• Enjoy the festivities at Southern fairs and festivals.fair_horse_1 image by allodoxaphobia from Fotolia.com
  
  Festivals and fairs are great ways to spend a weekend. In the southern United States, hundreds of these events take place every year. Many Southern fairs and festivals focus on a characteristic of the local area, such as a certain cuisine, musical style or crop. These events often feature local artists and craftsmen, music, entertainment and, of course, food. From large state fairs to festivals celebrating local produce, you're sure to find an event to pique your interest.
  
  

Destin Seafood Festival

• Each fall, the Destin Seafood Festival draws tens of thousands of seafood lovers to Destin, Florida. Events take place at several venues, including the Fishing Fleet Marina, City of Destin Royal Melvin Heritage Park, and Fisherman's Wharf. Festivities include live musical performances, arts and crafts booths, a golf tournament and lots of seafood to sample. Admission to all three days is $15, as of September 2010. Children under 12 are free.
  
  Destin Area Chamber of Commerce
  
  4484 Legendary Drive, Ste. A
  
  Destin, FL 32541
  
  850-837-6241
  
  destinchamber.com
  
  

Beauregard Parish Watermelon Festival

• Each summer, Louisiana's Beauregard Parish hosts the Beauregard Parish Watermelon Festival. Held at the Parish fairgrounds, the festival celebrates the flavor of the Sugartown strain of watermelon. The fun begins with a melon-cutting ceremony. Enjoy live music, entertainment and watermelon-themed games and activities throughout the weekend. Admission is free.
  
  Beauregard Parish Tourist Commission
  
  113 South Washington Ave.
  
  DeRidder, LA 70634
  
  337-463-5534
  
  beauparish.org
  
  

Georgia State Fair

• The Georgia State Fair takes place every spring in Macon's Central City Park. Fair activities include 4H exhibits, amusement park rides, camel rides, puppet shows, a classic car show, a petting zoo, food-eating contests, live music and entertainment, parades, food vendors, and a rock climbing wall. In 2010, tickets cost from $3 to $5 per day, and rides cost from $12 to $15.
  
  Georgia State Fair
  
  P.O. Box 4105
  
  Macon, GA 31208
  
  478-746-7184
  
  platinumontv.com
  
  

Time Warner Cable BBQ and Blues

• Each fall, Charlotte, North Carolina, hosts the Time Warner Cable BBQ and Blues festival. More than 80 teams compete for the title of best barbecue. Live blues music, pig races and tailgating games, barbecue cooking classes, and lots of beer round out the festivities. Admission is free.
  
  Time Warner Cable BBQ and Blues
  
  200 S. Tryon St.
  
  Suite 1600
  
  Charlotte, NC 28202
  
  704-332-2227
  
  findyourcenter.com
  
  

Mississippi State Fair

• The annual Mississippi State Fair takes place every fall in Jackson. The fair runs for two weeks and features amusement park rides, classic car shows, bluegrass and gospel performances, a beard-growing competition, cheerleading and dance contests, a petting zoo, a children's barnyard, 4H exhibits, stock dog trials, horse and mule pulls, clogging competitions, and food vendors. In 2010, tickets cost $5 for adults, with free admission for children under six.
  
  Mississippi State Fair
  
  1207 Mississippi St.
  
  Jackson, MS 39205
  
  601-978-0866
  
  mdac.state.ms.us