July 2021
July 15-17, 2021, Virginia Lake Festival, Clarksville, VA, https://clarksvilleva.com/festivals-celebrations/virginia-lake-festival/
The Virginia Lake Festival (aka LAKEFEST) kicks off with free tethered hot air balloon rides on Thursday evening for children 12 and younger, while the sand sculpture artist begins a larger-than-life creation on Friday morning. Prepare for a welcome ceremony, live music, hot air balloons flying overhead at sunrise and sunset, boats gathering for fireworks over the lake, a juried arts and crafts show with more than 200 vendors, children’s activities, an antique car show, helicopter rides and much more. This event, in its 44th year, is a local and visitor favorite and is free.
August 2021
August 7, 2021, Bikes, Blues, and Bayous, Greenwood, Mississippi, www.bikesbluesbayous.com
Mississippi’s largest ride, Located in Greenwood, home of Viking Range Corp., takes participants through the flat and fast alluvial plains of the Mississippi Delta while showcasing Southern hospitality at four unique rest stops, each with their own special amenities and hospitality—did we mention live blues music? Always on the first Saturday of August and courses include 62, 46, 22 and 11 miles.
August 12-14, 2021, Danchuk Tri-Five Nationals, Bowling Green, Kentucky, https://www.americantrifive.com/tri-five-nationals.html
It’s the largest Tri-Five gathering in the country. Bring your 55-56-57 Chevy truck, corvette or other Tri-Five classic, or come to admire them and register to win the 2021 Golden Star giveaway car. Don’t miss this annual weekend of participatory and exhibition drag racing, car shows, swap meets, vendor midway, food vendors and day and evening entertainment, including the Bowling Green Convention Bureau and National Corvette Museum’s party.
August 12-21, 2021, Wilson County Fair, Lebanon, Tennessee, https://www.wilsoncountyfair.net/
Tennessee’s Biggest County Fair is “Honoring Hometown Heroes” with ten days packed full of fun. Expect big name concerts, more than 100 acts across eight stages and more than 50 rides and games at a fair designed for multiple visits. Enjoy concessions with a wide variety of food and celebrate the “Year of Beef” as the agricultural focus for 2021. Antique cars, tractor pulls, livestock shows, demolition derbies, racing pigs, clogging, pageants, a youth rally, a Robotics Challenge and more make it perfect for the whole family.
August 13-14, 2021, Historic Valdese Waldensian Festival, Valdese, North Carolina, http://www.waldensianfestival.com/
This two-day event commemorates the Waldensian people who founded Valdese in 1893 and whose heroic ancestors from Piemonte, Italy rose from 300 years of persecution to return to their homeland and rebuild their lives. Now in its 46th year, Valdese’s unique heritage is honored with a traditional Waldensian meal, church service and a special presentation of the outdoor historic drama “From This Day Forward.” A bocce tournament, classic car show, open art competition, attraction tours, street dances, live music, amusement rides and 170 food, art and craft vendors add to the festival’s wide appeal.
August 13-15, 2021, Spirit of Woodstock, Brooksville, Florida, https://spiritofwoodstock.org/
Started in 2019 to celebrate the original Woodstock 50th anniversary, The Spirit of Woodstock Festival raises funds for Sertoma Youth Ranch, a 501-3C non-profit providing rustic outdoor recreation for Florida children. This three-day outdoor music festival is a pet-friendly, camping-optional experience at the Ranch for a gathering of like-minded music lovers. A covered stage and seating area, food and merchandise vendors, hayrides, arts and craft projects and a ‘Woofstock’ Hippie Hound and Pooch Parade costume contest make for a fun, family-friendly event.
August 28-September 12, 2021, Perspectives: Georgia Pottery Invitational, Watkinsville, Georgia, https://ocaf.com/perspectives/
Perspectives: Georgia Pottery Invitational features hundreds of pieces of hand‑made pottery produced by some of Georgia’s finest functional potters and more than 4,000 items for sale. This 21st annual premium sale of contemporary functional pottery is the largest of its kind in the Southeast. By popular demand, this year’s event will include sculptural and decorative ceramic items as well. An online gift shop dedicated to specialized pottery makes the event more accessible to all.
September 10-11, 2021, Historic Morganton Festival, Morganton, North Carolina, www.morgantonfest.org
Now in its 40th year, the festival features a mile and a half of arts and crafts vendors and free outdoor concerts on three stages from local, regional and national artists. A Kids Zone and Teen Zone offer rides and amusements; a craft area, Volcano Rock Climbing Wall and roving acts delight the whole family. More than 200 artisans line the streets offering art, jewelry, woodworking, pottery, soap, candles, apparel, and more. Food Fest includes gyros, BBQ, homemade ice cream and other festival fare, while 5K, 10K, and 1-mile fun runs and a student engineering competition benefit local schools.
September 16-19, 2021, Mississippi Songwriters Festival, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, https://mssongwritersfestival.com
Songwriters from all over the U.S. perform at this 12th annual four-day event in historic downtown Ocean Springs. Hit songwriters who have been involved include Jimmy Buffet, Mac McAnally, Paul Overstreet, Carly Pearce, BB King, Wm Michael Morgan and many others, so expect notable and emerging artists to appear in 2021. Open to the public and free admission; concerts are live and virtual.
September 27-October 2, 2021, Hahira Honey Bee Festival, Hahira Georgia, https://www.hahirahoneybeefest.com/
“Bee” welcomed by the town’s photo-op-loving honeybee mascot and discover the amazing varieties and intriguing flavors of honey and related food, health and beauty products. Enjoy live entertainment at the festival’s centerpiece, a new downtown train depot complex with a large stage and seating space. This week-long event showcases more than 150 vendors. Festivities include the longest parade in South Georgia, concerts, food booths, restaurant dining and shopping, family hands-on activities, a 5K and more.
September 30, 2021, Art Walk Downtown, Columbus, Mississippi, www.columbusmainstreet.com
Held annually on the last Thursday of September for the past seven years, Art Walk Downtown is a cooperative effort between Main Street Columbus, Columbus Arts Council, downtown businesses, local artists and local musicians. Come out for a festive evening where the artists are showcased throughout historic Downtown Columbus including inside of businesses, in the plaza and on the sidewalks. Meet the artists, purchase some art and enjoy music on every block of the vibrant downtown.
Weekends, September 30 – October 31, Dread Hollow, Chattanooga, Tennessee, www.dreadhollow.com
The legacy of horror continues at the award-winning Dread Hollow with the next evolution of terror at the only nationally ranked haunted attraction in the Chattanooga area. Evil forces vie for power in three all-new disturbingly real haunted houses and challenging escape rooms. Meticulously detailed sets, petrifying storylines, unnerving illusions and professional actors create an unforgettable night inside 20,000+ square feet of scary fun. 2021 also brings expanded VIP passholder experiences and daytime “Lights On” tours.
October 2021
Weekends in October, Rocktoberfest, Lookout Mountain, Georgia, www.seerockcity.com/rocktoberfest
Experience Rock City’s German heritage during the 15th annual Rocktoberfest. Join locals and visitors when Rock City Square is transformed for a harvest and fall foliage celebration. You’ll find live German music, polka lessons, German food, specialty beer, costumed characters and a whole lot of fun honoring the founder, Frieda Utermoehlen Carter. This event supports CHI Memorial Foundation breast cancer awareness organization. Check the website for the most up-to-date info should pandemic restrictions still be in effect.
October 1-2, 2021, Cotton Pickin’ Fair, Gay, Georgia, https://cpfair.org
A small country fair started in 1972 on a 188-year-old family farm was an early harbinger of Georgia’s agritourism movement. Today, artisans, antique specialists and craftsmen from across the U.S. and Canada exhibit in an authentic country crossroads setting amid original picturesque hand-hewn barns, cotton gin, blacksmith shop, homestead, produce sheds and more. Browse, shop, hear live music, dine on Southern fare and tour the Red Oak Covered Bridge, the last remaining Horace King Town Lattice design.
October 8-9, 2021, MumFest, New Bern North Carolina, https://mumfest.com
In a 41-year tradition, chrysanthemums deck the parks, line the streets and fill historic downtown New Bern, culminating in a living mum arch and maze at Union Point Park bordering the scenic riverfront. The two-day event boasts 300 vendors, live music at the beer garden and a concert with a national performing act. Entertainment includes jugglers, stilt walkers, magicians, acrobats, amusement rides, a military helicopter, demonstrations by police K9s and motorcycle squad, linemen and bucket rides.
October 15-16, 2021, Havelock Chili Festival, Havelock, North Carolina, www.chilifestival.org
Originally developed 40 years ago to provide the area Marine Corp Air Station with an opportunity to connect with the community, this event has become as popular with visitors as it is with locals. Chili contenders across Eastern North Carolina bring their best recipes and compete for bragging rights to the best chicken wings, chili verde, red chili, and more. Nashville Recording Artist Bryan Mayer performs, as well as MCAS Cherry Point’s rock band. Proceeds support local charities.
October 15-17, 2021, Camping with the Blues, Brooksville, Florida, https://www.campingwiththeblues.com
Three days and three nights of “Blues Under the Stars with the Stars Of The Blues” includes more than a dozen bands, food and craft vendors, face-painting, hayrides and more. Polite pooches are welcome at this camping-optional, fundraising event for Sertoma Youth Ranch, a 501-3C non-profit providing rustic outdoor recreation for children in the state of Florida. Camping includes RV and tent sites, bathroom and shower facilities. COVID Guidelines set forth by the CDC will be followed.
November 2021
November 7-8, 2021, Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, www.peterandersonfestival.com
The largest arts festival in Mississippi and the Gulf Coast brings in over 400 artists, crafters, and food vendors from all across the country. This award-winning event was created 42 years ago to honor Peter Anderson, original master potter of Shearwater Pottery, ca.1928, and to celebrate the arts community. On display are the finest examples of creativity, from pottery, paintings, jewelry, and sculptures to woodwork, metal work, and handmade tile pieces.
November 10-14, 2021, Cucalorus Film Festival, Wilmington, North Carolina, http://www.cucalorus.org
The 27th Annual Cucalorus supports more than 100 filmmakers, performance artists, and community organizers from around the world with a focus on gender equity and showcasing emerging storytellers.
More than 80 events range from film screenings, live performance, visual/sound walls, and site-specific installations to curated conversations on accountability, race, equity and power. Screening spaces throughout downtown Wilmington highlight the region’s rich cultural history.
November 19-January 1, 2022, Enchanted Garden of Lights, Lookout Mountain, Georgia, www.seerockcity.com/lights
Rock City’s 27th annual award-winning holiday light extravaganza showcases more than 30 holiday scenes and over a million LED lights, transforming the gardens’ natural daytime splendor into a fantasyland. Tour four realms of wonder including Yule Town, Arctic Kingdom, Magic Forest and North Pole Village, enjoy gingerbread cookie decorating, hot cocoa and see Santa while supporting Ronald McDonald House of Chattanooga.
December 2021
December 1-23, 2021, Ruby Falls Christmas, Chattanooga, Tennessee, www.rubyfalls.com/special-events/christmas-underground
Bring the family to experience a magical journey to the North Pole at award-winning Ruby Falls Christmas Underground. Discover a glittering ice cave and a colorful pocket forest of musical trees, see the twinkling Sugar Plum Fairy Village and Santa’s Wish Tree. Enjoy festive holiday treats, meet Santa, visit an enchanting kid sized post office with special mail delivery, and capture a family photo aboard the sleigh Santa uses for reindeer games.
December 9 – 23, 2021, Community Holiday Light Show, Danville, Virginia, https://www.danville-va.gov/2114/Community-Holiday-Light-Show
Danville’s community spirit shines through as they deck the halls of one of the oldest civic-owned parks with thousands of dazzling lights. Get in the Christmas groove with an 11-night drive-through light show complete with beautiful displays built by local families, organizations and businesses. Stop by Children’s Village for Santa photos, hot chocolate, and crafts. This annual event gives back to the community in big ways—what better way to celebrate the holidays than by giving?
December 11 and 18, 2021, Tryon Palace’s Candlelight Christmas Celebration, New Bern, North Carolina, www.tryonpalace.org/candlelight
Experience the beauty, joy, and magic of the holidays amid 18th and 19th century décor at North Carolina’s first State Capitol. Explore the Governor’s Palace and stately homes as historic colonial characters in period dress depict holiday vignettes. Sample food truck fare or enjoy beer, wine, hot cider and delicious baked goods in the jovial tavern. Entertainment includes Tryon Palace’s Fife and Drum Corps, circus acts, fire eating, sword swallowing, acrobatics and 18th-century magic tricks, capped by black powder fireworks and the celebratory fusion of music and dance from a Jonkonnu troupe.