Daisy-Crazed in Georgia, and Historic Barn Tours in Old Iowa

The wild yellow daisy blooms every September in Georgia, but only within 50 miles of Stone Mountain Park, so the occasion is celebrated with the Yellow Daisy Festival, Sept. 5-8 this year. This is also one of the South’s largest arts and crafts shows, with more than 450 artisans from 32 states expected. Stone Mountain Park, a theme park 16 miles east of Atlanta, includes an antebellum plantation and mansion; laser shows; an antique car museum; and Crossroads, a re-created 1870s Southern town.

For more information, contact Stone Mountain Park, P.O. Box 778, Stone Mountain, GA 30086; (770) 498-5690, www.stonemountainpark.com.

Iowa

At the second annual All-State Barn Tour, Sept. 28 and 29, visitors can explore 26 historic barns throughout Iowa, from cornfields to the banks of the Mississippi River. Activities vary by site and may include Arabian horse and cream-separating demonstrations.

For more information, contact the Iowa Barn Foundation, c/o Roxanne Mehlisch, 17590 730th Ave., Zearing, IA 50278; (641) 487-7690, www.iowabarnfoundation.org.

New York

More than 100 guided walks, hikes and bike-canoe-kayaking trips are scheduled during the Hudson River Valley Ramble on Sept. 21 and 22. From Westchester County to Albany, naturalists of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area will lead easy-to-strenuous outings along Revolutionary War trails and through garden estates. Highlights include tramps through Frederick Edwin Church’s Moorish mansion and designer Russel Wright’s Woodland Garden at Manitoga. One walk retraces Benedict Arnold’s flight 222 years ago.

For more information, contact Highland Flings, P.O. Box 1034, Kingston, NY 12402; (800) 453-6665, www.hudsonvalleyramble.com.

Ohio

The Ohio River Sternwheel Festival, Sept. 6-8, will bring more than 30 big-wheelers to the banks of the Ohio River at Marietta for a celebration of the bygone era when these vessels plied America’s waterways. Activities include a sternwheeler boat race, boat tours, live music and fireworks.

For more information, contact the Marietta/Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 316 3rd St., Marietta, OH 45750; (800) 288-2577, www.mariettaohio.org.

South Carolina

At the Preservation Society of Charleston’s annual Fall Candlelight Tour of Homes and Gardens, Sept. 19-21 and 26-28, visitors will walk through homes in the historic downtown area. Most of the homes are not open to the public except during this self-paced walking tour. A different itinerary is planned for each evening. Architectural styles range from Colonial to antebellum to Victorian. Reservations are recommended.

For more information, contact the Preservation Society of Charleston, P.O. Box 521, Charleston, SC 29402; (800) 968-8175, www.preservationsociety.org.

Canada

The 51st annual Niagara Grape and Wine Festival, Sept. 20-29 at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, will pay homage to the region’s wine industry.

The area has 15,000 acres of vineyards. Winery tours, tastings and wine seminars will dominate the festival.

Also planned are two parades and crafts by Ontario artisans.

For information, contact the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival, 8 Church St., Suite 100, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada L2R 3B3; (905) 688-0212, www.grapeandwine.com.

Mexico

In Mexico City, the celebrations for Mexican Independence Day, Sept. 16, begin the night before when crowds pack the Zocalo, the huge central plaza, to await the appearance (usually around 11:30 p.m.) of President Vicente Fox on the balcony of the National Palace for the reading of “El Grito,” the cry for independence issued in 1810. Fireworks follow. The plaza is decorated with intricate lightbulb “paintings” of Mexican scenes and symbols. On the morning of Sept. 16 there’s a major parade around the same plaza.

For more information, contact the Mexican Government Tourism Office, 2401 W. 6th St., 5th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90057; (213) 351-2069, www.visitmexico.com.

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