Top Events for August 2010

Gulf Coast Ethnic & Heritage Jazz Festival - Aug 5-8
Thurs., Aug 5, Evening of Poetry; Fri., Aug. 6, Jazz Music Workshop; Sat., Aug. 7, Jazz in the Square (Dauphin St.) with national, regional and local bands; and Sun., Aug. 8, Jazz Jam Session

24th Annual World's Longest Yard Sale - Aug 5-8
"America's Most Scenic Shopping Mall," featuring more than 450 miles of yard sale bargains stretching from Gadsden, Alabama, to Covington, Kentucky. Enjoy scenic vistas, waterfalls and canyons, and meet friendly people along the way.

Fairfield Music Festival - Aug 7
Celebrate the Year of Small Towns and Downtowns with a variety of jazz, blues, R&B and gospel music in Fairfield's historic downtown.

Rickwood Centennial - Aug 18
Come out to this free event at Rickwood this summer to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Rickwood Field, which opened on August 18, 1910!

Buckmasters Expo - Aug 20-22
More than 30,000 consumers and hunters from around the country attend the expo. Activities include Buckmasters Trophy Records Scoring and Display; Buckmasters Top Bow Indoor World Championship where the country's best 3-D archers compete for cash, prizes and the coveted title; and kids activities, including archery shooting and laser shot hunting and target simulating.

Franklin County Watermelon Festival - Aug 20-21
This festival is a celebration, a time for families and friends to gather and eat, play and have fun. We offer a wide variety of activities to enjoy: watermelon contests, car/truck/motorcycle show, antique tractor show, rides & games for kids, 5K/1K Run, Kiwanis Bike Ride, arts & crafts and fabulous food.

Stokin' the Fire BBQ & Music Festival, 6th Annual - Aug 20-21
At the cornerstone of the two-day event is a world-class barbecue competition, sanctioned by the prestigious Kansas City Barbeque Society. The competition will feature more than 80 local amateur barbecue teams. Each will compete for the braggin' rights to the best Q in Birmingham. The festival has something for everyone! In addition to the barbecue battles, visitors can enjoy all-day headliner music at the Stokin' stage, purchase barbecue from nationally acclaimed barbecue vendors, enjoy global grilling demonstrations by chefs from some of Birmingham's best restaurants, and participate in a Sloss metal arts iron pour. Kids also will have plenty of rib ticklin' fun in the kids zone, with a variety of free activities and entertainment under the water tower stage.

Muster on the Tallapoosa - Aug 21
Living history at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park. The 10th Annual Muster on the Tallapoosa begins at 9:30 am. Features various activities during the day, including living history camps of the Creek and Cherokee Indians and the Tennessee Militia. Guest speakers offer insight into the Creek War. This free event is a must for historians.

Killen Founders Day - Aug 27-28
Killen Park--Celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the town of Killen with a parade, 5k run, artisans, food vendors, live entertainment, children's activities, a working Colonial village, Native American demonstrations, classic vehicles and fireworks. Free. (256) 757-1158; www.visitflorenceal.com

Annual Okra Festival - Aug 28
Enjoy fresh vegetables, okra, food, vendors, arts and crafts, music, and more.

Black Belt Folk Roots Festival - Aug 28-29
Handmade quilts, baskets and crafts, with blues on Saturday and gospel on Sunday. Down-home cooking, soul food, fish and homemade ice cream. Children's tent with dancing, drumming, storytelling and face painting.