Summer Events and Festivals

Travelvideo.tv has a great list of events that you might not have heard of, but are guaranteed to make a great week-end getaway.  The list includes:

July 3-6, 60th Annual Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo. A reel whopper of an event! Over 5,000 competitors in 30 saltwater and freshwater categories. Join 50,000 attendees for rides, parades and live entertainment. Gulfport, Miss. 228-832-0079; jaffep@gulfcoast.org (mississippideepsea fishingrodeo.com)

July 4, Clamerica Celebration. Clamania! Clam hunts, clam bag races, guess the clam count, cultured clam cook-off and free open-air concerts and clam served every which way, plus landlubber foods, too! Cedar Key, Fla., 352-543-5057;

July 4, Clamerica Celebration. Clamania! Clam hunts, clam bag races, guess the clam count, cultured clam cook-off and free open-air concerts and clam served every which way, plus landlubber foods, too! Cedar Key, Fla., 352-543-5057; lnst@ufl.edu (cedarkey.org) July 4-5, 37th Annual Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival. Everyone loves this toe-tappin’ good time of family-oriented programs promoting old-time Appalachian and bluegrass music and dance that preserves mountain heritage and benefits the community! Smithville, Tenn., 615-597-8500; edudney@dtccom.net (smithvillejamboree.com)

July 14-27, Folkmoot USA. Over 50,000 come to see international dancers and musicians perform in 60 events and programs celebrating friendship and cultural exchange. Parades, free street festival, ticketed events, food, arts and crafts. Waynesville, N.C., 828-452-2997; info@folkmoot.com(folkmootusa.org)

July 17-19, Festival of Native Peoples. Culturally-inspired exposition of native dance, song, storytelling, art, culture, traditions and foods of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. Colorful family event! Cherokee, N.C., 828-259-9910, x108; lorekirb@nc-cherokee.com (Cherokee-nc.com)

July 20-26, W.C. Handy Music Festival. Over 80,000 gather to honor native son and “Father of the Blues” with a celebration of rhythm and blues, jazz, soul, gospel and contemporary music in scores of events. Florence, Ala., 888-FLO-TOUR; lindsey@visitflorenceal.com (visitflorenceal.com)

Aug. 8-9, 6th Annual StringTime in the Smokies. Free gathering in Patriot Park with bluegrass concerts and musicians like Doc Watson and David Grisman. Bring lawn chairs and your own instruments for Jammin’ at the Old Mill! Pigeon Forge, Tenn., 865-453-8574; events@cityofpigeonforge.com (mypigeonforge.com)

Aug. 15-17, Blues, Brews and BBQ. Highlighting independent West Virginia microbreweries and the surrounding local BBQ restaurants with live blues music, beer samplings for the adults, craft exhibits and kids events. Snowshoe, W.V., 304-572-5922; ccassell@snowshoemtn.com(snowshoemtn.com)

Aug. 20-30, 70th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. This world championship show of Tennessee’s native breed of show horse dates back to 1939! Includes Trade Fair, BBQ cook-out, dog show, equine clinics, stable decorating and more. Shelbyville, Tenn., 931-684-5915, x114; twhnc@twhnc.com (twhnc.com)

Aug. 24, Festival Peachtree Latino 2008. Multicultural event with international performers focuses mainly on Hispanic markets, bringing 100 musicians, dancers and artisans together. A prime event! Atlanta, Ga., 404-321-0663; ray430@gmail.com (festivalpeachtreelatino.com)

Aug. 29-31, Daniel Boone Pioneer Festival. Community event draws 30,000 for street dances, 5K run, Walk with Friends, talent contest, arts and traditional crafts, music, paintball, fireworks and foods. Winchester, Ky., 800-298-9105; Linda@winchesterkyweb.com (tourwinchester.com)

Aug. 29-Sept. 1, Tangipahoa African-American Heritage Fest. Festival educates all races about the black history and culture with a weekend of family activities and events, including arts and crafts, games and delicious food! Hammond, La., 985-542-2333; perkins101@bellsouth.net (tangi-cvb.org)