June
5 - 8,
2008 Chicago Blues Festival - Chicago, IL
The Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free-admission blues festival in the world. The festival showcases international, national and local Chicago artists on over five outdoor stages.
This year’s attractions include performances by Koko Taylor, Buckwheat Zydeco, legendary guitarist and singer Johnny Winter, and the iconic B.B. King. More than 750,000 people are expected to attend.
June
6 - 8,
2008 Texas Scottish Festival - Arlington, TX
The annual Texas Scottish Festival will take place at the Maverick Stadium in Arlington, TX, just outside of Dallas, from June 6-8, 2008.
This huge festival includes fun events such as a Bonniest Knees contest, Scottish Country Dancing, and a Kilted Golf Tournament. There is also various seminars, crafts, kids' activities, and loads of food. Don't forget your kilt!
June
7 - 8,
2008 British Lawn Mower Racing - Hamstreet, Kent, England
Come watch the English daredevils race their souped up lawn mowers at speeds up to 60 MPH in Hamstreet, Kent, England on June 7-8.
The British Lawn Mower Racing Association began in 1973 from the ideas of Irishman Jim Gavin. Now the organization offers several races throughout the year, ranging from the British Grand Prix to the 12-hour overnight Endurance Race.
Join a slew of international robot enthusiasts for RoboGames, the world's largest open robot competition from June 12-15 at the Fort Mason Festival Pavilion in San Francisco. The competing robots range from combat robots to bartending artbots, and the events range from robo-sumo to soccer.
June 12 -
August 9,
2008 Prospect Park Celebration in Brooklyn, NY
Every weekend for two months each summer, the Celebrate Brooklyn festival fills sunny Prospect Park with free outdoor music, dance, theatre and film.
Competing with the fantastic free events that fill Central Park each summer, Brooklyn's Prospect Park is rammed with excellent acts from the famous to the not-so-famous.
The line-up for 2008 includes a special opening night concert by Isaac Hayes, performances by The Philip Glass Ensemble, Lila Downs, Sibongile Khumalo, Beth Orton and DJ Premier. Generally, performances take place from Thursday to Sunday each weekend.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive at early sundown to reserve a good spot. Picnics are de rigeur and drinks are sold on the premises. The Prospect Bandshell has 2000 seats and the lawn can accommodate 5000 comfortably.
June
15 - 20,
2008 Coaster Con - Six Flags Over Georgia
Coaster Con is the largest annual event of the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) group, and this year runs from June 15-20.
Six Flags Over Georgia in Atlanta is one of this year's hosts, and will have the park open exclusively for 15 hours for the 500-800 ACE members that are expected to attend. Early registration for the event ends on May 21-don't miss out!
June
21,
2008 Coney Island Mermaid Parade - Brooklyn, NY
Every year around the summer solstice, Coney Island hosts the Mermaid Parade, where huge crowds of people come together in their finest mermaid, merman, merbaby, and meranimal costumes.
View the parade this year on June 21 on Surf Avenue between W 10th Street and W 15th Street, or on the Riegelmann Boardwalk. There is also a fantastic after-party, which is not to be missed, tail or no tail.
