Going Gaelic in the Buckeye State

Past winners of the Dublin Irish Festival's reddest hair contest are all smiles. The festival draws up to 100,000 visitors for three days of all things Irish.

AUG. 1-3

DUBLIN, OHIO

Dublin Irish Festival: We spend a good deal of time in Boston celebrating all things Irish. Appropriately, so do the folks who live in Dublin. This green party, which is about 20 miles from Columbus, attracts up to 100,000 visitors for the storytelling, the hurling (as in, the sport), the shopping (Celtic jewelry, etc.), and contests such as "reddest hair." But music is the big draw. This year's bands include traditional Celtic acts Gaelic Storm, Tannahill Weavers, and Patrick Street. And, if you can get to town early, the Dublin Irish Festival Academy hosts classes in Irish culture the week before this celebration begins. Coffman Park, 5600 Post Road, 614-410-4535, dublinirishfestival.org, $5-$23.

JULY 3-7

ROSWELL, N.M.

Roswell UFO Festival: This weekend of people-watching includes a performance by Element 115, a band that claims to have an alien drummer, and a screening of the 1994 movie "Roswell" that starred KyleMacLachlan, Martin Sheen, and Dwight Yoakam. Visitors Center, 912 North Main St., 505-624-6860, roswellufofestival.com.

JULY 6

GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS

Jessica Simpson Night: The Grand Prairie AirHogs, one of those independent baseball teams, celebrates local-girl Simpson with discounted margaritas, Simpson masks, a prize for the best Simpson look-alike, and free admission for dogs - because Simpson loves them. 1 p.m. $6-$12. QuikTrip Park, 1600 Lone Star Parkway, 972-504-9383, airhogsbaseball.com.

AUG. 9

WATERVILLE VALLEY, N.H .

Curious George Cottage Family Festival: Closer to home, this New Hampshire town celebrates the man in the yellow hat, his monkey, and the couple who invented them. Taking place at what was once Margret and H.A. Rey's summer home, the festival includes costumed characters, nature walks, and Curious George movie screenings. Ticket prices will be posted soon. Curious George Cottage, 5 Noon Peak Road, 603-236-3308, reycenter.org.

AUG. 16-17

ALLEGAN, MICH.

Michigan Fiber Festival: This one has a goat show, a sheep show, a llama show, an angora rabbit show, and, well, you get the picture. The big draw should be the workshops, which teach rug hooking, sock-making, and class No. 303, "Spinning Awesome Angora Bunny." $5, $8. Workshops: $45, $90. Allegan County Fairgrounds, 269-948-2497, michiganfiber. festival.info.

PLAN AHEAD

OCT. 18-19

NASHVILLE

October Comic & Horror Festival: Consider this your pre-party for Halloween. Besides the screenings and costume contests, the fest features appearances by Frank Serrao, one of the prominent zombies in "Dawn of the Dead"; Daniel Emery Taylor, of "The Return of Swamp Thing"; and special effects and stunt guy Jim O'Rear. $10, $15 for two-day pass. Tennessee State Fairgrounds, 625 Smith Ave., 615-573-4537, comiccitytn.com.

MEREDITH GOLDSTEIN

Events are sometimes canceled, rescheduled, or sold out; call or check online to confirm. Meredith Goldstein can be reached at mgoldstein@globe.com.