Travelsmartplanet

On Columbus Day weekend head to Newburyport for their annual Fall Harvest Festival. Enjoy great food, live music, and family fun while celebrating autumn’s arrival. Explore downtown shops as well as craft vendor booths from artisans all over New England.

A Newburyport tradition, Fall Harvest Festival features talented artisans offering handmade crafts & artwork, great local food vendors and live music that will keep your toes tapping.  Bring the kids in the morning for children’s entertainment in Market Square.

One of the most fun parts of the Newburyport Fall Harvest Festival is the Annual Scarecrow Contest. This year will be the 17th annual scarecrow contest and the goal of this creative competition is to create a gallery of fun, inventive scarecrows throughout Market Square.

Schedule:

• Kids’ Entertainment – Market Square | Sunday & Monday from 10:30-11:30 am
• Craft Show | Sunday & Monday 10 am-5pm
• Food Vendors | Sunday & Monday 10 am-5pm
• Scarecrow Contest | Sunday 12pm – Monday 2pm
• Live Music in Market Square | 1pm – 4pm

Location: Downtown Newburyport, Market Square, Newburyport, MA 01950
Date: Sun & Mon, Oct 7 & 8
Time: 10am – 5pm
Tel: 978-572-1494
facebook.com/events/2003581069655826
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: newburyportchamber.org

Join The Maggie Society on May 5th for Cinco de Barko, a family friendly, dog friendly afternoon of fun, food and music all to support a worthy cause.

If you’re an animal lover, grab a tailgating chair, the kids and the dog’s leash and get ready to PAWTY!

Along with the amazing Steve Hardy providing the tunes, food trucks will be on site so make sure to show up hungry. (Valid ID required for adult beverage purchases)

Other event activities include: bounce house, crafts (for children), PAWtraits (for the furry guests), silent auction, demonstrations, photo booth, Maggie Gear and adoptable dogs.

Kids 10 and under Free Admission.

Proceeds will go to: The Maggie SocietyCanine Rescue, Rehabilitation, & Education

Location: 210 Tarboro St. West, Wilson, NC 27893 (The “Grassy Lot”)
Date: Sat,  May 5, 2018
Time: 4 – 7pm
themaggiesociety.com/current-events.html
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: wilson-nc.com

Already a Memorial Day tradition, Country 500 draws 75,000 country-music loving fans to Daytona Beach for an unforgettable weekend of music, camping and summertime fun at one of America’s most iconic sports destinations.

Also called “The Great American Music Fest at Daytona,” the Country 500 festival features the biggest stars in country music spread over three days and nights, programmed on multiple performance stages—specially designed and built for the festival. Country 500 takes place on the infield of the world-famous Daytona International Speedway.

Featured artists: Sugarland, Toby Keith, Chris Stapleton, Dierks Bentley and more. For Complete Music Lineup: country500.com/schedule/#/

Fans at the festival also have the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of their favorite country stars at artist meet-and-greets located in the garages. Numerous other features—a select festival menu sold from food booths and food trucks; carnival rides; arcade games; cooling water elements; country-and-western merchandise; and more—will all be a part of the festival, as Country 500 transforms racing’s greatest venue into a festival-goer’s dream.

Location: Daytona International Speedway, 1801 West International Speedway Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32118
Date: May 25 – 27, 2018 – Memorial Day weekend
Times: Various
Tel: 504- 410-4100                        Photo Credits: Douglas Mason
country500.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: daytonabeach.com

Discover the beauty of sheep, the warmth of wool and the delicious taste of lamb during a fun-filled weekend at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, 45 years of celebrating all things sheep, from hoof to handwoven.

With over 275 vendors, more than 800 sheep, and workshops, food, and entertainment, there is something for everyone. Check out the working sheep dogs or sheep shearing demonstrations, learn how to prepare lamb, cheese making, take a spinning class, or shop for a variety of fleece, yarn and roving.

The Parade of Breeds will introduce you to a large variety of sheep breeds, and the Sheep to Shawl Contest will demonstrate shearing, carding, spinning, and weaving a final product in just a few hours.

There are auctions and sales for sheep equipment, fiber equipment, and fleeces. You can get many new ideas from the beautiful products on display from the many competitions.

With workshops and seminars galore, special activities for kids, cooking demonstrations, food booths, musical entertainment, this festival is going to be a hit with the whole family.

Location: Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Rd, West Friendship, MD 21794-9604
Date: May 5 & 6, 2018
Time: Sat 8:30am – 6pm, Sun 8:30am – 5pm
Tel: 410- 531-3647
sheepandwool.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visithowardcounty.com

As you enter the side door of the Surratt House Museum you are walking in the path of John Wilkes Booth the night he killed President Lincoln, since he came here to retrieve a rifle, field glasses and supplies for his run from the law.

Built in 1852, this was a tavern, an inn, a post office and a polling place. It was a safe house for the Confederate underground. The massive search for Booth led them here to Mary Surratt’s house, and as a result she was tried in a military court and convicted of conspiracy to assassinate the President. On July 7, 1865 Mary Surratt was the first woman to be executed by the federal government.

In your visit to this famous house, a docent in 1860’s period clothing walks you through the typical middle class home.  History buffs can make reservations for the 12-hour “Escape Route” bus tour. Many of the same roads and houses used by Booth are still in existence and are visited on this excursion which is narrated by nationally-recognized authorities on the Lincoln assassination and John Wilkes Booth’s flight.  Tour Dates for 2018: Apr 14, 21, 28 and Sept 8, 15, 22.

If you’re in the Clinton area Sat, Dec 2 – Sun, Dec 10, stop by the Surratt House Museum for their special Christmas program- An Old Fashioned Holiday: Bringing Christmas Past to Christmas Present, celebrating the Christmas of yesteryear amid period decorations, special exhibits and seasonal histories. On the weekend of December 9 and 10, return to enjoy special activities for all ages, cookies, cider, and holiday discounts in the museum’s gift shop.

Location: Surratt House Museum, 9118 Brandywine Road, Clinton, MD 20735
Hours: Wed – Fri 11am – 3pm, Sat -Sun 12 – 4pm
The Surratt House Museum is closed from Dec 12th to Jan 17th.
Tel: 301-868-1121
surrattmuseum.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitprincegeorgescounty.com

Kingsland, GA Exit 3: Enjoy this down-home festival with crispy Southern-fried catfish and all the fixings,  festival goers can feast on this and much more at Kingsland’s 35th Annual Catfish Festival.

The family-fun, outdoor festival kicks off at 9am Saturday, November 18th and lasts throughout the day, concluding with annual Night Parade. Throw in arts & craft booths, a variety of  food booths, antiques and collectibles, magic show, live entertainment, a children’s amusement area, 5K run and you are in for a great time.

Two local bands are in the line-up this year, Milltown Road and The Bluff 5 Band along with Country music artist Keith Anderson. The night parade begins at 6pm and Keith Anderson performs after the parade at 7pm.

To make this experience more complete, make sure to indulge in the local grub; the famous, heavenly southern-fried catfish with grits, hush puppies, coleslaw and sweet ice tea, you will be so glad you did.

Admission FREE, dogs on leashes welcome.

Location: Downtown Kingsland, 107 South Lee Street, Kingsland, GA 31548
Date: Sat, Nov 18th, 2017
Hours: 9am – 9pm
Tel: 912-729-5999
kingslandcatfishfestival.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitkingsland.com

Wilson, NC Exit 121: The North Carolina Whirligig Festival is a 2-day hometown annual arts and crafts festival features arts of the region, including the giant Whirligigs created by late local artist, Vollis Simpson. Like the whimsical outsider art, the Wilson Whirligig Festival,  in Historic Downtown Wilson, is a community celebration of people and art in motion.

The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park is hosting their Grand Opening the Thursday before the festival weekend, Nov. 2^nd starting at 4 pm.

With Over 200+ vendors, 3 stages of live entertainment, a showcase of local and interactive art,  delicious food, beer gardens, Non-Profit organizations, free Whirli-Kidz Zone, Special events, 5K Whirli-Run, Whirli-Kidz Stage & Choir, Cup Cake Challenge, Photo Contest. New this year is a Ninja Whirligig Warrior Zone where you can meet local American Ninja Warriors, watch them compete and get a chance to test out the course yourself.

The ever popular cake dive is back, Sun @4pm: witness the festival’s messiest event, a “dive” into a large 10 ft x 10 ft anniversary cake for a variety of prizes.

Touch-A-Truck is a fun event for the whole family, allowing children three + an all access pass to explore, climb and touch city of Wilson trucks and emergency response vehicles. Kids can sit in vehicles, honk the horn and talk with the equipment operators. Horn free hours will be offered throughout the day for kids with noise sensitivity.

Douglas Street will transform into a space to build, create, and envision. With Brick Scholars, Greenlight, and Imagination Station Science & History Museum. Kids five + will be able to make Lego creations, even a whirligig! Showcase your creation with the onsite photo booth.

It’s a colorful 2-day celebration that sparks creativity in the people of Wilson, so get inspired and take part in the community’s largest celebration. (rain or shine)

Location: Historic Downtown Wilson,NC 27893
Dates: Nov 4 – 5, 2017
Times:  Sat, Nov 4 -10 am – 5 pm , Sun, Nov 5  noon – 5 pm
Tel: 252-289-9650
whirligigfestivalnc.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: wilson-nc.com

The PWSPCA is teaming up again with Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center located in Woodbridge, Virginia to host the 2017 PetOberfest on Saturday, October 14, 2017 from 11am – 4pm.

The event will feature FREE pet and family friendly activities and pet oriented exhibitors. The P.A.W. Express Mobile Adoption Van will roll out for the day of fun festivities.

Activities include: Pet parade -Dress your pouch up in a Halloween costume and owners can dress up too,  children’s entertainment, Moonbounce, Parakeet Encounter, Mid Atlantic Disc Dogs, petting zoo, store discounts, prizes, and don’t forget to stop by the pet photo booth for a commemorative picture, all donations will benefit the Prince William SPCA.

All pets in attendance must be leashed.

Location: Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, 15151 Potomac Town Pl, Woodbridge, VA, 22191
Date: Sat, Oct 14, 2017
Time: 11am – 4pm
Tel: 703-830-6586
sptcpetoberfest.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: discoverpwm.com

Don’t miss the annual Market Square Day, this year celebrating it’s 40th anniversary. Created to commemorate the renovation and beautification of downtown Portsmouth – and, in particular, Market Square. Most of Downtown Portsmouth will be vehicle-free and pedestrian-friendly from 9am ’til 5pm, with an estimated crowd of 60,000-80,000 people walking through downtown Portsmouth.

It’s an all day street festival with vendors cooking delicious food, artisan booths selling handcrafted jewelry, accessories, art and  pottery by artists, craftspeople and merchants – many from the Seacoast area. Two performance stages feature local and regional musicians, where you can enjoy live bands and other great entertainment.

The day ‘kicks off’ with the Market Square Day 10K Road Race at 9am. The Start Line is in Market Square – from that point, 2,000 runners and competitive walkers make their way around town finishing at Historic Strawbery Banke.

Take this opportunity to enjoy everything that Portsmouth has to offer.

Remote Festival Parking
Pro Portsmouth runs a Free Shuttle Bus Service from 8:00am – 4:30pm on Market Square day.

To Remote Festival Parking – Fox Run Mall:
95 North, Exit 4 – To 4 & 16 – Take Exit 2 and follow the Festival Parking signs to the overflow lot (across lot and Mall Road)
95 South, Exit 5 – To 4 & 16 – Take Exit 2
Free shuttle service (Yellow school buses) transport you to the Festival area –
8:00am – 4:30pm.

Location: Market Square, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Date: Sat, June 10th, 2017
Hours: 9am – 4pm
Tel: 603-433-4398
proportsmouth.org/MarketSquareDay.cfm
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: portsmouthchamber.org

It’s strawberry season at the Ashland Strawberry Faire, a community and family-oriented event celebrating the strawberry harvest.Now in its 36th year,  The Ashland Strawberry Faire is held on the streets of Randolph-Macon College in historic Ashland, Virginia and draws approximately 40,000 to the Ashland region for fresh strawberries, food, music, arts, crafts, plants, antiques and games.

Ashland Strawberry Faire is a FREE family and pet friendly street party featuring live music and entertainment throughout the day, a Kid’s Zone  filled with fun activities such as a Cake Walk, Moon Bounce, Raffles, Arts and Crafts, and games ranging from Golf Putt, Bean Bag Toss, Lollipop Picking.  There will also be a strawberry pageant, pet pageant and a Kissing Booth (to benefit the Hanover Humane Society) – There are lots of prizes and treats for all. Proceeds from the event to aid the Hanover County non-profit organizations and scholarships – “Berry Good People making the Difference”.

Location: 500 Henry Street, Ashland, VA 23005
Date: Sat, June 3, 2017
Hours: 10 -5pm
Tel: 804-752-8289
ashlandstrawberryfaire.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: town.ashland.va.us