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Festival Fun! By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large June 13, 2003 Money, money, money! People always want tips on how to save it, here's how. This summer, have fun close to home at a local festival or celebration. Many travelers are already planning to stay closer to home, and this is a novel way to spend some QT with the ones you love. (That is, after all, what travelers reportedly want to do with their leisure time.) As summer heats up, so do offerings around the nation for entertainment, food, and fun. The following are 10 great national summer celebrations you may want to check out: GILROY GARLIC FESTIVAL in Gilroy California: Visit www.gilroyfestival.com for more details about this 3-day gourmet garlic extravaganza. RAVINIA FESTIVAL in Highland Park, Illinois: See where the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and other talented guests performs all summer-long. Visit www.ravinia.org for more information. BELE CHERE FESTIVAL in Asheville, NC: It boasts the Southeast's largest FREE outdoor street festival. Check it out this July, and for more information visit www.belechere.com. TECUMSAH CELEBRATION in Chilicothe, OH: The legendary persona of this Shawnee leader is brought to life on this beautiful outdoor stage. Visit www.tecumsahdrama.com for more details. LAKE TAHOE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL in Incline Village, NV: Set against the back drop of Lake Tahoe, two Shakespearean plays are performed throughout the summer. For details visit www.laketahoeshakespeare.com. WASHINGTON STATE INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL in Long Beach, WA: Find out where things really take off! Unusual kites, tricks, and spectacular shows are all high in the sky. For more information visit www.kitefestival.com. MERMAID PARADE in Coney Island, NY: Some might say this could only take place in New York--each year thousands line up to see elaborately-coiffed mermaids of all kinds take to the streets. For more information, visit www.coneyislandusa.com/mermaid.shtml. BEAVER CREEK PASTRY COMPETITION & CULINARY FESTIVAL in Avon, Colorado: This food and wine festival features world-class chefs demonstrating and competing to make the best fantasy wedding cake. To check it out, visit www.beavercreek.com. VERMONT MOZART FESTIVAL, Burlington, VT. This concert series celebrates the glory of Mozart amid the beauty of Vermont. Performances take place throughout the summer. Visit www.vtmozart.com for more information. WATER FESTIVAL in Beaufort, SC: The water shows date back to the antebellum days when plantation owners raced barges. For more information on contemporary water shows, visit: www.waterfestival.com. Look in your local newspaper or consult your town's Website for local celebrations happening near you. Or, if you're feeling really ambitious, perhaps this is the season to start your own festival? Either way, the following are a few tips to keep in mind when heading out to a festival: Check the weather before leaving for the event and be sure to dress and pack accordingly. Some festivals won't go in the rain, so be sure to inquire about rate dates in advance. Avoid taking excess items with you. Not only will it keep your hands free and your pack light--these days, security is often more rigid, and some items may not be permitted in theatres or parks. It's best to avoid anything unnecessary or questionable. (Some events do not allow cell phones--you may want to see if they do in advance by checking the festival Website.) If you're going to an event that takes place outside, in the evening, or at night, you may want to pack a flashlight to help you find your way back to your car or the shuttle bus when the event is over. Before entering the festival, determine a meeting spot, in case you or someone in your party get separated. Check the alcohol and food policies prior to the event. Some do not permit food or have designated areas and rules that apply. Consider mass transit or shuttles when available--parking can be tight! Inquire about rates for students, senior citizens, or group affiliations--there may be a reduced admission cost. Look for special times and/or dates for children's programming. Now you're in-the-know, what are you waiting for? Make a plan to get out and take advantage of all the happenings near you this summer!

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