GEORGIA
Rock City — Fairytale Nights, through April 15, features interactive experiences with fairytale characters, knight training, storytelling and a tea with Alice and friends. www.rockcity.com/fairytale.
Darien — Blessing of the Fleet Festival, through April 15, features a parade of shrimp trawlers, a classic car show, a river run, arts and crafts and entertainment. www.blessingofthefleet.com.
Perry — Dogwood Festival, through April 15, features arts and crafts, food, dog competitions, and children's activities. www.perrydogwoodfestival.com.
Villa Rica — The Cowboy Festival, through April 15, features history, live music, cowboy shows, shoot outs, train rides, vendors and more. www.pinemountaingoldmuseum.com.
Cornelia — Apple Blossom BBQ Festival, April 21, features barbecue competitions, live entertainment, vendors and children's activities. www.corneliageorgia.org.
Dahlonega — Bear on the Square Mountain Festival, April 21-22, spotlights bluegrass and old-time music, and has a juried Artists Market Place featuring traditional mountain crafts, storytelling and free music workshops and demonstrations. www.bearonthesquare.org.
ALABAMA
Montgomery — Alabama Book Festival, April 21, features author readings, book signings, writing workshops and more. www.alabamabookfestival.org.
Cullman — Bloomin' Festival, April 21-22, features arts and crafts, art demonstrations, parades, shopping, and food. www.bloominfestival.com.
Gardendale — Magnolia Festival, April 20-21, features art classes, talent search, dog parade, music, carnival, car show, competitions and food. www.magnoliafestival.org.
Bessemer — Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival, April 28, combines blues music and barbecue and arts and crafts. www.bobsykesblues.com.
Foley — 2018 Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival, May 4-5, includes a frisbee dog show, carnival rides, arts and crafts vendors and food and entertainment. gulfcoastballoonfestival.com.
FLORIDA
Panama City Beach — Seabreeze Jazz Festival, April 18-22, is held at the Pier Park Amphitheater and features both internationally known acts and local performers such as Brian Culbertson, Boney James, Kool and the Gang and more. www.visitpanamacitybeach.com.
Live Oak — Wanee Music Festival, April 19-21, hosts Widespread Panic, Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band, As the Crow Flies, North Mississippi Allstars and more. waneefestival.com.
Panama City Beach — SandJam, the first ever alternative rock festival held at the beach April 26-28, includes Incubus, Sublime with Rome, Fitz and the Tantrums, Kaleo, St. Lucia, Capital Cities and more. sandjamfest.com.
Panama City Beach — Parrot Head Rendevous 2018, April 26-29, features a full weekend of music. panamacityphc.org.
Pensacola — Interstate Mullet Toss, April 27, features mullet tossing competitions, live music, food and drinks. www.florabama.com.
Orlando — Orlando Funkfest, April 29, stars Charlie Wilson, Fantasia, Joe, Da Brat. www.funkfesttour.com.
KENTUCKY
Campbellsville — Highway 55 Yard Sale, April 20-22, is 147 miles of bargains, antiques, collectibles and yard sales along the highway. www.kentuckytourism.com/hwy-55-yard-sale.
Louisville — Kentucky Derby Festival, April 14-May 3, features half and full marathons, hot air ballons, bed racing, wine tasting, sports and fireworks. www.kdf.org.
Providence — Amish Tour and Backroad Fest, April 20, offers a self-guided tour of the Amish community, quilt shows, crafts and food. www.kentuckytourism.com.
MISSISSIPPI
Ridgeland — KidFest, April 21-22, features carnival, pony and train rides, circus acts and activities.www.kidfestridgeland.com.
Tupelo —The Elvis Festival, June 6-10, is a musical celebration to honor Elvis Presley with the ultimate tribute artist contest, artists, a 5K, living history, food vendors and more. www.tupeloelvisfestival.com.
Clarksdale — The Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival, Aug. 10-12 celebrates its 30th year. www.sunflowerfest.org.
Jackson — The Mississippi Book Festival, Aug. 18, features hundreds of authors in panel discussions and book signings. msbookfestival.com.
NORTH CAROLINA
Beaufort — Beaufort Wine & Food Festival, April 25-29, features private home wine dinners, a fashion show luncheon, grand reserve tastings and more. beaufortwineandfood.org.
Wilkesboro — MerleFest, April 26-29, features songwriting contests, activities and music from Kris Kristofferson, Robert Earle Keen, Brandy Clark, The Mavericks and more. www.merlefest.org.
Winston Salem — Piedmont Earth Day Fair, April 21, features music, activities for adults and children and earth-friendly exhibits.www.visitwinstonsalem.com.
Beaufort — Wine and Food Festival, April 25-April 29, features wine dinners and Vin de Mer (where guests are immersed in a culinary tour de force) offering 300 wine labels and cuisine from dozens of local and regional restaurants. www.beaufortwineandfood.org.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Rock Hill — Come-See-Me Festival, through April 21, features a beach bash, parade, jazz and blues music, barbecue cook-off, skydiving exhibition, tailgating, fireworks and children's activities.www.comeseeme.org.
Walterboro — Colleton County Rice Festival, April 27-28, features 5K run/walk, music, dog show, croquet tournament, BMX bike shows, high school tennis tournament, food, golf, Miss Rice Festival Pageant and fireworks. www.ricefestival.org.
TENNESSEE
Townsend — Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival, April 20-22, features a vendors marketplace, family activities, animal displays, fiber arts demonstrations and classes for fiber enthusiasts. townsendartisanguild.net/fiber-arts.html.
Gatlinburg — Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, April 24-28, features walks, motorcades, photographic tours, art classes and indoor seminars. www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org.
Medina — City Farmhouse Pop Up Fair, April 26-28, features vendors selected for their authentic farmhouse wares and styling abilities. The fair also will have live music and food trucks. jacksontn.com/tourism/#home
Knoxville — Junkin' It! Craft & Vintage Market, May 4-6, is an upscale, vintage-inspired market with vendors who specialize in handmade/homemade crafts of any type. www.tnvacation.com.
Ooltewah — Summertime on the Square, June 2, is a family festival with a petting zoo, food vendors, inflatables, craft vendors and music. www.tnvacation.com.
