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

Floats, bands, costumed groups, horses, goats, pigs and dogs will take part in the Eureka Gras Mardi Gras Parade in Eureka Springs.

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Arkansas

Through Jan. 31: Eureka Springs Secret Season -- January is a grand time to rediscover the calming charm of downtown Spring Street, when the 11 Eureka Springs Gallery Associates present post-holiday special prices ... along with new fine arts/fine crafts exclusives; always made in the USA. Free; (479) 253-7679, artofeureka.com.

Jan. 31: Ira Glass: Radio Stories and Other Stories -- Ira Glass is the host and producer of the public radio program "This American Life." Glass will deliver a 60-minute talk followed by 30 minutes of Q&A. Walton Arts Center, 495 W. Dickson in Fayetteville; (479) 443-5600, tickets@waltonartscenter. org.

Feb. 21: Eureka Gras Mardi Gras Parade -- Parade Theme: Art Whirl. Floats, decorated vehicles, bands, costumed groups, horses, goats, pigs, dogs. Krewe of Krazo, Krewe of Barkus, Krewe of Wobniar and others. Kostume Kontests after the parade. Downtown on Spring and Main Streets in Eureka Springs; (479) 981-9551, danellis@danellis.net

Tennessee

Saturday: Jazz on Jackson Featuring Rachel Price -- Enjoy a night of Rachel's smooth jazz and stylizations as she whisks you far away from the everyday with music that helps us remember a bygone era of music. Admission charge. South Jackson Civic Center in Tullahoma; (931) 455-5321.

Friday through May 10: Paint Made Flesh Exhibit -- Featuring approximately 40 works created since the 1950s, in Europe and the United States, the exhibition will focus on artists of three generations whose depictions of the human figure denote biological, psychological or spiritual volatility. Includes work by Picasso, Francesco Clemente, Eric Fischl, Lucien Freud, Jenny Saville, Julien Schnabel and others. Organized by the Frist Center for Visual Art, 919 Broadway in Nashville; (615) 244-3340.

Feb. 5-8: Winter Heritage Festival in the Smokies -- Celebrates the history, natural beauty and cultural traditions of Townsend, Cades Cove and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Activities include tours, talks, hikes, music, storytelling and exhibits. The Winter Heritage Festival is an officially sanctioned event of the 75th Anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park; (800) 525-6834.

Feb. 6: Southern Exposure -- Watch or compete as skiers and snowboarders from near and far take to the slopes for an afternoon of spirited competition at Ober Gatlinburg; (800) 251-9202, obergatlinburg.com.

Mississippi

Tuesday and Wednesday: MSU Department of Art Gallery -- 37th annual MSU Art and Design Competitive Exhibition. Starkville. Free; msstate.edu.

Friday through Jan. 25: Winter Rod Run -- Seventeenth annual antique car show. Features antique beauties pre-1969. DiamondHead Resort Inn. (800) 466-9048.

Feb. 5-8: Oxford Film Festival -- A weekend long celebration of the art of filmmaking. More than 90 films compete in categories for Feature, Short, Documentary, Animation, Experimental, Youth and Music Video. Workshops and panels led by industry leaders and interaction with film directors. Various locations in Oxford. (662) 236-6429.

From the Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 Events

Feb. 5-8: Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville -- The capital city unites renowned experts in antiques, gardening, decorative arts and landscape design. Seminars, and displays of rare antiques and horticultural treasures available for purchase. (800) 891-8075; antiquesandgardenshow.com.

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