Southern Byways

Welcome to the first weekend of November, and boy is there a lot going on in the South. There isn’t a better way to celebrate a new month than by attending one of the many events happening around the region.

Here’s a quick glimpse of some events:

You have to eat, don’t you? Why not enjoy the food at the…

• 29th Annual Chili Challenge happening in Greers Ferry, Ark., on November 1.
• Terlingua, Texas’ International Chili Championship on November 1.
• The Great Chili Challenge in New Iberia, La., on November 1.
• Delta Wings Festival in Drew, Miss., on November 1.
• Vardaman Sweet Potato Festival in Vardaman, Miss., starting on November 1 (ending on November 7.)
• Alabama Pecan Festival in Mobile, Ala., on November 1.
• Syrup Making and Storytellin’ at Jarrell Plantation Historic Site in Juliette, Ga., on November 1.
• 27th Annual Savannah (Ga.) Seafood Festival happening on October 31-November 2.
• 45th Annual Florida Seafood Festival in Apalachicola, Fla., ending on November 1 (begins on October 31.)
• 20th Annual Ruskin (Fla.) Seafood Festival on November 1-2.
• 23rd Annual Great Chowder Debate in St. Augustine, Fla., on November 2.
• Fall Pig Roast in Loudon, Tenn., on November 1.
• 17th Annual Hog Happnin’ on November 1 in Shelby, N.C.
• Oyster Roast at Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery in Afton, Va., on November 1-2.
• Smith Mountain Lake Chili Fest in Moneta, Va., on November 1.

Get a jump start on your holiday gift buying list at such events as the…

• Uptown Art Stroll in San Antonio, Texas, on November 2.
• Arts Evening in Slidell, La., on November 1.
• 30th Annual Peter Anderson Arts and Crafts Festival in Ocean Springs, Miss., on November 1-2.
• 42nd Annual Pike Road (Ala.) Arts & Crafts Fair on November 1.
• Alabama Designer Craftsmen Fine Craft Show in Birmingham, Ala., on November 1-2.
• Moss Rock Festival in Hoover, Ala., November 1-2.
• Candy Cane Lane in Sparta, Tenn., on November 1
• Christmas in the Country Arts & Crafts in Dickson, Tenn., on November 1-2.
• 16th Annual Old Farmhouse Christmas Arts, Crafts and Antiques Show in Pensacola, Fla., starting on October 31 - November 3.
• Halifax Art Festival in Daytona Beach, Fla., on November 1-2.
• Art in the Park in Naples, Fla., November 2.
• Fall 2008 Art Safari Tour on November 1-2 in Weaverville, N.C.
• Durham (N.C.) Art Walk on November 1-2.
• WNC Pottery Festival on November 1 in Dillsboro, N.C.
• Museum Fest: Arts & Crafts in Richlands, N.C., on November 2.
• Carter Holliday Art Studio & Gallery Art Tour Ten Studio Hour in Floyd, Va., on November 1-2.
• Virginia Gourd Festival on November 1-2 in Middleton.
• Country Peddler Craft Show in Timonium, Md., on November 1-2.

Enjoy the outdoors at the…

• Fall Foliage Festival (Lake Ouachita State Park) in Mountain Pine, Ark., on November 1-2.
• Fall Foliage Fiesta at John James Audubon State Park in Henderson, Ky., on November 1.
• Daufuskie (S.C.) Autumn Festival on November 1.

And of course, don’t forget about these great events, such as the…

• Civil War Weekend at Historic Washington State Park in Washington, Ark., on November 1-2.
• Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Texas  - a nine day celebration - October 31 through November 9.
• Abbeville’s  (La.) Giant “5,000 Egg” Omelette Celebration on November 1.
• Beaufort (S.C.) International Chalk Festival on November 1.
• North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival in Whiteville on November 1.
• 22nd Annual Fort Branch Battle Re-enactment Weekend in Hamilton, N.C., on November 1-2.
• Art of Golf Festival & Golf Collectors Exhibition in Southern Pines, N.C., on November 1-4.
• Touchstone Energy North Carolina Cotton Festival in Dunn on November 1.
• The Fall Harvest Peanut Festival in Waverly, Va., November 1.