Deb's Monthly Review

April 2008

Editor: Deb Thompson deb@lightpatch.com

Festivals for Travelers, Sites of the Month, Archives, Selected Links and more.

Bringing you festivals and other fun since 1997!

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	The Artsy Site Of The Month: Welcome to the Joy of Painting Bob Ross quietly taught painting on public television for years.		Handy Site Of The Month: Bookbyte.com Buy and/ore sell used textbooks
	Just Fun Site Of The Month: Cube of Concentration Memories, cubed.		Scientific/Technical Site Of The Month: Essentials of Plumbing Free course: Faucets and P-traps and pipes, Oh my!

 April 2008 Festivals and Events

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Scroll down for April Festivals and other events for travelers in the U.S.

April 1-30, 2008 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival various venues, Mount Vernon, Washington	Arts and crafts, store open houses, Apple Blossom and Barrel Tasting events, art and craft activities for kids, pottery, basketball tournament, photography, Cow Town farm & petting zoo, salmon barbecue, basket making, naturalist tours, biking tulip tours, antiques, entertainment, choral concert, Meals on Wheels Tour de Fleur, gas engine & tractor show, woodworking demonstrations, chance to visit an alpaca ranch, viewings of dense plantings of tulips and daffodils, Anacortes Quilt Walk. It's the festival's 25th year. Further Information: Call 360-428-5959
April 4-23, 2008 Dogwood Arts Festival various venues, Knoxville, Tennessee	House & garden show, large-scale sculptures on display, walking trails and gardens (and bus tours to see blossoms), arts and crafts vendors, cookbooks and other festival merchandise, parade and band competition April 11 at 7pm, photography displays, Jazz tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, Diva Luncheon, Carboard Boat Regatta on April 20. Get Details: Call 559-875-4575
April 4-6, 2008 Atlanta Dogwood Festival Lenox Square, Atlanta, Georgia	Celebrate this 72nd year with youth art, giant inflatables and other fun at the Kid's Village, more than 200 artisans showing and selling their work, nonprofit displays, music, a rock climbing wall, face painting, Finlandia Art Bus (grown-ups only on this ride). When hunger looms enjoy gyros, onion rings, pizza, funnel cakes and more. Please leave pets safely at home. Find Out More: Call 404-817-6642
April 5, 2008 World Catfish Festival Downtown, Belzoni, Mississippi	Colgate County Showdown, arts and crafts from 9am-5pm, rock climbing wall, Catfish on Parade (large fiberglass sculptures on display throughout town), Catfish fry (10am-5pm between the courthouse and the Methodist Church), catfish eating contest, pageant, festival foods. In 2008 the festival celebrates its 33rd year of fun. Get The Facts: Call 800-408-4838
April 5-6, 2008 Big Hat Days Old Town, Clovis, California	Dig out your big-brimmed hats and enjoy the sun in Clovis with about a quarter of a million other festival-goers. There will be more than 400 arts and crafts vendors, business vendors, music, a carnival, beverage garden, merchant specials, food vendors, home and garden show. Hours are 9am-6pm. It's the event's 68th year of big-hat fun. Questions? Call 559-299-7363
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April 9-13, 2008 North Carolina Azalea Festival Area across from courthouse, Wilmington, North Carolina	Plans for this 61st year include circus acts, a shag dancing contest, boxing, arts and crafts, music, home tours, art show, coin show, garden tours, activities for kids, food booths, horse show and a parade. Further Information: Call 910-794-4650
April 10-13, 2008 French Quarter Festival French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana	First, the food. Stoke up your taste buds with mustard greens and rice, po-boy sandwiches, quesadillas, egg rolls, sweet potato pie, king cake, bread pudding with praline sauce, ice cream, tropical beverages and a zillion other goodies. Then you can wander to enjoy juried arts and crafts, courtyard garden tours, activities and entertainment for kids, New Orleans Jazz, a 5K race, Opera at Dusk and (for the grownups) information on the old red light district that is part of the French Quarter's history. It's the festival's 25th anniversary. Additional Details: Call 504-522-6730 or 800-673-5725
April 10-13, 2008 Bloomin' Temple Festival Downtown, Temple, Texas	5K run/1-mile fun run, Bloomin' Temple Tour (bicycle), food and beverage vendors, activities for kids, arts and crafts, commercial vendors, musical entertainment on stage. Learn More: Call 254-773-2105
April 11-12, 2008 Baxley Tree Fest Across from Courthouse, Baxley, Georgia	Games and rides for kids, music, food, arts and crafts, Baxley Idol Contest, street dance and more. It's the festival's 18th year. Information: Call 912-367-7731
April 11-12, 2008 Totally Texas Jimmy Burke Activity Center, 500 West 13th Street, Deer Park, Texas	Petting zoo, Texas Army reenactments, carnival, door prizes, parade, Newlywed Game, music, doughnut eating contest, family bingo, trout tournament, pageant, A New Dawn Dog Show, anvil throw, skillet throw, car show, Bar-B-Q Cookoff, festival foods, Kids Go Country. Further Details: Call 281-478-2050 or 281-476-7210
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April 11-13, 2008 Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival North 6th Street area, Ponchatoula, Louisiana	Food from more than 50 vendors, parade Saturday at 9:30am, Strawberry Strut (1 mile & 10K Sunday at 8am, music, egg toss, strawberry eating contest, sack races, carnival, farmers' strawberry judging and auction, pageant. Come and have fun during this 37th year. Learn More: Call 985-542-7520 or 800-917-7045
April 11-13, 2008 World Grits Festival Near Hwy. 15 and Hwy 78, St. George, South Carolina	For a 23rd year you can enjoy a corn shelling contest, Hula Hoop Contest, wheelbarrow races, Grits Dinner, business and civic booths, arts and crafts, Rolling in the Grits Contest (ages 15 & older), parade, kids' basketball toss, 5K run plus Kids Fun Run, Grits Eating Contest, corn toss contest, commercial booths, food booths. Details: Call 843-563-7943
April 11-13, 2008 Poteet Strawberry Festival Festival Grounds on Hwy. 16, Poteet, Texas	Parade, bear show and exhibit, Elvis Extravaganza, raptor info/education, evening dances, petting zoo, musical entertainment, BBQ Cook Off, arts and crafts, Pirate Dress-Up Show, Freckles (festival mascot) mingling with the crowd, magic and hypnotist entertainment, rodeo events, gunfighter show, carnival. It's the festival's 61st year. Get The Facts: Call 830-742-8144 or 800-742-8144
April 12, 2008 National Grits Festival Emmerson Park area Downtown, Warwick, Georgia	Now in its 11th year, the festival offers fun such as the Rolling in the Quaker Instant Grits Contest, a grits cooking contest, activities for the kids, Quaker Grits Breakfast (beginning at 7:30am), corn shelling contest, grits eating contest, festival merchandise, entertainment. Questions? Call 229-947-0023
April 12, 2008 Franklin Parish Catfish Festival Historic Downtown, Winnsboro, Louisiana	Celebrate 22 years of festival fun with Doug Kershaw and other musical entertainers on 3 stages. Catch the fly-in for remote control planes, enjoy a Corvette show and motorcyle show, classic cars, softball tournament, arts and crafts vendors and plenty of festival foods. Learn More: Call 318-435-7607
April 12-13, 2008 Baldwin County Strawberry Festival Municipal Park, Loxley, Alabama	Music, pony rides, car show, games and rides, arts and crafts. Hours are 9am-5pm for this 21st year. Further Details: Call 251-550-2003
April 12-13, 2008 Alabama Chicken & Egg Festival Lions Club Fairgrounds at 455 School Street, Moulton, Alabama	For a 4th year folks in Moulton invite you to celebrate with a Chicken Poker Run, Bantam roosters on display, chicken bowling, pageant, music, arts and crafts, KFC Colonel Sanders Look-a-like contest, Egg Drop for future engineers, chicken BBQ cooking contest, educational exhibits, Chicken Clucking Contest, Karaoke for Big Chickens, wing eating contest, photo contest, boiled egg eating contest and more. Additional Facts: Call 256-974-1658 or 800-974-1658
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April 12-13, 2008 Fisherman's Festival Westside Park, Bodega Bay, California	Enjoy this 35th year with a boat parade and blessing of the fleet on Sunday, the wooden boat race, music and other entertainment, parade of pets, arts and crafts, activities for children, BBQ and other foods. The fun goes from 10am-5pm. Info: Call 707-875-3286 or 707-875-3866
April 12-13, 2008 Good Old Days Celebration Downtown, Pacific Grove, California	In its 51st year the festival will feature more than 225 arts and crafts vendors, festival foods, 4 stages of entertainment, a parade down Pine Avenue at 10am on Saturday, Calfornia police motorcycle competition, carnival, miniature golf, walking tours, firefighters' competitions. There is no admission charge and the festival goes on rain or shine! Learn More: Call 831-373-3304
April 19-20, 2008 Star Daze Festival Downtown, Star City, Arkansas	Arts and crafts, local entertainment on stage, carnival, food vendors, bike ride, pageant, talent show. It's the festival's 5th year. Get The Facts: Call 870-628-6400 or 870-628-9943
April 18-19, 2008 Riverfest Historic Downtown, Vicksburg, Mississippi	Acitivies for kids, musical and other entertainment, festival merchandise, festival foods, arts & crafts, games. Questions? Call 800-221-3536
April 18-19, 2008 Magnolia Festival Magnolia Park on Hwy. 96, Kirbyville, Texas	Pet show, arts and crafts, classic cars, art and photo exhibits, entertainment, parade Sat. morning, carnival April 16-19, talent show, door prizes, commercial vendors, festival foods. It's the festival's 23rd year. Details: Call 409-423-5827
April 18-20, 2008 Cotton Gin Festival Museum at 307 N. Main, Burton, Texas	If you've never seen a cotton gin up-close, why not do that very thing at this festival's 19th celebration? There will also be activities for kids, antique machinery on display, auctions, bike parade for kids, grand parade at 11am on Sat., arts and crafts, music, folk life and crafts demonstrations, carnival rides and games and food concessions. Get The Facts: Call 979-289-3378
April 18-20, 2008 Ole Tyme Days Festival Main Street area, Dayton, Texas	It's the festival's 16th anniversary. Plan to help celebrate with concerts and dance, tractor show, junior chili competition, pageant, arts and crafts, car show, baking contest, carnival, BBQ cooking competition and more. Admission to the festival is free. Learn More: Call 936-402-3322 or 936-336-5736
April 19, 2008 Spinach Festival Downtown, Alma, Arkansas	This 22nd year the festival celebrates the green, leafy vegetable with a talent contest, spinach cooking contest, spinach eating contest, arts and crafts, food booths, activities for children and more. The town of Alma is home to spinach processor Allen Canning Company, which produces Popeye brand spinach. Info: Call 479-632-4127
Sorry, festival-goers. I am unable to fulfill requests for personalized festival lists free of charge. You may hire me by the hour for personal research.
April 19, 2008 Sugar Festival City Park area, Clewiston, Florida	Music, arts and crafts, hospital bed racing, Sweet Taste of Sugar Country Dessert Contest, bass tournament, cane grinding demonstrations, horseshoe tournament, antique farm implement display, rodeo events, rock climbing wall. There is no admission charge to the festival. Hours are 9am-7pm. Get Details: Call 863-983-7979
April 19, 2008 Terrell Heritage Festival Ben Gill Park, Terrell, Texas	There is no admission charge to this event. Activities include music and other entertainment, motorcyle show and games, museum tours, carnival, classic cars and trucks, arts and crafts, food vendors, quilt show, BBQ cooking contest, livestock and cowboy events and the Heritage Trail Tour of Homes. Find Out More: Call 972-542-5703 or 1-877-TERRELL
April 19-20, 2008 Bloomin' Festival St. Bernard Prep School, Culman, Alabama	the festival celebrates its 24th fundraising year with more than 140 arts and crafts booths, Southern foods, a drawing for a 2008 Ford truck (and other prizes), music and more. Further Facts: Call 256-739-6682 or 800-722-0999
April 19-20, 2008 Cherry Blossom Festival Barnes Park at 350 South McPherrin Avenue, Monterey Park, California	Activities for kids, crafts, Japanese tea ceremony, games, Asian food festival, taiko drums, martial arts demos, cultural displays, Japanese music and dance, civic and business vendors, art. Hours for this 11th year are 11am-6:30pm Sat. and 11am-6pm Sun. There is no admission charge. Additional Information: Call 625-307-2541
April 19-20, 2008 Big Shanty Festival Main Street downtown, Kennesaw, Georgia	In its 32nd year this festival celebrates with more than 200 arts and crafts vendors, 2 stages of entertainment, Civil War Living History, a parade on Sat. at 9:30am, festival foods for sale, activities for kids, commercial vendors and games. General festval hours are 10am-6pm on Sat. and noon-5pm on Sun. Admission to the festival is free. Questions? Call 770-423-1330
April 19-20, 2008 Mainsail Arts Festival Vinoy Park, Bayshore Drive & 7th Avenue NE St. Petersburg, Florida	More than 100,000 are expected to enjoy this 33rd year with jazz, country, rock and other music. More than 200 artisans show and sell their work, with some artists demonstrating their techniques. There are art activities for kids, school art on display and festival foods such as barbecued chicken, cinnamon roasted nuts, sweet potato fries, corn dogs, greens with cornbread, ice cream and baklava. Hours are 9am-6pm on Sat. and 10am-5pm on Sun. Further Details: Call 727-892-5885 or 727-893-7734
April 19-20, 2008 Bradford County Strawberry Festival Downtown, Starke, Florida	Fresh strawberries for sale, arts and crafts, activities for kids, lots of strawberry treats, music. Hours are 9am-5pm on Sat. and noon-5pm on Sun. Info: Call 904-964-5278
April 22-27, 2008 Festival of the Arts Downtown, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	Hours are 11am-9pm Tue. through Sat. and 11am-6pm on Sun. Most events are at Festival Plaza, Stage Center or Myriad Botanical Gardens. Browse more than 140 arts and crafts booths, get your face painted, enjoy art activities for kids, 4 stages of entertainment, furniture showcase, kinetic sculptures, Pottery Place, International Food Row. There is no admission charge to the festival. You're requested to leave pets comfortably at home while you attend. As always, working assistance animals are welcomed. More: Call 405-270-4848
Apri 23-26, 2008 Vinton Dogwood Festival Downtown, Vinton, Virginia	Musical entertainment, parade, carnival, art activities for kids (area expanded this year), 5K Dogwood Run on Sat. at 8:30am, auto show, pageant, farmer's market, food vendors, Guitar Hero Competition. It's the festival's 53rd year of fun. Get Details: Call 540-983-0613 or 540-983-0614
April 23-27, 2008 Trout Festival Various venues, Kalkaska, Michigan	Senior horseshoe tournament, fish fry, carnival, trout fishing contest, classic cars, fireworks, battle of the bands, spaghetti dinner, Kalkaska Idol, activities for children, arts and crafts, parades, entertainment. Further Information: Call 727-842-7651 or 877-4CHASCO
April 24-27, 2008 Vidalia Onion Festival Various venues, Vidalia, Georgia	Celebrate this 31st year with an air show, cooking demos, street dance, 1-mile Fun Run/Walk plus 5K & 10K Onion Run (all on Sat., Apr. 26), arts and crafts, carnival at Kiwanis Fairgrounds on Airport Rd., car show, Virtual Army Experience, antiques, motorcycle rally, Onion Eating Contest, merchant specials, farm tours, train rides, outdoor movies and more. Learn More: Call 912-536-8687
April 25-27, 2008 Stockton Asparagus Festival Downtown (Weber Point area), Stockton, California	Staged and strolling entertainment, hole-in-one golf contest, arts and crafts, Delta River Cruise (separate fee), deep-fried asparagus eating competition, pole vaulting, Spear-It of the Valley (wine and microbrews), food and merchandise vendors, Rockin' Ray and the Amazing Skyy Dogs, festival merchandise, asparagus recipe contest, home and garden expo, farmer's market, Great Spear-It Run (1-mile, 5K, 5-mile) with both serious and costumed competitiors. You can park at San Joaquin Delta College and catch the Asparabus to the fun at this 23rd celebration. There is an admission charge for those over age 10. Get The Facts: Call 209-644-3740
April 25-27, 2008 Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival Various venues, Vermontville, Michigan	Pancake and sausage dinners, egg toss and other games, arm wrestling competition, pancake breakfasts (with maple syrup), flea market, roast beef dinners, chicken BBQ, pageant, children's parade, musuem displays, classic cars, talent show, arts and crafts, petting zoo, entertainment, pedal tractor pull. Find Out Details: Call 517-725-0394 or 517-726-0670
April 25-27, 2008 Crab & Seafood Festival County Fairgrounds on Highway 202, Astoria, Oregon	Arts and crafts, seafood dinners, activities for kids, music and more. Festival hours are 4-9pm on Fri., 10am-8pm on Sat. and 11am-4pm on Sun. There is an admission charge for those age 12 and older. Further Information: Call 503-325-6311 or 800-875-6807
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April 25-27, 2008 Germanfest City Park area, Muenster, Texas	Now in its 33rd year, the festival offers fun such as 2 stages of musical entertainment, folk dancing, sausage and rib cooking competitions (plus brisket cooking competitions), Nagelshlagen (nail driving) contest, arts and crafts, Metric Century Bicycle Rally Sat. (11am), activities for kids, clowns and storytellers, carnival rides, rock climbing wall, mimes and magicians. Homemade breads, apple strudel, sausages, cheese and pies will lure you to taste. Please, no pets at the festival. There is an admission charge for those age 9 and older. If you come in full, traditional German costume I'm told that you get in free. Get The Facts: Call 940-759-2227 or 800-942-8037
April 25-27, 2008 Vermont Maple Festival Main Street area Downtown, St. Albans, Vermont	Pancake breakfast at City Elementary School on Bellows St. Sat. & Sun. 7am-noon (with free Cabot cheese samples), carnival games and rides, Maple Dinner/Dance, maple cookbooks, maple cooking demonstrations and cooking contests, Fiddler's Variety Show, activities for kids, Sap Run (8.5 miles), youth talent show, antiques, exhibits, sugarhouse tours, staged entertainment, more than 50 arts and crafts booths, parade on Sat. at 1pm. Try a maple-cream frosted doughnut after some savory festival foods. It's the event's 32nd anniversary. Questions? Call 802-524-5800
April 25-27, 2008 International Ramp Festival City Park, Elkins, West Virginia	Rotary chicken barbecue, traditional ramp dinner on Friday night at the Armory, arts and crafts, ramp cooking competition, activities for kids. It's the festival's 18th year. Learn Details: Call 304-636-2780
April 26, 2008 City Fest Kiesel Park, Auburn, Alabama	Non-profit booths, arts and crafts, Lee County Human Society Mutt Strut 5K (canines welcome), fine art show, Bama Air Dogs, lumberjack show, Auburn University Raptor Center demos, entertainment, children's art exhibit, Children's Imagination Station, SCA medieval demonstrations, Operation Boot Camp workouts, chance to try trout fishing, food vendors. Hours are 9am-5pm and there is no admission charge. Leashed dogs may be brought into the festival area. Further Information: Call 334-501-2963 or 334-501-2930
April 26, 2008 Butter & Egg Days Historic Downtown, Petaluma, Clifornia	Block-long food court, arts and crafts on B Street, parade at noon, inflatables and other activities for children, non-profit booths. Hours of fun are 10am-5pm. Find Out Details: Call 707-763-0344 or 707-762-9348
April 26, 2008 Dewberry Festial Wilson Ledbetter Park, Cameron, Texas	Now celebrating a 12th year, the festival brings activities such as a BBQ cooking contest, chili cooking contest, youth fishing tournament, arts and crafts, carnival, entertainment, dewberry cobbler and ice cream, a cake contest, food vendors and more. (The BBQ and chili cookers begin their work Friday, April 25.) Get The Facts: Call 254-697-4979
April 26, 2008 Derrick Days Downtown, Corsicana, Texas	Chili cooking contest, raffle, door prizes, pancake breakfast 7-9am, parade at 9am, arts and crafts, 3-on-3 basketball, pet adoptions, Shakers & Scrapers Car Show, activities for kids, carnival, music, film on oil history, horseshoe tournament, washer pitching tournament. Further Information: Call 903-654-4851
April 26, 2008 Onion Festival Princeton High School, Princeton, Texas	Pageant, onion cooking contest, arts and crafts, tennis round-robin tournament, entertainment, activity booths, food vendors, 5K run, classic cars, festival merchandise. Questions? Call 972-548-2048
April 26-27, 2008 Great Griffin Mayfling City Park, Griffin, Georgia	Activities for kids, Fire House, juried arts and crafts, community and non-profit booths, local entertainment, food. There is a small admission fee and hours are 10am-6pm Sat., 11am-5pm Sun. Learn More: Call 770-228-8200
April 26-27, 2008 Main Street Festival Historic Main Street, Fraklin, Tennessee	More than 200 juried arts and crafts vendors, 2 areas of food vendors, Kids Street, 4 stages of music and other entertainment, carnival games and rides. Find Out Details: Call 615-591-8500
April 26-27, 2008 National Cornbread Festival Downtown, South Pittsburgh, Tennessee	Most of the festival events are in the Cedar Avenue area Downtown. Enjoy a 5K road race and 1-mile fun run, bluegrass music, activities for kids, juried arts and crafts, National Cornbread Cook-Off, Jam Tent for musicians, festival merchandise, festival foods for sale and more. Hours are 9am-6pm on Sat. and 9am-5pm on Sun. There is an admission fee. Come and enjoy this 12th year of fun, but do leave pets safely at home. Further Information: Call 423-837-0022
Sorry, festival-goers. I am unable to fulfill requests for personalized festival lists free of charge. You may hire me by the hour for personal research.
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April Somethings! Brief, bare-boned last-minute festival listings:
Apr. 3-6 Next Generation Festival (jazz), Conference Center, Monterey, California, 831-373-3366 Apr. 4-5 Dogwood Days, McCurtain County Fairgrounds, Idabel, Oklahoma, 580-286-3305 Apr. 4-6 Hawaiian Scottish Festival, Waikiki, Hawaii, 808-626-3559 Apr. 4-6 Cypress Sawmill Festival, Kemper Williams Park/Campground, Patterson, Louisiana, 985-395-4905 or 800-256-2931 Apr. 4-6 Deep Ellum Arts Festival, Entertainment District on Main, Dallas, Texas, 214-855-1881 Apr. 5 Orange Harvest Festival (6th), 9am-4pm, Eaton Park, Orange Cove, California, 559-626-5179 Apr. 5 Billy the Kid Day (20th), Downtown on Pecan Street, Hico, Texas, 800-361-4426 Apr. 5 Texas Rio Grande Onion Fest, City Park on N. Airport Dr., Weslaco, Texas, 956-968-2102 Apr. 5 Fiesta En La Calle, Yorktown, Texas, 361-564-2661 Apr. 11-12 Dogwood Days (32nd), Diamond B Mall parking lot area, Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, 870-670-5433 or 870-373-3303 Apr. 11-12 Lebanese Food & Cultural Festival,                    10am-9pm, Saint Elias Maronite Catholic Church, Birmingham, Kentucky, 205-253-5564 or 205-251-5057 Apr. 12 Pear Blossom Festival, Downtown, Medford, Oregon, 541-734-PEAR Apr. 12-13 Rose Festival, Downtown, Tombstone, Arizona, 520-457-3648 or 888-457-3929 Apr. 12-13 Spring Fest, 10-4, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 765-494-5876 Apr. 12-13 Austin Fine Arts Festival, Republic Square Park, Austin, Texas, 512-458-6073 Apr. 12-20 Cimarron Territory Celebratio, Various venues, Beaver, Oklahoma, 580-625-4726 Apr. 17-19 Hillbilly Days Festival, Pikeville, Kentucky, 606-432-5504 Apr. 17-20 Vintage Days (34th), Treasure Island, California State University of Fresno, Fresno, California, 559-278-2741 Apr. 17-20 Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival (23rd), Main Street, Fort Worth, Texas, 817-336-2787 Apr. 17-20 Windfest 2008 (35th), Community Center, Portland, Texas, 361-643-2475 or 877-643-6475 Apr. 17-26 Come See Me Festival, Rock Hill, South Carolina, 800-681-7635 Apr. 18-19 Crawfish Festival, Faunsdale, Alabama, 334-628-3240 Apr. 18-19 Teche Bear Festival (5th), Historic Downtown, Franklin, Louisiana, 800-256-2931 Apr. 18-19 Green Frog Festival, Downtown, Wilburton, Oklahoma, 918-465-2254 Apr. 18-20 Central Valley Pizza Festival, Lemoore, California, 559-924-2421 Apr. 18-20 Founders Day Festival (21st), Mercer Street area, Dripping Springs, Texas, 512-858-4725 Apr. 18-20 Bluebonnet Trails Festival, Ennis, Texas, 972-878-4748 Apr. 18-20 RioFest, Fair Park, Harlingen, Texas, 800-746-3378 Apr. 18-20 & 25-27 Texas Crawfish Festival (22nd),                    Old Town Springs, Texas, 713-249-3998 or 800-853-8696 Apr. 18-20 Texas Sandfest (12th), Beach Markers 9 & 10, Port Aransas, Texas, 800-452-6278 Apr. 19 Strawberry Festival 9-5, Downtown, Castleberry, Alabama, 251-966-2422 Apr. 19 Magnolia Festival (7th), 10-5, Gardendale, Alabama, 205-631-9195 Apr. 19 Picnic Day, UC Davis campus, Davis, California, 530-752-6320 Apr. 19 Norman 89er Day, Norman, Oklahoma, 405-366-8095 or 405-217-9611 Apr. 19, 26-27 & May 2-3 Chisholm Trail Stampede, Heritage Center, Duncan, Oklahoma, 800-782-7167 Apr. 19-20 Great American Pie Festival, 11-7 & noon-5, Lakeside Park, Celebration, Florida, 847-371-0170 Apr. 19-20 National Mayhaw Festival, Spring Creek Recreational Park, Colquitt, Georgia, 229-758-2400 Apr. 19-20 Wamego Tulip Festival (21st), City Park, Wamego, Kansas, 785-456-7649 Apr. 19-20 Chocolate Festival (21st), Old Town, Washington, (Maysville), Kentucky, 606-759-7423 or 606-759-7411 Apr. 20 Spring Bada-Bing, 11-4, Plant Zero on E. 4th St., Richmond, Tennessee, 804-304-4312 Apr. 21 Thunder Road Festival, Rockwood, Tennessee, 865-250-6717 Apr. 21-27 World's Biggest Fish Fry, Henry County Fairgrounds, Paris, Tennessee, 731-644-1143 or 731-642-3431 Apr. 24-26 Rose Show & Festival (87th), Downtown & Paradise Park, Thomasville, Georgia, 229-227-3310 or 229-227-7020 Apr. 24-27 Gold Nugget Days, Paradise, California, 530-872-8722 Apr. 25 Apple Blossom Festival, Presbyterian Manor grounds, Newton, Kansas, 316-283-5400 Apr. 25-26 Red Fern Festival, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, 918-456-3742 Apr. 25-26 Riverfest, Municipal Park, Freeport, Texas, 979-233-3306 or 979-233-5051 Apr. 25-27 Festival on the Rivers, Robert Fowler Memorial Park, Geneva, Alabama, 334-684-6582 Apr. 25-27 Panoply Arts Festival (27th), Big Spring International Park, Huntsville, Alabama, 256-519-2767 Apr. 25-27 Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival, Fairpark, Santa Maria, California, 805-925-8824 Apr. 25-27 Leesburg Bikefest, Downtown, Leesburg, Florida, 352-365-0053 Apr. 25-27 Pompano Beach Seafood Festival, On the beach, Pompano Beach, Florida, 954-941-2940 Apr. 25-27 Italian Festival (24th), Atlantic Blvd., Independence, Lousiana, 800-542-7520 Apr. 25-27 Fisherman's Festival, Boothbay Harbor, Maine, 207-633-2353 or 207-633-4825 Apr. 25-27 Nantucket Daffodil Festival, Nantucket, Massachusetts, 508-228-1700 Apr. 26 Iron Horse Festival, Railroad Blvd., McComb, Mississippi, 601-249-2927 or 601-248-9664 Apr. 26 Double Decker Arts Festival, Oxford, Mississippi, 662-232-2367 or 800-756-9177 Apr. 26 Spring Fling, Wynnewood, Oklahoma, 405-665-4466 Apr. 26 Eeyore's Birthday Party (45th), 11am-dusk, Pease Park, Austin, Texas, 512-448-5160 Apr. 26 San Jacinto Day Festival, 10-6, One Monument Circle, La Porte, Texas, 281-479-2421 Apr. 26 Bluebird Festival (15th), Wills Point, Texas, 903-873-3111 or 903-560-0158 Apr. 26-27 Daffodil Festival (30th), Meriden, Connecticut, 203-630-4259 Apr. 26-27 Apopka Art & Foliage Festival (47th),                    9am-5pm, Kit Land Nelson Park, Apopka, Florida, 407-884-6488 Apr. 26-27 Carrabelle Riverfront Festival (18th),                    10-6 & 10-4, Marine Street along Riverwalk, Carrabelle, Florida, 850-697-2585 Apr. 26-27 Melbourne Art Festival, Downtown, Melbourne, Florida, info@melbournearts.org Apr. 26-27 Spring Jonquil Festival, 10-6 & noon-5, Village Green, Smyrna, Georgia, 770-423-6600 Apr. 26-27 East Maui Taro Festival (16th), Hana Ballpark, Hana, Hawaii, 808-264-1553 Apr. 26-27 Red Poppy Festival, Downtown Square, Georgetown, Texas, 512-930-3545 Apr. 26-27 Dirty Dan Days, Village Green & other venues, Fairhaven, Washington Apr. 27 Festival de la Familia (17th), 10-6, Sacramento, California, 916-422-2700 Apr. 27 Springfest, 10-5, Main & South Broadway, Nyack, New York, 845-353-2221 Apr. 27 St. Michael Spring Festival, Veterans Hall at 502 Park Dr., Weimar, Texas, 979-263-5251 Apr. 27-29 Clarendon County Striped Bass Festival (29th), Downtown Square, Manning, South Carolina, 803-432-4405
Other April 2008 Events You Might Enjoy Events in this section may also be called festivals but are generally less multi-dimensional than events in the above category
Apr. 1 St. Stupid's Day Parade, noon, Clay/Montgomery down Columbus, San Francisco, California Apr. 4-5 The Big One Art & Craft Sale (17th), State Fair Center, Minot, North Dakota, 701-836-9385 or 701-857-7620 Apr. 4-6 Orvis Warehouse Sale, Dulles Expo & Conference Center, Chantilly, Virginia, 800-635-7635 Apr. 5 Arts in the Park (37th), 9-5, Highland Park, Meridian, Mississippi, 601-693-2787 601-485-1944 Apr. 5-6 Spring Craft Show, State Fairgrounds on US Rt. 13, Harrington, Delaware, 717-656-3208 Apr. 5-6 Home & Garden Show, County Expo Center, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 405-372-2540 Apr. 6 The Comic Book Show 10-4, Holiday Inn on Northeast Blvd., Nashua, New Hampshire, info@thecomicstore.com Apr. 6 New York Autograph Show, 9-5, Helmsley Park Lane Hotel, New York, New York, 888-338-4338 Apr. 6 Spring Craft Show, 9-3:30, Simek Recreation Center, Medford, Wisconsin, 715-748-6655 Apr. 11 Art Stroll, Downtown, Sisters, Oregon, 541-549-4979 Apr. 11-12 San Joaquin County Home & Garden Show, County Fairgrounds, Stockton, California, 209-941-1880 Apr. 12 Thunder Over Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, 502-584-6383 Apr. 12 Prairie Dog Chili Cook-Off (33rd), Traders Village, Grand Prairie, Texas, 972-647-2331 Apr. 12-13 Texas Bluebonnet Festival, Downtown, Chappel Hill, Texas, 979-836-6033 or 888-273-5426 Apr. 13 Majesticon (comics), 10-3, Ramada Plaza Convention Center on 120th Ave., Northglenn, Colorado, danacain@att.net Apr. 13 Pancake Breakfast, 7-11:30am, Fire Headquarters on Saybook Rd., Essex, Connecticut Apr. 13 Spring Breakout (motorcycles)(5th), Ice Time Arena, Newburgh, New York, 607-863-4295 Apr. 13-15 Bloom 'n' Garden Expo (4th), County Agricultural Expo Park, Franklin, Tennessee, 615-790-5721 Apr. 16-20 Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association Jeffers CMSA National Championship,                    Arena, Tunica, Mississippi, 480-683-0485 Apr. 17-19 Texas Uke Fest (7th), San Antonio, Texas, 210-826-9041 Apr. 17-21 Pittsburgh International Auto Show, Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 866-575-3040 Apr. 18-20 Wildflower Show Museum of Natural History, Pacific Grove, California, 831-648-5716 Apr. 18-20 Best of the Valley Quilt Show,                    Heritage Complex at International Agricultural Center, Tulare, California, 559-686-9152 Apr. 18-20 Sugarloaf Art Fair, 10-6 & 10-5, Rock Financial Showplace, Novi, Michigan, 301-990-1400 or 800-210-9900 Apr. 18-20 History Meets the Arts, Various venues, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 717-337-3491 or 800-237-5015 Apr. 18-20 Antique Alley & Yard Sale (17th),                    15-mile area, Cleburne (and Grandview and Maypearl), Texas, 817-641-0183 Apr. 18-20 Dallas Guitar Show (31st), Market Hall on Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas, 972-260-4201 or 972-240-2206 Apr. 18-21 Book Faire, County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, California, 707-545-0831 Apr. 19 Kingsburg Car Show, Kingsburg, California, 559-897-1111 Apr. 19 Southern Kentucky Book Fest (10th), Sloan Convention Center, Bowling Green, Kentucky, 270-745-5016 Apr. 19 Weiner Dog Races, Sulphur, Oklahoma, 580-622-4217 Apr. 19-20 Art on the Lake (47th),                    10-5, Rec Center at 1503 Sunset Drive, Guntersville, Alabama, 256-582-4378 or Email peloise@aol.com Apr. 24-27 Clovis Rodeo (94th), Rodeo Grounds, Clovis, California, 559-299-8838 Apr. 24-27 Texas International Boat Show, Downtown Marina, Corpus Christi, Texas, 561-842-8808 Apr. 25-27 New Living Expo (7th), Concourse Exhibition Center on 8th, San Francisco, California, 415-382-8300 Apr. 25-27 Connecticut Storytelling Festival (27th), Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut, 860-439-2764 Apr. 25-27 Interstate Mullet Toss, Flora-Bama Lounge, Perdido Key, Florida, 850-492-6838 Apr. 25-27 Devil's Triamgle Bike Rally, 5935 New River Hwy., Briceville, Tennessee, 423-324-9653 Apr. 25-27 April Action Car Show, Moab, Utah, 435-259-5858 Apr. 25-27 Dogwood Arts & Crafts Festival (35th), Big Sandy Superstore Arena, Huntington, West Virginia, 304-696-5990 Apr. 26 Ducky Derby & Carnival (18th), Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz, California, 831-479-4070 Apr. 26 Ride with Fire (4th),                    80-mile motorcycle ride with police/fire escort, meets at BCVFD Station No. 50, Glen St. Mary, Florida, 904-259-0231 Apr. 26-27 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, UCLA Main Campus, Los Angeles, California, 213-237-7335 or 800-LATIMES Apr. 26-27 Wildflower Show, 10-4, Mission College, Santa Clara, California, 650-691-9749 or 650-941-1068 Apr. 26-27 Arbor Daze, 9am-8pm & 2-6pm, City Hall Campus on Ector Drive, Euless, Texas, 817-685-1660 Apr. 27 Big Sur International Marathon, 6:45am, Big Sur, California, 831-625-6226 Apr. 27 Taste of Marietta, 11-7, Marietta Square, Marietta, Georgia, 770-429-1115 Apr. 27 Ride for the Big House, Hammonton, New Jersey, 609-886-1422
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It's always best to call ahead to verify festival information. Please tell them you saw the listing in Deb's Monthly Review.

Look at this guy!

This is Scott L. Schwartz. If you ever get into trouble, you'll want him on your side. This guy means business. And his business is playing big and bad. Big may come easy, because he's 6'10" and weighs about 300 pounds. I'm not sure how he pulls off the bad part though, because he actually seems to be very... Well, never mind. Just click on the banner and get ready for some action. www.ultimatebadguy.com

Once upon a time there was a man with a gentle voice and quiet charm. He made several movies and worked in a TV show playing a character who rode a motorcycle from town to town, touching lives, and singing a little here and there. Then some of us didn't hear much of him for awhile. We wondered if he would ever come to sing for us again.
Michael Parks is singing, and he recorded 17 songs for us to enjoy, including: I'll Never Be Free Basin Street Blues Don't Go To Strangers Easy Street This CD was a long time coming, but it was worth waiting for. Take a trip to Listen Recordings where you can order your copy.

Above: Metallic Choker Necklace Left: Feather Choker Necklace

Joan Garnand creates from her home in Tennessee. Her design styles range from simple elegance to whimsical fun. Joan does hand-painted stationery, uses spare moments at festivals to paint faces, and entertains children at private parties. A sample of her work is illustrated online. Talk to her about what you're looking for!

Ever since William Malmskog and I began a dialogue I've been impressed by his willingness to share openly the details of his life. Most of us hide a lot of our lives from others and present only the parts we can polish and make look acceptable. He isn't afraid to talk about how his difficulties, including physical challenges, have guided him to an increased sense of abilities and possibilities.

I have a special place in my heart for people who allow themselves to be vulnerable enough to show us their pain. But this isn't about being a victim. It's about using adversity as a stepping stone to new challenges and then helping the rest of us do the same. When he sends me welcome updates of what he's been doing I know he's going to bring me something I can bite into and use in my own daily challenges. Please take time to visit his web site and explore the man who calls himself the Crazy Viking.

If you travel through Houston and you think the best place to get fries is a fast-food joint, think again and give Belgian fries a chance at Cafe Montrose, 1609 Westheimer. To be sure they're open, call 713-523-1201. Want something besides that egg-on-a-muffin kind of breakfast? Take time to stop in at Lucky's Cafe, 777 Starkweather Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. Munch on a sweet-corn waffle or homemade granola. Phone 216-622-7773 to be sure they're serving. Metloaf lovers making your way through Massachusetts, stop by the All Star Sandwich Bar, 1245 Cambridge Street in Cambridge. (In the evening you can also get pasta and burgers.) Their phone number is 617-868-3065. If you're in the vicinity of Gardena, California I'm told you owe it to yourself to stop in at the Japanese bakery called MammMoth, 620 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. There seems to be something there called Honey Toast that has people talking. They have both sweet and savory items. Their phone number is 310-538-5594. (They don't currently take credit cards, so bring cash or use the nearby ATM.)
An article from Video University will help you make your home videos look more like film.		Seen any really interesting mosaics lately?
Strange things can be seen when you apply a mirror to some of the works of Leonardo da Vinci.

Send Deb email: deb@lightpatch.com

Last Updated March 27, 2008

Deb's Monthly Review © copyright Deb Thompson