You know it’s summertime simply by the tremendously varied assortment of festivals, community celebrations and contests that pop up in towns big and small all across the country every weekend during the season. Some are centered around local crops the region is known for (Apple Blossom Festival in Wenatchee, Wash., garlic in Gilroy, Calif., peaches in Georgia, and Potato Days in . . . no, not Idaho, but Minnesota!). Others are celebrations of music, a melting pot of cultures or sports. There are certainly other, more shall we say “unique” events which draw enthusiastic participants and spectators. As Global Traveler readers know, our monthly Calendar column clues them in on exhibitions and festivals from the sublime to the ridiculous around the world. You might read there about cheese-rolling in England or wife-toting in Finland. In our June issue, the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics in Fairbanks was featured, with events including “ear-pulling, knuckle-hopping and high-kicking.”  In my own humble corner of the universe, the little town of Rogue River recently hosted its 58th National Rooster Crow Championship. The three-day weekend celebration included a parade, musical acts, car show, quilt exhibition, fun run, arts and crafts vendors and food booths. At the center of it all was the actual Rooster Crow Contest, in which the winner is the bird who crows the most in a half-hour time period. The monetary prize is modest, but bragging (crowing?) rights are really what it’s all about. And city folks who don’t own a rooster can compete in the Human Crow event, where the crowd votes for its favorite rooster impersonator.   Most of us don’t really need a good excuse to get out and enjoy a little free time and beautiful weather at this time of year. But if you should, you won’t likely have to look too far to find a community gathering boasting good food, a little music and some good old summertime fun. Feel free to share your favorites with the rest of us! — Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor