june
6/28 to 7/04
Boston Harborfest
Celebrate historic Beantown with wicked-awesome activities, ranging from a chowder contest to Revolutionary reenactment.
6/30 to 7/08
Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Festival
Kutztown, PennsylvaniaThis Pennsylvania Dutch festival has entertainment on five stages, including traditional music, lectures, historical presentations, and reenactments. There are also more than 2,500 quilts and an ox roast.
july
7/12 to 7/15
Balloon Fest
Hillsborough, New HampshireFly high at this festival by watching a 5K balloon race that kicks off the weekend. Festival-goers can also take hot-air-balloon rides.
7/21 to 7/29
Cheyenne Frontier Days
Cheyenne, WyomingCheck out the largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration, complete with an Indian village, art show, carnival, and no lack of musical entertainment—Bon Jovi will open the concert series.
7/27 to 7/29
Lumberjack Championship
Hayward, WisconsinEvents such as log rolling, hot sawing, axe throwing, and springboard chopping pay homage to old-fashioned hard work.
7/27 to 7/29
Gilroy Garlic Festival
Gilroy, CaliforniaThis fragrant fest features a Garlic Idol contest, in which amateur musicians compete for the title, and the Great Garlic Cook-off, to crown the best garlic recipe. (Past winners include basil-and-garlic-stuffed sea scallops and garlic seafood soup.)
august
8/3 to 8/4
Dillard Bluegrass & Barbeque Festival
Dillard, GeorgiaHome to the Georgia State Championship Barbeque Cook-off, the festival also boasts the Kids Q, a contest for chefs ages 9 to 17 that can be equally competitive.
8/4
The Great Cardboard Boat Regatta
Grayslake, IllinoisThink of it as a boxcar derby on water. For this contest, begun in 1974, participants answer this challenge: "Design and build a human-powered boat made of corrugated cardboard that is capable of completing at least three trips around a 200-yard course."
8/5
Lake City Summer Festival
SeattleThis festival north of the city has something for everyone: a teen scavenger hunt, a salmon bake, a street fair, even a vintage-car show.
8/11
Bugfest
ClevelandBugs are the stars here. Educational crafts, games, and exhibits take the "ew" out of the insect world. Feelin' lucky? Try your hand at Bug Bingo.
8/17 to 8/19
Blueberry Festival
Washington City, MaineThe bluest berry of summer is the inspiration for bake-offs, food races, and pie-eating contests.
