The Northeast is awash with spectacular summer festivals!
From folk music to flea markets, and pony rides to yum-o tomatoes—each fest has
a dash of something unique that will have the whole family falling in love (and
counting down the days until they can return.) Ready, set, and mark your
calendars! —
JUNE
Fairfield County
Irish Festival (June 18-20)
There’s much to explore during this three-day celebration of all things
Irish—with non-stop music, pipe bands, dance, and cultural exhibits galore. A
ride tent will delight children of all ages, while dads can spend Father’s Day
rooting on an outdoor Irish sporting event. Abundant kid activities. Fairfield County, CT,
irishfestival.org.
Celtic Fling And Highland Games (June 24-26)
Witness a compelling celebration
of traditional and contemporary Celtic heritage at this three-day festival of
dance and narrative, which begins with an evening concert on Friday, June 24.
Watch as patrons compete in games such as the Scottish Hammer or the Sheaf
Toss. Manheim, PA,
parenfaire.com.
Boston Harborfest (June 29-July 4)
Celebrate in the historic city of
Boston! Enjoy historical re-enactments,
tours, and cruises. Children will beam as they watch the Eleanor Rubino
Dancers, Wayne Potash and the Music Fun Band, and Fly by Night perform. There
are over 150 must-see events (not an exaggeration, folks) at this festival—particularly
the spectacle that is Chowderfest! Boston, MA, bostonharborfest.com.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival (June 30, July 1-4, and July 7-11)
Get your little one’s brains
buzzing! Local scholars and Smithsonian curators will serve up daily doses of
music, song, dance, crafts and cooking. This year’s festival features programs
on Colombia,
The Peace Corps, and Rhythm and Blues. All the fun happens for free at the
National Mall. Washington, D.C,
folklife.si.edu.
JULY
Avenue of the Americas Summerfest (July 2)
Experience the world (100
different cultures worth) without ever leaving the city! Peruse the unique
items for sale, munch on over 500 varieties of international cuisine and soak
in the worldly entertainment. New York, NY, festivals.com.
Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Festival (July 2-10)
Watch history unfold as you enter
the world of the Pennsylvania Dutch. New this year is the “The Wash House”
exhibit. Not your cup of tea? Then take part in an old fashion cake walk,
square dance, relax to the sounds of the Sauerkraut Band, or catch a comedy
show. The fun doesn’t end there; you can also catch a Mennonite wedding, practice
early farming techniques and experience an actual country auction! Kutztwon, PA,
kutztownfestival.com.
Whaling City Festival
(July 8-10)
Kids will love Mark Fanelli’s Traveling Amusement Park and food enthusiasts
will be in heaven with a plethora (26 to be exact) of international food
vendors. Check out the custom car and truck show or scour the craft and flea
market with over 200 vendors. Four stages will be set up for performances. New Bedford, MA,
whalingcityfestival.net.
Vermont Cheesemakers Festivals (July 24)
With the highest number of
cheesemakers per capita, it’s only fitting for Vermont
to host this dairy bonanza. It’s a tasting party that the whole family will
enjoy with over 100 cheeses to savor from 40 local creameries. Be sure to check
out their artisanal smoked meats, breads, and cider as well. Looking to bring
all the yummy fun back home? Participate in their one-of-a-kind cheesemaking
demos or watch one of their cooking shows. Shelburne, VT,
vtcheesefest.com.
Yankee Homecoming Festival (July 31-August 7)
From pony rides and fireworks to
an antique car display, there’s something for everyone at the Yankee Homecoming
Festival. Catch the talent showcase; participate in the 10-mile & 5k ride,
or watch as the whole brood goes crazy (in the culinary sense) in the food
court. Newburyport, MA,
yankeehomecoming.com.
AUGUST
Shoreline Jewish Festival (August 1)
Connecticut
invites you to the 5th annual Shoreline Jewish Festival, an all-inclusive
celebration of Jewish life. Children will be introduced to all genres of Jewish
music. They can then hop on over and play on inflatable rides, feast on kosher
food, or check out the book sale. There will also be an informational fair for
those interested in learning more. Guilford, CT, jewishoreline.org.
Maine Lobster Festival (August 3-7)
This annual five-day claw fest
boasts lobster eating contests, a little lobster diaper derby, a lobster crate
race, and over 20,000 pounds of lobster servings. Stay tuned for carnival rides
and games, road races, and tours of the US Coast Guard station and vessels, as
well as a US Navy ship. Don’t miss out on the coronation of the 2011 Sea
Goddess and then stop by the big parade to watch her, King Neptune, floats,
drills, and much more march their way down Main Street.
Rockland, ME,
mainelobsterfestival.com.
Musikfest (August 5-14)
As their website slings: “Musik fest = awesome.” How it can not? It’s a 10-day
music festival! The historic Bethlehem district features
delicious food, family fun, and of course loads of ear candy—much of which is
free. This year’s spectacular line-up includes tween favorite pop stars Miranda
Cosgrove and Nick Jonas. Also performing: Maroon 5, Train with Gavin DeGraw,
and over 50 other favorites! Enjoy. Bethlehem, PA, musikfest.org.
Curious George Cottage Family Festival (August 13-14)
Everyone’s favorite primate is
ready to meet his adoring fans at this two-day event. Delight over story time,
explore nature trails, get crafty, and even munch on yummy delights—all with
the infamous Curious George by your side! Little ones can also sing and dance
to the Mango Groove Steel Band and Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys. Other
event highlights include planetarium shows, rocket launching, a mad science
show as well as a traveling barnyard. Don’t forget to visit the Man with the
yellow hat! Waterville
Valley, NH, thereycenter.org.
Thunder Over The Boardwalk, Atlantic City Air Show (August 18)
There’s always tons of summer fun
to be had at Atlantic City and this
year is no exception, thanks to the return of their air show. Military and
civilian pilots will perform heart stopping maneuvers, formation flying and
solo routines. Catch performances and demonstrations by the U.S Air Force
Thunderbirds, the US Army Golden Knights, Super Hornet and many more acts that
will keep the whole family mesmerized. All you have to do is look up! Atlantic City, NJ atlanticcitynj.com.
Pittston Tomato Festival (August 18-21)
Bite into summer with the 28th Annual
Pittston Tomato Festival. Over fifty thousand will people gather at this four-day
event to lap up all the delicious food, games and rides, as well as live
entertainment. Put on protective goggles and bombard friends with as many
rotten tomatoes as you’d like or watch as little Mr. and Miss Tomato are
crowned for the parade. Even sweeter? Proceeds benefit local charities. Pittston, PA,
pittstontomatofestival.com.
Dutchess County Fair
(August 23-28)
Visit a turn-of-the-20th century village complete with a working blacksmith
shop. If time with nature is what you crave—stroll through the dozens of themed
gardens throughout the 162-acre fairgrounds. Complete with a craft tent,
wildlife exhibition and carnival-the whole brood will swoon. Rhinebeck, NY,
dutchessfair.com.
The Great New York State Fair (August 25-September 5)
Plan ahead for the state’s largest annual event. Compete in everything from
a talent showcase to a flower show, or treat yourself to a concert featuring
big name acts like Maroon 5, Journey and Lady Antebellum. Syracuse, NY,
nysfair.org.
American Folk Festival (August 26-28)
Experience the fascinating
traditions of the world all in one destination! Through their four unique
stages, this three-day festival brings the music, song, and dance from all
around the globe to Bangor Waterfront. Purchase original handcrafted items and
savor dozens of ethnic foods. After getting your fill, stop by the children’s
area for more entertaining activities on the kiddie front. Bangor, ME, americanfolkfestival.com.
Dowtown Plymouth Waterfront Festival (August 27)
Massachusetts
is mad about fun. Revel in all the family fun through favorites like the Ducky
Dash event, jump around in the ‘festival carnival’ rides (might want to leave
this one just to the kids), and help choose Plymouth’s
own idol in their 6th Annual competition.
Other features include two stages of live entertainment, a meet-and-greet
with Wally the Green Monster, and the Best Western NASCAR Show Car. Plymouth, MA,
plymouthwaterfrontfestival.com.
