(FORTUNE Small Business) – >> May 3: POLKA DE MAYO Cinco de Mayo has devolved from commemorating a Mexican victory over the French in 1862 to an excuse for parties in el norte. In that spirit, polka enthusiasts in Portland, Ore., are holding a spring blowout. For just $9.99 (less if you look festive, more if you're dressed all in black), accordion-loving revelers can party to the music of San Francisco's Polkacide and local favorite Samsonite & Delight-Ya, whose repertoire includes "Stairway to Heaven," polka-style. 503-735-2805; pdxpolka.com

>> May 16--18: PASADENA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL The 30th anniversary of this Texas tradition includes a parade, zydeco music, a barbecue cook-off with categories like Best Brisket, and a beauty pageant with Miss Strawberry titles for 14 age groups, from 3 months to 25 years. See the largest strawberry shortcake (1,200 square feet, give or take). And if you're wondering about the town's name, a founding father named it after the one in California. 281-991-9500; strawberryfest.org

>> May 16--26: FESTIVAL OF FLIGHT 2003 Honoring the 100-year anniversary of the Wrights' first flight at Kitty Hawk on the Outer Banks, Fayetteville, N.C., presents an 11-day tribute to flight past, present, and future, including displays from NASA and the Air Force. Retired pilot and airplane mechanic Dana Smith will be making daily fly-overs in his replica of the original Wright Flyer. But be sure to duck. The first time Orville took off, he only made it 120 feet. 910-323-0003; festivalofflight.org --BRIAN O'KEEFE