By Maria King, Founder/President, Event Crazy and Grandmother extraordinaire
Summ-ER Bigger than Others – Oh that was bad, even for me. Once in awhile I go too far and a bad pun attempt morphs into a sigh inducing pun. This may not have reached the highest degree of sighing but it was pretty close.
I was trying to get a point across that the summer months bring out a litany of huge events and this week is no exception. Now don’t misunderstand me, I am not saying that big is necessarily better… it’s just well, bigger. A big event typically features more people, more attractions due to larger space and typically a bigger budget for entertainment and other services. However they are also more crowded, have more traffic and parking is usually off-site requiring shuttles or long walks to the grounds. As I said, not so much better, just bigger and what you attend is purely a personal decision.
I want to say, however that a great many big events have turned out to be history in the making; the first Beatles concert at Shea Stadium, Woodstock, Hands Across America, etc. Great large events have the potential to make great large impressions. Not all are concerts either. The big events this week run the gamut. There are some wonderful arts and crafts events, a few car related events, two ethnic festivals, a street fest and even an antique tractor show; a little, I mean big, something for everyone. So grab the kids, the neighbors and old Uncle Bert, if you have an old Uncle Bert and head on out to a big event near you this week. You never know if you are witnessing history!
Artstreet
Aug 23, 2013 – Aug 25, 2013
Downtown Green Bay, WI54301
Since 1982, features 200 fine artists and craft persons from the Upper Midwest and throughout the United States. Exhibited for sale are original works representing various media forms including basketry, ceramics, fiber art, glass, graphic art, jewelry, metalsmithing, painting, paper art, photography, sculpture and woodwork. Plus over 20 community booths, 4 stages of continuous entertainment, children’s area featuring a multitude of creative hands-on activities for the young, a children’s stage with clowns, jugglers, magicians and artist demonstrations, plus over 15 international and domestic food tents, boasting an excellent array of gourmet edibles.
75,000 Attendees
Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival
Aug 24, 2013
Downtown Cary Cary, NC27511
Since 1977. Lazy Daze is one of the highest ranked one day festivals in the Nation for Classic and Contemporary Craft Shows by Sunshine Artist Magazine. The tradition continues, as one of North Carolina’s premier arts and crafts festival marks its annual festival. It’s a fun day for the entire family — arts and crafts, food, Kid’s World and two huge stages with entertainment all day. The last lazy days of summer beckon us as we celebrate the coming of fall by joining our friends and neighbors in a celebration of art, music and food.
70,000 Attendees
Tri-State Antique Engine and Tractor Show
Aug 21, 2013 – Aug 25, 2013
Jay County Fairgrounds Portland, IN47371
Since 1967. One of the largest gas engine and tractor shows with over 3000 Engines and 300 Tractors from 1955 and older. Featuring threshing, shredding, shingle and sawmilling as well as blacksmithing. Also featuring 150 Antique Dealers, craft booths, live entertainment and food.
70,000 Attendees
Corvettes at Carlisle
Aug 23, 2013 – Aug 25, 2013
Carlisle Fairgrounds Carlisle, PA17013
More than 2,000 corvettes will park in the Fun Display and they will be joined by 4,000 additional Corvettes from two other show fields. Plus swap meet and car corral, downtown parade and car give-a-way.
56,000 Attendees
Oakland Chinatown Streetfest
Aug 24, 2013 – Aug 25, 2013
Downtown Oakland, CA94666
Since 1985, the Festival features more than 200 vendors and entertainment groups on eight city blocks. Takes place on Franklin Street between 7th and 12th Streets and 8th and 9th Streets on Broadway to Harrison Street.
100,000+ Attendees
Festa Italiana
Aug 22, 2013 – Aug 24, 2013
Pioneer Courthouse Square Portland, OR97201
Since 1992, grand Italian opera concert, restaurant booths, music, entertainment and cultural activities. Great fun for all ages.
75,000 Attendees
Festival of Nations
Aug 24, 2013 – Aug 25, 2013
Tower Grove Park Saint Louis, MO63118
A multiethnic celebration featuring dance, music, food, cultural and educational exhibits, folk art demonstrations, and craft market. Presented by the International Institute and 125 community organizations. The event will take place nearest S. Grand and Arsenal. A free shuttle service will be available throughout the Park. Admission and entertainment are free; food and gifts are affordably priced. Three stages of non-stop dynamic music and dance performances by traditional ethnic artists, world music favorites and the finest traditional acoustic music and song. From Spanish flamenco to a Vietnamese lion dance, from thundering drums to Irish harp, there is something for every taste! Back by popular demand, COBU, Japanese taiko, direct form New York City! 50 food booths featuring Ethiopian injera with doro wat, Filipino kebabs, and other mouth-watering ethnic treats! 40 gift booths selling African drums, Turkish jewelry, Indian saris and other hand-made items, Family Arts and Crafts with mask-making and other hands-on activities. Try belly-dancing, Colombian carnival and other ethnic dances on the popular Village Green.
140,000 Attendees
Port Clinton Art Festival
Aug 24, 2013 – Aug 25, 2013
Port Clinton Square Highland Park, IL60035
Since 1984, For 30 years, the Port Clinton Art Festival has been recognized as one of the most successful juried art festivals in the country. Currently rated as the number five art festival in the country, the Port Clinton Art Festival offers fine art from more than 260 of the world’s most celebrated artists. More than 250,000 art enthusiasts travel from places near and far to visit this distinguished outdoor festival, which was founded by Amy Amdur, the founder of her namesake firm Amdur Productions. Young artists, ages 18 and under, shine in the Youth Art Division of the show, which offers younger artists an opportunity to exhibit and participate in a real art festival. Throughout the weekend, festival-goers will have the opportunity to enjoy art activities for kids, including an art scavenger hunt, interactive art demos and, of course, original artwork offered by master artists from around the world.
250,000 Attendees
Festival of the Arts
Aug 24, 2013 – Aug 25, 2013
Downtown Palo Alto, CA94301
Since 1981. Highlights include the work of more than 300 talented artisans, from paintings to photography, ceramics and jewelry to unique sculptures, and much more. Artists featured at this year’s event come from all over the country, as well as throughout the Bay Area, bringing hundreds of one-of-a-kind art pieces and artisan crafts presented in an awe-inspiring display of creativity and talent. This multi-faceted arts celebration also features artists-in-action, musical entertainment on two separate stages, a Kids’ Art Studio and Italian street painting. Then stroll through the festival enjoying a tempting assortment of gourmet foods and beverages. Free admission and parking. Located 35 miles south of San Francisco and sponsored by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce.
150,000 Attendees
28th Street Metro Cruise Car Show
Aug 23, 2013 – Aug 24, 2013
Downtown Wyoming Wyoming, MI 49548
Since 2005, Celebrating West Michigan’s love affair with the automobile. This gigantic event is organized by the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce. Famed 28th Street in Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan plays host to 15 Miles of COOL Cars. Plenty of parking, hotels, restaurants, food booths, auto judging, a new Jump Off Competition for Lo-Riders, chances to talk with other car owners and car restorers … and, of course, The Grand Tour which starts at 4pm. Many “unofficial” events are being organized for Friday, so make a weekend out of the Metro Cruise.
200,000 Attendees
Peachtree Latino Atlanta Festival
Aug 25, 2013
Piedmont Park Atlanta, GA30306
Since 2000, feature hundreds of exhibitions, family activities, sporting events, parades, arts and crafts, international foods and outdoor music concert with renown international performers on two stages in Underground Atlanta. Fun for the whole family.
70,000 Attendees
Shadyside Art Festival on Walnut Street
Aug 24, 2013 – Aug 25, 2013
Shadyside on Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA15232
Since 1997. Home to many upscale stores, boutiques, and restaurants, Shadyside, a traditional Pittsburgh neighborhood, is segmented into three corridors. Given the compact nature of this historic residential neighborhood, the three business corridors are all within walking distance of one another, and provide visitors the ability to enjoy a variety of concerts, festivals and other community events. Walnut Street in Shadyside, transforms into an open-air art gallery with more than 150 artists from around the nation for the annual Shadyside …The Art Festival on Walnut Street. Meander down Walnut Street and find fine works of art including: photography, functional pottery, paintings, jewelry, sculptures, and much more! There is always something for everyone at the Shadyside art festival.
65,000 Attendees
Editor’s Note: Click here for more fun events to enjoy.
Maria can be reached directly at eventsblog@eventcrazy.com or @eventcrazy on Twitter
or visit her website at www.eventcrazy.com
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