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

Arkansas

Thursday (July 31) through Aug. 2: Old Soldiers Reunion -- Reunion of veterans and their families. Events include a free parade, carnival, and a beauty pageant. For pageant information call Jan Awalt at (501) 362-5229. For parade/carnival information call the American Legion at (501) 362-9979. American Legion Post 64, 49 Park Drive, Heber Springs, AR 72543; (501) 362-9959.

The Southern Brewers Festival, one of downtown Chattanooga's most anticipated gatherings, takes place Aug. 23. It features more than 40 different brews as vendors from around the world serve up their best. Several local cafes are also on hand to provide a variety of culinary delights.

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Friday and Saturday (Aug. 1-2): 36th annual Pine Tree Festival -- Festival in Dierks depicting timber industry with lumberjack competitions, kids' rides, ending with country music concert Saturday night. Free except concert and rides; (870) 286-3163, dierkschmaberof commerce.com.

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

Aug. 8-9: Edmon's Family Farm Bluegrass Festival -- The home-cooked food has an unmistakable Southern touch, and it is one of the nicest features of the festival. Enjoy regional bands with many talented pickers. In Pikeville; (423) 533-2720.

Aug. 15-16: Celebrity Chef Series Featuring Alton Brown -- Don't miss the most fascinating time you'll ever spend learning about food as only Alton can present it -- with a twist of pop culture, comedy, kitchen science, and plain good eating! Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville; (615)-458-2875.

Aug. 23: Southern Brewers Festival -- One of downtown Chattanooga's most anticipated gatherings. Wet your whistle on more than 40 different brews as vendors from around the world serve up their best. Several local cafes are also on hand to provide a variety of culinary delights; (423) 757-5259.

Aug. 30:16th annual Crape Myrtle Festival -- Crafts, live entertainment, children's games, live entertainment, specialty foods and more. In Ardmore; (931) 363-3789.

Mississippi

Monday through Aug. 3: Yocona International Folk Festival -- As Mississippi's first annual International folk festival, Oxford will celebrate the world's cultural heritage with exciting folk music and dance performances as well as captivating vernacular arts and crafts from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, South and North America; (662) 238-2630, yoconafestival.org.

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

Friday through Aug. 31: Celebrate Freedom -- Pigeon Forge salutes active and retired men and women who preserve our freedom with month-long discount savings. 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.

Aug. 14-17: 6th Annual Thunder on the Gulf -- More than 35,000 raring-to-go fans race to Alabama's Gulf Coast for a weekend of power, speed and the excitement of the world's fastest powerboats. Gulf Shores, Ala.; (251) 974-1510; thunderonthegulf.com.

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