| One of the great aspects of American life is the | | | | When you are in Hammond, visit the Indiana |
| sheer number and variety of Festivals and Events | | | | Dunes National Lakeshore. One of the great prides |
| held throughout the country. These festivals | | | | of the region, this impressive stretch of Lake |
| make it easy to combine a day at a fun event | | | | Michigan shore includes beaches, sand dunes, bog, |
| with a day at the beach. | | | | wetlands, woodland forests, even an 1830's |
| Following are my Ten Top Festivals near the | | | | French Canadian homestead and a working 1900 |
| beach for September 2008. There are selections | | | | era farm. The park spans the counties of Lake, |
| here for all four corners of the country along with | | | | Porter, and LaPorte and contains approximately |
| a selection along one of the Great Lakes. | | | | 15,000 acres - 2,182 of which are located in the |
| Bald is Beautiful Convention - Morehead City, NC | | | | Indiana Dunes State Park |
| The Bald Headed Men of America which is an | | | | Hollywood Beach Clambake - Hollywood Beach, FL |
| organization of 35,000 members from 50 states | | | | The 7th Annual 3 day event takes place on |
| and 39 countries will be having their annual | | | | September 26th - 28th. This free event is an all |
| convention on September 13, 2008. | | | | American celebration of seafood, live music and |
| The 26 year old organization hosts clinics and | | | | entertainment. |
| gives awards in a variety of categories. Some of | | | | The event takes place on the oceanfront |
| the ones that you may want to enter are the | | | | Broadwalk. In addition to the live music on 3 |
| "Most Distinguished Bald Head" or the "Sexiest | | | | stages there will be plenty of other activities along |
| Bald Head". | | | | with arts and crafts. |
| Morehead City is in Carteret County where the | | | | Hollywood Beach is located in sunny Florida |
| beaches are marvelous and the water sparkles | | | | between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Not only are |
| like crystal. | | | | there beautiful beaches right at the event but |
| If you are bald, know someone who is bald or | | | | there are plenty of other beaches to visit when |
| just want to hit the beach, check out this annual | | | | you're not at the Clambake. |
| event. | | | | 11th Annual Punta Gorda Sullivan Street Craft |
| 2008 RODS & WOODIES CLASSIC CAR | | | | Festival - Punta Gorda, FL |
| SHOW - Encinitas, CA | | | | On September 20th and 21st the charming city of |
| On September 18th the final show of the year will | | | | Punta Gorda will host this festival. Located along |
| take place from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. | | | | the banks of the Peace River and the Gulf of |
| Historic cars, a historic road and the beach city | | | | Mexico, this is a beautiful Florida location. |
| setting of Encinitas make for a classic American | | | | Charlotte Harbor offers 129 square miles of |
| event. The cars will be on display and live music | | | | sparkling water. The temperature of the Gulf |
| will play in front of the Encinitas Smog on Hwy | | | | water ranges from mid 60s to mid 80s, with soft, |
| 101. | | | | mild winds. Waves rarely reach a height of over |
| Encinitas is a Southern California classic beach | | | | two feet and roll gently onto the beach. You can |
| town located in San Diego's North County along | | | | often see pelicans, herons, egrets, cormorants, |
| the Pacific Ocean. When you think of the California | | | | ibis and sea gulls strolling along the waterfront. |
| beach lifestyle, you are thinking of Encinitas. Stop | | | | Blues at the Beach - Virginia Beach, VA |
| by and check out the beaches during the day and | | | | This free event is held from 9/12-14th at the |
| the cars in the evening. | | | | Beachstreet Pavilion at 17th Street. |
| The Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival - Los | | | | This oceanfront venue will come alive with one of |
| Angeles, CA | | | | the most cherished musical styles of all time. Local |
| Held on September 19, 20 21, this is the world's | | | | and National performers will show their soul and |
| largest lobster festival. Held 20 minutes south of | | | | share the Blues. |
| downtown L.A. this years festival will be flying in | | | | A great feature of this free festival is the |
| over 15 tons of fresh Maine lobster. | | | | workshops that are offered on Saturday and |
| Events include a pet parade, pirate camp, magic | | | | Sunday and teach participants about the musical |
| shows and plenty of live music. | | | | techniques involved in playing blues music. |
| The festival is held in San Pedro near the water | | | | Rod Run to the End of the World - Ocean Park, |
| and there are plenty of great LA beaches to visit | | | | WA |
| when you're not soaking up the Lobster Festival | | | | The 25th Anniversary of this large Hot Rod and |
| activities. | | | | Classic Car event will be held on September 6th |
| La Jolla Rough Water Swim - La Jolla, CA | | | | -7th. |
| On September 7th, 2008 the 78th version of | | | | The event is put on by the Beach Barons Car |
| America's premier Rough Water Swim will take | | | | Club and does a great job of bringing hordes of |
| place. Over 2,000 swimmers compete in a variety | | | | car lovers to the Long Beach Peninsula. |
| of divisions with races ranging from 250 yards for | | | | Whenever you're on the Peninsula you aren't far |
| Juniors to 3 miles for the "Gators". Last year | | | | from the beautiful coastline and whether you are |
| swimmers ranged in age from 5 to 85. | | | | driving a classic car or something a bit more |
| This unique event is held right at the beach so | | | | modern, it's a great excuse to take a drive along |
| you can certainly combine a trip to the great La | | | | the beach. |
| Jolla and other San Diego beaches with attending | | | | Hampton Beach Seafood Festival - Hampton, NH |
| the race. | | | | This event began in 1988 and will be held on |
| Bizarre Bazaar - Hammond, IN | | | | September 5-7 this year. With plenty of seafood, |
| This unique event on Saturday September 20th | | | | live music, arts and crafts and other events this |
| offers a wide range of events including a custom | | | | has been rated as "One of the Top 100 Events in |
| car show, canine costume contest, a Symphony | | | | North America" by the American Bus Association. |
| Orchestra concert, pie-baking contest and live | | | | If you're in New England and looking for a great |
| rock-n-roll. | | | | weekend event where you can combine the |
| The event is held in downtown Hammond and is a | | | | activity of a festival along with a great beach |
| great activity for adults, children and pets. | | | | location, check this outstanding event out. |