You can plan now to attend these weekend events, occurring within a few weeks and a day's drive of Philadelphia.

1. Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning. Readington, N.J. July 24-26. At one of the largest summertime hot-air balloon festivals in North America, see twice-daily mass ascensions of up to 125 special-shape and sport hot-air balloons. There are also concerts, hundreds of crafters and vendors, and lots more to do. 1-800-468-2479; www.balloonfestival.com.

2. Daylily Extravaganza. Hancock, N.H. July 25-26. Spectacular displays of color and fragrances from more than 500 daylily varieties. Visitors can wander gardens, photograph flowering plants, and participate in educational demonstrations. 603-525-4728; www.davisbrookfarm.com.

3. Finger Lakes Wine Festival. Watkins Glen, N.Y. July 17-19. Sample and buy wine from 80 wineries, and the weekend also includes live music, special tasting menus, and seminars. 1-866-461-7223; www.flwinefest.com.

4. Tidewater Archaeology Weekend. St. Mary's City, Md. July 25-26. Join archaeologists and uncover artifacts from generations past. The artifacts are then identified and explained. 1-800-762-1634; www.stmaryscity.org.

5. Hellenic Fest. Newport, R.I. July 24-26. Enjoy authentic Greek cuisine and pastries, live music and dancing, Greek beer and wines, and a vendors' marketplace. 401-846-0555; www.stspyridonchurch.org/hellenicfest.

6. Jazz & Rib Fest. Columbus, Ohio. July 24-26. Hot ribs and cool jazz are highlighted. Two stages host national and international jazz artists, while hot ribs on the grill make sure no one goes hungry. 614-645-3800; www.columbus.gov.

7. Virginia Highlands Festival. Abingdon, Va. July 25-August. 9. This popular event includes live entertainment, an enormous antiques market, juried art and photography competitions, a juried arts and crafts show, as well as nationally-known writers, lecturers, and visual and performing artists. 800-435-3440; www.vahighlandsfestival.org.

8. Appalachian String Band Music Festival. Clifftop, W. Va. July 29-August 2. A five-day mountaintop gathering of musicians with concerts, square dancing and more. 304-558-0220; www.wvculture.org.

9. Lamoille County Field Days. Johnson, Vt. July 24-26. Produce and agricultural exhibits, lumberjack roundup, 4-H exhibits, horse shows, live entertainment, plus horse, pony and ox pulls. 802-635-7113; www.lamoillefielddays.com.

10. Central Maine Egg Festival. Pittsfield, Maine. July 20-25. Watch or take part in the "Egglympics" and a festive parade, sample some of the eggs cooked in a 300-pound frying pan, and stay for the fireworks display at dusk. 207-487-3136; www.pittsfield.org.

- Erica Lamberg