Not too soon to book festival flights

Festivals are everywhere during the spring and summer, celebrating everything from visual arts to bluegrass music to beer. And it’s not too soon to book flights, since planes are filling up.

Head to Houston May 13-15 for the Art Car Weekend. This annual event features the Art Car Parade of custom decorated and modified vehicles. Contact: www.orangeshow.org/artcar.html.

The Tulsa International Mayfest offers dance, music and visual arts exhibits from May 19-22 in downtown Tulsa. Contact: (918) 582-6435; www.tulsamayfest.org.

The RiverFest in Little Rock, Ark., offers arts and entertainment during the Memorial Day weekend, May 27-29. Enjoy performances by B.B. King, the Wallflowers and REO Speedwagon. Contact (501) 255-3378; www.riverfestarkansas.com.

Visitors to Washington, D.C., can enjoy Paris on the Potomac events through Memorial Day. French-themed cultural events, exhibits, dining and hotel packages starting at $109 are available. Contact: (800) 422-8644, ext. 1789; www.parisonthepotomac.org.

The Bill Monroe Memorial Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival features more than 50 bands, music workshops, a flea market and children’s activities. The festival is held 50 miles south of Indianapolis in Bean Blossom, Ind., from June 11-18. Contact: (800) 414-4677; www.beanblossom.com.

The Oregon Brewers Festival features beer tasting from microbreweries across the nation. The event will be July 28-31 in downtown Portland; see www.oregonbrewfest.com. The Portland Visitors Association offers specials at area hotels. Cool Summer Deals are available beginning in late May at www.pova.com.

Fans of musician Louis Armstrong will want to attend New Orleans’ Satchmo Summerfest. The four-day event honoring Armstrong’s 104th birthday takes place Aug. 4-7. Highlights include a jazz mass, musical performances, and a Satchmo Art Show. Most events are free. Contact: (504) 522-5730; www.fqfi.org.

To search for other festivals by location or subject, see www.festivals.com.