Deb's Monthly Review

September 2008

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 "Science is organized, knowledge. Wisdom is organized life." --Immanuel Kant

To parents, teachers, and other guardians of children: The Review is a place where adults or kids should be able to stop by and browse comfortably. But, remember - I have no control over outside links. For happiest results, please surf the Web with your kids!

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Call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) and push 1 to talk to someone. Nobody has the right to hurt you and then tell you not to tell. It's important to talk about it. Tell someone!

	The Artsy Site Of The Month: National Cartoon Museum Dick Tracy, Charlie Brown, Mickey Mouse and all the rest		Handy Site Of The Month: Patterns of Time catalog It's not too early to get started on that Halloween costume (or just build a great vintage wardrobe). Even the pattern catalog sketches will give you great ideas.
	Just Fun Site Of The Month: Word Freak Flash Game A challenging little puzzle		Scientific/Technical Site Of The Month: National Agricultural Library Plants, animals, research, legislation and more

 September 2008 Festivals and Events

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

September 2-6, 2008 Wellston Coal Festival Downtown, Wellston, Ohio	Enjoy Go-cart races, Youth Day, karaoke, pageant, Senior Day, square dancing, quilt & craft show, antique tractors, parades, tours of a working mine, Coal Miner Olympics, line dancing, sundae eating contest, art show, classic cars, dessert making contest. Learn More: Call 740-364-5141
September 3-7, 2008 Defeat of Jesse James Days Downtown area, Northfield, Minnesota	Plans for this 60th year include musical entertainment, pedal tractor pull, garden tractor pull, grand parade Sunday at 2pm, car show, pancake breakfast at the VFW building on Sunday from 8-11am, food court at Bridge Street, Jesse James Bike Tour, festival merchandise, vintage baseball, rodeo, bank raid re-enactments, 15K run & 5K walk/run, Horseshoe Hunt scavenger competition, bingo, arts and crafts, golf tournament, Western-style steak fry, carnival. Details: Call 507-645-5604
September 3-7, 2008 Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival Civic Park on Daugherty Drive, Reynoldsburg, Ohio	Reynoldsburg celebrates 43 years of fun with tomato judging (September 1-2), pizza taste-off, free tomato juice samples, car & motorcycle cruise-in, carnival rides, arts and crafts, exhibits, Civil War re-enactors and encampment, Civil War Grande Ball, pageant, ladies tea & fashion show, senior bingo, Top Dog Parade on Saturday, festival foods. Further Information: Call 614-866-2861
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September 4-6, 2008 Grape Fall Festival Nelson Hart Community Park & downtown, St. James, Missouri	It's the 75th big year for this one. Enjoy carnival rides, exhibit halls, games for kids, street market, exhibits from 4-H kids, livestock show & buyer's dinner, demolition derby, bingo, talent contest, parade at 11am on Saturday, wine garden, greased pig contest, grape stomping, horseshow tournaments, food, classic cars, entertainment. Get The Facts: Call 573-265-7013 or 573-265-3899
September 4-6, 2008 Marion Popcorn Festival Downtown, Marion, Ohio	Popcorn 5000 5K run, Popcorn 100 Bicycle Tour, Poppin Pooch Pageant, 45-plus softball tournament, opportunity to visit the Wyandot Popcorn Museum, merchant specials, scholarship pageant, Marion Midget Football, senior rest area, carnival midway, commercial booths, music, festival merchandise, activities for kids, arts and crafts. This year's theme is "The Big Pop Goes South of the Border". More: Call 740-387-8919
September 5-6, 2008 Grain Valley Fair Daze Community Center (and other venues), Grain Valley, Missouri	The festival celebrates 22 years this season. Enjoy arts and crafts, entertainment, games and rides, commercial vendors, parade, festival foods, possibly a frog jumping contest. Questions? Call 818-647-2627
September 5-7, 2008 Broom Corn Festival Downtown, Arcola, Illinois	Antique tractors on display, arts and crafts, parade on Saturday, 5K & 10K race (plus a 5-mile walk), National Broom Sweeping Contest, food booths, carnival rides, lawnmower races, beer & wine tent with a big screen TV, broom making demonstrations, music, Tanger Outlets sidewalk sale in nearby Tuscola. It's the event's 38th year. Learn More: Call 217-268-4530 or 800-336-5456
September 5-7, 2008 Popeye Picnic Downtown, Chester, Illinois	Have fun at this 29th year with arts and crafts, Popeye's 5K run/walk & 1.5 mile fun run/walk, carnival rides, giant inflatables and puppets for the kids, Army exhibit, Goon Island sand sculpting, Popeye Museum & Store, remote control model plane air show, volleyball tournament, petting zoo, Heartland Championship Wrestling, washer tournament, Bluto Look-A-Like Contest, fireworks, sacred concert at St. Mary's Church, Randolph County Humane Society Pet Show, raffles, smorgasbord, video game challenge, parade at 11:30am on Saturday. Further Details: Call 616-828-5000
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September 5-7, 2008 Posen Potato Festival Various venues downtown, Posen, Michigan	VFW dinner, carnival rides, K of C bingo, buttermilk pancake breakfast on Sunday at the VFW Hall, potato dish contest, Bump & Run, musical entertainment, grande parade (11:30am on Sunday), kiddie parade, antiques, festival lunches and dinners, polka folk mass at St. Casimir, potato pancake breakfast at Green Pavilion on Saturday, country dance, potato displays and industry info, flea market, polka dance. Additional Facts: Call 989-766-8128
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September 5-7, 2008 Boxelder Bug Days Downtown, Minneota, Minnesota	Run the Bug 5K run/walk on Saturday, arts and crafts, parade, pedal tractor pull, boxelder bug races, sports events. Learn More: Call 507-872-6790 or 507-872-5256
September 5-7, 2008 Niagara County Peach Festival Academy Park, Lewiston, New York	Peach Fuzz Contest, Tribute to Elvis, parade at 11am on Saturday, arts and crafts, carnival rides, entertainment, 5k run/walk and 1 mile walk, festival foods, cheerleading competition, fresh peach treats such as peach shortcake, peach dessert baking competition, pageant. Info: Call 716-754-7214 or 716-754-9500
September 5-7, 2008 Mantua Potato Festival Buchert Park on East High Street, Mantua, Ohio	Balloon art, parade at 2pm on Sunday, raffle, potato chip eating contest, games and rides, pageant, entertainment, potato baking contest, Potato Stomp road race and 1 mile fun run, plenty of festival foods. General hours are 6-11pm on Friday, 8:30am-midnight on Saturday and 1-7pm on Sunday. There should be lots of fun during this 35th year. Get The Facts: Call 330-274-0770
September 5-7, 2008 Clinton County Corn Festival County Fairgrounds on West Main, Worthington, Ohio	Parade on Saturday at 10am, games, festival foods, Corn Olympics, music, antiques, antique farm equipment on display, festival foods. Questions? Call 887-428-4748
September 5-7, 2008 Melon Festival Riverbend Park, Winston, Oregon	Now in its 26th year, the festival offers a Bike Lights Parade, Celebration Parade, Pet Parade, Kid Zone, arts and crafts, film festival, music and more. Details: Call 541-681-4108
September 5-7, 2008 Huckleberry Festival Daubenbeck Park, Bingen, Washington	Egg toss, watermelon eating contest, sawdust coin hunt for the kids, beverage garden, talent show, parade at 11am on Saturday, arts and crafts, entertainment, Firemen's Breakfast at White Salmon Fire Department, classic cars on display, huckleberry pie and other festival foods. More: Call 509-493-5294
September 6, 2008 Valparaiso Popcorn Festival Downtown, Valparaiso, Indiana	It's the Festival's 30th anniversary. Plan to help celebrate with hot air balloon glows and launches, a theatre performance of "Jungle Book", games and stories for the kids, rides for the kids, Popcorn Parade, Popcorn Panic 5 mile run and 5K walk, entertainment, food booths, street dance, arts and crafts. Please, no in-line skates or skateboards and no pets. (Working service animals are welcomed at festivals.) Get The Facts: Call 219-464-8332
September 6, 2008 Spinach Festival Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park at 87th & Lackman Roads, Lenexa, Kansas	Antiques, arts and crafts, water play area, paddleboats on the lake, pony rides, face painting, making of the World's Largest Spinach Salad, food and drink vendors, Green Rock Skipping, cane pole fishing for kids, Popeye's Pyramid (spinach stacking), Spinach Recipe Contest, puppets, Kiwanis pancake breakfast from 7:30-11am at the fire station parking lot. The general fun goes from 9am-5pm. Info: Call 913-541-8592 or 913-541-0209
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.
September 6-7, 2008 Tracy Dry Bean Festival 10th & Central Streets downtown, Tracy, California	It's the 22nd year for this one. Plans include a chili bean cook-off, bean tasting pavilion, BBQ and other festival foods, arts and crafts, commercial vendors, musical entertainment plus an appearance by Spirits of the Old West. Get Details: Call 209-835-2131 or 209-835-2244
September 6-7, 2008 Baltimore Festival Johnson Park, Baltimore, Ohio	Birds of Prey exhibit, silent auction, festival foods, Imagination Zone for kids, strolling entertainment plus entertainment on stage, more than 180 arts and crafts vendors. General hours are 9-6 on Saturday and 9-5 on Sunday. There is an admission charge for those age 12 and older. Please do not bring outside food or beverages to the event and please leave pets safely at home while you enjoy the fun. It's the festival's 19th anniversary. Further Facts: Call 303-688-4597
September 6-7, 2008 Eastport Salmon Festival Downtown, Eastport, Maine	Chowder and chili sale, museum displays, 5K run/walk (plus a 1-mile race for the kids), motorcycle show and rally for school supplies, sailboat sail-by, arts and crafts, antiques, educational displays and salmon industry information, aquaculture info, wine & beer tent, Paint Eastport Day at Eastport Gallery with a Silent Auction. Be on the lookout because pirates may be roaming the area and mingling with the crowds. Find Out More: Call 207-853-4644
September 6-7, 2008 Central New York's TomatoFest Emerson Park, Auburn, New York	Top Tomato Talent Contest, Reptile Rescue info, tomato toss, face painting, veggie art contest, tomato parade, musical (and other) entertainment, commercial vendors, arts and crafts, farmers market. Food vendors will offer such treats as fried green tomatoes, chicken BBQ, pasta and fried dough. Come and enjoy this 23rd celebration. Additional Information: Call 315-255-1658 or 315-253-6569
September 6-7, 2008 Clothesline Festival University Avenue, Prince Street & Goodman Street area, Rochester, New York	Now in its 52nd year, the festival brings fun such as student art, festival merchandise, art (and other) activities for kids, entertainment, food concessions, several hundred artisans showing and selling their work. Please, no skateboards, inline skates or bikes. The event is held, rain or shine, from 10am-6pm on Saturday and 10am-5pm on Sunday. Kids age 11 and younger are admitted free with a paying adult. Questions? Call 585-473-7720
September 6-7, 2008 FunFest Downtown, Hazelton, Pennsylvania	Run for the Gold 5K run/walk plus Kid Race, hot wings contest, musical entertainment, giant helium balloons, classic cars, rides and games, craft show, activities for kids, activities for seniors, teen activities, chili cookoff, drawings for prizes, parade, fireworks. The theme for this 30th year is "Racing Around the Globe". There is no admission charge. Find Out Details: Call 570-435-1508 or 800-OKF-FEST
September 6-7, 2008 Mushroom Festival Downtown, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania	5K run/walk, music, cooking demonstrations, Mushroom Bobbing Contest, growers' mushroom judging, parade at 10am on Saturday, arts and crafts, fresh mushroom soup cooking competition, dance party, art show, fresh mushrooms for sale, remote control model plane air show, festival merchandise, classic cars, prostate cancer screening, activities for the kids, fresh mushroom sales, painted mushroom silent auction, antique fire truck display, cute baby contest. Please leave pets at home while you come to enjoy this 23rd year of fun. Further Details: Call 610-925-3373 or 888-440-9920
September 6-13, 2008 McClure Bean Soup Festival Moondust Meadows on Old Stage Road, McClure, Pensylvania	Celebrating an impressive 117 years, the festival folks still serve up the famous bean soup from big iron kettles the same way they have for generations. You can also enjoy entertainment (bring a lawn chair), basket bingo, Tae Kwan Do demos, pageant, kennel club demonstrations, pet photo contest, parade, horseshoe pitching contest, Baby Bean Photo Contest, chili contest, horse show, shoe box floats, activities for kids, scarecrow contest, pony rides, pumpkin decorating contest and more. Get Details: Call 800-338-7389
September 11-13, 2008 Seymour Apple Festival Downtown, Seymour, Missouri	It's the 36th year for this event. Apple baking contest, arts and crafts, food booths, contests, pageant, apple peeling contests, youth games, parade on Saturday, evening music (bring a lawn chair). Further Information: Call 417-935-4801 or 417-935-2257
September 11-14, 2008 Grapevine Grapefest Main Street, Grapevine, Texas	Help celebrate this 22nd year with a golf tournament, ice carving, Kid Zone, grape stomp, a whopping 6 stages of entertainment, cooking demos, wine and food pairings, wine tasting, wine auction, tennis tournament, arts and crafts. Kids under age 6 get in free. Some activities may require a separate fee and/or reservations. Please leave pets at home when you come to enjoy the festival. Learn More: Call 817-410-3185 or 800-457-6338
September 12-14, 2008 Blue Springs Fall Fun Festival Main Street, Blue Springs, Missouri	Parade on Saturday at 10am, area for kids, carnival, arts and crafts, lip sync contest, beverage garden, food booths, commercial booths, 3 stages of entertainment. Get The Festival Facts: Call 816-228-8322
September 12-14, 2008 Greentree Festival Kirkwood Park at Geyer & Adams, Kirkwood, Missouri	Arts and crafts (Sat. & Sun.), parade, cutest baby contest, folklife artisans and re-enactors, kids' dog show, entertainment, book fair, classic cars, Canine Frisbee Contest, wine garden, game booths, senior bingo, activities for kids. Hours for this 48th year are 5-10pm on Friday, 8:30am-7pm on Saturday and 10am-5pm on Sunday. Find Out Details: Call 314-821-4181
September 12-14, 2008 Eugene Celebration Downtown, Eugene, Oregon	Bike Lights Parade, KidZone, Celebration Parade, pet parade on Sunday, film festival, arts and crafts, music and more. It's the festival's 26th anniversary. Further Information: Call 541-681-4108
September 12-14, 2008 Peanut Butter Festival Gumtown Park, New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania	Now in its 13th year, the festival offers fun such as the Peanut Butter Cook Off, parade Saturday at 3pm on Broad Street, carnival, 5K run and 2-mile walk, mountain bike race on the 13th, classic car cruise-in, festival foods, arts and crafts, music. Get The Facts: Call 814-275-1718 or 814-275-3929
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September 12-14, 16, 18, 19-20, 2008 Jesse James Festival Festival Grounds on Hwy. 33, Kearney, Missouri	Fishing tournament at the lake, rodeo, festival dances (age 21 and over), teen dance, arts and crafts, parade at 10am on the 20th, apple pie contest, grandstand entertainment, demolition derby, carnival, activities for kids, mule show, pony rides, mud volleyball, 5K/10K run and 5K walk, fire apparatus show, BBQ competition, breakfast buffet, firefighter contest, horseshoe pitching tournament, chainsaw carving, food and drink. Please do not bring outside beverages or coolers to the festival. It's the 38the year for this event. Questions? Call 816-628-4646
September 13, 2008 King Turkey Day Various venues, Worthington, Minnesota	Pancake breakfast from 9am-noon, Great Gobbler Gallop Turkey Race at 1:30pm, King Turkey Day Parade after the Gallop (bring your lawn chair), festival foods, junior varsity volleyball, flea market at Fourth Avenue & 10th Street, baseball card show at Northland Mall. Learn Details: Call 507-372-2929 or 800-279-2929
September 13, 2008 Okrafest Downtown, Checotah, Oklahoma	Activities for kids, car show, entertainment, arts and crafts, free fried okra, food and drink vendors. The fun goes from 10am-4pm. Further Information: Call 918-473-4178
September 13, 2008 Kolache Festival Courthouse Square, Caldwell, Texas	For a 24th year you can celebrate with a classic car show, golf tournament, co-ed softball tournament, Kolache Krunch 5K run/walk, arts and crafts booths, kolache bake show, antique tractors and engines on display, polka music, more than 30 food concessions, parade of costumes, kolache (and other pastries) for sale, Czech craft demonstrations, Czech meal and street dance the night before, kolache eating contest, museum displays. Find Out Details: Call 979-567-0000
September 13-14, 2008 Ohio Pawpaw Festival Lake Snowden, Albany, Ohio	This year marks the festival's 10th season. Pawpaw Cook-Off, beer garden, face painting, games for kids, music, information booths and displays, wildlife preservation exhibits, commercial vendors, arts and crafts, food, fresh pawpaws for sale, cooking demonstrations, festival foods, conservation and agricultural workshops, 1770 encampment. There is an admission charge for those age 12 and older. Get The Facts: Call 740-992-7992 or 800-878-9767
September 13-14, 2008 Maple Fall Festival Wildwood Park at 1800 S. Central Ave. (Hwy. 13), Marshfield, Wisconsin	American Heart Walk on Saturday morning, pancake and maple syrup breakfast both days from 8am-2pm, Dress a Sunflower Contest for kids, giant sunflower contest, 20/40/64/100-mile bicycle tours on Sunday, more than 150 arts and crafts booths, maple sundaes and other maple treats plus festival foods, entertainment, area especially for kids. There is a lot of fun planned for this 16th year. General hours are 9am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday. Further Information: Call 715-384-4314 or 800-422-4541
September 14, 2008 Pet Rock Festival Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester, Massachusetts	Dog agility course, dog contest for best ears and waggiest tale, celebrity guests and speakers, Adoptable Dog Parade, information on rescue and adoption of animals, Doggie Water Park, vendors, raffle, doggie massages, festival merchandise, activities for kids, entertainment, vegetarian food court. Leashed pets are welcomed. There is an admission charge and the funds raised at the event assist local animal shelters and other charities. The festival celebrates 10 years in 2008. Learn More: Call 508-749-3166
September 16-20, 2008 Jackson County Apple Festival Downtown, Jackson, Ohio	Plans for the 2008 festival include freshly-made apple butter, arts and crafts, quilt show, rides and games, contests, entertainment, sports events, apple treats and festival foods, apple peeling contest, parades, apple pie baking contest and more. Questions? Call 740-286-1339
September 18-21, 2008 Nappanee Apple Festival Downtown, Nappanee, Indiana	Pedal tractor pull, carnival, quilt exhibit, pageant, commercial booths, cheerleading competition, apple peeling contest, frog jumping contest, farm equipment show, road run on Sunday, classic cars and cruise-in, Apple Dumpling Contest, garden tractor pull, parade, BBQ challenge, baking contests, cross-cut saw contest, pancake breakfast, fire apparatus on display, apple pie eating contest, biscuits and gravy breakfast Saturday from 6-10am, arts and crafts, Baby Olympics, horseshoe pitching, apple fritters, apple butter and plenty of festival foods. It's the festival's 33rd anniversary. Find Out Details: Call 574-773-7812
September 18-21, 2008 Golden Delicious Festival Courthouse area, Clay, West Virginia	Art auction, ladies' skillet flingin' contest, apple pie eating contest, chili cook-off, Hula Hoop Contest for the grown-ups, 5K walk/run, local musical entertainment, rope jumping contest, horseshoe pitching contest, motorcyle show, karaoke, patriotic ceremonies, gospel sing, Oreo Cookies stacking contest, outdoor drama, antique cars, cereal eating contest, bubble gum blowing contest for kids ages 7-10, festival parade at 1pm on Saturday. The festival is celebrating its 35th season. Further Information: Call 304-587-4455
September 19-20, 2008 Rhythm & Ribs Raley Field at 400 Ball Park Drive, Sacramento, California	Join in the fun this 6th year with a rib cooking contest, arts and crafts, music from local bands, activities for kids, commercial vendors, food. Get The Facts: Call 916-376-4675
September 19-20, 2008 Festival of the Forks Downtown, Albion, Michigan	Class Reunion Cruise-in and Dinner, parade on Saturday at 10am, festival merchandise, tribute to Louis Armstrong, library book sale, clowns, flea market, music, food vendors, basketball tournament, arts and crafts. This year marks the 42nd season of the event. Questions? Call 517-629-5533
September 19-21, 2008 Francesville Fall Festival Downtown, Francesville, Indiana	Carnival rides and games, chicken dinner, arts and crafts, antiques, fireworks, baking contest, 3-on-3 basketball, dog show, American Legion fish and tenderloin fry, entertainment, stonewheel pottery demonstrations, baked goods auction, parade at 2pm on Saturday, 5K walk/run on Saturday at 8am, cornhole tournament, festival foods. It's the event's 38th year. Learn More: Call 219-567-9689 or 219-567-2234
September 19-21, 2008 Clark County Mule Festival County Fairgrounds on Route EE, Kahoka, Missouri	Costume contest, saddle give-a-way, quilt give-a-way, mule polo, mule pulls in various classes, mule parade, team mule roping and penning, mule jumps, bareback mule riding, silent auction, trail rides, festival merchandise, breakfast, arts and crafts, musical tires (a little like musical chairs), flea market. Two of the most popular events are the back-to-back race, in which two riders must switch positions on a mule without dismounting and the Dolly Parton race, in which each rider wears a huge bra filled with water balloons and attempts to finish a race without losing the balloons. It's great fun and the mules enjoy their games, so go and cheer them on. Find Out Details: Call 660-866-2330 or 660-727-3295
September 19-21, 2008 Southside Fall Festival & Rodeo Hyde Park & South Street, St. Joseph, Missouri	Food court, parade on Saturday at 10am, professional rodeo events (at the Stockyard Arena), karaoke, arts and crafts, pony rides and other activities for kids, baby contest, fireworks and 2 stages of musical entertainment. Among those scheduled to appear at this writing are True North, The Variety Pack and Vandal-snook. There will be plenty of fun for this 20th year. Further Information: Call 815-238-3515
September 19-21, 2008 Pennsylvania Bavarian Oktoberfest Downtown, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania	Bavarian products, festival foods, activities for children, arts and crafts, music and dance, fireworks and more. Questions? Call 724-745-1812
September 19-21, 2008 Jordan Fall Festival Festival grounds on Beaver Street, Jordan, New York	This 62nd season brings carnival rides and games, teen karaoke, a pancake breakfast Sunday at 8am, pumpkin painting, greased pole climb, classic cars (plus a bike & truck show), arts and crafts, games for kids, music, antique tractor and engine display, entertainment, merchants tent, festival foods, pre-read book sale, Alpine Run. General hours are 5-10pm on Friday, 10am-10pm on Saturday and 11am-5pm on Sunday. There is no admission charge. Learn More: Call 315-889-9423 or 315-730-7498
September 19-21, 2008 German Russian Schmeckfest Various venues, Eureka, South Dakota	Quilt exhibit at the Gary Krein Insurance Building, music and dance, antique tractor pull at the Horse Arena, car and tractor show, German dinner, fresh kuchen cakes. Info: Call 605-284-5137 or 605-284-5110
September 20, 2008 Sunflower Fair Downtown, La Porte, Indiana	Music, activities for kids, arts and crafts, antique auto show, art gallery walk, kids' coloring contest, collectibles, festival foods, American Red Cross 5K run and health walk, trolley rides, sunflower contests for largest and tallest sunflower. It's the festival's 9th year. Additional Details: Call 219-362-2084
September 20, 2008 Bethel Harvest Fest Village Common on Broad Street, Bethel, Maine	Farmers market, festival foods, bike tours, wagon rides, apple picking, hiking, chainsaw carving, Chowdah Cook-Off, fresh apples for sale, canoeing, arts and crafts, demonstrations, musical entertainment, apple pie baking contest. Find Out More: Call 207-824-2282 or 800-442-5826
September 20-21, 2008 Johnny Appleseed Festival Johnny Appleseed Park & Archer Park, Fort Wayne, Indiana	In its 34th year the festival offers fun such as entertainment on 4 stages, historical displays, re-enactments, antiques, an old-time medicine show (for fun only with no sales), farmers market, arts and crafts, blacksmithing demonstrations, wool-spinning demonstrations, activities for children. There will be a fife, pipe and drum corps gathering and you may get to hear Abraham Lincoln (Fritz Klein) give a speech or two. The food is either open grilled or cooked in big kettles. Expect something like chicken and dumplings, cornbread, turkey legs, buffalo burgers, apple cider and fried apples with cinnamon and sugar. Questions? Call 260-427-6003
September 20-21, 2008 Big River Days River Front Park, Clarksville, Missouri	Storytelling, square dances, Kincaid Puppets, historic re-enactments, Birds of Prey info, Students' Day on Friday, recycling demos, fall plants for sale, historic and conservation info, trout pond, Native American encampment, activities for kids, tours of the lock, festival foods. The area was recently dealing with flooding, so do be especially certain to call and double-check all information. Further Information: Call 573-242-3336 or 573-242-3112
September 20-27, 2008 Persimmon Festival Main Street area, Mitchell, Indiana	For a 62nd year folks in Mitchell celebrate persimmons with a Persimmon Pudding Contest, pageants, community dinners, a pancake breakfast at the Masonic Lodge from 6-11am on the 27th, Red Cross blood drive, antique tractor and machinery show, music, karaoke, photo contest, quilt display, arts and crafts, 5K/1-mile run and 5K walk, historic walking tours, horseshoe pitching tournament, World Persimmon Series, ham radio exhibit, emergency equipment day, community yard sale, kids' art exhibit, commercial vendors, lip sync contest, road rally and scavenger hunt. Learn More: Call 812-849-4441 or 800-580-1985
September 24-27, 2008 Black Walnut Festival City Park and other venues, Stockton, Missouri	Street dance, craft demonstrations, entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, pageant, festival parade at 2pm on Saturday, food. It's the festival's 48th season. Get The Facts: Call 417-276-5213
September 24-27, 2008 Ohio Swiss Festival Main Street (and other venues), Sugarcreek, Ohio	Kids' parade, Swiss music and dancing, festival grande parade, wine and cheese tasting, arts and crafts, Swiss costumes, pageant, Swiss wrestling and stone throwing, possibly a yodeling competition. There is a parking fee but no admission charge to the event. More: Call 330-852-4113 or 888-609-7592
September 25-28, 2008 World Chicken Festival Downtown, London, Kentucky	The festival celebrates 19 years in 2008. The parade is on Saturday at 11am down Main Street and is themed "Worldwide Home Pride". You can also enjoy a car show, carnival rides and midway, voleyball tournament, festival foods, arts and crafts, chicken served from a very large frying skillet, activities for kids, cooking contest. Additional Details: Call 606-878-6900 or 800-346-0095
September 25-28 2008 Barnesville Pumpkin Festival Downtown, Barnesville, Ohio	Farm equipment on display, classic cars, fudge making contest, pageant, dance at the Elks Lodge, talent show, pumpkin pie contest, art show, horticultural displays, pumpkin pies for sale, decorated pumpkin contest, carnival rides, media broadcasts, 5K Pumpkin Run and Fitness Walk, crafts, pumpkin roll contest, music, soup and sandwich lunches, miniature train rides, pet show, quilt show, parade at 2pm on Saturday, book sale, storytelling competition, hog calling contest, festival foods and plenty of pumpkin treats such as pumpkin ice cream and pumpkin doughnuts. Further Information: Call 740-425-2593
September 25-28, 2008 Preston County Buckwheat Festival Various venues, Kingwood, West Virginia	Farmer's Day Parade, Fireman's Day Parade, School Day Parade (on Friday), buckwheat cake and sausage dinners, trampoline show, pet show, horse pull, bicycle decorating contest, arts and crafts, fireworks Friday night at 10pm (rain date is Saturday night at 10pm), carnival rides (opening Wednesday evening), livestock judging, agricultural exhibits. 2008 marks the 67th year for this festival. More: Call 304-379-2203
September 26-27, 2008 Oktoberfest Unity Village (M-350 Hwy. & Colbern Road), Lee's Summit, Missouri	Face painting, puppets, bratwurst eating contest, pancake breakfast 7:30-11am on Saturday, activities for kids, arts and crafts, bingo, root beer chugging contest, biergarten, German music and dance. Oom-pah! Details: Call 816-524-2424
September 26-27, 2008 Shakin' in the Shell Festival & Car Show Just off Hwy. 39, Shell Knob, Missouri	The festival is back for its 3rd year. Celebrate with the Boats and Sports Vehicles Show, Guitar Hero Contests, Port-A-Potty decorating contest, beer garden, fish fry, carnival, Celebrity Chef Challenge, food fair, Ugly Dog Contest, tricycle decorating contest, musical entertainment. General hours are 6-10pm on Friday and 10am-10pm on Saturday. Get The Facts: Call 417-858-6674 or 417-858-3300
September 26-28, 2008 Wanatah Scarecrow Festival Various venues downtown, Wanatah, Indiana	Tallest sunflower contest, largest zinnia contest, pancake breakfast on Sunday from 8am-1pm, musical entertainment, rock climbing wall, food vendors, American Legion dance, car show, fish fry, 5K run and 3K walk, pedal tractor pull, scarecrow sculpting for small children, bingo, scarecrow displays throughout the town, karaoke, civic booths, Heaviest Pumpkin Contest (and other contests), Scarecrow Scamper fun run for kids ages 2-9, arts and crafts. Please, no pets, alcohol, smoking, bikes, lasers, weapons or silly string. Take the free shuttle between main venues. There is parking along the railroad tracks, at the school and at the American Legion Hall, with plenty of signs to guide you to the fun. Get The Facts: Call 219-733-2183 or 800-584-1417
September 26-28, 2008 Mississippi Pecan Festival Wingate Road, Richton, Mississippi	The event takes place in a pecan orchard on Wingate Road (between Hwy. 49 & Hwy. 15). Expect crafts demonstrations, pecan pies, arts and crafts booths, pecan charity baking contest, antiques, quilt show, draft horse demo, stock dog demos, mule pull, pageant, festival foods, Purtiest Rooster Contest and musical entertainment. Those age 4 and younger get in free. Further Information: Call 601-525-3782 or 601-964-8201
September 26-28, 2008 Oktoberfest Crown Center, Union Station & Washington Square Park Kansas City, Missouri	Musical entertainment, activities for kids, racing pigs, arts and crafts, commercial vendors, festival foods and more. Please leave Fido safely at home while you attend. No outside coolers, please. There is an admission charge for those age 12 and older. Learn More: Call 816-221-0636 or 816-421-2341 ext. 102
September 26-28, 2008 Whole Enchilada Festival Meersheidt/Hadley Sports Complex, Las Cruces, New Mexico	Motorcycle and car show, 1-mile fun run plus 5K run, parade on Saturday at 10am, making of the World's Largest Enchilada (with samples), horseshoe pitching, carnival rides, festival foods, arts and crafts, 2 stages of entertainment. There is an admission charge for those age 7 and older. Questions? Call 505-526-1938
September 26-28, 2008 Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival Downtown, Leavenworth, Washington	Plans for this year include festival foods, arts and crafts, beer garden, rock wall climbing, kiddie parade, giant inflatables for the kids, pumpkin carving, Bavarian music and a street dance. And there's the grande parade on Saturday at noon. Additional Details: Call 509-548-5807 or email abk@crownet.com
September 27, 2008 Fall Harvest Festival Central Park, North Branch, Minnesota	Celebrate this 18th year with classic cars, commercial vendors, entertainment, festival foods, arts and crafts. The general fun goes from 9am-5pm. Further Information: Call 651-674-4077
September 27, 2008 Grape and Fall Festival Historic Downing Street, Hollister, Missouri	For a 10th year you can join the locals to help celebrate with 3-on-3 basketball, arts and crafts, activities for kids, food vendors, entertainment and the teams that compete for the Ugly Monkey trophy in the Grape Stomp contest. There is no admission charge. Questions? Call 417-234-3050
September 27, 2008 Hallettsville Kolache Festival Knights of Columbus Hall, Hallettsville, Texas	Parade at 10am, horseshoe pitching tournament, kolache baking contest, activities for kids, car show, arts and crafts, music, food and drink booths, washer pitching tournament, 42 tournament. It's the 14th year for this one. Learn More: Call 361-798-2662
September 27, 2008 Autumn Harvest Festival Downtown, Marlinton, West Virginia	Apple pressings, wagon rides, clowns, craft and gift vendors, soccer match, music, activities for kids, youth fiddle contest, games, farmers market, agricultural and homemaking exhibits and the 17th Annual West Virginia Roadkill Cookoff. Now, don't be nervous. No actual roadkill is used in this competition. Instead, chefs prepare a variety of wild game dishes. This is the festival's 22nd season. Get The Facts: Call 800-336-7009
September 27-28, 2008 Taste of Morgan Hill Monterey Road area downtown, Morgan Hill, California	During this 19th season you can enjoy wine and microbrews, local restaurant foods and beverages, commercial vendors, quilt show, custom and classic cars, Kids Zone, arts and crafts. General hours are 10am-6pm. More Details: Call 408-779-9444
September 27-28, 2008 Adams Avenue Street Fair Adams Avenue (between Bancroft & 35th Streets), San Diego, California	More than 300 arts and crafts booths, 3 beer gardens, carnival rides, an impressive 6 stages of entertainment with more than 70 musical acts, food vendors, activities for kids. The fun is spread over an 8-block area of town. Questions? Call 619-282-7329
September 27-28, 2008 AppleUmkin Fall Arts and Crafts Festival Gaslight Village, Wyoming, New York	Pancake breakfast at Village Hall both days, chicken BBQ, arts and crafts vendors, music, baking contest, food court, natual history museum displays, antiques, strolling entertainment. Further Information: Call 585-495-9940
September 27-28, 2008 Geneva Grape Jamboree Intersection of Routes 534 & 20 downtown, Geneva, Ohio	Enjoy this 45th year with grape stomping, exhibits, grape products for sale, entertainment, arts and crafts, Jamboree Parade. The local Concord grapes are a special hit with festival-goers. Get The Facts: Call 440-466-JAMB
September 27-28, 2008 Corvallis Fall Festival 6th Street & Monroe Avenue area, Corvallis, Oregon	Fine Arts Showcase, 2 stages of entertainment, arts and crafts, battle of the bands, wine tasting, food court, kids' vendor booths, Art Discovery Zone, 5K/10K run. Service animals are welcomed, but please do not bring pets. It's the festival's 36th season. Details: Call 541-752-9655
September 27-28, 2008 Taste of Rhode Island Newport Harbor (4 Commercial Wharf), Newport, Rhode Island	Entertainment, marketplace, tasting-size portions from more than 30 local restaurants, wine garden, cooking demonstrations, New England Oyster Festival, actitivities for kids. This is the festival's 20th year of tasting fun. Hours are 11am-ppm on Saturday and 11am-6pm on Sunday. Learn More: Call 401-846-1600
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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September Somethings! Brief, bare-boned last-minute festival listings:
Sept. 3-7 Grande Festa Italian,                    Hempstead Harbor Beach Park, Port Washington, New York, 516-883-3826 Sept. 3-7 Rustic Lore Days, Glenwood City, Wisconsin, 715-265-4011 Sept. 4-7 Yellow Daisy Festival (40th), Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain, Georgia Sept. 4-7 Roann Covered Bridge Festival, Downtown, Roann, Indiana, 765-833-2167 Sept. 5-6 Peach Days, Main Street & downtown, Brigham City, Utah, 435-723-3931 Sept. 5-6 TosaFest, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, 414-899-6449 Sept. 5-7 Loblolly Days, downtown, Bryant, Indiana, 260-997-6476 Sept. 5-7 Cornbread Festival, along Big Raccoon Creek, Mansfield, Indiana, 765-653-4025 Sept. 5-7 Greek Festival (47th), 120th & Womal, Kansas City, Kansas, 816-942-9100 or 816-728-2127 Sept. 5-7 Harvest Festival, Cromwell Park Pavilion (5577 Hwy. 73 N.,) Cromwell, Minnesota, 218-644-3430 Sept. 5-7 Japanese Fall Festival, Mizumoto Stroll Garden at Nathanael Greene/Close Park, Springfield, Missouri, 417-854-1049 Sept. 5-7 St. Louis Art Fair (15th), Business District, Clayton, Missouri, 314-863-0278 Sept. 5-7 Knox County Corn Festival, Courthouse on the Square, Edina, Missouri, 660-397-2326 or 660-397-2202 Sept. 5-7 Seafood Festival (18th), Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, 603-925-8717 Sept. 5-7 Irish Festival, Riverplex at Sandcastle Waterpark, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 412-422-1113 Sept. 5-7 Dairy Days, Legion Park, Platteville, Wisconsin, 608-348-8888 Sept. 6 Montana State Chokeberry Festival (20th), Lewiston, Montana, 406-535-5436 Sept. 6 Ossian Hey Days & Outhouse Races, 4760 Ossian Hill Road, Dansville, New York, 585-335-2191 or 585-335-9176 Sept. 6 Ayden Collard Festival, West Avenue area, Ayden, North Carolina, 252-746-7080 or 252-746-2266 Sept. 6-7 Capitola Art & Wine Festival, Capitola, California, 831-475-5622 Sept. 6-7 Autumn Moon Festival (18th), Grant Avenue (between California & Pacific Streets), San Francisco, California, 514-982-6306 Sept. 6-7 Old Albany Days (42nd), Albany Museum, Sabetha, Kansas, 785-284-3446 Sept. 6-7 Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival (14th), downtown, Norwich, New York, 507-336-3378 Sept. 6-7 Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest, Duchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, New York, 645-658-7181 Sept. 6-7 North Carolina Gourd Festival (67th), State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, North Carolina, 336-886-8937 Sept. 11-13 Chief Sarcoxie Days, Sarcoxie Square, Sarcoxie, Missouri, 417-548-7639 Sept. 11-14 West Virginia Oil & Gas Festival, City Park and downtown area, Sistersville, West Virginia, 303-455-1257 or 304-652-2939 Sept. 11-21 Feast of San Gennaro (81st), Mulberry Street area (Little Italy), New York, New York, 212-768-9320 Sept. 12-13 Back to the Fifties, Courthouse Square, Lebanon, Indiana, 866-447-5050 Sept. 12-13 Home Town Harvest Days, Town Square, Marshfield, Missouri, 417-468-2324 or 417-468-3943 Sept. 12-13 Doodle Soup Days, Bradford, Tennessee, 731-742-3494 Sept. 12-14 Victorian Festival, downtown, Northville, Michigan, 248-349-0345 Sept. 12-14 Nordicfest (24th), Libby, Montana, 406-293-6430 or 800-785-6541 Sept. 12-14 Scarecrow Festival, downtown, Washington, Ohio, 740-335-7514 or 740-636-2340 Sept. 12-14 International Goat Days, USA Stadium (4351 Babe Howard Avenue), Millington, Tennessee, 901-872-4559 Sept. 12-14 Texas Gatorfest, Fort Anahuac Park, Anahuac, Texas, 409-267-4190 Sept. 13 Heritage Days, downtown, Owensville, Missouri, 573-437-7027 Sept. 13-14 Wizard of Oz Festival (27th), Expo Center at Hwy. 49 & Division Rd., Chesterton, Indiana, 219-983-1691 Sept. 13-14 Harwich Cranberry Festival, Oak Street area, Harwichport, Massachusetts, 508-430-2811 Sept. 13-14 Cuba Garlic Festival (4th), Empire City Farms, Cuba, New York, 585-968-5654 Sept. 13-14 Family Festival by the Sea (28th), 11am-6:30pm, Lido Beach Town Park, Hempstead, New York, 516-431-6650 Sept. 13-14 RMAC Art & Craft Fall Festival, Jacob Riis Park, Rockaway Beach, New York, 718-474-6760 Sept. 13-14 Burrillville Arts & Crafts Festival (44th), Harrisville Center, Burrillville, Rhode Island, 401-568-7470 Sept. 16-21 Kentucky Bourbon Festival, downtown, Bardstown, Kentucky, 800-638-4877 Sept. 18-20 Hootin and Hollarin, Downtown Square, Gainesville, Missouri, 417-679-4913 Sept. 18-20 Fort Hand Festival,                    Kunkle Park (285 Pine Run Church Rd. in Washington Township), Apollo, Pennsylvania, 412-496-3811 or 724-989-4808 Sept. 18-20 Berlin Brothers Valley Community Fair, High School Gym, Berlin, Pennsylvania, 814-267-3763 Sept. 18-21 Newark Days Cirque de Newark (53rd), Community Center Park, Newark, California, 510-793-5683 Sept. 18-21 Walnut Festival, Heather Farms Park, Walnut Creek, California, 925-935-6755 Sept. 18-21 Black Gold Festival, downtown, Hazard, Kentucky, 606-438-0161 Sept. 18-21 Festival in the Park (44th), Freedom Lake Park, Charlotte, North Carolina, 704-338-1080 Sept. 19-20 Italian Fest, 11am-10pm, Main Street, Collinsville, Illinois, 618-344-2884 Sept. 19-20 Cow Days Festival, downtown, Greensburg, Kentucky, 270-932-4298 Sept. 19-20 Lexington FunFest,                    Gibson Road Sports Complex on Duffie Rd., Lexington, South Carolina, Email beth@lexingtonfunfest.com Sept. 19-20 Rally Round Greenville, Downtown on the Square, Greenville, Texas, 903-455-1510 Sept. 19-21 Monterey Jazz Festival, (51st), County Fairgrounds, Monterey, California, 831-655-8070 Sept. 19-21 Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival, Ports O' Call Village, San Pedro, California, 310-798-7478 Sept. 19-21 Saengerbund Oktoberfest, 49 Salem Church Road, Newark, Delaware, 302-385-9454 Sept. 19-21 Oktoberfest, Peoria, Illinois Sept. 19-21 Potato Fest (14th), Savannah, New York, 315-365-3156 Sept. 19-21 Festival of Grapes, Village Green, Silver Creek, New York, 716-934-3983 Sept. 19-21 Grecian Festival, State Fairgrounds Expo Center, Raleigh, North Carolina, 919-781-4548 or 919-859-9715 Sept. 19-21 Street Painting Festival (10th), Moore Square & City Market, Raleigh, North Carolina, 919-828-7834 Sept. 19-21 Plano Balloon Festival, Oak Point Park, Plano, Texas, 972-867-7566 Sept. 20 Wings of the Warners Festival, Veteran's Memorial Park, Alturas, California, 530-233-4434 Sept. 20 Spud Day, City Park, Shelley, Idaho, 208-357-3390 Sept. 20 Dog Days Celebration, 9am-noon, Farmers Market, Kirkwood, Missouri, 314-822-0084 Sept. 20 Potato Festival (15th), 9am-4pm, various venues, Richford, New York, 607-657-2526 Sept. 20-21 Balloonfest, Alturas, California, 530-233-4433 or 530-233-3572 Sept. 20-21 Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival (62nd),                    10-6 & 10-5, Old Mill Park, Mill Valley, California, 415-381-8090 Sept. 20-21 Oceanside Harbor Days, 9-6, Harbor at 1540 Harbor Drive N., Oceanside, California, 760-722-1534 Sept. 20-21 Levi Coffin Days, 8am-7pm & 8am-5pm, downtown, Fountain City, Indiana, 785-994-9551 Sept. 20-21 Biloxi Seafood Festival, Town Green, Biloxi, Mississippi, 228-504-0014 Sept. 20-21 Cider Days, 10am-5pm, Walnut Street, Springfield, Missouri, 417-831-6200 Sept. 20-21 Quaker Arts Festival (47th), 9am-5pm & 10am-4pm, Middle School, Orchard Park, New York, 716-662-3366 Sept. 20-21 Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio Sept. 24-28 Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival, City Park and other venues, New Iberia, Louisiana, 337-369-9323 Sept. 25-28 Oktoberfest, Town Square, Marienville, Pennsylvania, 814-927-8218 Sept. 26-27 Huntingburg Herbstfest, City Park, Huntingburg, Indiana, 812-683-5699 Sept. 26-27 Tallahatchie Riverfest, downtown, New Albany, Mississippi, 888-534-8232 Sept. 26-27 Irmo Okra Strut, 6-11pm & 10am-5pm, St. Andrews Road, Columbia, South Carolina, 803-781-6122 Sept. 26-27 Beef-A-Rama (44th), Minocqua, Wisconsin, 800-44-NORTH Sept. 26-28 Antique & Apple Festival, Moulton, Alabama, 256-974-5067 Sept. 26-28 Pensacola Seafood Festival (31st), Seville Square, Pensacola, Florida, 850-433-6512 Sept. 26-28 Honeybee Festival, County Fairgrounds, Paris, Illinois, 217-363-9440 Sept. 26-28 Shrewsbury Fall Festival, various venues, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, 508-842-4438 Sept. 26-28 Tipp City Mum Festival (50th), City Park, Tipp City, Ohio, 937-667-8631 Sept. 26-28 Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival (33rd), Huntington Beach State Park, Murrels Inlet, South Carolina, 843-237-4440 Sept. 26-28 Big Country Hot Air Balloon Festival, Red Bud Park, Abilene, Texas, 325-692-2637 Sept. 26-28 Morgan County Sorghum Festival (36th), West Liberty, Texas, 606-743-3330 Sept. 26-28 Cranberry Fest (36th), Warrens, Wisconsin, 608-378-4200 Sept. 26-Oct. 4 Oktoberfest, Fairgrounds, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 608-784-3378 Sept. 27 Applefest (20th), various venues, Woodbine, Iowa, 712-647-2943 Sept. 27 Nation Soybean Festival & Antique Tractor Show, Main Street, Portageville, Missouri, 573-379-2292 Sept. 27 Chile Pepper Fiesta, noon-6pm, Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, New York Sept. 27 Cauliflower Festival (6th), 10-3, Village Park, Margaretville, New York, 845-586-4464 or 845-586-2219 Sept. 27 Mansfield Pecan Festival, Katherine Rose Memorial Park, Mansfield, Texas, 817-473-0507 Sept. 27-28 CasparFest (6th), Community Center, Caspar, California, 707-964-4997 Sept. 27-28 Marion County Country Ham Days (39th), Main Street, Lebanon, Kentucky, 270-692-9694 Sept. 27-28 Heritage Reunion (31st), 8-6 & 8-5, downtown, Fair Grove, Missouri, 417-759-2807 Sept. 27-28 North Carolina Spot Festival (45th),                    field south of Hwy. 17/210 intersection, Hampstead, North Carolina, 910-270-9642 or 888-576-4756 Sept. 27-28 Pretzel Festival, 9-9 & noon-6, Veterans Memorial Park, Germantown, Ohio, 937-859-8331 Sept. 27-28 Whiskey Rebellion Celebration (14th), Borough Lot, Berlin, Pennsylvania, 814-267-3226 or 814-267-5987 Sept. 27-29 Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival, Custer State Park, Cluster, South Dakota, 605-255-4515 Sept. 27-Oct. 5 Orange County Pumpkin Festival, downtown, French Lick, Indiana, 812-936-2405 Sept. 28 Busti Apple Festival, Busti, New York, 716-483-0134
Other September 2008 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
Sept. 5-6 Arenzville Burgoo, Town Park, Arenzville, Illinois Sept. 5-6 Bristol Hills Storytelling Festival (19th), Congdon Park, Bristol, Indiana, 574-875-9135 Sept. 5-7 Cherry's Jubilee, various venues, Monterey, California, 831-759-1836 Sept. 4-7 Harvest Moon Festival (15th), Whiteside Park on Sheridan Street, Ely, Minnesota, 218-365-6123 Sept. 5-7 Camel Races (49th), Camel Dome on F Street, Virginia City, Nevada, 775-887-1294 or 775-647-7008 Sept. 5-7 Mud Bowl, Hog Coliseum, North Conway, New Hampshire, 603-356-2096 or 800-367-3364 Sept. 5-7 Tulsa House Beautiful Show, State Fairgrounds, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 800-469-0990 Sept. 5-7 A Fair in the Park, Mellon Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 412-687-8858 Sept. 5-7 Charlotte Antique & Classic Boat Show, Queens Landing, Mooresville, North Carolina, 800-633-6224 Sept. 6 Hillbilly Cook Off, 10am-4pm, Bull Shoals State Park on Hwy. 178, Lakeview, Arkansas, 870-445-4538 Sept. 6 Dam J.A.M. Bicycle Tour, (30, 55, 71 or 101 miles), Pryor, Oklahoma, 918-825-0158 Sept. 6 Sidewalk Arts Festival, 9am-5pm, Main Avenue area, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 605-338-1167 Sept. 6-7 What the hay (hay bale sculptures), Hwy. 239 and 541 (off 87), Hobson, Montana, 406-423-5366 Sept. 6-7 Rubber Stamps & Paper Arts Festival,                    10-5 & 11-4, One Exposition Avenue, Greenville, South Carolina, 854-233-2562 or 541-574-8000 Sept. 6-14 Fall Boat Show, Jack London Square, Oakland, California, 800-698-5777 Sept. 7 Arts Festival, 9:30am-4pm, Lourdes College on Convent Blvd., Sylvania, Ohio, 419-882-2135 Sept. 10-14 National Championship Air Races, Reno-Stead Airport, Reno, Nevada, 775-972-6663 Sept. 12-13 Arts & Crafts Festival/Taste of Hutchinson,                    10-6 & 9-4, Liberty Square Park, Hutchinson, Minnesota, 320-587-5252 or 800-572-6689 Sept. 12-14 Off the Beaten Track Studio Tour, Mountain View, Arkansas, 870-269-8068 or 888-679-2859 Sept. 12-14 Denver Gem & Mineral Show (41st),                    Merchandise Mart Expo Hall, Denver, Colorado, Email bob@peaktopeak.com Sept. 12-14 Scare Fest, Lexington Center, Lexington, Kentucky, 859-361-1515 or Email thescarefest@hotmail.com Sept. 12-14 Gun Show, Prairie County Fairgrounds, Terry, Montana, 406-653-2151 Sept. 12-14 Oklahoma Scottish Festival, River West Festival Park (2105 S. Jackson Ave.), Tulsa, Oklahoma Sept. 13 Hopedale Day in the Park, 10-4, Town Park, Hopedale, Massachusetts, 508-473-8753 Sept. 13-14 Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival,                    10-5, Central Park at Kiely Blvd. & Homestead Blvd., Santa Clara, California, 408-615-3140 Sept. 13-14 Fort Klock Craft Fair, Fort Klock on Route 5, St. Johnsville, New York, 518-983-2352 Sept. 13-21 Friendship Flea Market, Friendship, Indiana, 859-341-9188 Sept. 19-21 Great Forest Park Balloon Race, Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri, Email info@greatforestparkballoonrace.com Sept. 20 Northern California Doll & Teddy Bear Show, Centennial Hall, Hayward, California, 925-947-1572 Sept. 20 Pursuit of Excellence Marching Band Competition,                    Mattke Field at SMSU, Marshall, Minnesota, 507-537-5920 ext. 108 or 800-260-0970 Sept. 20 Larkfest (27th), 19:30am-5:30pm, Lark Street neighborhood, Albany, New York, 518-434-3881 Sept. 20-21 By Land & By Sea: Antique Vehicles Show, 9am-7pm & 9am-3pm, Mystic, Connecticut, 860-572-6315 or 888-973-2767 Sept. 20-21 Artists in the Country, 52 County Rd., Woodstock, Connecticut, 860-455-0103 Sept. 20-21 Arts & Crafts Show (24th), Country Club Circle, Diamondhead, Mississippi, 228-255-2697 or 228-255-3451 Sept. 20-21 Gun Show, Dome Center, Henrietta, New York, 585-334-4000 Sept. 20-21 Rubber Stamp & Paper Arts Festival,                    10-5 & 11-4, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, New York, 845-876-4001 or 541-574-8000 Sept. 20-28 Frontier Days, Eva, Alabama, 256-796-7023 Sept. 26-28 Rock-a-thon, Memorial Hall on W. 8th, Joplin, Missouri, 417-623-1180 Sept. 26-28 Siouxland Gem & Mineral Society Show (43rd), Senior Center on W. 29th, Sioux City, Iowa, 712-258-3645 Sept. 26-28 South Dakota Festival of Books, various venues, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 605-688-6113 Sept. 26-28 Renewable Energy Roundup (9th), Market Square, Fredericksburg, Texas, 541-482-0858 Sept. 27 Food Bazaar, Placer Buddhist Church, Penryn, California, 916-652-6139 Sept. 27-28 California International Airshow, Municipal Airport, Salinas, California Sept. 27-28 Carmel Valley Gem & Mineral Show (49th), County Fairgrounds, Monterey, California, 831-755-7741 or 755-417-7477 Sept. 27-28 Columbia Gun Show, Midway Expo Center, Columbia, Missouri, 563-927-8176 or 563-927-8310 Sept. 27-28 Candy Dance Arts & Crafts Faire (88th), 9-5, Orchard House, Genoa, Nevada, 775-782-8696 Sept. 27-28 Ohio Gourd Show (46th), Darke County Fairgrounds, Greenville, Ohio, 740-965-4661 Sept. 27-28 Longhorn Rod Run, Main Street, Spring, Texas, 800-OLDTOWN
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It's always best to call ahead to verify festival information. Please tell them you saw the listing in Deb's Monthly Review.

Look at this guy!

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

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

Above: Metallic Choker Necklace Left: 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.

Odds and ends restaurant possibilities: Falafel Bistro, on Wiles Road in Coral Springs, Florida. You can get kosher dishes and Mediterranean favorites including hummus and falafel. You can even get a peanut butter and jelly pita sandwich with French fries. But remember that they're closed for Sabbaths, so get there well before sunset on Fridays. Call 854-346-5300 to be sure they're serving when you come through town. Blue Nile at 2361 North High Street in Columbus, Ohio. They're an Ethiopian establishment serving lamb and beef dishes and also vegetarian platters. You'll sit at a regular table or a low one and platters of food will come to you with Injera, which is a bread with a texture like a pancake. You scoop food up with the bread and the platter is shared by everyone at the table. Check on their hours at 614-421-2323. If you like chili you can lap it up at Chili My Soul. And you can choose from about 30 flavors of chili! How about Espresso Black Bean (decaff) or Santa Cruz Red (no tomatoes but plenty of red chile peppers)? There are several vegetarian bowls, including the Vegipotle chili. The amount of heat varies, so ask questions when you order. Oh, and you get a choice of up to 3 toppings on your chili (and can buy more). There are the traditional favorites such as sour cream and cheddar cheese, but would you believe you can also get chocolate chips? (That should make the kids sit up and take notice.) You can also get hot dogs, baked potatoes, and a chopped salad. And you can top the whole thing off with a brownie sundae or other goodie. The restaurant is at 4928 Balboa Boulevard in Encino, California. They're open daily, but they close a bit earlier on Sundays. Call 818-981-SOUL for more information.
If you are age 62 or older you can get a fifteen percent discount on Amtrak fares. For more information visit the Amtrak site. (There are ten percent discounts available for active military personnel and their families and for AAA members.)		Target sponsors free admission on the third Friday of the month (5:30-9pm) at the Magic House - St. Louis Children's Museum in St. Louis, Missouri. And they also sponsor free admission on the first Tuesday of the month (4-8pm) at The Children's Museum of Denver in Denver, Colorado. (Always check before traveling in hopes that a museum will be open.)
Whether you're looking for a new place to live or just want to wander a vacation destination on foot, you can find some great information at Walk Score.

Send Deb email: deb@lightpatch.com

Last Updated August 27, 2008

Deb's Monthly Review © copyright Deb Thompson