Wildflower Center, Austin, Texas.	Enjoy art and craft work using wildflowers themes and materials. Children will be encouraged to add their art to a mural, and you can enjoy music and food. At this writing, artist Bev Doolittle is scheduled to be be on hand to sign prints and books (March 20 only). More: Call 512-292-4100.
March 20-21, 2004 Maple Sugar Festival Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo, Michigan.	The intrepretive center hosts this event by starting with pancakes served with warm maple syrup. There are crafts to make, a puppet show, and tastes of maple cotton candy. You can tour a sugar shack, see a blacksmith shop and indulge in more maple flavor by enjoying a scoop of ice cream topped with maple syrup. Further Details: Call 616-381-1574.
March 20-21, 2004 Dandelion Days unknown venue(s), Jackson, California.	Arts and crafts, memorabilia, grilled tri-tip, pancake breakfast, carnival for kids, music, 5K run. Learn More: Call 209-223-1706.
March 20-21 &24-28, 2004 Pennsylvania Maple Festival Festival Park, Meyersdale, Pennsylvania.	In its 57th year, this festival features a car show, living history tours of an antique doctor's office and other buildings, Civil War reenactments, an antique tractor show, parade, horse pulling contest, quilt show, pancakes and sausages, rail exhibits, the Maple Run (5K Walk or 8k Run) and more. Additional Details: Call 814-634-0213.
March 24-28, 2004 Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival various venues, New Orleans, Louisiana.	Celebrate the playwright's work by attending panel discussions, literary walking tours, readings and theatrical performances. There are also lectures and workshops on writing, and events featuring literary side pursuits such as food and wine. Enjoy book signings, remembrances of those who knew Tennessee Williams and an interview with Dakin Williams. Although there are ticket sales, some seatings for events are on a first-come-first-serve basis. Ticket Information: Call 504-581-1144.
March 25-27, 2004 Fire Ant Festival Heritage Park, Ashburn, Georgia.	Fireworks, health fair, poker run, car show, bike show, arts and crafts, pet parade, food vendors, 5k run, street dance, music, fire ant calling contest. More: Call 229-567-9696.
March 25-28, 2004 Louisiana Crawfish Festival Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center, Chalmette, Louisiana.	In its 29th year, the festival offers more than 50 amusement rides in addition to entertainment by dance teams and bands. If you don't eat crawfish, you can skip the crawfish dishes and feast on other festival goodies such as soft pretzels, fried green tomatoes, ice cream, and fried sweet potatoes. There will be a 5K road race, and you can also attend the famous Crawfish Races. There are plenty of carnival games where you can try your luck and skill. Further Information: Call 504-278-4200.
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March 26-28, 2004 McMinnville Wine & Food Classic Linfield & S. Davis Street, McMinnville, Oregon.	Wine tasting, arts and crafts and plenty of food. Learn Details: Call 503-472-4033.
March 26-28, 2004 SeaFest Port Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Florida.	Seafood chowder cooking contest, other seafoods, arts and crafts, carnival midway, motorcycle show, musical entertainment. Please--no coolers and no pets. More Information: Call 321-459-2200.
March 26-28, 2004 Creole Festival City Park, Jeanerette, Louisiana.	Cooking contests, music, games, carnival rides, food, and arts and crafts. Details: Call 888-942-3742.
March 26-28, 2004 Springfest unknown venue(s), Greenville, Mississippi.	Entertainment, food, arts and crafts, seminars. To Learn More: Call 662-378-2617.
March 27, 2004 Daffodil Festival Main Street, Fremont, North Carolina.	This is one of the smaller festivals, but often small ones are just as much fun as the larger events. They have arts and crafts and treats such as funnel cakes. Additional Details: Call 919-242-5724 or 919-242-2149.
March 27, 2004 Elberta German Sausage Festival Town Park, Elberta, Alabama.	200 arts and crafts booths, musical entertainment and great food have made this festival so popular that they now hold a second one in the fall. In addition to the famous sausages there are baked goods, red beans and rice, stuffed cabbage, baked goods and other treats. This event is in its 42nd year. Further Information: Call 251-986-5805.
March 27-28, 2004 Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival Georgia International Horse Park, Centennial Olympic Parkway, Conyers, Georgia.	More than 300 arts and crafts booths, plus other vnedor booths, international food court, entertainment, virtual reality games, cherry trees for sale, activities for kids. This is the festival's 23rd year. Additional Details: Call 800-266-9377.
March 27-28, 2004 Santa Barbara Whale Festival State Street, Santa Barbara, California.	Diving demonstrations, arts and crafts, whale watching tours, Coast Guard demonstrations, rubber duck race, food. Learn Details: Call 805-897-3187.
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March Somethings! Brief, bare-boned last-minute festival listings:
March 5-7 Winthrop Hot Air Balloon Festival , Winthrop, Washington, 888-463-8469 March 5-7 Old Mill Trade Days, Post, Texas, 806-495-3529 March 6-7 Virginia Craft & Art Festival, N. Virginia Community College, Annandale, Virginia, 717-337-3060 March 6-7 Mendocino Whale Festival, Mendocino, California, 707-961-6303 March 6-7 Rocky Mountain Arts & Crafts Festival, MetraPark Montana Pavilion, Billings, Montana, 406-657-1440 March 6-7 Downtown Venice Art Classic, Centennial Park, Venice, Florida, 941-484-6722 March 6-7 Georgia Art & Rubber Stamp Festival, Gwinnett Convention Center, Duluth, Georgia, 800-224-6422 March 13-14 Rattlesnake Roundup, Claxton, Georgia, 912-739-2281 March 14 Wistaria Festival, Sierra Madre, California, 626-306-1150 March 14 Jewish Festival, Melbourne Auditorium, Melbourne, Florida, 321-636-1824 March 19-21 Sugarloaf Crafts Festival, Expo Center, Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania, 301-990-1400 March 19-21 Jonquil Festival, Old Washington Historic State Park, Washington, Arkansas, 870-983-2660 March 20-21 Maple Syrup Festival, Mapleberry Farms, Waverly, Ohio, 740-947-2331 March 25-28 Festival of Flowers, Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama, 251-639-2050 or 877-777-0529 March 26-28 Aleutian Goose Festival, Crescent City, California, 800-343-8300 March 26-28 East-Maui Taro Festival, Hana, Maui, 808-248-8586 March 27 Attapulgus Dogwood Festival, Attapulgus, Georgia, 229-465-3482 March 27 Mud Dauber Festival, Luckenbach Dancehall, Fredericksburg, Texas, 830-997-3224 March 27-28 Wild Hog Festival & Craft Fair, Sabinal, Texas, 830-988-2709 March 27-28 Herb & Garden Festival, Downtown, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, 228-875-4424 March 27-28 South Texas Polka & Sausage Festival, Knights of Columbus Hall, Hallettsville, Texas, 361-798-2311 March 27-April 11 National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, D.C., 202-662-7596
Other March 2004 Events You Might Enjoy
March 5-7 Spring Craft Show, Valley Hills Mall, Hickory, North Carolina, 828-433-1803 March 5-7 Dixieland Monterey, various venues, Monterey, California, 831-633-5053 or 888-349-6879 March 5-7 Home & Recreational Expo, Sports Complex, St. Albans, Vermont, 802-796-4010 March 5-14 Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show, David L. Lawrence Conv. Ctr., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania March 6-7 Train Show, Fairgrounds, Longview, Texas, 903-753-9512 March 6-7 Oakville Arts & Crafts Show, Oakvale Senior High School, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-416-1444 March 12-14 Bustamante Antique Show & Sale, Conference Center, Pasadena, California, 209-358-3134 March 12-14 Storytelling Festival, County High School, Mariposa, California, 800-903-9936 March 12-14 Custom Car Show, Great Falls, Montana, 406-727-8900 March 12-21 The Book and the Cook Culinary Market, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 215-545-4543 March 13-14 Big Sale (of used Books), National Guard Armory, San Rafael, California, 415-892-0238 March 13-14 Shipshewana On The Road (Craft Show), Expo Center, Birch Run, Michigan, 989-624-4665 March 13-14 Arts & Crafts Sale, Affton High School, Affton, Missouri, 314-832-9093 March 13-15 Pleasure Island Festival of Art, Lake Shelby, Gulf Shores, Alabama, 251-981-1852 March 14 Gospel Brunch With A Texas Twist, Gruene Hall, Greune, Texas, 830-606-1281 March 20 Conch Shell Blowing Contest, Key West, Florida, 305-294-9501 March 20-21 Calico Spring Arts & Crafts Show, Moultrie, Georgia, 229-985-1968 March 20-21 American Craft Council Show, GA World Congress Bldg., Atlanta, Georgia March 20-22 Home Condo & Garden Show, Ocean City, Maryland, 410-524-7020 March 25-28 Texas Storytelling Festival, Civic Center Park, Denton, Texas, 940-387-8336 March 25-28 Palm Beach Boat Show, Downtown, West Palm Beach, Florida, 800-940-7642 March 27-28 Atlantique City Spring Festival, Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 800-526-2724 March 27-28 Florida International Air Show, Charlotte Cty Airport, Punta Gorda, Florida, 941-575-9007
It's always best to call ahead to verify festival information. Please tell them you saw the listing in Deb's Monthly Review.

Trade something you have for something you want! Keep more of your cash-- And barter! Check out Santa Cruz Barter!

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 This spring he's a henchman let loose on the big screen!!! Starsky & Hutch opens March 5, 2004

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. Only a small sample of her work is illustrated online. Talk to her about what you're looking for!

There's a great group of people doing crocheted afghans for residents of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. I've found out recently that there are actually quite a few men who crochet--so guys, don't be put off by the idea that needlework is just for women. And this is not overwhelming work for those who are pressed for time, or who might need short term goals. They are happy to have you do a square at a time if you can't do whole afghans. Check them out at Love Afghans. Many thanks to Karyn D. for the great tip.
Planning a trip out of the U.S. for the first time? Here's the basic information about how and where to obtain a passport.		Are you getting married soon? Here's a different idea for wedding favors, and it's easy on the recipents' waistlines. Give wildflower seeds.

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