WHAT is July aside from celebrations and festivals, amusement parks and church picnics, cool lemonade in the shade and homemade ice cream? It's the stuff of dreams--no school and long, hot days of fun. Pull up a lawn chair and watch the parade pass by. Here are some local happenings in your area to enjoy summer fun.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WHERE

ATLANTA

* Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Convention. Georgia World Congress Center. July 19-24.

* National Black Arts Festival. Various sites. July 19-28.

* Negro Dance Lesson, Play. Horizon Theatre Company. July 3-21.

* African Tales of Wisdom. Presented in conjunction with the National Black Arts Festival. Center for Puppetry Arts. July 20-21.

BALTIMORE

* Showcase of Nations Ethnic Festivals. Various sites. Beginning in July, weekends through September.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

* Omega Psi Phi Convention. Charlotte Convention Center. July 10-17.

CHICAGO

* 28th Annual DuSable Museum Arts & Crafts Festival. On the museum grounds. July 13-14.

COLUMBUS, Ohio

* 75th Celebration Weekend: Africa. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Entertainment, activities and animals from the regions of Africa during this two-day event. July 6-7.

* Heritage Festival Jazz Series. Mayme Moore Park. July 11-Aug. 1.

* Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest. Downtown riverfront. July 19-21.

DALLAS

* National Dental Association Convention. Adam's Mark Hotel. July 26-31.

DETROIT

* Afro-American Music Festival. Hart Plaza Riverfront. July 26-28.

HONOLULU

* Hawaii International Jazz Festival. Blaisdell Concert Hall. And in Maui, Outrigger Wailea Resort. July 18-21.

HOUSTON

* NAACP National Convention. George R. Brown Convention Center. July 6-11.

* National Pharmaceutical Association Convention. Marriott Hotel. July 19-23.

* National Black Nurses Association Convention. Hyatt-Regency Hotel. July 24-28.

INDIANAPOLIS

* Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration. Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome. July 15-21.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

* National United Church Ushers Association of America Annual Convention. Western Crowne Plaza and Hyatt-Regency Hotels. July 22-26.

LOUISVILLE, Ky.

* National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs Convention. Hyatt-Regency Hotel. July 29-Aug. 3.

LOS ANGELES

* Bill Pickett Rodeo. Los Angeles Equestrian Center. July 13-14.

* National Urban League Convention. Los Angeles Convention Center. July 27-31.

MIAMI