Throughout the year visitors to South Australia are treated to more than just great wildlife, wine and friendly people. Those who want to get out of the museums, fabulous as they are, the real culture lies in the events that take place at various locales around the state. Here are just a few upcoming festivals not to be missed:

Pinnaroo Spud Fest (March 26-28)�Pinnaroo and its surrounding environs make up one of Australia�s largest potato growing regions. The potato-based activities at the Spud Fest include potato wrestling, potato printmaking, sack races and spud wash tours. www.murraylands.info

Cummins Kalamazoo Classic (April 1-4)�What�s a Kalamazoo? If you�ve seen the Roadrunner cartoons where Coyote chases Roadrunner on a railway pushcart in hot pursuit then you know exactly what these festival organizers are talking about. The town of Cummins is one of the few places where dual railway lines run through the center of town making it the ideal spot to host the World Championship Kalamazoo Classic. The championships bring over 4000 visitors to the area and this year as part of the carnival atmosphere the Largest Model Train Display and Railway Workers Reunion will attract train buffs of all ages. www.visitcummins.com

Australian Gum Leaf Playing Championships (April 2-3)�When it�s played well, the Australian gum leaf sounds a lot like a saxophone, or so say the participants in the Gum Leaf Playing Championships, held annually at the Karoonda Farm Fair. Folklore suggests that prospectors in the goldfields used the instrument to entertain themselves around evening campfires. Up to 25 competitors from around Australia will travel to compete in this traditional bush activity. www.murraylands.info

Coober Pedy Opal Festival (April 8-11)� Coober Pedy�s Opal Festival, which is a remarkable celebration of the town�s mining heritage offers a host of events including a Beer Belly Competition, Outback Beach Volleyball, a Sausage Tossing Contest, a Bomb Throwing Challenge and Miners Tug-o-War. During the weekend guests can join an Opal Walk and view precious gems, take a Dugout tour or try noodling for opals. Coober Pedy boasts 45 different nationalities and the cultural diversity of the town shines during this weekend filled with ethnic music, dance and food. www.opalfestival.com

Whyalla Australian Amateur Snapper Fishing Championship (April 9-11)�Professional and amateur anglers can sail the Spencer Gulf in search of the illustrious snapper. The grand prize is a whole lot of cash and the famous 13kg snapper trophy. For those who want more than just the big Kahuna the Mixed Bag division encourages anglers to go for a variety of other sea creatures including salmon, whiting, garfish and blue swimmer crabs. www.whyalla.com

The Outback Ball (April 24)�What could be better than a black-tie event held under the stars in the magnificent Flinders Ranges? The price of a ticket gets you a gourmet barbecue dinner, Sunday morning breakfast and a campsite for the night. www.flinders.outback.on

Launch of Whale Watching Season (June 6)�The award-winning South Australian Whale Centre in the heart of picturesque Victor Harbor is the home of the grand kickoff of whale watching season. See art shows, listen to music and enjoy presentations by marine experts. www.fleurieupeninsula.com

Australian Beatles Festival (June 11)�Beatles fans will love celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Fab Four�s visit to Adelaide. A re-enactment concert at Centennial Hall and an exhibit of the Southern Hemisphere�s largest Beatles memorabilia collection are just some of the festivities. beatles@visiblemanagement.com

Marree Camel Cup (July 3)�The tiny Outback town of Marree, home to just 85 residents, is the site for the annual Marree Camel Cup. Each July local and visiting camel riders compete against one another in a host of races and skill-testing activities for the prestigious cup. The events are interspersed with donkey races and novel-foot races making it a day of fun for the whole family. www.flinders.outback.on.net

Ceduna Oyster Fest (October 1-3)�Up to 10,000 people converge on the small West Coast town of Ceduna for the annual SA Oyster Opening Championships. Visitors and competitors, some blindfolded, test their prowess in opening and consuming oysters, balancing full beer steins and attempting sand and water obstacle courses. Located on one of the most spectacular peninsulas in the state, this bivalve extravaganza is not to be missed. www.ceduna.net

Beyond and Back Gawler Ranges Outback Challenge (October 1-4)��Dunny runs,� stockwhip cracking and sleepy lizard races are just a few of the family activities offered at this October event held in the pristine Gawler Ranges. The main event is a three-day, twenty-four hour amateur cross-country team race for runners, cyclists and horseback riders. www.beyondandback.eyreonline.com

Great Southern Muster (November 15)�Visitors can see the best shearers in Australia and New Zealand as they compete for prize money and prestige at this daylong festival. Other events include a Regional Market Day, a huge open-air concert and working dog trials. www.greatsouthernmuster.com.au

For more information about these and numerous other South Australian festivals and events, contact the South Australian Tourism Commission at 888.768.8428 or visit www.southoz.com on the web.

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Media Contact: Trisha Cole +1 323.656.2224 trisha@wagstaffworldwide.com