By Erin Renzas, JD Rinne, and Stephanie Young
JUNE
6/5 to 6/14
Mackinac Island Lilac
Festival
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Take a ferry over to Michigan's lovely Mackinac Island for this
10-day celebration. It's an incredible time to see the historic
Grand Hotel. Kids will love the dog and pony show, and they can
even learn a little about horticulture at the Learning to Care for
Lilacs children's program.
6/6 to 8/9
National Kids Fest
Silver Dollar City Branson, Missouri
In the mood for adventure? Go for a scenic train ride or water ride
splash fest. Plus, there are more than 100 craftsmen creating
everything from soap to glass.
Related: Cheap Summer Vacation Rentals
6/8 to 6/13
Wild Wild West
Fest
Telluride, Colorado
Get down with your cowboy alter ego with this festival held in
Colorado's scenic Telluride. Be sure to stay for the Heritage
Day on June 13—teepee-building demonstrations, stagecoach rides,
and a Butch Cassidy reenactment are just some of the day's
activities.
6/12 to 6/13
Battle Creek Cereal
Festival
Battle Creek, Michigan
Battle Creek is home to the Kellogg Company and Post Cereals, so
its no surprise that each summer the city celebrates the breakfast
staple. The festival features a annual gathering with more than 150
picnic tables, making up the "world's longest breakfast
table."
6/18 to 6/21
Father's Day
Festival
Grass Valley, California
An ode to dads of all ages, this nonstop music fest begins Thursday
morning and runs through late afternoon Sunday (Father's Day),
with a "full slate of main-stage concerts, workshops and
round- the-clock jammin."
6/18 to 6/28
The Gettysburg
Festival—Celebrating America
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Charming Gettysburg hosts this annual event, which showcases
America's contributions to art and music. There's plenty of
jazz, dance, and art for interested parents, and little ones can
attend special Children's Theatre performances and educational
activities.
Related Link: Outdoor Safety Tips
6/20 to 6/21
Alexandria Red Cross
Waterfront Festival
Alexandria, Virginia
Head to Old Town Alexandria for the 28th annual waterfront
festival. Kids can wander through the Children's Harbor Tent
for activities like Father's Day card making and face painting.
Don't miss performances by Agent 23 Skidoo, a kid-friendly
hip-hop group, or the kids' band Rocknoceros.
6/23 to 6/28
Buffalo Bill
Days
Sheridan, Wyoming
Settled into the Big Horn Mountains and surrounded by sprawling
open meadows, Sheridan offers a true glance into the Wild Wild
West. Past years' activities have included kiddie train rides
and pioneer events, so we can't wait to see this year's
schedule. Make it a stop on your way to Yellowstone, which is three
hours west.
6/26 to 7/5
Taste of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is the city for fun summer festivals and the Taste is the
capstone of them all. Snuggled in along Grant Park, the fest
features more than 60 local restaurateurs daily. Take the kids to
feast on local favorites like Chicago-style Vienna Beef hot dogs or
toasted raviolis.
6/27 to 7/5
Pennsylvania Dutch Folk
Festival
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
This festival has entertainment on five stages, including
traditional music, lectures, historical presentations, and
reenactments. There are also more than 2,500 quilts and an ox
roast.
6/30 to 7/5
Boston
Harborfest
Celebrate historic Beantown with wicked-awesome activities, ranging
from a chowder contest to Revolutionary reenactment.
JULY
7/4 to 7/11
National Cherry
Fesitval
Traverse City, Michigan
More than 500,000 people attend this weeklong festival. Families
can feast on the world-renowned Michigan cherries; kids can even
participate in the Sara Lee Bakery Kid's Cherry Pie Eating
Contest. Enjoy the festival before heading off to explore the local
beaches and nearby dunes.
7/3 to 7/5
75TH
Annual Hopi Festival of Arts and Culture
Flagstaff, Arizona
Heading out for a tour of the Great West? Just a short day trip
from the Grand Canyon and close to the Sunset Crater and Wupatki
National Monuments, Flagstaff hosts one of the nation's oldest
Hopi festivals. Browse more than 55 booths of Hopi arts or sample
the Hopi bread while the kids listen to traditional storytellers,
music and watch the breathtaking dances.
7/9 to 7/12
Balloon Fest
Hillsborough, New Hampshire
Fly high at this festival by watching a 5K balloon race that kicks
off the weekend. Festival-goers can also take hot-air-balloon
rides.
Continue reading to find out about even more summer festivals...
More from Cookie:
How to Find
Cheap Flights
Road Trip Games
Healthy Travel Tips
Kid-Friendly Airports
