Top 20 Events for March in the Southeast US

Time again to list the Top 20 Events in the southeast as selected by a panel of travel professionals from the Southeast Tourism Society. Here are their picks for March 2012.

Mar. 1-4 Kentucky Crafted: The Market Lexington, Ky. 502-564-3757 artscouncil@ky.gov www.artscouncil.ky.gov View more than 200 exhibitors of fine art and craft, books, CDs, DVDs and specialty foods. Enjoy performances from 24 talented artists and readings by Kentucky's poets laureate while you shop.

Dressing drizzle for 50 salads at the Charleston Wine + Food Festival (Photo by Andrew Stephen Cebulka)

Mar. 1-4 BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival Charleston S.C. 843-727-9998 info@charlestonwineandfood.com www.charlestonwineandfood.comCome delight in the best that Charleston has to offer. Savor delectable treats from highly celebrated chefs, culinary professionals and winemakers throughout this eventful weekend. (Photos by Andrew Stephen Cebulka.)

Mar. 1-11 Florida Strawberry Festival Plant City, Fla. 813-752-9194 paul@flstrawberryfestival.com www.flstrawberryfestival.com They're ripe for the picking! Feast on luscious strawberries grown by local farmers. Bring the family out for eleven days of fun at this annual fruit themed event.

Mar. 3 Rock, Roll & Run in Downtown Albany Albany, Ga. 229-317-4760 lriddle@albanyga.com www.visitalbanyga.com Kick things off with the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar morning marathon and half marathon. Finish the day at the Mardi Gras Music Festival featuring bands, kid's activities and vendors.

Mar. 3-4 Weeki Wachee Swamp Fest Weeki Wachee, Fla. 352-596-3757 davidsonroger@yahoo.com www.swampfestweekiwachee.comGood old-fashioned family-fun is on the menu this year. Taste traditional swamp foods like alligator and jambalaya. Create your own clever costume and enter the popular Swamp Monster contest.

Mar. 9-11 The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Ferdinanda Beach, Fla. 904-636-0027 choyt@ameliaconcours.org www.ameliaconcours.org This rousing automotive event draws nearly 250 rare vehicles from collections around the world. Experience the Porsche Driving Experience, informative seminars and the Mercedes-Benz Gala Dinner and Live Auction.

Mar. 10-11 25th Annual Forsythia Festival Forsyth, Ga. 478-994-9239 karen@forsyth-monroechamber.com www.forsythiafestival.com Kick off spring with this free, family-fun event featuring a children's fair, a 5K and sporting tournaments. Chomp off a piece of the 36-inch pizza pie. Come Saturday night for FaithFest.

Mar. 16-18 Iowa Rabbit Festival Iowa, La. 800-456-7952 bbagley@visitlakecharles.org www.visitlakecharles.org Celebrate the economic and culinary impact these furry creatures have in Southwest Louisiana. From rabbit gumbo to the crowning of the new Miss Bunny, this annual festival has it all!

Mar. 17 6th Annual Grillin' on the Green Biloxi, Miss. 228-435-6339 kmiller@biloxi.ms.us www.mainstreetbiloxi.com Experience one of the Gulf Coast's premier spring events. Shop from over 100 vendors and enjoy live entertainment all while chowing down on some of Biloxi's finest BBQ!

Mar. 17 First Ever Ninth Annual World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade Hot Springs National Park, Ark. 501-321-2027 cegleston@hotsprings.org www.shorteststpats.com The name says it all! A celebrity Grand Marshall will lead this lively parade of extravagant floats and Irish belly dancers. Begin the party with the popular Arkansas Blarney Stone kissing contest.

Mar. 16-18 News Sentinel Women Today Knoxville, Tenn. 865-342-6855 womentoday@knoxnews.com www.womentoday.com Celebrate all things women! Enjoy exciting exhibitors, trendy fashion shows, cooking demonstrations, and informative seminars. Celebrity guests will also be in attendance.

Photo by Andrew Stephen Cebulka

Mar. 16-18 Cape Fear Wildlife Expo Wilmington, N.C. 910-795-0292 wc@capefearwildlifeexpo.com www.capefearwildlifeexpo.comCalling all outdoor enthusiasts! Encourage youth to appreciate the great outdoors through hunting, fishing and outdoor sports. This year's event features live wildlife cooking demos.

Mar. 16-18 60th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival Fairhope, Ala. 251-621-8222 gparnell@eschamber.com www.eschamber.com Come behold the highest quality of arts and crafts from more than 200 exhibitors from across the nation. Stop by the Festival Food Court for a taste of unique local cuisine.

Mar. 16-25 Macon, Georgia International Cherry Blossom Festival Macon, Ga. 478-751-7413 info@cherryblossom.com www.cherryblossom.com Have fun at the pinkest party on earth! Take part in fun activities like historic tours, animal shows and fabulous cuisine. Come experience the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World.

Mar. 17-18 Shamrock City Lookout Mountain, Ga. 706-820-2531 frontdesk@seerockcity.com www.seerockcity.com/shamrockcityThe luck of the Irish is yours! Learn how to do a traditional jig while experiencing specialty beer from Big River and Rock City's famous green fudge.

Mar. 26-Apr.7 Annual Spring Pilgrimage Columbus, Miss. 662-329-1191 nancy@columbus-ms.org www.columbus-ms.org Considered one of the most authentic collections of home tours in the South. Explore Columbus' history through recreations of the 1800's complete with period attire.

Mar. 28-Apr.1 Ozark Foothills FilmFest Batesville, Ark. 870-251-1189 ozarkfilm@wildblue.net www.ozarkfoothillsfilmfest.org Take part in this eclectic cinema celebration. View independent films and restored classics. Witness the world premiere of this year's feature film 45RPM, produced by Arkansas-born filmmaker, Juli Jackson.

Mar. 30-Apr.1 Summerville Family YMCA Flowertown Festival Summerville, S.C. 843-871-9622 (x119) www.summervilleymca.org Admire charming spring flowers at this stunning festival. This year's event features more than 200 artists, live entertainment and a children's jubilee all on the beautiful grounds of Azalea Park.

Mar. 31-Apr.1 Renaissance Fine Arts Festival Ridgeland, Miss. 800-468-6078 Machrer@visitridgeland.com www.renaissanceartsfest.com View and purchase artwork from 90 of America's finest visual artists. This cultured festival includes performances by local blues, jazz, classical, and rock musicians. Kids can participate in activities that stimulate and entertain.

Mar. 31-Apr.2 9th Annual Florida State Bluegrass Festival Perry, Fla. 850-584-5366 taylorchamber@gtcom.net www.floridastatebluegrass.com 24 hours of rousing bluegrass music for three days. Explore instrument workshops and arts and crafts vendors. Chow down at the annual Taylor County Chili Cook-off!

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