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Festivalgoers are in for a treat again this year, as they gear up to experience some of the best summer festivals around.

These festivals, most of which are held right here in Southwest Ohio, promise many different things to do. Whether you choose a day at King's Island's Spirit Song 2008, or you prefer a themed festival such as the Preble County Pork Festival or Germantown's Pretzel Festival, you, your family and friends are sure to have plenty of fun.

Festivals offer a taste of culture and they allow us to experience something new and different.

"Our festivals our still small enough that you can still enjoy yourself, and I think with the gas prices the way they are right now, we are all looking for entertainment opportunities that are close by," said Debbie Stamper, executive director of the Clinton County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

And while a few of the festivals can offer you a chance to take a day trip, others are right in your own backyard. Whether you stick with the traditions you know or decide on something more diverse, there is bound to be a new adventure around the corner.

JUNE

Goettafest in Mainstrasse Village

CinCY/Northern Kentucky — June 20, 21 & 22.

Guests will enjoy goetta (a regional type of sausage), music, good times and family fun in MainStrasse Village at the eighth annual Goettafest.

www.mainstrasse.org; (859) 491-0458

Mainstrasse Village River Raid Renaissance Festival

CincY/Northern Kentucky — June 20, 21 & 22

Step back in time at MainStrasse's sixth annual River Raid Renaissance Festival. Guests will enjoy a variety of demonstrations, crafts, food, music, fun and activities.

www.mainstrasse.org; (859) 491-0458

Pickaway County Fair

Circleville — June 23-28

Packed with food, games, rides, entertainment and much more, this annual festival offers plenty of free attractions, including a tractor pull, truck pull, harness racing, a motocross event and a kids' day.

www.pickawaycountyfair.org; (740) 474-2085

JULY

Spirit Song 2008

Kings Island — July 10, 11 & 12

Back in its 15th year, Kings Island will again host the Midwest's largest contemporary Christian concert series with Spirit Song 2008. This event features the most popular contemporary Christian music, teaching seminars and all the world-class thrills offered at the 364-acre theme and waterpark. Headliners Newsboys, Casting Crowns and TobyMac are among the 15 acts slated to appear during the immensely popular three-day festival, which has attracted capacity crowds at Kings Island each of the past 14 years. Other well-known artists scheduled to appear include BarlowGirl, Group 1 Crew, Hawk Nelson, Pillar, Red, Stellar Kart and Skillet. Tickets for Spirit Song include admission to Kings Island, Boomerang Bay Waterpark and the performances. All performances take place in the 10,000-seat Timberwolf Amphitheatre.

www.pki.com. Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets, including www.ticketmaster.com. Group ticket information can be found at www.iTickets.com or by calling (800) 965-9324.

2nd Annual Concert & Fireworks

West Chester — July 13

The Voice of America Park in West Chester is the venue for this family-friendly event. Children's activities begin at 4 p.m. Concert begins at 8 p.m. Enjoy patriotic music and other numbers, including the music from "Jaws," by the Hamilton Fairfield Symphony Orchestra. The 1812 Overture and fireworks display will once again close the show with the West Chester Symphony joining in. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets. Bar service, soft drinks, food and ice cream will be available for purchase.

www.butlercountymetroparks.org; (513) 867-5835 Toll Free: (877) PARKFUN

Warren County Fair

Lebanon — July 14-19

Holding its first fair in 1850 at Osborn Grove, the Warren County Fair has grown into one of the area's finest fairs. Today, the fair covers more than 57 acres and 26 buildings, showcasing agriculture, livestock and much more. Get in on the parade action Monday. Plus, there is live entertainment from Denver and the Mile High Orchestra on Monday and a talent show and competition throughout the week. Senior Day is Wednesday, July 16, and seniors are admitted all day for free.

www.warrencountyfair.org; (513) 932-2636.

Macy's Music Festival

Cincinnati — July 25 & 26

This festival and concert has been labeled one of the largest rhythm and blues festivals in the country. Guests will have the chance to eat, drink, shop and hear a variety of music.

www.qlzprod.com; info@qlzprod.com

Greek Festival

Middletown — July 25-27

Enjoy Greek culture, food, dancing and much more. Location: Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2500 Grand Ave., Middletown.

(513) 422-2312.

Dayton Celtic Festival

Dayton — July 25, 26 & 27

Guests can expect to experience Celtic culture and history at this three-day event through a variety of activities. Offerings include authentic Celtic food, arts and crafts, a cornhole tournament, a children's area and more.

www.unitedirishofdayton.org; (937) 254-0194

Dayton Air Show

Dayton — July 19 & 20

This is one of the area's premiere summer events. Held at the Dayton International Airport, three impressive military demonstrations will complete an already stellar lineup at the 2008 Dayton Air Show, which is presented by Kroger. The new additions include an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon demonstration along with a rare Air Force C-17 demonstration. Another first will be a U.S. Army three-ship Apache demonstration.

www.usats.org; (937) 898-5901

Butler County Fair

Hamilton — July 20-26

Held at the Butler County Fairgrounds, the fair showcases Southwest Ohio agriculture. Guests can experience hundreds of agricultural events, along with a variety of food, games, rides and other attractions.

www.butlercofair.com; (513) 892-1423

AUGUST

Ohio State Fair

Columbus — July 30 through Aug. 10

Guests can expect to experience an event for the entire family. There are a variety of foods, games and rides in the midway and scattered throughout the festival grounds. Nightly concerts, livestock exhibits and competitions are other anticipated highlights of this annual event. For more than 150 years, this festival has celebrated Ohio's finest. A new event this year is the Ohio State Fair 5K.

www.ohiostatefair.com; 1-888-OHO-EXPO or (614) 644-3247

Hamilton County Fair

Cincinnati — July 31 through Aug. 4

Now in its 153rd year, tens of thousands gather for this annual festival in Carthage. Guests can expect hundreds of agricultural events, along with a variety of food, games, rides and other attractions. Vegetables, antiques, homemade beer and wine, dairy cattle, goats, rabbits, bees and honey, photography and much more are on display.

www.hamiltoncountyfair.com; hamiltoncountyfair@fuse.net

Lebanon Blues Festival

Lebanon — Aug. 2

Hear the blues, sample the many wonderful barbecue choices and visit the car show from 11 a.m to 11 p.m.

lebanonbluesfestival.org; (513) 588-0321.

Wilmington Art and Pottery Festival

Wilmington — Aug. 1 & 2

Artists converge on the Roberts Convention Centre for a two-day event specializing in high quality art and pottery. See hand-thrown pottery, glassware, one-of-a-kind jewelry, wall art, and the list goes on. This is not a craft show, but instead delivers quality art items created for many purposes, from functional to ornamental.

www.clintoncountyohio.com; or contact the Clinton County (Ohio) Convention & Visitors Bureau by e-mail: info@clintoncountyohio.com; (937) 382-1965; (877) 4-A-VISIT.

Glier's Goettafest 2008

Cincinnati/Northern KY — Aug. 1, 2 & 3

Held at Newport's Riverfront Levee, this is a total celebration of all things goetta. You'll be able to get great tasting food such as goetta pizza and goetta Reubens, along with every kind of goetta imaginable. Other activities include a Goetta Toss Game, things for children to do, and entertainment including live music and cloggers, and it's always a free event.

www.goettafest.com; sales@goetta.com

Union Centre Boulevard Bash

West Chester — Aug. 8, 9 & 10

The Union Centre Boulevard Bash, produced by The Downtown Council and the Union Centre Boulevard Merchants Association, is a three-day outdoor music and food festival. There's no admission charge for the festival. The 2008 entertainment line-up will be posted in July.

www.unioncentreblvdbash.com

Ohio Renaissance Festival

Harveysburg — Aug. 30 through Oct. 19

(Saturdays and Sundays, plus Labor Day, Sept. 1)

Celebrate the 19th annual Ohio Renaissance Festival with food, entertainment, crafts, games and festive dress.

www.renfestival.com; (513) 897-7000

SEPTEMBER

Mainstrasse Village Oktoberfest

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky — Sept. 5, 6 & 7

Strike up the band at one of the area's favorite Oktoberfests, which has been held the weekend after Labor Day for the past 30 years. From the First Keg Tapping Ceremony to the close of the day, guests can celebrate with great German and American food, outstanding entertainment from German and rock 'n' roll to country. The event also has over 90 arts and crafts booths and is a perfect fit for the historic German neighborhood of MainStrasse.

www.mainstrasse.org; (859) 491-0458

Clinton County Corn Festival

Wilmington — Sept. 5, 6 & 7

Celebrate an agricultural heritage as we honor one of the area's biggest industries with a three-day extravaganza. The festival features antique farm machinery, a parade (Saturday at 10 a.m.), games, all types of food made from corn, a quilt show, musical entertainment, antiques and crafts, and you can even watch the Corn Olympics.

www.clintoncountyohio.com; or contact the Clinton County Convention & Visitors Bureau by e-mail at info@clintoncountyohio.com; (937) 382-1965; (877) 4-A-VISIT.

Cincinnati Salsa Festival

Cincinnati — Sept. 6

Thousands gather for food, dance and live music during this festival. This year's festival features Lalo Rodriguez, The Chicago Mambo All Stars, Son Del Caribe & Tropicoso and more.

www.cincinnatisalsafestival.com; (513) 939-0936

September Dayz

Fairfield — Sept. 12 & 13

This free, family-oriented attraction features live music, food, games and other local fun. Held at Fairfield's Village Green, it celebrates the start of fall.

www.fairfield-city.org; (513) 867-5348

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati

Cincinnati — September 20 & 21

With an average of a half of million attendees, this annual festival allows guests to experience Southwest Ohio's German heritage with food, drink and live entertainment. Founded in 1976, it's now North America's largest Oktoberfest.

www.oktoberfestzinzinnati.com; The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber at (513) 579-3100

Preble County Pork Festival 2008

Eaton — Sept. 20 & 21

This festival is always held the third weekend in September at the Preble County Fairgrounds. With free admission and free parking, you'll enjoy everything from a parade to live entertainment and all kinds of food, arts and crafts, and more.

www.porkfestival.org; (937) 456-7273