JULY:
1 thru Aug. 17, Columbia, S.C. Carolina Collects, summer exhibition of private collectors at Columbia Museum of Art. Main at Hampton Sts. $5 adults, $2 students, $4 seniors. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sundays, 1-5 p.m. www.columbiamuseum.org.

3 Carolina Beach, N.C. Pleasure Island Fireworks Display. At dusk, over the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Free. www.pleasureislandnc.org or (910) 458-8434. 

3 thru 6 Wilmington, N.C. Star-Spangled Weekend with WWII-theme events around Hannah Block Historic USO Building. Festivities include rededication ceremony, a USO big band dance, July 4 fireworks “blast” from Battleship North Carolina over Cape Fear River at 9 p.m., and open house. 120 S. 2nd Street. Free. (910) 793-6393.

4 Corolla, N.C. 16th Annual Independence Day Festival and Fireworks. Currituck Heritage Park, 1100 Club Rd., Corolla. Free. 6-11 p.m., fireworks will begin at dusk. www.visitcurrituck.com or (252) 453-9612.

4 Charleston, S.C. Patriots Point 4th of July Blast. Naval & Maritime Museum grounds, Charleston Harbor. Fireworks launched from aircraft carrier. Free. 5-11:30 p.m.  www.patriotspoint.org.

4 Blowing Rock, N.C. Fireworks Extravaganza. Tweetsie Railroad celebrates with special fireworks. U.S. 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock. Regular admission fees. 6-9 p.m. www.tweetsie.com.

5 Henderson, N.C. Independence Day Celebration and Parade of Lights on Water. Satterwhite Point Park at Kerr Lake. Live entertainment, boats decorated in a patriotic theme and large fireworks display over the water. 6:30- 10 p.m. Free. www.kerrlake-nc.com or (866) 438-4565.

7 thru Aug. 25 Hendersonville, N.C. Hendersonville Street Dances. Held Monday nights; includes mountain heritage bluegrass music, square dancing and clogging. Visitors Information Center, 201 S. Main St. Free. www.historichendersonville.org

7 thru Aug. 25, Aiken, S.C. Hopelands Summer Concert Series. Opens with U.S. Marine Corp Band from Parris Island. Hopelands Gardens, 135 Dupree Pl. 7-8 p.m. Free. (803) 642-7631.

8 thru 10 Corolla, N.C. Fifth Annual Wild Horse Days, a festival showcasing the wild horses of the Outer Banks.Wild Horse Museum in Old Corolla Village, Tuesday and Thursday, Corolla Light Town Center on Wednesday. Pony rides, music, entertainment. Free. www.corollawildhorses.comor or (252) 453-8002.

8 thru 12 Highlands, N.C. Mountains in Bloom Nature Festival.
First-time flower show, lectures and garden tours. Bascom, 554 Main St. and in the community. Various fees. www.thebascom.org

10 Pine Knoll Shores, N.C. Family Nights at North Carolina Aquarium. Aquarium open until 9 p.m. Thursday nights in July with special activities. Free with admission. www.ncaquariums.com

10 thru 12 Greenwood, S.C. Greenwood Annual Blues Cruise. Club crawl with free performances by national artists in different locations. www.greenwoodbluescruise.com or (864) 942-8448.

12 Columbia, S.C. Museum Road Show. Museum curators and local experts will give verbal appraisals of objects, discuss items and give tips 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Regular admission. South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St. www.southcarolinastatemuseum.org or (803) 898-4952.

12 thru 13 Hayesville, N.C. 29th Annual Festival on the Square. Entertainment, arts and crafts, dancing and barbecue. Street dance Friday at 7 p.m. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Free. (828) 389-6220.

12 thru 13 Asheville, N.C. Bamboo Society Festival. Lectures, demonstrations, crafts and plant sales. North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way. Varying admission. www.ncarboretum.org

14 thru 27 Waynesville, N.C. Folkmoot USA, a folk music and dance world cultural heritage celebration. Various locations. $10-$30, children half-price; some free. www.folkmootusa.org or (828) 452-2997.

 25 Blowing Rock, N.C. Golden Jubilee Blowing Rock Tour of Homes.Various locations. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $25. www.blowingrock.com or (828) 295-7323.

25 thru 26 Sparta, N.C.  12th Annual Quilt Show & Craft Fair. Emerson Black Exhibition Bldg. at Alleghany Fairgrounds, Hwy. 21 North. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (336) 846-8707.

26 Brevard, N.C. Brevard’s 140th Birthday Block Party.
Music, food, games, antique cars and trailers. W. Main St., in front of City Hall. 12- 10 p.m. Free. (828) 884-4080.

26 Knotts Island, N.C. 19th Peach & Wildlife Festival. Parade, food, crafts, entertainment with fresh peaches. Ruritan Community Park off Brumley Rd. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $5 admission, under 12 for free. www.knottsislandonline.com.

26 Waynesville, N.C. 23rd Annual International Festival Day and Art Faire. Area arts and crafts and international dance troupes. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Main St. www.haywoodarts.org.

AUGUST:

1 thru 3 Asheville, N.C. 62nd Asheville Antiques Fair. Over 50 dealers with 18th, 19th, and early 20th century furniture and accessories, lectures and restorers. Asheville Civic Center. $10. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 12-5 p.m., Sunday. www.ashevilleantiquesfair.com.

3 thru 17 Elizabeth City, N.C. 2008 Designer House at Bayside Manor. Proceeds benefit Arts of the Albemarle. 1598 Weeksville Rd., near regional airport. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday. $15 at door. www.baysidemanortour.com

9 Camden, S.C. Blues concert featuring Wanda Johnson. Fine Arts Center, 810 Lyttleton St. 8 p.m. $10. www.fineartscenter.org.

16 Columbia, S.C. Free Pre-Back-To-School Day at the South Carolina Museum.Music, birthday cake, games, demonstrations, movies, and more. 301 Gervais St. www.museum.state.sc.us.

16 Brasstown, N.C. Benefit Auction at John C. Campbell Folk School.Community Room, Keith House. Preview at 1 p.m., silent auction, 1-2 p.m., live auction 2-5 p.m. Free. www.folkschool.org.
23 Cary, N.C. 32nd Annual Lazy Daze Juried Arts & Crafts Festival. Downtown Cary. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. www.townofcary.org. or (919) 469-4061.
23 York, S.C. 25th Anniversary of Summerfest. Crafts, food, children’s activities, music and more. Downtown York. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.  www.greateryorkchamber.com.
23 Clinton, S.C. Flight of the Dove, cycling event benefiting Hospice of Laurens County. Begins at Presbyterian College’s Bailey Memorial Stadium. Rides begin at 8 a.m. $30 pre-registration or $35. www.hospiceoflaurenscounty.com or (864) 833-6287.

29 thru 30, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival. Live music, barbeque competition, car show, children’s activities. Valor Park, Farrow Parkway, near airport, on former Air Force Base. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Free. www.BeachBoogieBarbequeFestival.com.

29 thru 30, Littleton, N.C. 24th Annual Littleton/Lake Gaston Festival. Live entertainment, arts and crafts, barbecue cook-off. Intersection of Highways 903, 158. 7-11 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday. Free. www.littletonlakegastonfestival.org.

29 thru 31 Happy Valley, N.C. Old-time Fiddlers’ Convention. Jones Farm, northeast of Lenoir on N.C. 268. 12-9 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday. $5 on Saturday, donations on Friday and Sunday. www.happyvalleyfiddlers.com or (828) 726-0323.

29 thru Sept. 1 Hendersonville, N.C. North Carolina Apple Festival. N. Main St. from 6th Ave. to Caswell St. Entertainment and festivities culminating with King Apple Parade on Labor Day. Evening on Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday through Monday. Free. www.ncapplefestival.org.

31 West Jefferson, N.C. New River Blues Festival.  Outdoor blues festival. Jefferson Landing on New River, Highway 16, Jefferson. 1-7 p.m. $12. www.myspace.com/newriverbluesfestival or (336) 877-2864.