Favorite annual events?

[mtngal]

I'm thinking about planning trips next year, wondering about your favorite annual events. Music festivals, pow wows, craft fairs, gtgs (!), balloon races, whatever. When I was in Zion National Park I talked to a guy who had just come from a Big Band Festival in Sun Valley Idaho, he and his wife have been going for many years. Any can't miss favorites to share?

[retiredhappy]

Big intertribal week long pow wow in Gallup New Mexico in August. Stayed at Red Rock State (City?) park right where the festival is held. Dancing, rodeo, uried art show and lots of vendors.

[Cedar518]

Bluegrass festivals in northern NY and VT. Is it spring yet?

[Bethers]

I look for events in the areas I travel - I like the sand sculptures here in Port A in the spring. I like the balloon festival in Queegee, VT - I believe that's in June - if I was within driving distance would definitely go to it again. Will do either/both again.

I shy away from really big festivals, usually - used to do all of those, but I'm not as found of the large crowds as I used to be. But, I loved being at The Rally last year and that was a crowd, and I'd do the Balloon Fest in Albuquerque again - but only with a group of friends and parked on site - where I don't have to leave or drive anywhere till it's done.

Along the Mississippi River in Wisconsin, almost every little town has a festival during the summer - rarely 2 of them on the same weekend. Those are fun, also.

When I was in Oregon I discovered that Albany, OR has a summer concert series outside - I went on the week night it was going on that I was in town and had a blast. Free - you take your blanket early to get the spot on the grass you want - vendors sell ice cream, etc - I look for this kind of local event and almost always have fun.

[Sunseeker]

The Mudbug (crawfish) festival in Shreveport, Louisiana around Memorial day. Spicy cajun food and lively zydeco/cajun bands. Ahhh-eeeee!

[rvgrammy1953]

Jazz Fest in New Orleans usually sometime in April.....and of course, county fairs nation wide....love them...