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US: Del Ray, VA – Livin’ Good in the ‘Hood – Well Ray Festival
Decided it’s time to start looking and feeling better then this event is for you. On June 24, 2017, in Del Ray, Virginia (a neighborhood in Alexandria) “where Main Street still exists”, it’s the 4th Annual Well Ray Festival – a community-wide effort to highlight resources for living healthily and happily. 
Browse health and lifestyle inspired tents, take free exercise classes, and enjoy therapeutic massages, acupuncture, physical therapy consultations, chiropractic adjustments, nutritional counseling and blood pressure screenings. Check out wellness-inspired fashion from local fitness clothing designers, jewelers, and boutiques.
You will find the outdoor celebration of health and wellness at the following locations: the open field across from Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga, the 2200 block of Mount Vernon Avenue will have Fitness Demos and classes (2213 Mt. Vernon Avenue), the Del Ray Farmer’s Market for Cooking and healthy bites, and the adjacent parking lot beside it (behind United Bank 2401 Mt. Vernon Avenue) and then the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Commonwealth Avenue) for vendors, exhibitors, wellness presentations and more.
Win prizes and make sure to bring your mat and be prepared to move. Enjoy free yoga, Pilates, CrossFit, Spin, Barre and dance classes led by fitness, health, and wellness experts. So much fun and the whole family can get involved in a healthy lifestyle.
Last year’s SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
8:15AM Outdoor Yoga with Mind the Mat
9:45AM Pilates Boot Camp with Mind the Mat
10:45AM CrossFit OldTown Kids Field Day (Sheriff’s Department vs. Fire Department Tug-o-War)
11:45AM Outdoor Yoga with Mind the Mat
12:30PM Swet Ride/Barre Tech/TRUE Circuit
1:30PM Stretch Class with Running Brooke
1:45PM Goal and Vision Setting with lululemon
THIRD FLOOR KIDS YOGA AND DANCE:
11-11:20AM/11:30-11:50AM/12:00-12:20PM Dance with TippiToes
12:30PM-2:00PM Yoga with YoKids
And lots of delicious and nutritious FOOD!
Location: Along Mount Vernon Avenue, Del Ray, VA
Date: Sat, June 24, 2017
Time: 9am – 1pm
Tel: 703-683-2228
wellraydelray.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitalexandriava.com
US: Portsmouth, NH – Enjoy Everything Portsmouth: 40th Anniversary of Market Square Day
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
US: Daytona Beach, FL – Calling All Jeep Aficionados… Jeep Beach is the Place to be!
Jeep enthusiasts celebrate a passion for off-road vehicles over 
five days of family-friendly fun for Jeep owners. The Jeep Beach event has become the largest Jeep only five-day event in the southeast USA and is held each April in Daytona Beach, Florida to raise much needed funds for worthwhile local and national charities.
Thousands are expected at Daytona Beach and The World Center of Racing, the Daytona International Speedway for this unique Jeep Extravaganza. Jeep Beach attracts Jeepers and Jeep Industry Vendors from all over the USA, Canada, and even overseas. 
While appreciating the great weather with like-minded Jeep aficionados, enjoy and partake in the many festivities including: obstacle courses for all levels of drivers, largest Jeep specific vendor show, Beachside Mainstreet Cruise In, clean up at the Jeep-shining show, Pirate Night Themed Kick-off party, Scavenger Hunt, Off Site Trail Rides, Beachside Concert, Block Party and Fireworks, and $150,000 in Raffle Prizes.
Location: City wide Daytona Beach, FL 32118
Dates: April 25 – 30, 2017
Hours: For dates & times of specific events: jeepbeach.com/schedule-events
jeepbeach.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: daytonabeach.com
US: Baltimore, MD – Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show
Light City is a FREE festival that transforms Baltimore with large-scale light installations, performances, music and innovation. Central to Light City is the BGE Light Art Walk along Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, featuring more than 50 attractions including visual arts such as illuminated sculptures, projections, interactive technologies, performances, concerts, food vendors and a children’s area.
Performance artists bring Light City to life with entertaining acts including fire (a showcase of fire and LED performances utilizing dance, flow arts, circus arts, and music), illuminated puppets, projections, stilt walkers, dance, musical entertainment at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater and along the BGE Light Art Walk.
Inner Harbor Skyline Photo Courtesy of Baltimore Office of Promotion and Arts
Music is a major attraction at Light City. The festival features a full schedule of FREE concerts including local, regional and renowned DJs, bands and musicians across every genre.
Families can visit Mini Light City in Pierce’s Park for hands-on, illuminated craft activities in a youth makers’ tent, children’s entertainers and whimsical snacks such as lighted cotton candy. The park is home to a sound garden by artist David Hess.
Congregation_KMA_Photo by: Tom Wexler
From the south shore of the Inner Harbor to Harbor East, festival -goers can explore 1.5 miles of world-class installations – all free, accessible and open to the public.
Attendees of the Light City Baltimore festival are encouraged to download the free app prior to their visit to see all that the festival has to offer including the festival map, schedule and general festival information. lightcity.org/light-city-baltimore-app
The Pool Photo by Jen Lewin.
Location: Baltimore’s Inner Harbor – lightcity.org/map
Date: Fri, Mar 31 – Sat, Apr 8, 2017
Hours: lightcity.org/schedule
Tel: 410-752-8632
lightcity.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitbaltimore.org
US: Lumberton, NC – Fast Races, Hot Chili, and Fun at the Rumba on the Lumber Festival
Did you ever Rumba on the Lumber? If not, you gotta get there. The whole weekend is geared towards the entire family. 
The Rumba on the Lumber Festival features live music, Rumba Games Exhibition – a battle between local fitness fanatics, Family Fun Ride/Rodeo, vendors, arts and crafts show, and the Lumbee River EMD Free Kidz Zone – with rock climbing, inflatable bouncer/slide, children’s basketball game, a spinner mechanical ride, trackless train and a high-striker.
The annual Rumba on the Lumber Festival officially kicks off at 9 am with the 
Southeastern Health 5K, 10K run described as very flat, fast, and fun, and the Family Fun Mile starts at 10am in downtown Lumberton.
Front and center is the Bud Light North of the Border Chili cook-off. Crowds gather from 11 – 2pm, Saturday in downtown Lumberton to get a taste of what teams are cooking. About 30 teams compete in categories like Best Tasting, Spiciest, Strangest Ingredient, Best Chili Name and Best Cooking Outfits. Costumed participants find unique ways to set themselves apart from the competition.
Schedule of Events:-
Saturday – March 4th:
9am – Southern Eastern Health 5K and Southeastern Health 10K
10 – 5pm – Lumbee River EMC KidZone activities at the Courthouse Plaza
10 – 5pm – Business, Craft and Food Vendors Galore
11am – Southeastern Health Family Fun Run/Walk
11 – 2pm – Bud Light North Light of the Border Chili cook-off with music by the Goldrush Band
TBA – The Rumba Games Fitness Competition
2 – 5pm – Concert at the Courthouse Plaza with the Blackwater Rhythm and Blues Band
Events on Sun March 5th:(starting at Northeast Park)
12 Noon – Yamaha of Lumberton Metric Century ( 100K Cycling Race)
1:30 – Cruzbike 20-Mile Adventure Ride
3:30 – Family Fun Ride/Rodeo
Go out and join the Lumberton community at this FREE weekend hugely packed with entertainment and family fun.
Location:Downtown Plaza – 200 N. Elm Street, Lumberton, NC 28358
Date: Sat March 4 – Sun March 5, 2017
Time: Sat 9 – 5pm. Sun 12 – 4pm
Tel: 910-671-3876
lumberton-nc.com/event/rumba-on-the-lumber-2017
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: lumberton-nc.com
US: Fredericksburg, VA – Early Countdown for New Year’s and Ping Pong Drop with Prizes
Trying to decide how to bring in the New Year? How about a family-friendly, FREE celebration “ Downtown 31st” – Finale Event held for kids and adults in Riverfront Park and at Market Square for teens, both in downtown 
Fredericksburg. This alcohol-free event has an early countdown and is a fun way to culminate the New Year with family and friends of all ages.
With loads of entertainment: Live Music and Dancing, Teen Area, Children’s Area, Games & Interactive Activities, Line Dancers , Entertainers, Crafts, Moon bounce, Food Vendors, Snow Maze, and Burn regrets and share new resolutions. There’s definitely something for everyone at this street party.
The piece de resistance is the Ping Pong Ball Drop at 9 pm that will be dropping 3,000+ ping pong balls including 100+ winning prize balls. Be sure to check out the selfie holiday cards in Riverfront Park.
Location: Riverfront Park, 600 Sophia St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Date: Sat, Dec 31, 2016
Time: 5 pm – 9 pm
Tel: 540-372-1086
downtown31.com/finale-event
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitfred.com
US: Annapolis, MD – Binge on Chocoholic Sushi with Chocolate Martinis at Annapolis Festival
Under the warm glow of lights you’ll be served a FREE toasty cup of hot chocolate while you enjoy listening to music. Indulge in some family-fun, there is something for everyone including shopping, art, drinks, food, prizes, and fun for kids of all ages and did I mention chocolate.
Take a chocolate tour along West Street with a dozens of vendors selling various chocolate specialties , including chocolate caramels, bars, truffles, fudge, cookies, rice crispies, fondue, chocolate fountain, candy apples, chocolate sushi, and even chocolate martinis. Chocoholics, get ready to binge!
Entertainment includes: Moon Bounce, Balloon Sculptures, Face Painting, Meet Santa, McGruff the crime fighting dog, and Sparky the fire department dog, Music performances, Comedy, Ugly Sweater Contest, holiday shopping, the lighting of the West Street Light Canopy. You can roast marshmallows and make s’mores at the fire pit in the middle of West Street sponsored by the Annapolis Fire Department.
Chocolate, holiday vendors, music, family friendly entertainment and holiday light canopy. All this makes for a great street party in Annapolis. Support the local arts and and We Care and Friends . Suggested $5 donation to the Annapolis Arts District-Kids are free with a paid parent donation.
Location: West St and Calvert St (Intersection) ,Annapolis, MD 21401
Date: Sun, Dec 4th, 2016
Time: noon-5pm
Tel: 410-858-5884
annapolischocolatefestival.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitannapolis.org
US: Wilson, NC – Wilson Whirligig Festival and Cake Dive
The Wilson Whirligig Festival is a community celebration of people and art in motion held the first weekend in November, where everyone comes together for an energetic street festival focusing the whimsical North Carolina Folk Art, Vollis Simpson’s Whirligigs.
Don’t forget to check out the Cake Dive, the festival’s MESSIEST event, held on the Courthouse plaza on Sunday at 4 pm. Participants “dive” into a large10 ft x 10 ft anniversary cake for a variety of prizes.
With 35,000+ attendees , over 200 vendors, 3 stages of entertainment, arts & crafts
food vendors, FREE! Whirli-Kidz Zone and lots of Special events.
This commemoration is truly family-friendly and kid focused. FREE live performances all day long with a wide variety of dance and demonstrations, from hip hop to lyrical, from clogging to ballet, from singing to karate. Play carnival games, create a craft, slide down a giant 26 foot slide or bounce in one of the many inflatable activities. Children of all ages can enjoy a variety of activities. Kids shouldn’t have all the fun! Demo’s available for 16 and up. Virtual Reality is not just for gamers anymore, it is everywhere. Learn more about this technology.
Location: Historic Downtown Wilson, 112 Goldsboro E ,Wilson, NC 27893
Date: Sat, Nov 5 – Sun, Nov 6, 2016
Time: Sat 10 – 5pm, Sun Noon – 5pm
Tel: 252-289-9650
whirligigfestivalnc.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: wilsonnc.org
US: Dunn, NC – Watch a Working Cotton Gin
November is peak season for cotton farmers and downtown Dunn was once known as the largest wagon cotton yard in the country. During the festival, the local cotton gin, that until recent years was located in downtown, offers free tours through the gin so that everyone can see cotton production unfolding before them. Shuttles are offered from the festival site to the gin and back every half hour. 
The Festival has two stages for entertainment: featured bands take the Main Stage throughout the day and festival goers also enjoy dancing and karaoke on the second stage. Highlights also include food and craft vendors, Kiddie Land, Petting Zoo and Antique Tractor Show . The event also coincides each year with the Dunn Shriner’s Car Show, where over 100 antique and custom cars compete for best in show.
Location: Downtown Dunn , NC 28334
Date: Sat Nov 5, 2016
Time: 10 – 4 pm
Tel: 910-892-3282
nccottonfestival.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions:
dunntourism.org
US: Darien, GA – Car Show, Water Race, Doggie Parade and Battle Re-enactment in Darien
Fall is in the air and the Darien Fall Festival is the place to be. Enjoy the Coastal scenery at this family- friendly event, offering tons to do; food, arts, and entertainment and taking place in the picturesque setting of downtown Darien.
The Classic Coastal Cruisers of Darien Car Show will be on display in Vernon Square, The rescue group, HART of McIntosh, will hold its Doggie Day Parade along Broad Street where you’ll find costumed participants and their owners, kayakers, canoeists, and paddle boarders will compete along a 2.4-mile course from the Darien River Bridge to Fort King George Historic Site. Be entertained by the McIntosh County Line Dancers and musical performances while Fine Arts vendors, Craft and Antique Vendors, and Food and Drink vendors will be set up along the streets.
Spend the day strolling the streets of historic Darien while enjoying the arts, antiques, food, and music or watching a battle re-enactment at FortKingGeorge , the Trailhead Center -Burning of Darien; Museum will be open and there will be horseback rides for children. Ashantilly Mansion and Print Shop will be open. There will be a Lime Burn with a talk on the history of Ashantilly, and then a historian led walking tour through historic St. Andrews Cemetery.
Diverse outdoor demonstrations including: yard and garden art, furniture and home decor, jewelry and clothing will take place on the grounds of the Old Jail Art Center during Fall Fest. Come out and celebrate the rich history and heritage of Darien.
Location: Downtown – Darien, GA 31305
Date: Nov 5, 2016
Hours: 8am – 5pm
Tel: 912-617-7299
darienfallfest.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitdarien.com