HIGHLIGHTS FROM AROUND AMERICA:

August is a busy, busy month around America. Here are but some of the highlights:

Some folks from elsewhere seem to believe that New Jersey is devoid of culture. Not true. We have great new arts center in Newark and there's alot to be proud of in the state's diversity. It truly is more than the Turnpike. For example, August 11-15 is Weird Contest Week in Ocean City, New Jersey. There one contest per day will be staged including artistic pie eating, saltwater taffy sculpting, french fry sculpting, animal and celebrity impersonations, and a Miss Miscellaneous Contest. Info: (609) 525-9300....If that's not enough for you the Garden State is also the host for a Cockroach Derby at Rutgers University's Cook College Campus on August 16. This annual race, sponsored by the N.J. Pest Control Association pits the fastest roaches in the state against one another to determine the title of the state's quickest roach. Info: (973) 763-6392.

The Festival of Nations, Red Lodge, MT is a nine day event highlighting the cooking, customs, dances and languages of different cultures from around the world. This year it is being staged from August 2-9. Info: (406) 446-1718.

   The country's largest inland river regatta takes place at Pittsburgh at the Three Rivers Regatta, August 1-3. featured are air, and water events. Info: (412) 261-7055.

      The Annual Weekend Ragtime Festival will take place on August 15-17 in Indianapolis. There are nationally known ragtime perfomers, vintage dance demosntrations, and ragtime era seminars. Info: (317) 359-6452.
 
   The Old Fiddlers Convention will be staged in Galax, Virginia between August 5-9. This annual event features dance, folk songs, old-time and bluegrass music competitions. Info: (540) 236-8541.

  It's now more than thirty years since Elvis passed away in Memphis, Tenn. Nonetheless, thousands continue to make an annual pilgrimage to Graceland to remember the King at the date of his death - August 16, 1977. a formal observance is Elvis Week (August 11-16), more than 35 events occurring around town and which is sponsored by Graceland. It includes a candlelight vigil on August 16 at Graceland. Info: (800) 238-2000.

  Jours de Fete is French for Days of Celebration. It is the name used by Ste. Genevieve, Missouri for its annual celebration of the town's French heritage (August 9-10). There are tours of historic homes dating back to French times locally in the 1700's. Also arts and crafts, music and more. Info: (573) 883-7097.

  As long as the topic is French culture, we should note the unique "Le Cajun" Music Awards and Ceremonies, set for August 15-17 in Lafayette, Louisiana. The event opens with the singing of America the Beautiful and  the National Anthem - both in French, of course. Then there are a range of presentations and honorees, including Fiddler of the Year, Accordionist of the Year, Vocalist (Male & Female) of the Year and more. In addition to the Cajun music and awards, there are also Cajun crafts and music. The event is sponsored by the Cajun French Music Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of Cajun music, language and culture. Info: (318) 232-3737..

  At Promontory, Utah each year they celebrate the uniting of North America by the railroad at the spot that it occurred at the annual Railroader's Festival, this year August 11. The highlight is the spike-driving contest in which professionals compete to see who can drive the most rail spikes fastest. Info: (801) 471-2209.

Before the railroad they used to transport mail via the Pony Express. The spirit of the Express can still be felt in communities along the path. For example, Hanover, Kansas is holding its Pony Express Festival on August 24. It is being staged at the Hollenberg Pony Express Station, State Historic Site. There is a re-enactment of a Pony Express ride, pioneer living history demonstrations, an 1860's historic dress group, and a re-enactment of the arrival of an Oregon Trail wagon train. Info: (913) 337-2635.

   There are some unique races on the schedule for this month. In Leadville, Colorado they race burros in the Pack Burro Race (August 3) from Main Street up Mosquito Pass and back. Info: (719) 486-3900. The All-American Soap Box Derby world championship race takes place in Akron, Ohio on August 3. Info: (330) 733-8723; and in Deming, New Mexico they race ducks what is described as "The World's richest duck race" - the Great American Duck Race (August 23-24). Info: (800) 848-4955.

They will gather in Mount Olivet, Kentucky on August 9-10 for a Battle of Blue Licks Celebration. It commemorates the anniversary of a Revolutionary War Battle of Blue Licks. This battle is said to have involved Daniel Boone. There is a living history, battle re-enactment, crafts. games and more. Info: (606) 289-5507.

Cowboy poetry fills the air this month.Cowboy poets will gather on August 8-10 in Lewiston, Montana for the Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Info: (406) 538-5436. Also taking place that same weekend is the Great Pikes Peak Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Colorado Springs, Colorado. At this event there will also be western art on display. Info: (719) 531-6333.

In Lewiston, Maine (and nearby Auburn) on the other side of the country, some 125,000 folks will assemble on August 15-17 for the Great Falls Balloon festival. The festval features over 40 ballonosts, music, parades and activities from early morning until late afternoon.

Also in Maine, it's bluegberry time - especially at the annual Wilton Blueberry Festival on August 1-2. There are sidewalk arts and crafts, boat rides, opaardes, barbecuses, fireworks, hay rides, fireman's muster, and, of course, lots of blueberries. For example there's a blueberry breakfast, blueberry bazaar and "blueberry everything". Info: (207) 778-4726.

   If you are looking for an offbeat sports activity you might consider Clark, South Dakota on August 2. The annual Potato Day festivities are highlighted by Mashed Potato Wrestling.In this activity participants wrestle in a ring of mashed potatoes.If you still need more potatoes the event also features potato sculpting, The Best Dressed Potato and a Potato Olympics. Info: (605) 532-3769.

From folks out on the internet these suggestions for some August: Riverboat Days in Yankton, SD (August 15-17) which features ethnic food, a large parade, ski show, ar show, tractor pull, sports and entertainemnt and more. Info: (800) 888-1460 and the Kiawanis Lakest in Sheboygan, WI (August 15-17), with nationally known entertainment music and more at Deland Park.

   One of the nation's top folk festivals is the Philadelphia Folk Festival, August 22-24 on the Old Pool Fram near Schwenksville, PA. John Prine, Loudon Wainrright III, Suzy Oggus and Doc Watson are just some of those routinely featured at this qnnual event. Info: (215) 242-0150 or (800) 556-FOLK.

See you next month in September.