Florida Travel Calendar for July

Compiled by freelancer Joice Veselka. Call before you go, as dates may change.

July 12: 24th Annual Underwater Music Festival, Big Pine Key. A quirky concert broadcast underwater for divers, snorkelers and the occasional mermaid emphasizes reef preservation. The submerged songfest is held at Looe Key Reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. 305-872-2411. www.lowerkeyschamber.com

July 12: 30th Annual Swamp Stomp, Tallahassee. This long-standing event features the hottest sounds from local musicians and singer/songwriters bringing together the best traditional and contemporary acoustical talent in the Big Bend region. At Tallahassee Museum. Admission for non-members. 850-575-8684. http://tallahasseemuseum.org

July 12-13: Boards and Waves Expo, Daytona Beach. The two-day event is billed as "a surf expo for consumers." It will feature surfboard shaping demonstrations, surfboard painting and artwork, vintage board collections, and a swap meet where consumers can buy, sell, and trade surfboards. In addition to over 60 exhibits, shaping and art demos, surf music, board swap and sale, and plenty of product giveaways, attendees can also win a Ricky Carroll surfboard, to be given away both days of the event. At Daytona Beach Resort and Conference Center. Admission. 949-466-4110. www.daytonabeach.com/calendar.cfm

July 12-13: MangoMania Tropical Fruit Fair, Cape Coral. The mango is the star attraction for two days each summer on Pine Island. Go wild for fruit as you sample locally-grown delicacies at this ninth annual affair, a celebration of all the tropical fruit grown on the island, which includes also lychee, carambola, longan, papaya, and "chocolate pudding fruit." Fruit, exotic fruit trees, and fruit- related products are available for purchase. The festival also offers live music, kid's activities and rides, contests, and other diversions. At German-American Social Club. Admission. 239-283-1400. www.fortmyers-sanibel.com/events

July 12-13: International Mango Festival, Coral Gables. Annual festival at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden celebrates the mangos of the Caribbean with a selection of cultivars sure to dazzle your tastebuds. Experience the world's largest display of more than 200 locally grown cultivars from Fairchild's own collection to mango tree sales, tastings and evaluations, lectures, food demonstrations, children's activities and Mangoville. 305-667-1651. http://www.fairchildgarden.org

July 12-13: Winter in July, West Palm Beach. Bring your mittens and dive into 40 tons of snow at the "coolest" event of the year. Even the animals get into the act with "cool" animal enrichments you won't want to miss! Includes children's entertainment such as musical performances, interactive games, educational arts and crafts, and more. At Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park. Admission. 561-533-0887. www.palmbeachzoo.org

July 12, 26: Sizzlin' Summer Concert Series, Tallahassee. Last of the three-month concert series downtown. At Lewis Park, part of the Downtown Chain of Parks. Free. Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. 850-891-3879. www.talgov.com

July 13: Summer Jazz Concert Series, Jacksonville Beach. Headlined by Nelson Rangell after opening by Urban Jazz Coalition. At Sea Walk Pavilion. Free. www.jacksonvillebeach.org/

July 13: Peruvian Festival, Miami. Festival featuring Peruvian music, arts and crafts and traditional foods. At Fair Expo Center. 305-223-7060. http://www.fairexpo.com

July 13-20: USTA Boys 14 National Clay Court Championships, Fort Lauderdale. Nation's top 200 boys compete in annual event for gold, silver and bronze balls in singles and doubles. At Jimmy Evert Tennis Center. 954-828-5378. www.sunny.org/calendar/

July 14: Drum Corps International Presents 2008 Emerald Coast Classic, Fort Walton Beach. Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps presents the 2008 Emerald Coast Classic featuring corps from Ohio, Massachusetts, Wisconsin. Iowa, Alabama and Florida. At Choctawhatchee High School. Admission. 317-275-1212. www.dci.org

July 15-20: Hemingway Days, Key West. The 28th annual celebration of the legendary author's work and lifestyle features literary readings, a theatrical premiere, short story competition, fishing tournament and Sloppy Joe's Hemingway Look-Alike Contest. A celebration on July 21 honors Hemingway's 109th birthday. 305-296-2388 for look-alike events, 294-0320 for literary events. www.fla-keys.com/hemingwaymedia

July 17-20: Arts and Crafts Show, Orlando. Works by local arts and crafts vendors will be on display at Festival Bay Mall. Free. 407-351-7718. http://www.shopfestivalbaymall.com/

July 18-20: US Open Junior Judo Championships, Fort Lauderdale. At Broward Convention Center. 954-765-5900. www.sunny.org/calendar/

July 18-22: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim, Miami Beach. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim electrifies Miami Beach's historic Raleigh Hotel with shows featuring designer swim and resort collections. 646-871-2400. http://www.mbfashionweek.com/miami

July 18, 25: Canaveral Lens Maintenance Demonstration, Ponce Inlet. Join "old time lighthouse keepers" as they demonstrate lens maintenance and discuss Cape Canaveral lighthouse history. At Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. 386-761-1821. www.ponceinlet.org

July 19: Summer Jazz on the Gulf, Naples. Beautiful sunsets, gorgeous views of the Gulf, and refreshing breezes serve as the perfect backdrop for the free concert series at Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club. Featured band will be Lounge Cat. On Watkins Lawn overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Free.There will be free parking, just north of the hotel at Lowdermilk Park with free trolley service running to and from the resort. 239-261 2222. www.naplesbeachhotel.com/

July 19: Snooty the Manatee's 60th Birthday Bash, Bradenton. A Birthday Bash for the resident County mascot Snooty at South Florida Museum. Punch and birthday cookies for the kids. The celebration will feature children's games and art activities, plus much more. Admission. 941-746-4131. www.southfloridamuseum.org

July 19-20: Hoike Hawaii Hula Competition, Orlando. Two-day Hoike and Makaha Sons, two-day concerts with Barry Kimokeo and beautiful Kealo Koko. 407-240-2578. http://www.southfest.com/florida.shtml

July 20: 23rd Annual Midsummer Dollhouse and Miniatures Show and Sale, Lakeland. This highly regarded show, attended by enthusiasts from throughout the Southeast, features some 50 dealers. Show events include "The Boulevard," a newly designed uptown avenue created by Guild members and highlighted by an amusement park; and another Guild exhibit, "The Unpredictable Les Petite Dames." Special exhibits include the Enchanted Castle, a hand-carved circus display, and exciting judged exhibits. Visit the special children's shopping table and free children's workshop. A drawing for a dollhouse created by the Guild members will be held on Sunday. At Lakeland Center. 863-646-1354. http;//web.tampabay.rr.com/lakeland

July 20: Home and Garden Show, Punta Gorda. Features landscaping, home décor, fix-up exhibits and fine art. At Fishermen's Village. Free. 941-379-0951. http://www.fishville.com

July 20: Colombian Festival, Miami. Celebrate Colombian independence with music, crafts, food and fun. At Fair Expo Center. 305-599-0069. http://www.congodeoro.com

July 25-26: 16th Annual Celebrity Mascot Games, Orlando. Watch more than 30 mascots from the NFL, NHL, NBA, NCAA and MLB compete in wild and crazy games such as Mascot Joust, Inflatable Obstacle Course, and Dodge Ball. At Amway Arena. Admission. 407-648-4900 x13. http://www.orlandosports.org

July 26: Wine, Jazz and Taste of Plantation, Plantation. Sample more than 100 varieties of vintage wine and specialty foods from the best area restaurants. Live jazz music and silent auction. At Renaissance Plantation Hotel. Admission. 954-587-1410. www.plantationchamber.org

July 26-27: Bass and Bellows Car Show, Orlando. The "ultimate car show and sound off at Orlando's only theme park with bite and attitude." At Gatorland. Admission. 800-393-5297. http://www.gatorland.com/

July 26-27: Buckler's Art & Craft Fair, Melbourne. Gifts, home accessories, gourmet foods, jewelry, quilts, handcrafted furniture. At Melbourne Auditorium. Admission. 386-860-0092. www.space-coast.com/Calendar/

July 26-28: Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament and Festival, Jacksonville. Largest kingfish tournament in the country. Also includes a Junior Angler Tournament, , free festival featuring a KidZone, live music, boat show and food festival. 904-251-3011. www.kingfishtournament.com