Saw the NYC city thread thought this would be an interesting topic for the entire country. I myself living in NYC love to find a small town with a fire house and go to an oyster dinner.

My all time favorite summer festival though takes place on Oahu, it is anyone of a number of Obon festivals in August. You can see one fictionalized in the movie "the picture bride". There is a pavilion on stilts (only way I can describe) a caller who sings a chant and people dancing while singing back a response to caller, walking around structure. I have been told that this is a ritual festival that signifies a visit with relative or loved ones that have passed. Always thought it was special to watch. Most participants will be wearing Japanese garments some in more elaborate Kimonos. Very special to watch older women they seem to have a great reverence for this tradition and this is expressed in every step, very moving.

Not sure here what qualifies as a summer festival. Sounds like another name for a party, in this description. First thing I thought of (beyond July 4th) was Ravinia/Wolf Trap/Tanglewood music "festivals." Then Spoleto in SC, then the American Dance Festival in NC.

Maybe explain further?

Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the Mall in DC the weekends before & after July 4th (this year they're celebrating the Silk Road -- should be good).

Ann Arbor Art Fair.

Vintage Virginia wine festival.

Spoleto Festival, Charleston SC

Another thumbs up for the DC Smithsonian festival. Great music, interesting foods and a wonderful view!

May try and see Tony Bennet this Aug at Ravinia in Chicago.

As for No Cal., we just had the Asparagus festival in Stockton. Yummie!
Strawberry Festival in Roseville, Eggplant Festival in Loomis, Festival of Lights in Yountville, Mustard Fest in Napa, Garlic Festival in Gilroy (P-U AND yummie!), Sacramento Jazz Jubilee and my fave, the Squid Festival in Monterey.
Kal

Hi Ol both events I mentioned to you had the word festival on them, forgot to mention this about the oyster festival, that is all I am looking for. Not sure how something as ancient as an obon festival sounds like a party? It is certainly festive and moving but it is not like a carnival if that is what it sounds like I have said. Although there are small tables to raise money from food and trinkets. This is just to keep the temples and obon clubs going I guess in the way a church bake sale might. These are usually off to the side, seems like the real joy here is celebrating a ritual from Japan kept alive in Hawaii. It is something to see old to young passing the torch of tradition on.

Think cultural events like the Obon festival and what you have listed are great but I also enjoy events that are pure Americana. That is were the oyster festival in a rural town comes in. Was looking to also hear from anyone that may have gone to the National Story telling festival in Tenn., any jazz festivals and all others. Thinks it is all interesting and fun its own way.

Want to tell us a bit more about the American Dance festival? Who special performed? Have always wanted to see and this is an off the top of my head spelling, paubolus oh that is so wrong. They create shapes by taking several people and kind of attaching them to each other. You might only see one person standing but four might be hanging off different sides not touching the ground . Know who I am talking about?

The Taste Of Buffalo,which is the second largest food festival in the United States. Also the Allentown Arts Festival (Allentown is a neighborhood in Buffalo). It is one of the largest outdoor art festivals in the nation. Artists come from all over the U.S. and Canada to display their work If you are going to be in Niagara Falls (or Buffalo) in June of July, these festivals are definitely worth checking out.

Sound interesting Cheryl tell me about the food at the Buffalo food festival. Yum I have eaten dinner yet.

Bill, Buffalo has some fabulous upscale restaurants with menus to match as well as old ethnic neighborhood restaurants - Italian, Polish, German, etc. and local foods such as beef on weck and of course chicken wings.

Here's some info I cut and pasted from the TOB website (www.tasteofbuffalo.com).



Next Event Date:
July 6 & 7, 2002
Sat. 11am - 9pm
Sun. 11am - 7pm


Come and Enjoy! July 6-7, 2002.
Sat. 11am - 9pm Sun. 11am - 7pm

Get A Taste
The Taste of Buffalo is a weekend festival filled with great food and entertainment. It is located along Main Street in the heart of Downtown Buffalo and begins 11 a.m. daily. There is no admission charge.

Music To Your Ears
The music never stops with four stages providing continuous entertainment. From Jazz to Top 40, from Pops to Blues, the best local, regional and national artists are always showcased.

Food For Thought
More than 150 culinary specialties are served by WNY's best restaurants in "taste size" portions. All items are priced between 50 cents and $3.00. Pick your favorite food or sample something new like ostrich or alligator. The Taste has it all.

Family Fun
The Taste is a festival for the entire family. There is an exclusive children's area with special entertainment and activities. From clowns to an interactive playground, the Taste has the magical power to bring out the child in everyone.

Tasty Facts
The Taste Of Buffalo is the second largest food festival in the United States. It began in 1984 and now attracts almost 500,000 patrons annually. It has been voted WNY's premier outdoor festival.

I know what I am doing July 6-7, thanks Cherly

Newport Folk Festival. Tickets went on sale today, I've got mine!

Seattle Bumbershoot Festival over the Labor Day weekend. 4 days of every kind of music, art and food! Fantastic!

4 days?? Try Milwaukee Summerfest. Eleven days of music, food, entertainment all on the beautiful Lake Michigan lake front in THE BEST outdoor festival venue in north america.

The annual Apple Polishing Festive in Spokane!!! It's an all out apple polishing fest in the streets! MMMMMMM, love that apple butter too!

College World Series in Omaha every June!!!

One of THE best places to see any kind of baseball - especially when one our "home" teams makes it (and both Creighton and NU have a good chance this year - we have our fingers crossed!)

...and the characters from Louisiana and Texas in their RV's make it worth the trip down to 13th St. - just to hang out, even if you're not into baseball. And be sure to go to the "cool" series hangout spots - Pauli's, McFly's, anyplace on 13th, Old Market

Anybody been to the Minnesota State Fair? PBS did a special on it and showed a contest where a dairy queen is chosen (from a teenage group) then her head is formed into a giant bust of butter. I really want to see this sounds to funny and too Americana to miss! Also just seems like a fun fair with a vast array of fair food I don't see in NYC or rarely see.

I guess that did not come out right. They sculpted a bust of butter as she sat for artist, all in a refridgerated glass room (fair people can watch), with butterheads from earlier dairy queens. Apparently there is even a folk song about it. Just want to hop on a plane and go to this fair. Certainly a fun way to spend a spur of the moment efare ticket.

One that has always intriguiged me is the National Storytelling Festival. It is in it's 29th year, this year October 4th-6th in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Great storytellers from all over the world are featured in tents where people can go from tent to tent to hear their stories, some autobiographical, some fictional. One of these years I will make it down there! Here's the link: http://www.storytellingfestival.net/

Maggi earlier on in the thread I asked if anyone had been. I have been wanting to go the story telling festival for years. It always happens in October on a non-holiday weekend so it just seemed like a haul for me. I have heard story tellers in other festivals talk about this. I imagine as the south has such a strong oral tradition that you would hear some amazing stories there.

College World Series in Omaha every June!!!

One of THE best places to see any kind of baseball - especially when one our "home" teams makes it (and both Creighton and NU have a good chance this year - we have our fingers crossed!)

...and the characters from Louisiana and Texas in their RV's make it worth the trip down to 13th St. - just to hang out, even if you're not into baseball. And be sure to go to the "cool" series hangout spots - Pauli's, McFly's, anyplace on 13th, Old Market

There is a wonderful Jazz festival in Saratoga Springs each Summer. We went years ago not hot up there and the music is wonderful.