"Bank robbers" flee Northfield, Minn., each year, reenacting the foiled attempt by the James gang in 1876.
(BRIDGETTE HALLCOCK/NORTHFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY/DEFEAT OF JESSE JAMES DAYS COMMITTEE)
Destinations
Jesse James rides again . . . and again
"Bank robbers" flee Northfield, Minn., each year, reenacting the foiled attempt by the James gang in 1876.
(BRIDGETTE HALLCOCK/NORTHFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY/DEFEAT OF JESSE JAMES DAYS COMMITTEE)
SEPT. 3-7
NORTHFIELD, Minn.
Defeat of Jesse James Days Celebration: In New England, we're familiar with war reenactments. In Northfield, locals reenact the day an infamous outlaw gang tried to rob a bank and failed. The town celebrates the foiled 1876 heist with arts and crafts, a parade, food, and the honoring of the civilians who died in the bank battle. Free. 507-645-5604, djjd.org.
SEPT. 11-18
WASHINGTON, D.C.
DC Shorts Film Festival: Those of you with short attention spans can enjoy a weekend of quickies at this celluloid celebration, which marks its fifth anniversary this year. There will be more than 100 films screened during the event at theaters around the city. And because this is an election year, you'll be allowed to vote for festival winners. This year's lineup includes "Attack of the Hot Female Alien Maneaters," an eight-minute sci-fi short, and the 13-minute Canadian comedy, "Zombie Jesus!" Each screening includes about two hours or short films. $125 for weekend, individual screening tickets on sale soon. dcshorts.com.
AUG. 29-31
ORANGE, Calif.
Orange International Street Fair: The dollar is weak, which means the most cost-effective way to see the world is at this festival, whose theme this year is "Around the World in 3 Days!" There will be a number of themed thoroughfares, such as Dutch Street, where you'll get doughnuts and
SEPT. 12-14
SEDONA, Ariz.
Raw Spirit Fest: The retreat that claims to be "the grandest raw vegan eco-peace celebration on earth" includes "sharing circles" with healers, performances by world musicians, and discussions about the environment. It's a hippie conference so bring your yoga mat. $62.50-$375. Radisson Poco Diablo Resort, 1752 South Highway 179, 928-776-1497, rawspiritfest.com.
SEPT. 26-27
COLUMBIA, Tenn.
Southern Fried Festival: For the lettuce-eating, South Beach-dieting, and carb-counting you do all year, you can reward yourself at the Southern Fried Festival, where everything is nice and crispy. You can find fried Twinkees, fried Oreos, fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, and a pancake breakfast Sunday morning. There's also live entertainment and a tractor show. Courthouse Square, southernfriedfest.com.
PLAN AHEAD
NOV. 23
NEW ORLEANS
Po-Boy Preservation Festival: No offense to Subway, but New Orleans wants the world to know that not all sandwiches are the same. The host Oak Street Association says eating a po-boy is celebrating a community's survival despite the malls and chain stores that have taken over the country. The event includes plenty of po-boy tastings and "Golden Loaf Awards" for the best sandwiches. Oak Street at South Carrollton Avenue, 504-228-3349, poboyfest.com.
MEREDITH GOLDSTEIN
Events are sometimes canceled, rescheduled, or sold out; call or check online to confirm. Contact Meredith Goldstein at mgoldstein@globe.com.
© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
