Ah, Shucks, Another Oyster Fest

Connecticut

The Norwalk Seaport Oyster Festival, Sept. 5 to 7 at Veterans Memorial Park on the waterfront of East Norwalk, is a chance to eat oysters (fried, on the half shell, soup and more) or take part in the shucking and slurping contests. Non-oyster events include tours of vintage ships, wooden boat-building demonstrations, a crafts show, beer and wine garden and golden oldies entertainment. For more information, contact the Norwalk Seaport Assn., 132 Water St., Norwalk, CT 06854; telephone (203) 838-9444.

Kentucky

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Sept. 13 to 21 in Bardstown, is the time to taste fine bourbons, try bourbon popcorn and fudge sauce, sit in on a seminar on the history of the bourbon industry, buy antique liquor bottles and labels, and tour a museum devoted to whiskey history. The championship bourbon barrel relay races feature competitors who have won contests in distilleries around the state. Bardstown is 35 miles south of Louisville. For more information, contact the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, P.O. Box 867, Bardstown, KY 40004; tel. (800) 638-4877.

Louisiana

Festivals Acadiens, Sept. 19 to 21 in Lafayette, is expected to draw more than 100,000 people eager to celebrate everything Cajun. Both the Bayou Food Festival and Festival de Musique Acadienne will be held under the shady live oaks of Girard Park; that means nonstop Cajun and Zydeco music (including Beausoleil, Kenneth Thibodeaux, and the Lake Charles Ramblers) and plenty of authentic delicacies. Also planned: an arts and crafts fair and storytelling. For more information, contact Lafayette Visitors Commission, Festivals Acadiens, P.O. Box 52066, Lafayette, LA 70505; tel. (800) 346-1958.

Nevada

The 38th annual Virginia City International Camel Races, Sept. 5 to 7, is mostly for laughs, even though the camels are trained for racing, and jockeys from Alice Springs, Australia, are the defending champions. There’s even a jockey-less ostrich race. Races and a carnival will be held all three days with a Camel Parade on Saturday. Camels were first brought to this area in 1861 to be used as pack animals in the nearby mines. For more information, contact the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, P.O. Box 837, Reno, NV 89504; tel. (702) 827-7662.

South Carolina

The Preservation Society of Charleston’s 21st annual Fall Candlelight Tours of Homes and Gardens will be held on Thursday-to-Saturday evenings from Sept. 18 through Oct. 25 and, for the first time, two Sunday afternoon garden tours on Sept. 21 and Oct. 12. Over 175 homes and gardens will be open during the six weeks, with a different neighborhood highlighted each night. Most of these homes are never open to the public except during this self-paced walking tour. Reservations are recommended. For more information, contact the Preservation Society of Charleston, P.O. Box 521, Charleston, SC 29402; tel. (803) 722-4630.

South Dakota

Mitchell’s Corn Palace Festival begins Sept. 6 with nine days of events spread over three weekends. The famed structure will host the expected (Myron Floren, seven polka bands, country singers and ballroom dancing) and the unexpected, for South Dakota (the Village People in their first appearance at the Corn Palace). The last weekend is devoted to an old-fashioned hoedown/polka festival with continuous performances from noon to midnight. Also scheduled: a carnival on Main Street. For more information and tickets, contact the Corn Palace Committee, P.O. Box 250, Mitchell, SD 57301; tel. (605) 995-4020.

Scotland

The Battle of Stirling Bridge, made famous in the movie “Braveheart,” will be reenacted on Sept. 12 and 13 to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the battle on its actual site, 40 miles from Glasgow. Local residents will take part in the reenactment of the Scottish victory, as well as in music and dance performances. For die-hards, there’s even a “Braveheart” convention. For more information, contact the British Tourist Authority, 551 Fifth Ave., Suite 701, New York, NY 10176; tel. (800) 462-2748.

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