Main Street Festivals: Traditional and Unique Events on America's Main Streets (National Trust Guide (Washington, D.C.).) (Paperback)

by National Trust for Historic Preservation (Author), Amanda B. West (Author) "The Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival is a two-day celebration of this original American musical form..." (more)
Key Phrases: recruited new businesses, walking tour brochure, facade renovations, Main Street, Civil War, North Carolina (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This is the only national guide to over 300 Main Street communities across America and more than 700 special events happening on these Main Streets throughtout the year - from Rodeo Stampedes to fruit festivals to winter carnivals. The special events featured in this guide captialize on local history, popular culture, provinical character and seasonal themes.

From the Publisher
This is the only national guide to over 300 Main Street communities across America and more than 700 special events happening on these Main Streets throughtout the year - from Rodeo Stampedes to fruit festivals to winter carnivals. The special events featured in this guide captialize on local history, popular culture, provinical character and seasonal themes.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (March 9, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471192902
• ISBN-13: 978-0471192909
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,055,253 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars not what i expected, my state wasn't even included, January 26, 2004

By	William R. Angus "teamgwho" (teaneck, nj United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Despite the wording of the title, I didn't realize that there is a very narrow criteria to be included in thsi book. I expected sort of a USA only version of Chase's Annual Events that was specifically focused on festivals. Wrong...

Here's what this book is, using their own words... "this guides hilights those communities partipating in the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street program that have developed down town festivals as part of their revitalization process. Reaching deep into their communities identity, Main street programs have created wonderful and original themes for festivals, which could not have come from anywhere else but the communities rich heritage."

So I'm thinking, why couldn't the Shad Festival in Lambertville, NJ be part of this book? It fits their definition. Whoops. No it doesn't, it's probably not part of the historic trust. Oh well.

So to say this book disapointed me is an understatement, as not only it the scope much more narrow then I expected, some states aren't even included. So if you're looking for a guide to festivals in your state, here's a list of what states are covered: CT, DE, MA, PA, VT, VA, WV, AL, AK, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, IL, IN, IA, MI, MI, WI, KS, NE, SD, WY, AZ, NM, OK, TX, CA, ID, OR, WA. If your state isn't listed, then this book may not be for you.

That said, the book is a decent collection of events both small and large, plainly interesting and coyly charming, I jsut wish they werne't so selective. As I felt about Chases Annual Events, I felt there was so much more that could've been included, and I find it hard to believe that they couldn't find at least one qualifying event in every state.