Deb's Monthly Review

November 2007

Editor: Deb Thompson deb@lightpatch.com

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

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	The Artsy Site Of The Month: Artist-in-Residence Create in one of 29 National Parks.		Handy Site Of The Month: Veterans Day Official celebrations, history, more.
	Just Fun Site Of The Month: Human Clock Human-produced photos of the time.		Scientific/Technical Site Of The Month: Brain Teasers Is half of two plus two equal to two or three?

 November 2007 Festivals and Events

Need a place to stay? Days Inn - Great San Francisco rates! Wingate Inns - Great Columbia, SC rates! Ramada - Great Washington D.C. rates! Howard Johnson - Great Anaheim rates! Travelodge - Great Las Vegas rates! Super 8 - Great NYC rates! Knights Inn - Great value on the road.

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

November 2-3, 2007 Florida Seafood Festival Battery Park, Apalachicola, Florida	Redfish Run Sat. at 7am, oyster shucking contest, parade Sat. at 10am, maritime and fishing industry exhibits, seafood and other treats, arts and crafts, blessing of the fleet, oyster eating contest, festival merchandise, plus music from King Cotton, Rebel Syndicate, Sammy Kershaw and others. Get Details: Call 888-653-8011
November 2-3, 2007 Pomegranate Festival Old Logandale School on Moapa Valley Blvd., Logandale, Nevada	Enjoy arts and crafts, entertainment, festival foods, all sorts of pomegranate-related goodies for sale. Hours are 10am-5pm. Find Out More: Call 830-374-3161
November 2-3, 2007 Urbanna Oyster Festival Downtown, Urbanna, Virginia	Celebrate 50 years with pirates and storytelling, festival parade on Saturday, arts and crafts, festival foods, oyster shucking contest, Fireman's Parade with more than 80 units, musical entertainment on several stages, pageants, clowns, games, activities for kids, merchant specials. Questions? Call 804-758-0368
November 2-4, 2007 Heritage Harbor Days Heritage Park, Foley, Alabama	Wooden boat show, cultural exchange with this year's sister city (Winchester, Tennessee), arts and crafts, model train exhibit, petting zoo, carnival, pony rides, musical entertainment, stories, Cajun (and other) foods, children's art village, 5K Gobble Wobble road race (plus a 1-mile fun run), chuckwagon cooking demonstrations, quilters. There will also be a pancake breakfast Saturday morning from 7-9am at the First Baptist Church (info for breakfast only is available by calling 251-943-8467). It's the festival's 7th year. Further Information: Call 251-943-1200
November 2-4, 2007 Alabama Pecan Festival Tillman's Corner Community Center (5055 Plantation Road), Mobile, Alabama	Song writing/talent contest, carnival, pecan pie and other pecan goodies, talent contest for kids, gospel music, food vendors, pageant, entertainment, arts and crafts, activities for kids. Get The Facts: Call 251-401-5555
November 2-4, 2007 Flapjack Festival Land O' Lakes Community Center on Hwy. 41, Pasco, Florida	Free flapjacks from 8-10am on Saturday, Mr. Legs Contest Sat. at 7pm, flapjack eating contest, rides, parade at 11am on Saturday, talent show, arts and crafts, magic show, entertainment. It's the festival's 30th year of fun. Learn More: Call 813-909-2722
November 2-4, 2007 Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival Seville Square, Pensacola, Florida	Sidewalk art, sand art, face painting, art projects for kids, festival merchandise, music on 2 stages, arts and crafts, heritage craft demonstrations, festival foods. Hours are 9am-6pm on Friday and Saturday and 9am-4pm on Sunday. There is no admission charge. Details: Call 800-874-1234
November 2-4, 2007 Savannah Seafood Festival River Street area, Savannah, Georgia	Mullet Toss, GSU fish printings, roving entertainers, arts and crafts, games, Zydeco and Reggae (and other) music, tours aboard local fishing vessels, seafood and other treats, fireworks Friday night. Come and have fun at this 26th year. Further Information: Call 912-234-0295
November 2-4, 2007 Louisiana Swine Festival various venues, Basile, Louisiana	Hog calling contest, activities for kids, Dollar Short and other musical entertainment, greasy pig chase, carnival rides and games, pageants, barbecue competitions, boudin eating contest, parade at 1pm on Saturday, Swine Festival Mass at St. Augustine Church. Questions? Call 337-230-1479 or email laswinefestival@yahoo.com
November 2-4, 2007 Louisiana Pecan Festival Front Street downtown, Colfax, Louisiana	Arts and crafts, pageant, contests, food, parade, musical entertainment and more. It's the festival's 39th year. Get The Facts: Call 318-627-5196
November 2-4, 2007 Special Olympics Fall Festival Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania	For a 19th year the student volunteers will gather athletes from 44 counties and help host 400 coaches. Athletes participate in bocce, soccer, volleyball, long-distance running, roller skating and roller hockey. Events are held rain or shine. (Some events are hosted at Shipley School in Bryn Mawr and at Skate 309 in Hatfield.) Volunteers are always welcome and the public is invited to come and cheer. Additional Details: Call 610-519-7244
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November 2-11, 2007 National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds on Hwy. 231 South, Dothan, Alabama	It's the event's 64th year of fun. Enjoy a demolition derby, pageants, petting farm, recipe contest, cake decorating contest, livestock shows, fireworks, costume contest, choral festival, strolling mariachi band, karate tournament, antique tractor display, clown school, parade. Among those scheduled to entertain are the Monument Quartet and Darryl Worley. Learn More: Call 334-793-4323 or 866-277-3962-726-6273
November 3, 2007 Jackson Fall Festival Commerce Street area downtown, Jackson, Alabama	Arts and crafts, lumberjack competition, food vendors, entertainment, car show. The fun goes from 10am-4pm. There is no admission charge. Questions? Call 251-246-3251
November 3, 2007 Down Home Days Community Church of the Nazarene on SR 26, 2 mi. west of town, Trenton, Florida	This year the festival is not being sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce and has a new venue. Plans for this 23rd year include arts and crafts, games, food vendors and lots of music. Enjoy the fun from 9am-3pm. Get The Facts: Call 352-463-7282 or 352-463-1057
November 3, 2007 Georgia Pecan Festival Rylander Park, Americus, Georgia	Come and help celebrate this 4th year with a parade at 11am, arts and crafts, 5K run at 8am and a 1-mile walk at 9am, musical entertainment, KidZone, Pecan Pick-Up Contest, hot dog eating contest, hot air balloon rides (weather permitting), pecan baking contest, festival foods. There is no admission charge to the festival. Further Details: Call 229-924-2646
November 3, 2007 Cotton Gin Festival Downtown, Bostwick, Georgia	Plan to enjoy this 18th year with horse drawn wagons that shuttle festival-goers to and from the parking area. There will be a parade, entertainment (bring your own blankets to sit on), tours of the cotton gin, 4-mile and 1-mile fun runs, festival merchandise, arts and crafts, festival foods. Info: Call 706-342-0182
November 3, 2007 Mule Day Mule Day Grounds, Calvary, Georgia	Contests are held for Purtiest Mule, Ugliest Mule and Most Ornery Mule. See costumed mules, barrel-racing mules and log-pulling mules in competition. There will also be a parade, turkey shoot, several hundred arts and crafts booths, petting zoo, flea market, cane juice making and cane syrup making, sunrise breakfast, freshly-ground corn meal and food vendors with goodies to suit everyone. It's the 35th year for this one. Find Out More: Call 229-377-3663 or 229-377-6859
November 3, 2006 Granite City Fall Festival On the Square, Elberton, Georgia	Festival foods, entertainment, arts and crafts, activities and rides for the kids. Additional Details: Call 706-213-0626
November 3, 2007 Sweetwater Festival Historic Downtown's 200 S. Hancock Street, Milledgeville, Georgia	The event is back for a 4th year with arts and crafts, BBQ cookoff, entertainment, KidZone, book fair, antique car show, EndZone sport lounge. Please leave pets comfortably at home while you come to enjoy the festival. Questions? Call 478-414-4014
November 3, 2007 Monticello-Jasper County Deer Festival Downtown, Monticello, Georgia	It's the 41st year for this festival. Plan to enjoy the 5K and 1-mile Deer Dash, a parade, arts and crafts and entertainment. Festival hours are 8am-5pm. Info: Call 706-468-8994
November 3, 2007 Crossroads Pumpkin Fest Historic downtown, Statesville, North Carolina	Musical entertainment, pumpkin painting, Pumpkin Chunkin' Catapult Championship, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin smashing, more than 80 arts and crafts booths, food vendors, Pumpkin Fest 5K Run, downhill skateboard races, pumpkin pie eating contest, Food Lion Kid Zone. The fun goes from 10am-5pm during this 5th year. Questions? Call 877-531-1819 or 704-878-3436
November 3-4, 2007 Litchfield Park Festival of the Arts Library Park Library (101 W. Wigwam Blvd.), Litchfield Park, Arizona	The festival is celebrating its 37th year. Enjoy a book sale, antique sale, wine tasting, entertainment, activities for kids, artist demonstrations, international food court, more than 300 arts and crafts booths. Festival hours are 9am-5pm. There is no admission charge. Learn More: Call 623-393-6673 or 623-393-7820
November 3-4, 2007 Toccoa Harvest Festival Doyle Street area downtown, Toccoa, Georgia	In its 31st year the festival offers a 5-K run/walk, activities for kids, activities for teens, classic car cruise-in, entertainment, produce and baked goods, food, arts and crafts, horse and wagon rides. Hours are 10am-5pm on Saturday and noon-4pm on Sunday. Get The Facts: Call 706-282-3269
November 3-4, 2007 Giant Omelette Celebration Magdalen Square, Abbeville, Louisiana	Kid's World, arts and crafts, poker run, tractor egg cracking competition, Tour of Homes, food vendors, antique farm implements on display 3-mile walk (fundraiser for March of Dimes), antique cars, and the making of a 5000-egg omelette on Sunday, which is then served to festival-goers. Details: Call 337-893-0013
November 3-4, 2007 Picayune Street Fair Canal Street area downtown, Picayune, Mississippi	Antiques and collectibles, Tung Blossom 5K run/walk, musical entertainment, helicopter rides, rock climbing wall, antique cars, pony rides, festival foods such as Greek and Chinese dishes, barbecued meats and roasted corn. Also in the plans are martial art demos plus arts and crafts. Find Out More: Call 601-799-3070
November 3-10, 2007 Vardaman Sweet Potato Festival various venues, Vardaman, Mississippi	Enjoy this 34th year with a pageant, arts and crafts, Student Government Day, Harvest Banquet on Sat. at 6:30pm in the Vardaman Gym, 5K run/2-mile walk (on Nov. 3), sweet potato cookbooks, tasting booth, fresh sweet potatoes for sale and more. Find Out More: Call 662-682-7559
November 4, 2007 Fall Back Festival Gaslamp Quarter (5th & Island), Crystal City, Texas	Enjoy gold panning, historical and archeological info, puppet shows, wagon rides, pony rides, face painting, crafts, food, entertainment. The Festival is particularly aimed toward children's fun. It's the 7th year for this one. Find Out More: Call 830-374-3161
November 8-11, 2007 Cracklin' Festival Veterans Park, Port Barre, Louisiana	Cracklin' cooking contest, parade down Saizan St. on Saturday at 10am, pageant, entertainment, Cajun foods, arts and crafts. It's the festival's 22nd year of fun. Questions? Call 337-585-6673 or 337-585-6251
November 8-11, 2007 Spinach Festival Downtown, Crystal City, Texas	Enjoy arts and crafts, cooking contests, games, musical entertainment, Crystal City High School Class of 1982 Class Reunion. Find Out More: Call 830-374-3161
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November 9-11, 2007 Fountain Festival of Arts & Crafts Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, Arizona	Breakfast and lunch festival foods, nearly 450 artisans showing and selling their work, music, shaded seating areas for munching. There is no charge to park and no admission charge. Expect to rub elbows with more than 200,000 other visitors. Get The Facts: Call 480-337-1654
November 9-11, 2007 St. Rita Pecan Festival St. Rita Church School at 7100 Jefferson Hwy., Harrahan, Louisiana	Now in its 16th year, the festival offers fun such as carnival games and rides, musical entertainment, arts and crafts and plenty of festival foods, including tamales, nachos, seafood gumbo, pizza, pecan pie and fudge. There is no admission charge. Questions? Call 504-737-2915
November 10, 2007 Old South Day Community Civic Center on Spense St., Ochlocknee, Georgia	This event is celebrating its 31st year. There will be arts and crafts, entertainment, living museum, cane syrup made in open kettles, parade, old-fashioned country fair, food, more. Breakfast is at 6am, so arrive early and then stay for general festival hours of 9am-4pm. There is no admission charge. Find Out More: Call 229-574-5375 or 229-574-5151
November 10, 2007 Thibodeauville Fall Festival Downtown, Thibodeauville, Louisiana	Rubber duck race on Bayou Lafourche, arts and crafts, antiques and collectibles, Cajun and other festival foods, musical entertainment on several stages, car show. Hours are 8am-5pm. Details: Call 985-446-1187
November 10, 2007 Society Hill Catfish Festival St. David's Academy on South Main, Hartsville, South Carolina	Games, activities for kids, music, 5K run/walk at 8am, food court, parade at 11am, arts and crafts. General hours are 9am-4pm. It's the 21st year for this one. More: Call 843-378-4681 or 888-427-8720
November 10-11, 2007 Holidays in Loxley Municipal Park, Loxley, Alabama	This event was formerly called the Loxley Arts & Crafts Festival. Enjoy arts and crafts, activities for children, heritage crafts, art for children, food vendors, Christmas Tree Lane, fire department demos, music. There is no admission charge. Questions? Call 251-970-3068 or 251-964-5638
November 10-11, 2007 Homosassa Arts, Crafts & Seafood Festival Mason Creek Road at Yulee Drive, Homosassa, Florida	Now in its 33rd year, this festival celebrates with 175 artisans, a raffle for a boat plus nautical art and golf packages, special postal cancellation, musical entertainment, door prizes. Military personnel who arrive in uniform will be admitted free of charge. Festival hours are 8am-5pm on Sat. and 8am-4:30pm on Sun. When you get the munchies you can enjoy barbecue specialties, Cajun dishes, seafood platters, cream puffs, smoothies, chocolate-covered strawberries and hot fudge cake. Please leave pets safely at home. More than 50,000 festival-goers are expected to enjoy this year's fun. Further Info: 352-628-2666
November 10-11, 2007 Three Rivers Art Festival North Columbia Street area, Covington, Louisiana	The event celebrates 11 years in 2007. Enjoy a food court, art area for kids, 180 juried artisans, craft demonstrations, Three Rivers Run (5K and 1-mile). Hours are 10am-5pm and there is no admission charge. Get The Facts: Call 985-871-4141 or 985-705-7968
November 11, 2007 Elegant Evening Downtown Downtown area, Paso Robles, California	From 5-8pm you can enjoy a carriage ride through the streets or stroll past luminaries along the sidewalks and catch the entertainment from minstrels as they move through the downtown area. The local merchants open their doors with refreshments and specials for you to browse. But wait a moment before you wander inside. You should take a moment to check out those window displays, which are actually made up of living mannequins from the local dance studio. Further Details: Call 805-238-4103
November 16-17, 2007 Elk Falls Annual Open House 7th & Osage Streets, Elk Falls, Kansas	Outhouse tour of themed outhouses plus a contest for favorites, merchant specials and open houses, arts and crafts, quilt show, food, walking tours, flea market. Learn More: Call 620-329-4425
November 16-17, 2007 Rock Falls Hometown Holidays various locations, Rock Falls, Illinois	Entertainment, wagon rides, a dance, refreshments, crafts, tree lighting, activities for kids, live reindeer on display, Santa Claus Parade. Additional Information: Call 815-625-4500
November 16-18, 2007 Folk Fair International Wisconsin State Fair Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin	The All Nation Theater provides entertainment from locales such as Africa, Russian and Scotland. Shop an international bazaar with arts and crafts, dance to waltz music, stop by the coffee house, listen to a variety of music, check out the displays of Egyptian culture. Education Day will be full of workshops, language classes and foods from all over the planet. A 5K run will also be held on Sunday morning. Questions? Call 414-225-6225 or 800-FAIR-INTL
November 17, 2007 Peterman Station Arts & Crafts Festival Main Street, alongside railroad tracks, Peterman, Alabama	This event is held about 5 miles north of Monroeville and is celebrating its 24th year. There will be more than 100 arts and crafts booths, activities for the kids, musical entertainment, and plenty of festival foods, including some with a Southern flair (cracklin' bread, collards and more). The fun goes from 9am-4pm and there is no admission charge. Find Out More: Call 251-564-2260
November 17, 2007 Pecan Fest Walnut Street at 5th Street, Chetopa, Kansas	Plans for this 7th year include a car show, community lunch, pecan harvesting demonstrations, pecan cooking contest, games, arts and crafts, quilt show, 5K run/walk, music, vendors, talent contest, pecan pies. Hours are 9am-4pm and there is no admission charge. Additional Facts: Call 620-236-7511 or 620-238-7541
November 17-18, 2007 Mountain Mandarin Festival Gold Country Fairgrounds, Auburn, California	The festival celebrates 14 years with cooking demos, mandarin orange cookbook sales, recipe contests, fresh mandarins for sale, festival foods with mandarin oranges (and the juice), displays, activities for kids, arts and crafts, music. There is a fee to park but no admission fee. Hours are 9am-5pm on Sat. and 9am-4pm on Sun. Further Info: Call 916-663-1918
November 17-18, 2007 Ramble-A Garden Festival Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Coral Gables, Florida	Now in its 67th year, this festival offers an opportunity to just browse or to buy all sorts of plants from this 83-acre site. There will also be an artist marketplace, farmers market, antiques and collectibles, activities for kids and food. Festival hours are 9am-4:30pm. Learn More: Call 305-667-1651
November 18, 2007 Poinsettia Festival Coast Hwy. from D to J Streets, Encinitas, California	A blend of non-profit, commercial, antique and arts and crafts add up to an impressive 450 booths at this event. Enjoy 3 stages of entertainment, activities for kids, poinsettias (and other flowers) on display at the Capital Flower Pavilion. Food is available at nearby restaurants. Details: Call 760-945-9288 or 760-943-1950
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November 18, 2007 International Pickle Festival Community Center on Rt. 32, Rosendale, New York	It's the festival's 10th year. Come and enjoy ethnic music and dancing along with a pickle juice drinking contest, judging of canned pickled produce, a Pickle Toss (grab a partner and try to toss as many pickle chips into his or her mouth as you can), pickle products for sale, festival foods. (Try the pickle soup!) Additional Information: Call 845-658-9649
November 23, 2007 Holidays Happen Town Center on Market St., Reston, Virginia	Race for the Kids run at 7:30am, holiday parade at 11am, fun and photos with Santa, holiday tree lighting in the evening. Enjoy a brass quintet and songs (with help from the Reston Chorale). There will also be carriage rides around town and other fun. Get The Facts: Call 703-689-4699
November 23-25, 2007 Rockland Festival of Lights various venues, Rockland, Maine	The Coast Guard brings Santa to the Public Landing on a boat. There is a lighting of the lobster trap holiday tree on Friday night with cookies and other refreshments. You can also enjoy Santa's workshop, historic inn tours, craft and home decor workshops, horse-drawn carriage rides, merchant specials, craft market. Eat, Drink and be Merry on Main draws a good crowd and you can enjoy a Parade of Lights Sat. evening (followed by caroling and hot chocolate). Santa will attend the community pancake breakfast on Sunday morning and there will be time for pictures plus games played for prizes. Learn More: Call 207-596-0376 or 800-562-2529
November 24, 2007 Olde Fashion Christmas at Home various venues, Gustine, California	Fire truck rides, local museum open houses, lighted truck and tractor parade down 5th Street, Community Breakfast at Al Goman Center from 8-11am, fun with Santa, Christmas tree lighting, arts and crafts, music. Details: Call 209-854-2384 or 209-854-2003
November 24, 2007 Swine Time Festival Swine Time Grounds on US Hwy. 84, Climax, Georgia	Some 35,000 people are expected to attend this event. Enjoy 3 stages of entertainment, 5K run, Swine Time Parade at 10am, pony rides, hog calling contest, corn shucking contest, arts and crafts, festival foods, quilt auction, Best Dressed Pig Contest, quilt making demonstrations. There is no admission charge. Get The Facts: Call 229-248-8850
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November 24, 2007 Chitlin' Strut Civic Center & Fairgrounds, Salley, South Carolina	Plans for this year include a car show, Idol Contest (the Friday night prior to the main Festival), Chitlin' Strut Dance Contest, pancake breakfast from 7-11am at Dean Swamp Masonic Lodge, festival foods, arts and crafts, carnival (arrives earlier in the week), pageant, antique tractor show, Hawg Calling Contest and more. Further Information: Call 803-258-3485
November 24, 2007 Christmas in Olde Ballinger County Courthouse lawn, Ballinger, Texas	Food vendors, arts and crafts, games for the kids, parade, tree lighting, visit from Santa. Hours are 9am-5pm. Learn More: Call 325-365-2333 or 325-365-5611
November 24-25, 2007 Space Coast Art Festival Downtown (along A1A & Minuteman Causeway), Cocoa Beach, Florida	If you happen to get into town earlier in the week you can get in on the Thanksgiving 5K Turkey Trot at 7:30am. Otherwise, the weekend fun should include art activities for kids, general activties for kids, arts and crafts, student art show, music, food court and more. It's the festival's 44th year. Details: Call 321-784-3322
November 24-25, 2007 Victorian Christmas Festival on 6th Street Historic 6th Street, Austin, Texas	Pirates of the Caribbean Treasure Hunt, music and dance ensembles, caroling by choirs and other ensembles, strolling barbershop quartets, carnival rides, roving magicians, arts and crafts, street vendors, plus the likelihood of a few entertaining brawls by performers. It's the festival's 13th year and hours are 11am-8pm on Saturday and 11am-7pm on Sunday. Some 125,000 are expected to come out for the fun. Additional Facts: Call 512-441-9015
November 29-Dec. 2, 2007 Pirates in Paradise Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Key West, Florida	There's a lighted holiday parade and visits from literary and historical writers. Much of the fun centers on Tall Ships and mock pirate attacks on Fort Taylor. Skirmishes may also break out in the crowd as costumed actors and stunt performers liven things up for your entertainment. There will also be museum displays, stories and sea chanteys at the Pirate Tavern (Friday and Saturday only), Theives' Market, a celebration marking the Official End of America's Hurricane Season, the National Walk the Plank Championships and even a historic reeactiment of a Pyrate Trial (Sat. at 11am). Some activities may require separate fees or reservations (particularly those involving a trip aboard ship). Further Info: Call 305-296-9694
November 30-December 1, 2007 Santa Fest Stancil Park on Peach Street, Cleveland, Texas	Karaoke, pageant, vendors, food fest, Breakfast with Santa, Lighted Christmas Parade, Battle of the Bands and more. Questions? Call 281-592-8786
November 30-December 1, 2007 Christmas Festival on Holiday Sqaure Heritage Square downtown, Sulphur Springs, Texas	Arts and crafts, Christmas parade, bed races, tours of the courthouse, trolley rides to Heritage Park, lighting of the town tree and more. Get The Facts: Call 888-300-6623
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November Somethings! Brief, bare-boned last-minute festival listings:
Nov. 1-3 Greek Fest (45th), 50 S. Ann Street, Mobile, Alabama, 251-438-9888 Nov. 2-3 Pig on the Ridge, Downtown, Ridgeway, South Carolina, 803-337-8880 or 803-337-2213 Nov. 2-4 World Champioship Punkin Chunkin,                    near Bridgeville on Chaplin's Chapel Rd. off Deer Forrest Rd., Millsboro, Delaware, 302-684-8196 Nov. 2-10 American Indian Film Festival (32nd), San Francisco, California, 415-554-0525 Nov. 2-11 Wurstfest, Landa Park, New Braunfels, Texas, 830-625-9167 or 800-221-4369 Nov. 3 Harvest Festival, 11am-5pm, County Park, Johns Island, South Carolina, 843-795-4FUN Nov. 3-4 Halifax Art Festival, Beach Street downtown, Daytona Beach, Florida, 386-441-2776 or 800-854-1234 Nov. 3-4 Festival of the Arts (36th), 9:30am-4:30pm, Inverness, Florida, 352-726-3913 Nov. 3-4 Seafood & Arts Festival (19th), E.G. Simmons Park, Ruskin, Florida, 813-645-3808 Nov. 4 World's Championship Shrimp Cookoff (14th), 10am-6pm, Port Isabel, Texas, 800-527-6102 Nov. 7-11 Bald Eagle Festival (13th), Haine, Alaska, 907-766-2202 or 907-766-3094 Nov. 7-11 Bull Fest, Robstown, Texas, 956-240-5900 Nov. 9-11 Hudson Seafest, USA Flea Market, Hudson, Florida, 727-236-3854 or 800-842-1873 Nov. 9-11 Greek Festival (44th), Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Pensacola, Florida, 800-874-1234 Nov. 9-11 International Tamale Festival (3rd),                    MacArthur Park (7th between Parkview & Alvarado), Los Angeles, California, 323-318-4563 Nov. 9-11 Irish Festival, State Fairgrounds, Timonium, Maryland, email irishfest07@comcast.net Nov. 9-11 Greek Festival, 2020 NW 21st St., Fort Worth, Texas, 817-626-5578 Nov. 9-11 Scottish Clan Gathering & Highland Games, Salado, Texas, 254-947-5232 Nov. 10 Turkey Trot, 9am-3pm, downtown, Collinsville, Alabama, 256-524-2788 Nov. 10 Medomak Valley Arts & Crafts Festival, Miller School on Rte. 32, Waldoboro, Maine, 207-832-0329 Nov. 10 Great Day in the Country, Elementary School grounds on Broadway St., Oviedo, Florida, 407-365-9420 Nov. 10 Heritage Syrup Festival (19th), 9am-5pm, 514 N. High, Henderson, Texas, 903-657-4303 or 866-650-5529 Nov. 10-11 Downtown Festival & Art Show (26th), 10am-5pm, downtown, Gainesville, Florida, 352-334-5064 Nov. 15-19 Indy's International Festival, State Fairgrounds on E. 38th St., Indianapolis Nov. 16-17 Festival of Trees (6th), Convention Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi, 601-630-2929 Nov. 17 Seaside Treasure Festival, Galveston, Texas, 409-744-4526 Nov. 17-18 Mobile Renaissance Faire, Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds at Cody & Ziegler, Mobile, Alabama, 877-429-8462 Nov. 17-18 ArtFest, 10am-5pm, Civic Center Plaza, Scottsdale, Arizona, 480-968-5353 or 888-278-3378 Nov. 17-24 World's Championship Duck Calling Contest & Wings Over the Prairie Festival (72nd),                    Main Street, Stuttgart, Arkansas, 870-673-1602 Oct. 20-21 Missouri Day Festival, Oklahoma Avenue, Trenton, Missouri, 660-359-4324 Nov. 23 Festival of Lights, 5:30-8pm, Main Street, Placerville, California, 530-672-3436 Nov. 23 Festival of Lights, downtown, Yountville, California, 707-944-0904 Nov. 23 Christmas on the Square, Courtyard Square, Belleville, Kansas, 785-527-2310 or 785-527-5524 Nov. 25-Dec. 1 Christmas on the River, Demopolis, Alabama, 334-289-0270
Other November 2007 Events You Might Enjoy Events in this section may also be called festivals but are generally less multi-dimensional than events in the above category
Nov. 2-3 Arkansas Valley Arts & Crafts Fair, Pope County Fairgrounds, Russellville, Arkansas, 479-229-4200 or 479-968-3208 Nov. 2-3 Library Book Sale,                    8am-4pm, Train Depot on U.S. 41 across from City Hall, Dunellon, Florida, 352-489-4196 Nov. 2-3 Bookworm Bash, 9am-6pm, addison Circle Park, Addison, Texas, 800-233-4766 Nov. 2-4 Farscape Convention, Airport Marriott on Hollywood Way, Burbank, California, 818-409-0960 Nov. 2-4 Southern Colorado Holiday Food & Gift Festival,                    Expo Center at 1515 Auto Mall Loop, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 888-412-5015 Nov. 2-4 Old Farmhouse Christmas Arts, Crafts & Antiques Show (15th), 9615 N. Loop Rd., Pensacola, Florida, 850-492-7502 Nov. 2-4 Antique & Collectibles Show, South Florida Expo Center, West Palm Beach, Florida, 561-640-3433 or 800-640-FAIR Nov. 2-4 Telfair Art Fair (13th), Telfair Square, Savannah, Georgia, 912-790-8800 Nov. 2-4 United Fan Con, Springfield Marriott, Springfield, Massachusetts, 781-986-8735 or email chairman@unitedfancon.com Nov. 2-4 Stargate SG-1 & Stargate Atlantis Convention,                    Crown Plaza Meadowlands Hotel, Seacaucus, New Jersey, 818-409-0960 Nov. 2-5 National Farm Toy Show,                    Beckman High School & National Farm Toy Museum, Dyersville, Iowa, 563-875-2311 or 800-533-8293 Nov. 3 Harvest Artwalk, downtown, Ventura, California, 805-648-2075 or 805-658-4760 Nov. 3 Harvest Pumpkin Craft Festival, 9am-4pm, 1200 Lakeshore Drive, Yukon, Oklahoma, 405-350-8937 Nov. 3 Holiday Craft Sale, 9am-3pm, High School, Lancaster, Wisconsin, 608-723-2173 Ext. 354 Nov. 3-4 Great Rubber Stamp Fall Fiesta (11th), Convention Center, Mesa, Arizona, 417-443-2231 Nov. 3-4 Intertribal Marketplace,                    10am-5pm, (Nov. 2nd members only), Autry National Center in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California, 323-667-2000 Nov. 3-4 Vintage Computer Festival 10.0, Computer History Museum, Mountain View, California, 925-294-5900 Nov. 3-4 Paso Gathering (aka Annual Western Art & Trappings),                    Pioneer Museum, Paso Robles, California, 805-239-4566 Nov. 3-4 Midwestern Woodcarvers Show (37th), 9am-5pm/10am-4pm, Belle-Clair Expo Hall, Belleville, Illinois, 618-235-1003 Nov. 3-4 Christmas in New Orleans Crafts Expo,                    Ponchartrain Center at 4545 Williams Blvd., Kenner, Louisiana, 504-796-5853 Nov. 3-4 Twin Cities Chocolate Extravaganza, 11am-5pm,                    Convention Center on Second Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minnesota, tickets 651-209-6689, info mspchocolateshow.com Nov. 3-4 Clinton Fine Arts & Crafts Festival, High School, Clinton, New York, 315-853-5574 Nov. 3-4 Gun Show, Western Washington Fairgrounds, Puyallup, Washington Nov. 4 Taste of the Town, Centennial Park, Fort Meyers, Florida, 239-277-1197 Nov. 4-11 Miami Book Fair International, NE Second Ave. at 4th Street., Miami, Florida, 305-237-3258 Nov. 6-8 Wichita Farm & Ranch Show, Kansas Coliseum, Wichita, Kansas, 316-755-1243 Nov. 6-8 YMCA Christmas Market (32nd), Convention Center, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 423-265-8834 Nov. 7-11 Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, 302-645-9095 Nov. 7-11 American Sandsculpting Championship (21st),                    Fort Myers Beach, Florida, 866-916-7283 Nov. 8-10 Mistletoe Mart, Church of the Ascension on Court St., Westminster, Maryland, 410-848-3251 Nov. 8-10 Mistletoe Marketplace, Mississippi Trade Mart, Jackson, Mississippi, 601-948-2357 Nov. 8-11 Sacramento International Auto Show, State Fairgrounds, Sacramento, California, 916-635-2728 Nov. 8-11 Fall AutoFest (23rd), Festival Park, Zephyrhills, Florida, 813-258-6726 Nov. 8-11 Fall Festival Craft Show, Canterbury Park, Shakopee, Minnesota, 952-445-7223 Nov. 8-11 Dickens Christmas Show (26th), Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 843-448-9483 Nov. 9-10 Blue Angels Homecoming Show,                    Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, 850-452-2583 or 800-874-1234 Nov. 9-11 New England Craft & Specialty Food Fair, Rockingham Park Racetrack, Salem, New Hampshire, 603-332-2616 Nov. 9-11 Weems Artfest, State Fairgrounds, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 505-293-6133 Nov. 9-11 Chocolate Show, 125 W. 18th St., New York, New York, 866-248-2692 Nov. 9-11 Astronomicon 11,                    Clarion Riverside Hotel at 120 E. Main, Rochester, New York, 585-342-4697 or email chair@astronomicon.info Nov. 9-11 YMCA Crafts Fair, University Mall, Blacksburg, Virginia, 540-552-9686 Nov. 9-11 Northern Virginia Christmas Market, Dulles Expo & Convention Center, Chantilly, Virginia, 757-417-7771 Nov. 10 Meadowcrest Arts & Crafts, Green County High School, Greensboro, Georgia, 800-886-5253 Nov. 10 Homemade Holidays Craft Show, Ottawa Middle School, Ottawa, Kansas, 785-242-8618 Nov. 10 Fall Art & Craft Show, 10am-5pm, Community Center, Burnet, Texas, 512-756-0834 Nov. 10 Great Hartford Craft Exposition,                    9am-4pm, Hartford Union High School on Cedar St., Hartford, Wisconsin, 262-673-5033 or 262-670-0117 Nov. 10-11 Gun Show, Seaside Park at County Fairgrounds, Ventura, California, 805-648-3376 Ext. 2 Nov. 10-11 Flamingo Follies Art Show, 9am-5pm, Flagler Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, 386-424-2175 Nov. 10-11 Sound the Alarm Christmas Bazaar, New Castle, Indiana, 765-521-4965 or 765-529-8122 Nov. 10-11 Herkimer County Arts & Crafts Fair, Community College, Herkimer, New York, 315-866-0300 Nov. 10-11 Autumn Art & Craft Festival (12th),                    10am-6pm/10am-5pm, University Sports Complex Arena, Stony Brook, New York Nov. 11 Hudson Valley Railroad Society 36th Annual Railroad Exposition,                    10am-3pm, Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, New York, 845-297-0901 Nov. 13-14 Christmas Boutique & Angel Street Cafe, 601 Claymont Drive, Ballwin, Missouri, 636-394-2233 Nov. 16 Holiday Lighted Parade, 6:30pm, Northville, Michigan, 248-349-7640 Nov. 16 Window Wonderland, 7-9:30pm, downtown, Wooster, Ohio, 330-262-6222 Nov. 16 Arts & Antiques Open House in Olde Towne, Portsmouth, Virginia, 757-405-3500 Nov. 16-17 Memories Scrapbooking Expo, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, 740-452-4541 Nov. 16-17 Broadmoor High Art & Craft Festival,                    Broadmoor High School at 9650 Goodwood Rd., Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 225-926-1420 Nov. 16-17 Wizard World Texas, Convention Center on Ballpark Way, Arlington, Texas, email conventions@wizardworld.com Nov. 16-18 Stargate SG-1 & Stargate Atlantis Convention, Burbank Marriott, Burbank, California, 818-409-0960 Nov. 16-18 Gingerbread Village, Church of the Magadalen at 12626 E. 21st N., Wichita, Kansas, 620-683-4788 or 620-744-2836 Nov. 16-18 Louisiana Highland Games, Jackson, Louisiana, 225-927-2944 or 225-344-7228 Nov. 16-18 Paradise City Arts Festival,                    Royal Plaza Trade Center, Marlborough, Massachusetts, 413-587-0772 or 800-511-9725 Nov. 16-18 Zia Arts & Crafts Festival, State Fairgrounds, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 505-823-1092 Nov. 16-18 Art Walk, 2-9pm, Canandaigua, New York, 585-396-0300 Nov. 16-18 Greater Pittsburgh Arts & Crafts Holiday Spectacular,                    Monroeville Expo Mart on Rt. 22, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, 724-863-4577 Nov. 16-18 Capital City Art & Craft Show, Civic Center, Charleston, West Virginia, 304-345-7469 or 304-345-1500 Nov. 16-18 Wasatch Gun Show, CAM-PLEX, Gillette, Wyoming, 801-466-7556 Nov. 17 Potpourri Craft Show (18th), High School, Enfield, Connecticut, 860-324-8976 Nov. 17 Merritt Pottery Show & Sale, 8am-3pm, next to Courthouse, Knoxville, Georgia, 478-474-7833 Nov. 17 Arts & Crafts Fair, Rec Center/Burlington High School on Cross St., Burlington, Kansas, 620-364-8484 Nov. 17 Hainesport Train & Railroadiana Show,                    10am-3pm, Hainesport Public School on Broad Street, Hainesport, New Jersey, 856-816-8802 Nov. 17 Gazette Holiday Parade, 5pm, State Street & Erie Blvd., Schenectady, New York, 518-372-5656 Nov. 17 Craft Show, 8am-4pm, Linton Middle School on Aster St., Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, 412-244-9440 or 412-798-2147 Nov. 17 Pfall Pfest Arts & Crafts Show, 9am-4pm, Rec Center on Immanuel Rd., Pflugerville, Texas, 512-251-5082 Nov. 17 WCTC Craft Fair, 800 Main St., Pewaukee, Wisconsin, 262-691-5470 Nov. 17 Jaycees Arts & Crafts Fair, Richland Middle School on Hwy. 80 S., Richland Center, Wisconsin, 608-647-5501 Nov. 17 Holiday Marketplace, County Fair Park, West Bend, Wisconsin, 262-334-2402 Nov. 17-18 Gem & Mineral Show, Community Center on Hobson Way, Oxnard, California, 805-644-6450 Nov. 17-18 Christmas on Vinegar Hill (19th), Mt. Pulaski, Illinois, 217-792-5698 Nov. 17-18 Boston Super Megafest, Framingham Sheraton, Framingham, Massachusetts, 800-505-8697 Nov. 17-18 Deer Widows Weekend, Outlets on Beyer Rd., Saginaw, Michigan, 989-624-6226 Nov. 17-18 Christmas Arts & Crafts Extravaganza (36th),                    Show Me Center & Osage Center, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, 573-334-9233 Nov. 17-18 Band Booster Holiday Spirit Craft Fair (22nd),                    Parkway South High School on Hanna Road, Manchester, Missouri, 314-415-7786 Nov. 17-18 Gun Show, Cashman Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, 405-842-3277 Nov. 17-18 Best Friend of Charleston Train Show,                    9am-5pm/10am-4pm, Armory at 5000 Lackawanna Blvd., North Charleston, South Carolina, 843-760-7405 Nov. 17-18 Holiday Craft Show, Fairfax High School on Old Lee Hwy., Fairfax, Virginia, 703-246-6321 Nov. 17-18 Capital of the Confederacy Civil War Show, 9am-3pm, Raceway Complex, Richmond, Virginia, 804-928-1006 Nov. 18 Tejano Super Car Show (36th), County Coliseum, Odessa, Texas, 432-337-2189 Nov. 21 Christmas in the Sky, Longview Lake Beach, Blue Springs, Missouri, 816-503-4830 Nov. 23 Lighted Christmas Parade , 6pm, 13th & Main, Clarinda, Iowa, 712-542-2166 Nov. 23 Christmas Light Parade, Center Avenue, Oakley, Kansas, 785-672-4862 Nov. 23 Sundance Square Parade of Lights (25th), 6pm, Fort Worth, Texas, 817-255-5700 or email festivalinfo@dfwi.org Nov. 23-24 Winter Art & Craft Fair, Seasons Convention Center on Hwy. 46, Nashville, Indiana, 812-587-5068 Nov. 23-25 Loscon 34, Los Angeles Airport Marriott, Los Angeles, California, 818-760-9234 or email registrar@lasfs.info Nov. 23-25 Christmas Classic Arts & Crafts Show,                    10am-5pm, Dome Center at Monroe County Fairgrounds, Henrietta, New York, 315-686-5789 or 585-334-4000 Nov. 23-25 Holiday Craft & Gift Show (30th), Wisconsin Expo Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 414-321-2100 or 717-796-2380 Nov. 24 Jacksonville Light Parade, 7pm, Downtown Riverfront, Jacksonville, Florida, 904-630-3690 Nov. 24 Rockets Over the Red, 4-9pm, River View Park, Shreveport, Louisiana, 318-222-7403 Nov. 24 Christmas Parade, 6:30pm, Town Square, Garnett, Kansas, 785-448-6767 Nov. 24 Homemade for the Holidays (21st), 9am-4pm, Pottorf Hall in CiCo Park, Manhattan, Kansas, 785-293-5712 Nov. 24 Lighted Christmas Parade (21st), Main Street, Russell, Kansas, 785-483-2897 Nov. 24 Twinkle Light Parade, 5:15pm, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 505-768-3555 Nov. 24-25 Lakes Region Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair,                    Opechee Conferernce Center on Elm St., Laconia, New Hampshire, 603-528-4014 Nov. 24-25 Mid-Ohio-Con, Battelle Hall at Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio, 419-526-1427 or email answerman@midohiocon.com Nov. 24-25 Gun show, Lane County Fairgrounds, Eugene, Oregon Nov. 24-25 Holiday Craft Fair, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 215-579-5997 Nov. 24-25 Gig Harbor Winterfest Arts & Crafts Fair, Peninsula High School, Gig Harbor, Washington, 253-530-4400 or 253-858-8674 Nov. 25 Mid-America Train & Toy Show,                    9am-2pm, BTC Exhibit Hall at I-435 & Front Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 913-561-5864 or 913-680-0404 Nov. 25 Volunteer Fire Dept. Pancake & Sausage Brunch, 9am-1pm, North Washington, Pennsylvania, 724-894-2064 Nov. 27 Christmas Parade, Emporia, Kansas, 620-342-1600 Nov. 27-29 Farm & Ranch show, Civic Center, Amarillo, Texas, 806-378-4297 Nov. 28-Dec. 2 Pennsylvania Christmas & Gift Show (24th),                    Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex at Cameron & MaClay, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 717-233-5100 Nov. 29 Baldwin Pops Concert(free), 7:30pm, Civic Center, Foley, Alabama, 251-988-1260 Nov. 29-Dec. 2 St. Petersburg Boat Show, 400 First Street S., St. Petersburg, Florida, 800-940-7642 Nov. 29-Dec. 2 Lamb's Farm Holiday Art & Craft Fair (27th), Convention Center, Rosemont, Illinois, 630-325-8080 Nov. 30-Dec. 1 Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair,                    10am-8pm/10am-4pm, County Fairgrounds on Hwy. 152, Watsonville, California, 831-724-5671 or 831-761-1442 Nov. 30-Dec. 2 Fairfield Christmas Tree Festival (26th), Burr Homestead on Old Post Rd., Fairfield, Connecticut, 203-254-3491 Nov. 30-Dec. 2 Greenwich Antiques Show (50th), Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, Old Greenwich, Connecticut
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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 Meet Scott at Mid-Ohio-Con in Columbus, Ohio November 24-25!

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: 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!

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.

A couple of drive-through gems: Deep-fried pickles from Bearcat Restaurant on S. Broadway in Booneville, Arkansas. Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken Salad from Coconut Joe's (4026 E. Indian School) in Phoenix. Do call ahead! 602-667-0930 Not drive-through, but worth getting out and going up to the window for: Nut Burger from Sunflower Drive-In on Fair Oaks, Blvd. in Fair Oaks, California. 916-967-4331 Go inside for the show: Cliff divers and shootouts at Casa Bonita. 303-232-5115
Wow your holiday guests with ice sculptures you make yourself. Molds are available from Sculptures in Ice.		Remember Cabbage Patch Kids? Did you know about Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia? You can adopt a Kid or send your Kid to CPK Bath Camp.
Tired of cranberries the same old way? Royal Ruby Cranberries' site has a nice set of links to cranberry recipes. Sweet potatoes don't always have to be gooey with marshmallows. Try some Louisiana Vegetable Soup or Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges.

(Link broken—Zinos.com is up for sale.)

Send Deb email: deb@lightpatch.com

Last Updated October 26, 2007

Deb's Monthly Review © copyright Deb Thompson