Autumn is a fantastic time of year in the U.S. for unique and fun festivals. Almost anywhere in the country you may want to go, you probably won’t be far from some local celebration of whatever the area you happen to be in has to offer. You may want to plan your fall vacation time around showing up in town in time for one of these festivals. On the other hand, you may just be planning on being near one of these locations and want to know what kind of excitement is going on nearby. Either way, here are three remarkable festivals taking place in three different popular cities this fall.
- American Royal Barbeque Festival in Kansas City. This festival is one that any lover of barbeque should visit at least once. The American Royal Barbeque Festival is one of the largest barbeque contests anywhere in the country, and is considered by many to be the best. It begins on Thursday with a barbeque judging class, and continues on what’s known as Fantastic Friday, where the teams set up their grills in the parking lots around and grill late into the night. This is a tailgate party atmosphere with barbeque, beer, and fireworks. Saturday is more grilling, barbeque judging, and inductions into the BBQ Hall of Fame. Sunday, things wrap up with an awards ceremony. Of course there are many events going on at the same time, but the BBQ takes center stage. This year’s festival takes place from October 4th-7th.
- Lexington Barbeque Festival in Lexington, North Carolina: More than 100,000 people attend this event each year. The 29th annual even will take place on October 27th, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is home of the Annual North Carolina Championship Pork Cook-Off where an estimated 13,000 pounds of barbecue will be served.
- Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival in Boston. The BeanTown Jazz Festival on Columbus Avenue, supported by the Berklee College of music, is a must-visit for music lovers. Tens of thousands of people come annually to hear world class jazz, Latin, blues, and groove acts, explore the “instrument petting zoo”, eat delicious food, and generally be entertained. The theme of this year’s festival is Women in Jazz. Some of the scheduled performers are Terri Lyne Carrington, Lalah Hathaway, and Paula Cole. Admission to the festival is free. This year’s Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival will be held on September 29th.
- New Orleans Burlesque Festival. This is the fourth year of the annual festival celebrating the art and glamour of burlesque. Over three nights, some of the most dazzling burlesque dancers in the world perform in New Orleans, competing for a crown and the title of “Queen of Burlesque.” In addition to watching the dancers, those interested can sign up for workshops on bumping and grinding, fan dancing, tricks of burlesque, and choreography. This fascinating festival kicks off with a festival party on Wednesday night, September 12th, an ends with the Queen’s Ball on Saturday, September 15th.
- Willimington’s Riverfest, North Carolina – Draws more than a quarter of a million people. Riverfest has about 200 craft and food vendors plus fireworks, entertainment on two stages, the Great Waiters Wine Race, Run the River 8K Race, various exhibits and a children’s area.
- National Shrimp Festival: This wonderful festival is held every year on the second full weekend of October on the beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama. Over a quarter of a million attend each year, featuring over 250 vendors.
- Apple Festivals: It’s the season for picking apples, and you can catch some wonderful festivals with lots of activities for families including arts & crafts, wagon rides, live entertainment, and of course all things apple…like apple cider, apple donuts and apple pies. The Brushy Mountain Apple Festival – North Wilkesboro, North Carolina October 6, 2012; Unicoi County Apple Festival, Erwin, Tennessee October 5th & 6th; Apple Harvest Festival at Carter Mountain Orchard – Charlottesville, Virginia – every weekend in October. From Maine to Georgia you will find many similar events this time of year.
If you have a chance, be sure to check out at least one of these fun and fabulous fall festivals.
