AUGUST
Port Byron, Ill., and LeClaire, Iowa
Great River Tugfest
Aug. 12-14
1-800-747-7800 or (309) 277-0937
www.tugfest.com
This event pits teams from Iowa and Illinois Quad Cities against each other in a huge tug-of-war across the Mississippi River. The only tug-of-war across the river, this one is the 23rd annual stringing of a 2,400-foot, 680-pound rope between Illinois and Iowa.
Carlyle, Ill.
Cruisin’ the Dam
Aug. 13
(618) 594-2468 or (618) 765-2199
www.playandstaycarlyle.com
Mariner’s Village (Microtel) complex at Carlyle Lake is the site where custom, antique, and show cars are displayed. Food, music. The evening concludes with a drive across the Carlyle Lake Dam.
Destin, Fla.
Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
18th Annual Emerald Coast Poker Run
Aug. 13-15
Benefits the Emerald Coast Foundation,
(954) 545-1414
www.EmeraldCoastFoundation.com
www.flpowerboat.com
Promotional materials from the Florida Powerboat Club declare that “the beaches are beautiful” and “The only OIL here is SUN TAN OIL!”
Hessel, Mich.
33rd Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show and Festival of Arts
Aug. 14
E-mail: lcha@cedarville.net
www.lchistorical.org
Largest show in the nation that features antique and classic wooden boats.
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island Fudge Festival
Aug. 20-21, 2010
(906) 847-3783
E-mail: info@mackinacisland.org
www.mackinacislandfudgefestival.org
Enjoy the Children's Ballet Theatre of Michigan, concerts, fudge and more.
Quad Cities
Floatzilla
Aug. 21
(563) 322-2969
www.floatzilla.org
The Quad Cities Paddlesports Festival is going for the world’s record for the largest raft of kayaks and canoes. Your chance to get into the “Guinness Book of Records!” River Action, Inc, is the event co-ordinator.
Chicago
Tall Ships 2010
Aug. 24-29
1-800-595-PIER (7437) or (312) 595-PIER (7437)
E-mail: navypierinfo@mpea.com
www.navypier.com
Really, is there anything more beautiful than a tall ship in full sail? Come, enjoy this special sight.
Beardstown, Ill.
Taste of Beardstown
Aug. 28
(217) 323-5479,
E-mail for Dennis Reiley: Dreileyms@yahoo.com
www.beardstownil.org
Sample Beardstown cuisine furnished by local restaurants and organizations in booths around the city square.
SEPTEMBER
Rock Island, Ill.
Rock Island Grand Prix
Sept. 4-5
(309) 788-6311
www.rockislandgrandprix.com
Go-karts rule the streets in the largest and safest go-kart street race in the world.
Ottawa, Ill.
Ducky Derby
Sept. 6
(815) 431-8236
E-mail: hho@heritageharborottawa.com
www.heritageharborottawa.com
Heritage Harbor of Ottawa is the site for this fun, family oriented event hosted by Marquette Academy.
St Louis
Navy Week Celebration
Sept. 6-12
(314) 607-7825
www.navyweek,org
The U.S. Navy wants to share its story with heartlanders, and will use the Leap Frogs parachute Team, Navy rock bands, ceremonial bands, divers, and flight simulators to do it. (Navy rock bands?
Lake Cumberland State Dock Marina
Jamestown, Ky.
The Lake Cumberland 2010 Poker Run
Sept. 10-12
(270) 343-2525
www.lakecumberlandpokerrun.net
Lake Cumberland calls itself the Houseboat Capital of the World; this poker run has both houseboats and powerboats participating. Live entertainment, helipics offering aerial shots of the boats.
Portage des Sioux, Mo.
Boat Race for Backstoppers
Sept. 11
(636) 448-4898
E-mail: backstoppersboatrace@gmail.com
www.backstoppersboatrace.com
The Backstoppers are people who support the widows and orphans of firefighters and law-enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. There’s barbecue and fireworks, in addition to an exciting race
Carlyle, Ill.
Carlyle Lake Wine and Art Festival
Sept. 12
(618) 594-2468 or (618) 594-2484
www.playandstaycarlyle.com
Wine tasting from Illinois wineries and an art exhibition showcasing area artists. Live music, great food. Takes place near the Carlyle Lake Visitor’s Center, 801 Lake Road.
Carlyle, Ill.
Carlyle Sailing Association Whale of a Sail
Sept. 18-19
http://csa-sailing.org
When you come to Carlyle Sailing Association's Phillippi Harbor, you come to sail. The Whale of a Sail is a multi-class regatta complete with live music and dancing in the evening.
Davenport, Iowa
Brew Ha Ha
Sept. 18
(309) 796-2424
www.wqpt.org
WQPT’s Brew Ha Ha features the best in improvisational comedy and micro brewed beers with more than 200 samples of brews from Europe and the Midwest during this outdoor event along the Mississippi River. Comedy, music and food along with non-alcoholic beverages and cheeses.
Davenport, Iowa
Celtic Festival and Highland Games
Sept. 18
(309) 794-0449
www.celtichighlandgames.org
Enjoy a traditional festival celebrating the cultures of the Celtic lands. Family oriented events include children’s games and crafts, storytelling, sheep herding exhibitions, and a Parade of Tartans at noon.
Lenoir City, Tenn.
6th Annual Taste of Loudon County
Sept. 19
(865) 458-2067
www.visitloudoncounty.com
Best of local restaurants, live music, outdoor shopping, children’s play area.
Beardstown, Ill.
Beardstown Fall Fun Festival
Sept. 25
(217) 323-3271
E-mail: info@beardstownil.org
www.beardstownil.org
All day devoted to entertainment, food, crafts, games and rides.
Davenport, Iowa
Quad Cities Kite Festival
Sept. 25-26
(309) 277-0937
www.qckites.com
Stunt kite performances, giant kites, kids’ kite building, candy drops, raffles.
Hudson, Wis.
Spirit of the St. Croix Days
Sept 25-26
1-800-657-6775 or (715) 386-8411
E-mail: info@hudsonwi.org
www.hudsonwi.org
Annual art and food event features 75 regional artists. Fine arts and traditional crafts draw visitors to Hudson's historic downtown and scenic park on the St. Croix River.
OCTOBER
Shreveport, La.
Red River Revel Arts Festival
Oct 2-9
(318) 424-4000
www.redriverrevel.com
LeClaire, Iowa
22nd annual Apple Festival
Oct. 10
1-800-747-7800
www.iowawelcomecenter.com
An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Apple vendors from across the area hand out samples of fresh apples and cider at the Mississippi Valley Welcome Center. Hayrack rides, a petting zoo, non-apple foods, antique cars and blacksmithing demonstrations.
Madisonville, La.
Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival
Oct. 23-24
(985) 845-9200
E-Mail: info@lpbmm.org (Melanie)
www.woodenboatfest.org
St. Tammany Parish hosts a tribute to hand-crafted wooden boats that played such an important role in Louisiana’s maritime history and culture. Boats, food, music—what more can anyone ask?
DECEMBER
Oil City, La.
Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival
Dec. 4
(318) 375-5689 |
