Southern Affairs | May June 2024
As spring gives way to summer, festival season starts to heat up in the South! Get out and enjoy the sunshine with a summer adventure at one of these fun festivals and events. View an array of colorful flowers in bloom, pretend to be a pirate, or attend one of the largest music festivals in the country. No matter where your next trip takes you, the South has so much fun to offer!
March 25-May 23
Spring at Biltmore
Asheville, North Carolina
Spring at Biltmore is one of the most colorful experiences you can have at the vast estate. Thousands of spring and summer blooms create a kaleidoscope of color that spans over 8,000 acres. View spring’s dazzling tulips, daffodils, and azaleas, or visit in the summer for an array of hydrangeas, canna lilies, and sunflowers. The ever-changing blooms transform the vibrant landscape throughout the seasons. In addition to the gorgeous blooms, the spectacular Chihuly exhibit also returns to the Biltmore with intricate and colorful glass sculptures. After a self-guided tour of the vast gardens in bloom, visitors are also invited to take part in a complimentary wine tasting featuring award-winning vintages.
biltmore.com/things-to-do/events/spring-at-biltmore
May 3-5
Toad Suck Daze
Conway, Arkansas
It may have a funny name, but the annual Toad Suck Daze festival held in downtown Conway, Arkansas, draws over 160,000 visitors every year. This fun festival has something for all ages, including live music, shopping at the Toad Market and downtown businesses, carnival rides for children and adults, a kid’s zone with hands-on activities, and so much more! The main attraction of the festival is the World Championship Toad Races, where contestants compete for prizes with their speedy toad buddies. Since most of downtown Conway is blocked off for the festival, be prepared to walk. But there are several convenient parking locations adjacent to the festival grounds. Keep your eyes peeled for the official mascots of the festival, Croaker W. Toad and Dazey Toad, for a unique photo opportunity to commemorate your day!
toadsuck.org
May 3-12
Louisiana Pirate Festival
Lake Charles, Louisiana
The Louisiana Pirate Festival in historic Lake Charles is a unique pirate and seafaring festival that showcases a variety of talented musicians, performers, and artists. Activities at this family-friendly event include cannon demonstrations, costume contests, local arts and crafts, themed souvenirs, games, carnival rides, and much more! The festival sprang from the legend that pirate Jean Lafitte buried his treasure somewhere along the shores of Lake Charles. The festivities kick off every year with pirates “taking control of the city” and making the mayor walk the plank. Thousands of spectators line the seawall to view the event, and the festival draws a crowd of more than 200,000 every year.
louisianapiratefestival.com
May 15-18
Memphis in May International Festival
Memphis, Tennessee
The Memphis in May International Festival has the mission to promote and celebrate Memphis culture, foster economic growth, and enhance international awareness through education. Each year, the festival salutes a country that has influenced the culture and economy in Memphis in some meaningful way. This year, the festival salutes France, which is a crucial trade partner to both Memphis and the state of Tennessee and has over 69 French companies throughout the state. While the festival typically starts with the Beale Street Music Fest, that event is on pause this year. However, visitors can still attend the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and view the series of exhibits, film screenings, arts, and performances dedicated to France as well as dining on French cuisine.
memphisinmay.org
May 24-26
Mudbug Madness Festival
Shreveport, Louisiana
The Mudbug Madness Festival in Shreveport has grown into one of Louisiana’s largest and most popular Cajun festival. This event features three days of live music from renowned Cajun, Zydeco, Blues, and Jazz artists, mouth-watering Cajun cuisine with plenty of crawfish, exciting contests, and fun for all ages. Come celebrate the festival’s 40th year and enter one of the crawfish eating competitions taking place during the festival to see if you have what it takes to win. See for yourself why Mudbug Madness is nationally recognized as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events!
mudbugmadness.com
June 1-2
Railbird Festival
Lexington, Kentucky
The Railbird Music Festival is held at The Infield at Red Mile in Lexington, and features more than 30 artists over three stages. This year’s headliners are Chris Stapleton and Noah Kahan. Other musical acts include Hozier, Counting Crows, Wynonna Judd, Dwight Yoakam, Elle King, and many more. In addition to a world-class musical lineup, The Red Mile racetrack venue will host curated bourbon and equine experiences that celebrate the spirit of Kentucky. Purchasing VIP tickets gets you access to exclusive lounges, prime viewing areas, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and reserved parking.
railbirdfest.com
June 13-16
Bonnaroo
Manchester, Tennessee
Since its origins in 2002, Bonnaroo has become one of the largest and most popular music festivals in the country. Featuring four full days of musical acts and fun activities, the festival draws visitors from all over the world. The festival features a diverse lineup, and previous music artists to perform at the festival include The Beastie Boys, Billy Joel, Eminem, Radiohead, Metallica, Bob Dylan, Wu-Tang Clan, Paul McCartney, Phish, and many others. In addition to the numerous musical performances, there are several other activities, such as yoga sessions, parades, an inflatable water slide, a marketplace of crafts, art, and experiences, a Ferris wheel, and the legendary Roo Run 5K that loops around the farm and benefits the Bonnaroo Works Fund. Accommodations include primitive camping, glamping, and RV parking, so you don’t have to leave the festival grounds.
bonnaroo.com
June 14-23
FestivALL
Charleston, West Virginia
During the spring and fall FestivALL, the entire city of Charleston, West Virginia, becomes a work of art. The festival partners with more than 80 arts and community organizations as well as hundreds of local, regional, national, and international artists. There are over 100 events, performances, and exhibitions featuring music, theatre, dance, visual art, humanities, and more. These events take place in more than 30 indoor and outdoor venues, and are often free or low cost.
festivallcharleston.com
June 26-29
ROMP Fest
Owensboro, Kentucky
The 21st annual ROMP Fest is held in Yellow Creek Park, a 150-acre facility known for its nature trails, winding creek, and fishing lake. In addition to the live music, attendees can take part in artist-led instrument workshops for all ages and skill levels. Other workshops include songwriting, clogging and flat-foot dancing, yoga, and bluegrass jamming. There will also be farm-to-table food vendors, craft vendors, art installations, and children’s activities. The festival is hosted by The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, which seeks to preserve the history of bluegrass music. RV and tent camping in the park is available, and there are also several hotels near the venue.
rompfest.com
