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Each year, The American Bus Association (ABA) selects North America's Top 100 Events. While the focus is on choosing those events that make great motorcoach destinations, the top events are a diverse selection of festivals and celebrations that you'll enjoy no matter how you get there! This year, the ABA's Selection Committee tapped 10 New England events for the Top 100 List.

Here's a round-up of the New England events that made the Top 100 List:

May 3 - June 10, 2002
Gaspee Days Celebration
Warwick, Rhode Island
(401) 781-1772

Warwick, Rhode Island, pays tribute to "America's first blow for freedom" during the annual Gaspee Days celebration, which commemorates the first armed conflict of the American Revolution in 1772. Planned events include a colonial encampment and a gala ball, the annual Gaspee parade, and an arts and crafts fair. The festival culminates in a mock colonial battle and symbolic burning of the famous ship HMS Gaspee. 

May 10-13, 2002
Dogwood Festival
Fairfield, Connecticut
(203) 259-5596

Events include guided walking tours, a giant tag sale, live music, a juried craft show, a plant and flower sale, readings, speakers, and a Dogwood Boutique as Fairfield, Connecticut, celebrates the blooming of more than 30,000 pink and white Dogwood trees. 

June 13-30, 2002
International Festival of Arts and Ideas
New Haven, Connecticut
(203) 946-3806, 888 ART-IDEA

The city of New Haven Green teams with activity during the annual International Festival of Arts and Ideas. The schedule of events includes theater, dance, and music performances; family activities; tours; seminars; and more.

June 28-30, 2002
Vermont Quilt Festival
Northfield, Vermont
(802) 485-7092

The Vermont Quilt Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, and the 2002 event promises even more new and antique quilts to see, plus classes, lectures, an auction, an old-fashioned ice cream social, and more.

June 29-30, 2002
The Newport Flower Show
Newport, Rhode Island
(401) 847-2251

New England's premier outdoor flower show is held each year at one of Newport's historic mansions. This year, Rosecliff is the setting for the two-day event featuring judged plants, flowers, and exhibits; lectures by gardening experts; and a Horticulture Tent. For a glimpse of what you'll see, be sure to take my virtual tour of the 2001 Newport Flower Show.

July 2-7, 2002
Boston Harborfest
Boston, Massachusetts
(617) 227-1528

Boston Harborfest is much more than a Fourth of July celebration. More than 200 events highlighting Boston's role in the founding of the United States make this America's Biggest Birthday Party. Events are held around the waterfront and downtown areas and include walking tours of historical sites, lectures, reenactments, outdoor concerts, fireworks, and even a Chowderfest. More than half of the events are free.

August 3-11, 2002
League of New Hampshire Craftsmen's Fair
Newbury, New Hampshire
(603) 224-3375

The oldest craft fair in America celebrates 69 years this year. You'll find more than 100 crafters, plus daily performances and exhibits, at the annual League of New Hampshire Craftsmen's Fair at Mt. Sunapee Resort.

September 6-8, 2002
Seafood Festival
Hampton Beach, New Hampshire
(603) 926-8718

The Seafood Festival and Sidewalk Sale Days in Hampton Beach is one of New Hampshire's largest annual events. You'll be the winner when more than 50 restaurants compete for prizes for best clam
chowder, most creative dish, and more. The three-day event also features continuous entertainment, crafts, children's activities, and fireworks.

September 13-15, 2002
New Hampshire Highland Games at Loon Mountain
Lincoln, New Hampshire
(603) 229-1975, 800 358-7268

Bring the whole clan! The New Hampshire Highland Games are the largest Scottish cultural festival in the Northeast, according to the ABA. This event features entertainment from Scotland and North
America and combines the best of Celtic and Gaelic cultures. There will be bagpipe bands and Highland dancers on hand to entertain visitors. Competitions include contests of strength, sheepdog trials, and a fiddling championship. The Highland Games make the ABA's Top 100 Events list for the third consecutive year.

September 13-29, 2002
The Big E
West Springfield, Massachusetts
(413) 787-0244, 800 334-2443

The Big E is back for the 81st time in 2002. The fair, which celebrates the bounty of all of New England, runs for 17 days and features top-name entertainment, a circus, rides, shopping, foods from around the world, and a daily Mardi Gras Parade.

About the American Bus Association

The American Bus Association (ABA) is a trade organization of North American intercity bus companies. Members include bus companies that offer scheduled service, charters, and tours, as well as others who represent the travel and tourism industries. 

To request a free copy of the ABA's "2002 Top 100 Events in North America," email the organization, or send a postcard to: American Bus Association, 1100 New York Ave., N.W., Suite 1050, Washington, DC 20005-3934 or a fax to: (202) 842-0850.