ATLANTA, GA – The best events across the Southeast compete to receive the prestigious Top 20 designation. Through a nomination process, the Southeast Tourism Society chooses the Top 20 events in the Southeast for each month of the year and publishes this list of winners quarterly. To be nominated, each event must have 1,000 or more in attendance, be in its third year in existence, and submit a $10 nomination fee per event.

The Top 20 Events for August 2009 are perfect for including in any itinerary or getaway.

Top 20 Events – August 2009

Aug. 1, Brew at the Zoo. Way cool suds sippin’ safari supports wildlife education and conservation programs of the Riverbanks Zoo. Over 200 microbrews, pub munchies, live music in the beautiful Palmetto Plaza, themed buffet dinner. Columbia, SC,
803-779-8717. riverbanks.org

Aug. 1-2, 30th Annual Revolutionary War Battle Reenactment. Depicting the Battle at the House in the Horseshoe; a thrilling 1781 skirmish between Whig militiamen and Tories. Storytelling, period crafts, children’s games and weapons firing demonstrations. Sanford, NC, 910-947-2051; horseshoe@ncmail.net. www.nchistoricsites.org

Aug. 6-9, 40th Annual Street Rod Nationals. Largest automotive participant event in the world puts $398M worth of street rods on parade for 30,000 auto enthusiasts! Massive trade show, crafts, and vintage parts swap meet. Louisville, KY, 502-367-5150. www.nsra-usa.com

Aug. 6-9, Highway 127 Corridor Sale. Extending a mind-boggling 654 miles, it’s the world’s longest yard sale! Bargain your way along the scenic highway, from Gadsden, Alabama, to West Unity, Ohio. Jamestown, TN, 800-327-3945; 127saleinforequest@jamestowntn.org. www.127sale.com

Aug. 7-8, Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Festival. Come to the river for an outdoor event families have enjoyed for nearly a quarter century. Kids’ fun, festival foods, music, bike tours and street jams! Henderson, KY, 800-648-3128; info@hendersonky.org. www.bluegrassinthepark.org

Aug. 7-8, Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair. Stroll crafts booths on shady streets right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Hand-cranked ice cream, kettle corn, BBQ, homemade jams and jellies, bluegrass music and traditional crafts demonstrations. Burnsville, NC, 828-682-7413; info@yanceychamber.com. www.yanceychamber.com

Aug. 7-9, Craftsmen’s Summer Classic Arts & Crafts Festival. Hundreds of the country’s finest artisans and high-end crafters meet in the Myrtle Beach area for a juried show, demonstrations, and of course, exceptional shopping! Greensboro, NC, 336-282-5550; contact@gilmoreshows.com. craftshow.com

Aug. 11-16, International Mystery Writers Festival. This one has the write stuff! A thrilling week of world premieres of original works, celebrity appearances and Live Radio Theatre productions of four Agatha Christie plays. Owensboro, KY, 270-687-2770; travisestes@riverparkcenter.org. www.riverparkcenter.org

Aug. 13-16, 7th Annual Thunder on the Gulf. Get revved up for sun, surf and speed as 35,000 fans race to Alabama’s gorgeous Gulf Coast for a weekend of the world’s fastest powerboats! Orange Beach, AL, 251-980-RACE; info@thunderonthegulf.com. www.thunderonthegulf.com

Aug. 14-15, Franklin County Watermelon Festival. Small town America fun includes sporting events, fishing tourney, classic cars, beauty pageants, parades, kids’ rides and games, smoky BBQ, fair foods and juicy melon slices! Russellville, Ala., 256-332-1760; franklincounty@charter.net. www.franklincountychamber.org

Aug. 14-16, 83rd Annual Hampton Cup Regatta. More than 100 hydroplanes and runabouts zip across Mill Creek to the delight of nearly 50,000 racing fans – and it’s free. Bash at the Bridge on Friday night! Hampton, VA, 757-722-1222, x5328; ryan@hamptoncvb.com. www.hamptoncupregatta.org

Aug. 14-22, State Fair of West Virginia. Nearly 200,000 attend this fabulous event for non-stop adventure that includes headliner entertainment, agricultural exhibits, arts and crafts, carnival rides, games and scholarships for students. Lewisburg, WV, 304-645-1090; statefairofwv@statefairfwv.com. statefairofwv.com

Aug. 15, Bright Lights, Belhaven Nights. Under the street lights, myriad musicians, actors, craftsmen and artists promote one of the city’s oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods, including kids’ activities and international food court. Jackson, MS,
601-352-8850; mkkimble@greaterbelhaven.com. www.greaterbelhaven.com

Aug. 15, Multi-Cultural Festival. City-wide celebration of diversity, and the encouragement to “reach beyond ourselves.” Nearly two dozen international cultures are featured in educational exhibits, parades, street dances, and crafts and food booths. Owensboro, KY, 270-684-1467; dmccoy@bellsouth.net. www.firstpresbyterianowensboro.com

Aug. 15-16, AFB Fair at Woodland Park. Central Kentucky’s largest free outdoor cultural event features over 200 juried artists, entertainment on the Gazebo Stage, hands-on activities in the Kid Zone, and lots of southern cooking! Lexington, KY, 859-254-7024; ktatum@lexingtonartleague.org. www.lexingtonartleague.org

Aug. 21-23, Blue Ridge Numismatic Society Coin Show. Free admission and more than 200 dealers bring coin and currency collectors from all over! Celebrate the 50th anniversary with trading, appraisals and the new, young collector’s program. Dalton, GA, 321-383-1742; forum@cfl.rr.com. www.brna.org

Aug. 22-30, Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad. Family festival sports 20 water and land events that bring people together in the spirit of friendly competition and charitable giving. KidSenses Children’s Interactive Museum, raffles and shag dancing. Lake Lure, NC, 828-429-9011; events@hickorynutolympiad.com. www.hickorynutolympiad.com

Aug. 22, Summerfest. There’s something for everyone at this free event! From sporting events and classic cars, to a 4-H petting zoo, arts and crafts, southern foods and music from every genre. York, SC, 803-684-2590; info@greateryorkchamber.com. www.greateryorkchamber.com

Aug. 26-Sept. 5, 71st Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. This world-championship equine event dates back to 1939, and includes a Trade Fair, BBQ cook-out, dog show, equine clinics, stable decorating, parties and parades. Shelbyville, TN, 931-684-5915; twhnc@twhnc.com. www.twhnc.com

Aug. 28-29, Frisco Festival. Salute the city’s railroad heritage with free rides, free stage entertainment and free street dances! Rogers “Idol,” car shows, Frisco Chicken BBQ, the Chilisalsapeno Competition, Kid’s Connection highlight the popular family event. Rogers, AR, 479-936-5487; info@friscofestival.com. friscofestival.com

Copyright 2009 The Southeast Tourism Society. All rights reserved. From http://www.southeasttourism.org.
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