Looking for a quick trip? Here are some regional attractions and events to consider.

Arkansas

Through July 20: 11th Annual Eureka Springs Fat Tire Festival -- Mountain bike festival with competitive and non-competitive cycling events. Cross country, downhill, short track, observed trials, bike parade, film fest, fun rides. Cash and prizes. Great fun for the whole family. Free for spectators. City Parks and Auditorium, 14 Elk Street; (479) 363-0625, fattirefestival.com.

July 22- 28: U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships -- The U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships U14-U19 will be at the Burns Park Soccer Complex. Free. Burns Park Soccer Complex in North Little Rock; (501) 758-1424, usyouthsoccer.org or arkansassoccer.org.

July 24-27: 29th Annual Ding Dong Days Festival -- Events include the volunteer appreciation barbecue, crowning of Ding Dong Days Daddy and Mamma, 5K Run, a car show, and a Ding Dong Eating Contest for children and adults and a bass tournament. In Dumas. $8; (870) 382-5447, dumasar.org.

Missouri

Through Sept. 28: Flight City: St. Louis Takes to the Air -- A thrilling and comprehensive exploration of the history of flight in our region. Photos, personal stories, gallery activities and treasures chronicle St. Louis' relationship with aviation. Flight City evokes the past while challenging you to imagine the future. At the Missouri History Museum at 5700 Lindell Blvd., in Forest Park. Free. (314) 746-4599; mohistory.org.

Tennessee

Saturday: Artillery Battery Programs -- At the Stones River National Battlefield. Artillery played a decisive role in the Battle of Stones River. Visitors will learn about the Fifth Indiana Light Artillery and see a battery (4-6 cannon) in action. 3501 Old Nashville Highway, Murfreesboro; (615) 893-9501.

Saturday: Hallowed Ground: A Lantern Tour of Stones River National Cemetery -- Visitors will learn to look beyond the stones and into the stories of the people who felt the impact of war. Reservations are required and must be made by phone starting at 9 a.m. Monday; (615) 893-9501.

July 26: Civil War Living History -- Discover the challenges that faced Civil War soldiers in East Tennessee as they camp on the grounds of President Andrew Johnson's home in Greeneville. Join the soldiers for camp demonstrations, military drill and discussion of period politics during the 200th yearlong celebration of the birth of our 17th president; (423) 639-3711

Mississippi

Friday and Saturday: 2008 Mize Watermelon Festival -- Live entertainment, music, arts and crafts, family fun. Watermelon seed-spitting contest, greased watermelon race and watermelon eating contest. Antique car show. Benefit for local volunteer fire department; (601) 733-2775 or (601) 733-5647.

July 20-24: Annual Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha Conference -- Six days of lectures and discussions by scholars and dramatic readings from the works of William Faulkner. Celebrate at Rowan Oak. The University of Mississippi campus in Oxford. (662) 915-5993

Through Sept. 1: Civil War Living History -- Confederate and Union soldiers camp on the grounds of historic McRaven Tour Home. Events include period demonstrations in textiles, cooking, fashions, music and battle skirmishes. Free. 1445 Harrison Street, Vicksburg. (601) 636-1663; mcraventourhome.com.

From the Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 Events

Through Saturday: Fun Fest -- Mardi Gras-themed summer fun with more than 100 activities on 60 sites. Come for the Crazy 8's 8-K run, Tour de Possum Creek bike rides, concerts and hot-air balloon launches. Kingsport, Tenn. (423) 392-8806, funfest.net.

Aug. 1-31: Celebrate Freedom -- Pigeon Forge salutes active and retired men and women who preserve our freedom with month-long discount savings offered by county-wide businesses. Show your military ID and don't forget to print Web coupons. Pigeon Forge, Tenn., (865) 453-8574, mypigeonforge.com.

Aug. 8-9: Sixth annual StringTime in the Smokies -- Gather in Patriot Park for bluegrass concerts with musicians like Doc Watson and David Grisman. Bring lawn chairs and instruments for Jammin' at the Old Mill. Free. Pigeon Forge, Tenn.; (865) 453-1390; mypidgeonforge.com.

Sources: escapetothesoutheast.com, arkansas.com, visitmississippi.org, tnvacation.com, visitmo.com. Send event info to travel@commercialapeal.com.