RI: Free Art Gallery Night in Providence

Providence, RI Exit 22: On the 3rd Thursday of the month, from March through November, galleries across Providence open their doors. This free event celebrates all sorts of art from contemporary multi-media installations to one-of-a-kind functional artworks.

Gallery Night offers free, carefully curated guided tours to 24  visual arts spots allowing you a fun-filled introduction to the art scene in Providence.

Free art buses travel the neighborhoods of Providence letting people on and off at galleries, museums and historic sites. Over 10,000 people each year enjoy exhibitions, demonstrations, lectures, live music and performances.

Bus Tours: leave from the Regency Plaza at One Regency Plaza
Hours: Guided Tours begin at 5:20 and leave every 20 minutes. The final art bus of the evening leaves at 7pm.
Tel: 401-490-2042
http://www.gallerynight.org/

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ME: Maine Maple Sunday for Pig Weight or Sap Lugging Contests

ME: Maine Maple Sunday is always the fourth Sunday in March, and a long-standing tradition. It’s the day when syrup makers around the state open the doors of their sugarhouses for the public to join them in their rites of spring – the making of maple syrup.

Many sugarhouses offer free tastings and demonstrations to show how sap becomes syrup. Many offer a variety of other treats and  fun family activities, including syrup on pancakes or ice cream, sugarbush tours or sleigh or wagon rides. For an even more fun-filled day you can even find some that offer scavenger hunts, calf naming contests, pig weight contests, sap lugging contests, and door prizes.

At most sugarhouses you can also purchase a variety of maple products to take back home with you.

Locations: various- see map  www.smmsa.org/maine-maple-sunday.php
Date: Sunday, March 22, 2015
www.visitmaine.com/search?q=maine+maple+sunday

 

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SC: Smokin’ BBQ Cook-Off in Walterboro

Walterboro, SC Exit 53N or 57S: Master BBQ’ers will compete in a state wide cook-off competition  “Smoke in the ‘Boro”. Besides BBQ’d pork, you will also have an opportunity to taste chicken wings, seafood and other creations that the chef’s dream up.

Smoke in the ‘Boro  will be a fun and tasty event with live music, kids’ activities, plus those BBQ competitions. All events are FREE, and  only $ 1 per tasting.

Friday March 20
5:30-7:30 – Features the  “Anything Butt” Competition where cooking teams prepare anything of their choice, from chicken wings to seafood . Have some fine trying all the eats as the contest will be judged according to the number of tasting tickets collected.

Saturday March 21
11-2 –  Showcases the big event: Boston Butt Main Cook-Off, where the best barbequed Boston Butt and pork ribs will be judged by certified judges. 

Location: The Coastal Electric Outback Building, 2269 N Jefferies HWY, Walterboro, SC 29488
Dates: March 20 – 21, 2015
Hours: Fri March 20: 5:30-8, Sat March 21: 11-2
Tel: 843-539-1133
www.scbarbeque.com/

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VA: Richmond’s Bizarre Bazaar

VA Exit 81 : The 23rd Bizarre Bazaar’s Spring Market show  boasts 2 buildings with over 250 high quality, exclusive exhibitors featuring  seasonal gifts and decorations for Spring and Summer, coastal themed decorative home accessories, gourmet food and cookbooks, linens, designer women’s and children’s clothing, toys, crafts and artwork, jewelry, whimsical garden art, outdoor furniture and much more.

Not only is this a unique shopping opportunity, but it provides a forum where nonprofit organizations and charities can raise funds for their worthy causes through volunteer hours and sales.

The price for general admission is $7,  children (2-12) $1.50. You can buy a re-entry pass for an extra $1, which will allow you to go back on another day.

Location: Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E Laburnum Ave, Richmond,VA 23222
Dates: Fri, March 20 – Sun March 22, 2015
Hours: Fri & Sat 10-7, Sun 10-5
Tel: 804-673-6280
http://www.thebizarrebazaar.com/

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GA: Put on Your Blue Suede Shoes for Georgia Elvis Festival

Brunswick, GA Exit 36A: The Georgia Elvis Festival is a 3-day event celebrating the life and music of Elvis Presley through live performances of his music, and is sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises, which controls the estate of Elvis Presley and operates Graceland.

The festival features two headline shows, on Friday and Saturday and is proceeded by a free opening ceremony on Thursday night, 7 – 8 pm, held in Mary Ross Park, followed by an Opening Night Party, 8 – 11 PM, at the Jameson Hotel for Elvis Karaoke, and serving “Breakfast for Dinner” free to festival attendees (ticket holders).

The Ritz Theater hosts the 3-day preliminary to the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, held in Memphis during Elvis Week each August. Annually between 30 – 40 Elvis Tribute Artists (ETAs) enter for the chance to win over $5,000 in cash and the chance to represent the Georgia Elvis Festival in the finals.

Stroll through beautiful downtown Brunswick and see all the storefront windows decorated with Elvis memorabilia. With outdoor events in Mary Ross Park and Tribute Artists performing outside in Brunswick’s signature squares throughout the weekend, the Georgia Elvis Festival is packed with entertainment.

Check the complete list of events and locations  at: georgiaelvisfestival.com/schedule/

Date: March 12 – 15, 2015
Hours: varied – see link above
Tel: 888-406-5885
georgiaelvisfestival.com/

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MA: Dine Facing the Atlantic at Michael’s Harborside (even gluten-free)

Newburyport, MA Exit 57: Yes it’s at harborside, and you can eat on the deck facing the Atlantic. Around 33 years, the favorites that they cannot take off the menu are the breadcrumb topped baked haddock and the fried seafood, and yes there’s fresh lobster.

Other offerings are lobster pie or the chicken with scallops, shrimp and crab stuffing sitting in lobster cream sauce. We liked the interesting salads – one had butternut squash ravioli and another roasted pistachios. You will find strawberry shortcake for dessert and 20 gluten-free options.

Available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays,and Thursdays is a Prix Fixe menu. You each get your choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert and it’s just $35 for both of you. On these nights they also offer select wines $20/bottle.

Location: Michael’s Harborside, 1 Tournament Wharf, Newburyport, MA
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30-9:00 Fri-Sat 11:30-10:00, Sun 11:30-8:00
Tel: 978-462-7785
www.michaelsharborside.com

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FL: Pig Out and Sing Out in Deerfield

Deerfield Beach, FL Exit 42: The 8th annual PigOut n’ Deerfield Beach featuring a Bar-B-Q competition that includes both backyard and professional cookers. Categories include: chicken, ribs, brisket and pork. Judges determine the winner in each category and everyone attending has the opportunity to sample entries and vote for the People’s Choice Winner.

This family-friendly event also offers live bands performing throughout the day, SingOut@PigOut : a singing contest with talent competing for prizes from 10:30 – noon, kid’s corner with face painting, balloon twister and bounce house, refreshments for purchase, vendors exhibiting products.

Admission one ticket – $10 or take advantage of the four ticket bundle – $30.

Location: Sullivan Park, 1700 Riverview Rd, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
Date: Saturday: Feb. 28, 2015
Hours: 10 6:30
deerfieldchamber.chambermaster.com/events/details/8th-annuall-pigout-n-deerfield-156

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FL: Warbird Airshow for Military Aviation, Copter Rides, Parachute Jumps

Titusville, FL Exit 215:  The 38th annual 3-day event,  the Valiant Air Command TICO Warbird Airshow, highlights military aviation and features some of the most famous trainer, transport, fighter and bomber aircraft that flew in combat around the world.

In addition to the daily 3-hour aerial performance this family entertainment encompasses military and civilian aircraft static displays, military re-enactors and firepower demonstrations, flight simulators, airplane and helicopter rides.

Ground events include car displays, a kid’s carnival, gift shop, autograph tent, multiple food and souvenir venders, and pyrotechnics.

There will also be: parachute jumps, simulated dog fights and over 40 aircraft from WW I, WW II, Korea and Vietnam flying in formations and demonstrations, and a tribute to Vietnam Veterans.

Purchase advance tickets online at www.vacwarbirds.net

Location: Space Coast Regional Airport, 6600 Tico Rd, Titusville, FL 32780
Dates: March 13 – 15, 2015
Hours: Fri – Sun 8:30 – 5:00
Tel: 321-268-1941
www.vacwarbirds.net

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NC: Buy a Book and Stop a Crook – Book ‘Em North Carolina’s Literacy Event

Lumberton, NC Exit 22:  If you’re a reader, this event is for you. Whether you enjoy action, adventure, autobiographical, biographies, fairy tales, fantasy, folklore, historical, horror, humor, inspirational, military, mystery, mythology, romance, science fiction, or suspense there is something for everyone at Book ‘Em North Carolina’s annual event that brings together at least 75 authors of all genres under one roof.

Featured authors  will speak on a variety of subjects, and participate in panel discussions and solo talks. They will also be available to sell and sign their books.

A portion of the proceeds raised from the event (a minimum of 40%) is given to the community – The mission of the Book ‘Em Foundation is to raise public awareness of the correlation between high illiteracy rates and high crime rates.

The event is free and open to the public and appeals to all ages. There will be authors of children’s books including a full day of readings for small children, visits from their favorite book characters, face painting and arts & crafts.

Location: Robeson Community College, 5160 Fayetteville Rd, Lumberton, NC 28358
The entrance to the event will be at the A.D.Lewis Auditorium (Building 15). Buildings 14 and 15 will be filled with authors.
Date:: Saturday, February 28, 2015
Time: 9:30 – 4:30
http://www.bookemnc.org/

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