Top Events USA News

Valentine’s Day Sea Lion Kisses on Oregon’s Coast

2012-02-01T07:49:00.000-08:00

Forget those dozen red roses on Valentine’s Day. Settle instead for a couple of kisses from a sea lion. This Valentine’s Day, February 14, the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport on the Oregon Coast is offering two opportunities to wow your Valentine with a sea lion smooch.

As a bonus, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Aquarium is included. Times are 10am and 2pm.

If the idea of smooching with an amorous sea lion isn't your cup of tea, then the Oregon Coast has plenty of other tempting February options to consider.

The Reedsport/Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce presents its Wine, Beer, Seafood & Music Festival: Confluence 2012 on the weekend of February 17 and 18. Bands from the Washington, Portland, Eugene, Coos Bay, Reedsport and Bandon areas will be performing various genres of music throughout the weekend. Oregon wineries and microbreweries will offer tasting’s and sales.

It wouldn’t be winter on the coast without the 35th annual Newport Seafood & Wine Festival from February 23 to 26. It’s the premier seafood & wine event of the west coast. Also, artists and craftsmen will showcase a variety of fine art, sculpture, photography, pottery, and jewelry.

Formerly called the Oregon Dixieland Jubilee, the Seaside Jazz Festival is entering its 29th year of presenting one of the finest jazz celebrations from February 24 to 26. The festival features some of the top performers of traditional jazz and traditional jazz inspired music.

From February 1 through to February 29 Lincoln City celebrates Black History Month citywide with films, live dance performances, live music and art exhibits. Antique Week from February 10 to 20 features in-home appraisals, guest appearances by Harry Rinker, citywide antique sales and more.

Visit Oregon, The People’s Coast for more detailed information on events there.

For more information about top events in Oregon take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Oregon.

Top 20 ranking for Wilmington, North Carolina Events

2012-01-31T08:02:00.000-08:00

Two annual events held in Wilmington, North Carolina have been selected as Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for the months of January through March, 2012.

This year’s 32^nd Annual North Carolina Jazz Festival (February 2 to 4) kicks off on Thursday night with a concert featuring a “Styles of Jazz” performance. The festival features 15 world-renowned musicians. Cabaret-style seating and all-star musicians distinguish this event as one of the largest traditional jazz festivals in the Southeast. Thursday, Friday and Saturday night concerts take place at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside (301 N. Water Street, Wilmington). On Saturday morning patrons will enjoy an all-star jazz brunch. Special hotel rates are available to festival attendees.

The 4^th Annual Cape Fear Wildlife Expo (March 16 to 18) is a family event that features wildlife art and decoy displays; book signings by regional outdoor writers; hunting and fishing products; boats and accessories; truck and ATV displays; fly-fishing and decoy-carving demonstrations; conservation exhibits; outdoor sports guides and outfitters.

The expo’s mission is to encourage youth to enjoy the great outdoors through hunting, fishing and other outdoor sports and to heighten public awareness of the region’s natural resources and to encourage conservation of these natural resources. Kids will enjoy interactive activities such as Sensory Safari, Aquatic Trailer, Mallard Madness Laser Shoot, Muzzy 200 Club Monster Buck display, and Kids Gone Wild academic workshops. Admission charge: Adult $10, Seniors (65 and over) $7, Children 10 years and under are free.

Wilmington, North Carolina’s historic river district embraces the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach.

For more information about top events in North Carolina take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in North Carolina.

Grand County Colorado Celebrates Carnival Centenary

2012-01-30T10:07:00.000-08:00

The Grand Winter Sports Carnival, the largest and longest winter carnival in the Rockies, ends on February 11 with a bang.

The festival marks the 100th anniversary of the first winter carnival west of the Mississippi. The six-week celebration highlights historic and modern winter sports.

Presented by the Grand County Historical Association, the festival celebrates the prominent role of Grand County in the heritage of Colorado skiing. The final Winter Carnival events take place throughout Grand County, centering in Hot Sulphur Springs and Sol Vista Basin on February 11.

The Grand Nordic Club and Headwaters Trails Alliance will host an 8-mile Mailbag Trek Coulter to Hot Sulphur Springs over Cottonwood Pass from 9am to 1pm. It’s available for all ages and abilities. Men must carry a 15 pound pack and women a 10 pound pack. Prizes will be given for best costumes. Individuals finishing before 1pm can participant in the (Horace) Button Parade – a celebration of Ski Hall of Fame inductee Horace Button.

Free admission to the Pioneer Village Museum in Hot Sulphur Springs on February 11 includes the special winter carnival exhibit.

Other events in Hot Sulphur Springs include a snowshoe softball tournament, a 3-Legged Ski Race, and a snow sculpture contest.

The Grand Snow Ball at Sol Vista Base Camp Lodge at Granby Ranch finishes the six-week event in style.

Located 67 miles west of Denver, Grand County is home to wide-open spaces, breathtaking mountain scenery and authentic old-west towns. Outdoor recreational activities include golf, boating, fishing, biking, hiking, fishing, hunting and horseback riding.

Visit Grand Winter Sports Carnival for details on all events.

For more information about top events in Colorado take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Colorado .

Corinth, Mississippi Commemorates Battle of Shiloh

2012-01-26T14:13:00.000-08:00

150 years ago, more than 200 generals and 300,000 soldiers gathered in the Corinth area during the Civil War. Centered around the critical railroad junction in Corinth, the two-day Battle of Shiloh focused on the small southern town; the Siege of Corinth would mark the Union's move to capture the city; and later the Battle of Corinth strengthened the Union Army's hold on Mississippi.

The Civil War Sesquicentennial commemorates the 150th anniversary of the War in March by sanctioning events, encouraging research and education programs related to Civil War Mississippi, and preserving the sites that witnessed the Civil War in Corinth.

On March 28 and 29, you can follow the March to Shiloh at the Civil War Interpretive Center and watch as a group of re-enactors follow the footsteps of history. Admission is free and the camp is open to the public 6-8pm, Wednesday, March 28. Then, 7-7:45am, Thursday, March 29, with a donation to the Crossroads Museum, have breakfast with the troops before they embark on the march. The meal will be representative of what soldiers had to eat back in 1862. At 8am on Thursday, March 29, witness the pageantry of the Confederate soldiers beginning their trek toward the Battle of Shiloh.

On March 30 and April 1 commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh near the actual National Park Service Military Park just a few miles across the Mississippi/Tennessee state line.

For more information visit the Corinth and Sesquicentennial events website or check out other events in the Corinth Area

For more information about top events in Mississippi take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Mississippi.

Grand Rapids, Michigan LaughFest

2012-01-25T09:53:00.000-08:00

Gilda’s LaughFest is fast becoming one of the nation's "must attend" festivals. This major 10-day Mid-West Festival, centrally located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, celebrates laughter for the health of it from March 8 to 18.

Now in its second year, LaughFest features national touring artists and acts. The festival celebrates laughter for the health of it through stand-up, improv, speakers, film, dance, theatre, pets and variety of other seriously funny stuff.

The 2012 LaughFest will include the Greater West Michigan region, with the hub of the festival centered in over 40 venues in downtown Grand Rapids and additional events in the Lowell and Lakeshore communities.

They're serious about their "funny" in Michigan. LaughFest brings together a diverse audience of children and adults once a year to honor laughter as an essential part of emotional health and wellbeing. And what better time for a laughter festival than when it's cold and icy and distinctly un-funny outside!

Laughfest is more than just a barrel of laughs. It also provides a way to raise awareness and funds for a very important cause - supporting families on a cancer or grief journey in finding their smile and laughter in the midst of these life changing incidents.

All proceeds of LaughFest support the cancer, grief and support programs offered through Gilda's Club Grand Rapids and 100% of those funds remain local. It is named for Gilda Radner, original cast member of Saturday Night Live. Gilda died of ovarian cancer in 1989.

While affiliated with the Gilda's Club network nationally, Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is a local, independent non-profit. Its two clubhouses (one located in the city of Grand Rapids and the second in the nearby community of Lowell) are the busiest in North America.

Visit Experience Grand Rapids for more details.

For more information about top events in Michigan take a look at

the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Michigan

Fort Walton Beach Celebrates Mardi Gras

2012-01-23T10:48:00.000-08:00

A little bit of New Orleans is coming to Fort Walton Beach at its very own Mardi Gras 2012 celebrations on Saturday, February 11. The theme this year is “Carnival”.

“Mardi Gras on the Island” is an afternoon of family-friendly activities, starting with the Mardi Gras Parade on Okaloosa Island at 11am.

Mardi Gras on the Island has been chosen as a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society. There will be beads, treats, and even more beads as the colorful floats make their way down Santa Rosa Blvd. Join the parade! Come and watch – or be a part of the action by entering your own Mardi Gras-themed float. There is plenty of time to register a float – contact the Chamber at 850-244-8191.

Stick around after the parade and enjoy a festive Block Party sponsored by Helen Back on Amberjack Drive. There will be games for the kids, vendors with exotic items, and food galore. It’s a family-friendly way to make a day of it.

“Mardi Gras 2012 – Carnival on the Island” is sponsored by the Emerald Coast Tourism Development Council along with the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and its annual sponsors, the City of Fort Walton Beach, Cox, Cumulus Broadcasting, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, Helen Back, Image Printing and Digital Services, Northwest Florida Daily News, Northwest Florida Regional Airport, Qantum, ResortQuest, and White-Wilson Medical Center.

Please note: There will be no shuttle buses provided for the parade route this year.

For more information, contact Marcia Bunge at the Fort Walton Beach Chamber, at 244-8191. Parade applications are available on-line at www.fwbchamber.com/mardigras

For more information about top events in Florida take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Florida.

Muddy Paw Sled Dogs to Summit Mount Washington

2012-01-22T10:08:00.000-08:00

As a kickoff awareness event and fundraiser for the new non-profit New Hampshire Sled Dog Rescue, History and Education Center (NHSDRHEC), three Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel teams will attempt to summit Mount Washington via the auto road between March 7 and 9 (the most appropriate date based on weather conditions will be chosen).

Sponsors will be sought for canine athletes and mushers. In an exciting twist, two guest seats will be auctioned for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to accompany the teams to the summit.

A dog team has not attempted to summit Mount Washington since 1932 so this event is not to be missed. NHSDRHEC is dedicated to sled rescue, northern breed education and preservation of New Hampshire dogsledding history.

Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel focuses on rescuing alaskan huskies in need of a home, giving them a "job for life" with the kennel. It offers a variety of dogsled rides in NH ranging from 2 to 50 miles, including dogsledding overnight trips. Guests of all ages and abilities are welcome to meet the Kennel’s rescue and second chance sled dogs, pet them, help to harness/hitch the teams and even help drive.

Located in the heart of the White Mountains in Jefferson, New Hampshire, Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel is just minutes by dog team (or car) to Santa's Village, 2 hours from Burlington, VT, and 45 minutes from North Conway, NH.

For more information visit Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel or email info@dogslednh.com or phone 1-603-545-4533.

For more information about top events in New Hampshire take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in New Hampshire

Kirkland, Washington comes “uncorked”

2012-01-20T08:19:00.000-08:00

The City of Kirkland uncorks its signature summer festival, Kirkland Uncorked, from July 20 to 22 in Marina Park on the shores of Lake Washington. The event celebrates the best of Washington’s art, food and wine with activities and exhibits throughout Kirkland’s picturesque waterfront and downtown.

The Tasting Garden (21+ with valid ID, admission required) offers guests the opportunity to taste from more than 80 Washington wines, sample regional cuisine from Kirkland-area restaurants and be entertained by the Northwest’s favorite bands on the main stage.

Grilling demonstrations and the anticipated annual grill-off with Washington’s top chefs take place on the beach throughout the weekend. Winemakers will be on hand to answer questions and provide tasting tips to guide guests through the collection of regional wines.

Kirkland Uncorked guests can also wander the Promenade, free and open to all ages, to shop Artist Lane, curated by the Kirkland Arts Center and featuring art from local and regional artists in a variety of mediums.

The Arts for All Experience invites attendees to participate in art activities from clay throwing to sketching the landscape. Also in the Kirkland Uncorked Promenade are the Boat Show and CityDog Magazine’s Cover Dog Model Contest on Sunday at noon.

Kirkland Uncorked is a benefit for the Hope Heart Institute. For over 50 years, the Hope Heart Institute has made heart disease more treatable, beatable and preventable. A portion of all admission fees collected in the Tasting Garden will directly fund local research and education to fight heart disease.

To learn more about Kirkland Uncorked and plan your stay in Kirkland visit www.kirklanduncorked.com. Advance tickets for the Tasting Garden are $25 ($30 at the door) and go on sale June 4.

For more information about top events in Washington State take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Washington.

Spring Blossoms in San Diego

2012-01-18T11:08:00.000-08:00

Springtime in San Diego makes a colorful entrance every year as warm weather sweeps through the county and brilliant flowers bloom. There are also spring celebrations at the region's major attractions, popular sporting events, cultural festivals and St. Patrick's Day and Cinco de Mayo festivities to keep visitors entertained throughout the season.

At the Flower Fields of Carlsbad, California, a vibrant sea of giant ranunculus flowers transforms 50 acres of hills into rows of brilliant color. During March through May, guests can stroll past oceans of flowers and through beautiful gardens.

Lads and lassies celebrate all things Irish at the Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival, held March 17 at the corner of 6th Avenue and Juniper Street near Balboa Park. The day includes a 10:30am parade, an all-day Irish festival featuring food, beer gardens, musical entertainment and more. From noon to midnight on March 17, venture to downtown San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter for ShamROCK 2012. This St. Patrick's Day party includes Irish rock bands, pints of green beer and 30,000 square feet of Astroturf representing the green hills of Ireland; guests must be 21 years or older to attend the ticketed event.

Art takes over the streets of downtown San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood during the Mission Federal ArtWalk, April 28-29. The free event showcases fine art in many media alongside live musical performances, food and beverage booths and activities for kids and families.

On May 5-6, the 29th Annual Old Town Fiesta Cinco de Mayo is held in Old Town State Historic Park along the area's main thoroughfare, San Diego Avenue. The free festival features Mexican dancers, musicians, food and historical reenactments.

For more information on San Diego's offerings visit the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau's Web site at www.sandiego.org or call 619-236-1212.

For more information about top events in California take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in California.

Beloit International Film Festival BIFF

2012-01-16T13:02:00.000-08:00

Beloit and surrounding communities will celebrate “The Power of Film” from February 16 to 19 when the Beloit International Film Festival marks its seventh season.The four-day festival will include 140 films shown in 15 venues in Beloit and reaching out to Janesville and, for the first time, Rockford.

“This year, BIFF will screen a new level of quality of films. The venues we have selected for this festival will highlight the community and present the filmmakers stories in ways that BIFF audiences have not experienced before,” notes founding Executive Director Roddie Beaudoin. “We will also be presenting several unique film programs this year that will draw international attention.”

An exciting addition to the 2012 festival will be the expansion into two venues in Rockford, at the Sullivan Theatre and Francesco’s Ristorante, and two venues in Janesville, at The Speakeasy and the Janesville Woman’s Club. There will be limited showings at these venues on Friday and Saturday, February 17 and 18.

BIFF will emphasize its international dimension with the premier presentation of “BIFF Latino,” a full day celebration of Spanish culture including film, food and music at La Casa Grande on Saturday, February 18. Films, filmmakers, and musicians will come from throughout Latin America.

Many of the favorite features of BIFF will be back such as the Blackhawk Bank Launch & Laurels Event that initiates the festival on Thursday evening when the coveted BIFFY Awards are presented. BIFF’s signature event, the M&I Bank and M&I Wealth Management Silent Film Showcase featuring Robert Tomaro and the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra, will fill up the Eclipse Center on Saturday night with Harold Lloyd’s “Kid Brother.”

The full schedule of events and films will be presented in a series of “Sneak Peeks,” January 17 to 19 in Beloit, Rockford and Janesville, and tickets for BIFF films will go on sale January 20 on www.beloitfilmfest.org

For more information about top events in Wisconsin take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Wisconsin

Arizona Gold Rush Days & Rodeo

2012-01-13T08:07:00.000-08:00

The 64th annual Gold Rush Days & Rodeo celebrates Wickenburg's ranching and mining heritage with three action-filled days from February 17 to 19.

Recognized as a “special event” by the Arizona Centennial Commission, Wickenburg’s signature heritage event brings thousands of people to the event each year.

Festivities begin with a shoot-out on Frontier Street that kicks off a wild rootin’-tootin’ western weekend. Spectators line the streets on Saturday as one of the largest parades in Arizona passes by. Cowboys from all over the country gather on Saturday and Sunday afternoon to participate in the NSPRA rodeo.

Other activities sponsored by the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce and pard’ners include a three-day arts/crafts faire, a family fun carnival, western barbeque, gold panning, food booths, free stage entertainment, western dance, old fashioned melodrama nightly and much more.

On March 25 you can celebrate Arizona's colorful mining history at the fabled Vulture Gold Mine discovered by Henry Wickenburg in 1863. Learn about early day mining, experience 1800’s arts and crafts, see “characters” from the mine’s heydays, and enjoy live entertainment on the 1881 schoolhouse grounds adjacent to the mine at the Vulture Mine Living History Day from 9am to 4pm.

One of the official Arizona Centennial/ events, the 100 Years, 100 Ranchers exhibit, will be on show at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Wickenburg from May 17 through October 7. The exhibit portraits are of Arizona ranchers whose families have been ranching in the state since 1912 or earlier.

An annual event for over 60 years, the Gold Rush Days & Rodeo always takes place the second full weekend in February. On sale now are rodeo, dance, and discount carnival tickets. For more information visit Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce/ or call (928) 684-5479

For more information about top events in Arizona take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Arizona.

2012 BP World Ice Art Championships

2012-01-12T08:26:00.000-08:00

Fairbanks, Alaska is home to the BP World Ice Art Championships, one of the largest ice sculpting competitions and exhibitions on earth. Held every year since 1988, the BP World Ice Art Championships has grown to a month-long event featuring more than 70 teams from around the world.

This year the 2012 BP World Ice Art Championships, presented by Ice Alaska, will be open daily 10am-10pm from February 28 through March 25.

Some 45,000 visitors come to the Ice Park to see these intricately carved masterpieces. The theme for the 23rd Annual BP World Ice Art Championships is “Dreams Come True” and promises to deliver over one- hundred, larger-than-life sized sculptures.

This year, the event is moving to its new home at the George Horner Ice Art Park. The new 27-acre park is centrally located and contains a large on-site pond which will produce over four million pounds of "Arctic Diamond" ice—exceptionally clear, thick ice used by the sculptors.

Near the pond there is a large designated Kid’s Park which features a whimsical set of slides and sculptures. In addition, there are ice mazes, a skating rink, an “ice stage” for various performances and a concession area.

Ice carving competitions include the Single Block Classic, the Multi-Block Classic, the Amateur Open Exhibition for novices to try out their skills, and the Youth Classic for high school students.

For details visit BP World Ice Art Championship/

For more information about top events in Alaska take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Alaska.

Richmond’s Rich African-American Heritage

2012-01-11T08:15:00.000-08:00

The African-American story in the Richmond Region is one of struggle, strength, courage and determination. From the slave markets in Shockoe Bottom to the battlefields of the Civil War, and from arts and entrepreneurship in the Jackson Ward neighborhood to Civil Rights protests downtown, African-Americans have made their mark in all corners of the Richmond Region.

Visitors are invited to learn about the African-American experience in Central Virginia at a number of special Black History Month events, exhibits and tours throughout February.

For an authentic experience like no other, visitors can take part in a guided tour of the Richmond Slave Trail that chronicles Richmond’s role in the slave trade as the largest exporter of enslaved Africans on the East Coast in pre-Civil War America.

Led by The Elegba Folklore Society, the walk takes participants past significant landmarks such as the Manchester Docks, a major port in the massive downriver slave trade; the site of the former slave markets of Richmond; the Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue commemorating the international triangular slave trade; Lumpkin's Jail; the Negro Burial Ground; and the First African Baptist Church, a center of African-American life in pre-Civil War Richmond. New interpretive signage along the trail offers a self-guided option. Call (804) 646-8911 to arrange a guided tour.

From February 6 to 24, Richmond Region’s Henrico County will host an extraordinary quilt exhibit “Each Quilt, A Story” by the Sisters of the Yam African-American Quilters Guild. Guests will enjoy the art and craftsmanship of beautiful quilts and learn about their history and culture with demonstrations and displays at Walkerton Tavern. Call (804) 501-5134 or (804) 261-6898.

The Virginia Historical Society (VHS) is presenting a number of events for Black History Month. Call (804) 358-4901 for details and registration.

Visit VisitRichmondVA.com/Packages for information about special rates and packages.

For more information about top events in Virginia take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Virginia.

Events Mark Civil War Arrival in North Carolina

2012-01-10T07:47:00.000-08:00

The 150th anniversary of the year when the Civil War came home to North Carolina in 1862 will be reviewed in a series of programs at historic sites and museums statewide.

The Lights of the Great Armada: The 147th Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Fisher on January 21 and 22 will focus on the Navy and Marines and the maritime war. (See Fort Fisher on Top Events )

Two lectures in Durham focusing on the enslaved are scheduled for February at Historic Stagville on February 12 and at Bennett Place on February 16.

A symposium, Thunder in the East: The Civil War in Eastern North Carolina will be presented by Tryon Palace and the New Bern Historical Society on March 10. It is one of the events in the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration (see Civil War 150).

A Civil War medical program, "War So Terrible," at Bentonville Battlefield in Four Oaks on March 17 and 18, will compare and contrast medical practices of the Civil War to 21st century treatment in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The exhibit, "Watched by Sound and Sea: Occupied Beaufort, 1862" continues at the N.C. Maritime Musem in Beaufort through September 2012.

The April 26 to 28 Flags Over Hattersea Symposium will feature historians and others, speaking at the Hatteras Village Civic Center. A Civil War Trails marker will be unveiled during the weekend, and the "Flags Over Hatteras" exhibit will continue through July at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum.

Other lectures and programs will occur during the year, and through April 2015. A traveling photography exhibit "Freedom, Sacrifice, Memory: The Civil War Sesquicentennial Photography Exhibit" is visiting libraries and museums in the state through May 2013.

For more information about top events in North Carolina take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in North Carolina.

Major Global Events in Chicago

2012-01-09T08:09:00.000-08:00

Chicago will enjoy unprecedented global attention this spring when it hosts several major events: the G-8 and NATO summits and the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates – and in September the City of Chicago transforms into a global center for the best of today’s international music when the annual World Music Festival: Chicago 2012 returns.

And here’s just a sampling of other major fairs and festivals in Chicago this year.

One of the most important visual art events in the Midwest, NEXT Art Chicago 2012, provides collectors, curators and art enthusiasts with an opportunity to experience the most compelling art of our day from April 27 to 29. Next Art Chicago 2012 is a merger of Art Chicago, the longest running contemporary art fair in the United States, and NEXT – The Invitational Exhibition of Emerging Art.

From June 21 to 24, the 2012 Chicago Gospel Music Festival takes a cue from the Chicago Jazz Festival by providing free entertainment in several different locations, including Chicago’s Bronzeville, the south side neighborhood where the genre finds many of its roots.

The free admission Taste of Chicago festival from July 11 to 15
in Grant Park on Chicago’s lakefront will emphasize Chicago’s status as a “foodie” destination and feature classic Chicago favorites as well as offerings from Chicago’s new and emerging culinary scene, entertainment such as cooking demonstrations from noted chefs, and local and national musical acts.

The inaugural EXPO CHICAGO, the International Exposition of Contemporary/Modern Art and Design, brings art dealers, collectors and curators to the Navy Pier from across the country and the world for a four-day event (September 20 to 23) featuring 100 leading international galleries and a curated blend of contemporary/modern art and design.

For more information please visit www.ExploreChicago.org.

For more information about top events in Illinois take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Illinois.

One of the World’s Top Winter Carnivals

2012-01-06T08:32:00.000-08:00

Celebrated as one of the world’s top 10, the 126th Saint Paul Winter Carnival will take place January 26 through February 5.

As it has done since 1886, the “Coolest Celebration on Earth™” will celebrate all things winter in and around downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota and the Capital City’s surrounding areas, bringing family-friendly events and community pride to Saint Paul and the Twin Cities metro area.

All events are free, open to the public and held in the City of Saint Paul, unless otherwise noted.

Highlights of this year’s 11-day Saint Paul Winter Carnival include:

• on Thursday, January 26 – the Ice Carving Competitions starts at 9am in Rice Park and the Moon Glow Pedestrian Parade will march through downtown Saint Paul beginning at 5:30pm.

• on Friday, January 27 – the Snow Sculpture Contest starts at 9am at the State Fairgrounds and at 8pm the Royal Coronation program takes place at RiverCentre.

• on Saturday, January 28 – the King Boreas Grande Day Parade is at 2pm in downtown Saint Paul.

• on Saturday, February 4 – the Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade will make its way through downtown Saint Paul beginning at 5:30pm with the Winter Carnival Fireworks immediately following.

The Winter Carnival in Saint Paul is the fourth best in the world, according to National Geographic Traveler magazine earning the No. 4 spot on its list of the top 10 winter carnivals.

The magazine recalls that the hometown event was “allegedly irked by a reporter’s dismissal of Saint Paul as ‘another Siberia’” and that “more than a century later, locals and visitors still gather at the Winter Carnival to march in torch-lit parades, run half-marathons, and admire detailed ice sculptures”.

Visit the Saint Paul Winter Carnival at www.winter-carnival.com for the most up-to-date information.

For more information about top events in Minnesota take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Minnesota

A Treasure Chest of Fun in Tampa

2012-01-05T08:28:00.000-08:00

The 2012 Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest on Saturday, January 28, in Tampa will feature the historic Gasparilla Invasion and Parade of the Pirates presented by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, and the Gasparilla Pirate Fest Street Festival.

The Gasparilla Invasion Brunch at the Tampa Convention Center provides the best view in town of the historic Gasparilla Invasion, as the pirates of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla sail up Seddon Channel aboard the Jose Gasparilla, and dock tableside at 1pm. The Gasparilla Invasion Brunch, includes live entertainment, a buffet brunch with cash bar and reserved table seating for one of the most unique and colorful spectacles found anywhere in the world.

Following another successful invasion by the pirates of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, the focus shifts to beautiful Bayshore Boulevard, where a victory parade begins at 2pm at Bay to Bay and Bayshore. The 4.5 mile Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates, which has been presented by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla annually since 1904, winds its way along Hillsboro Bay into downtown Tampa, with over 140 units – featuring some 90 floats, marching bands and over 50 participating social organizations (i.e. krewes).

The Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates will travel from Bayshore into downtown Tampa ending in the new Cultural Arts District in downtown Tampa.

Following the Parade, the Gasparilla Pirate Fest continues Tampa’s “piratical” fun with a variety of live entertainment on stages throughout Downtown Tampa.

For additional information or to purchase Gasparilla Invasion Brunch, Gasparilla Parade tickets and/or officially licensed Gasparilla merchandise, log onto www.GasparillaTreasures.com. Tickets can also be ordered over the phone by calling EventFest’s Gasparilla Ticket Reservation Line at (813) 251-8844.

The week before, on Saturday January 21, the 2012 McDonald’s Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza is scheduled from 11am to 7:30pm. The alcohol-free McDonald’s Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza focuses on family friendly activities along Bayshore Boulevard and will feature the Gasparilla Preschooler’s Stroll, the Gasparilla Air Invasion, the Children’s Gasparilla Parade, and the Gasparilla “Pirathecnic Extravaganza.

For more information about top events in Florida take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Florida.

Celebrate Winter at Maine Ski Mountain Events

2012-01-04T08:50:00.000-08:00

You may have missed out on a blueberry pie eating contest or other summer events in Maine, but you can redeem yourself by experiencing these and other fun activities at Maine ski mountain events.

White White World Week is the annual winter carnival at Sugarloaf Resort in Carrabassett Valley. The "wackiest week in ski country" happens Jan. 23-26 with nightly themed parties at on- and off-mountain restaurants and bars, concerts, spectator-friendly races, and the crowning of the carnival king and queen.

Bring your ugly ski sweater and appetite for blueberry pie to the 24th Annual Family Fest at Shawnee Peak in Bridgton Feb. 23. Happenings include a snow sculpture contest, ski poker run, snow volleyball tournament, activities for children, a blueberry pie eating contest and the ugliest ski sweater contest. All activities are free.

Free-heeled skiing enthusiasts will gather at Saddleback Maine March 10 for the 8th Annual Telemark Invasion. There will be telemark equipment demonstrations, instruction clinics, group ski runs, and an up and down race using ski climbing skins.

The Mars Hill Winterfest takes place March 10-11 at Bigrock Ski Area in Aroostook County. A human slalom race, Kardboard Klassic sled race, big air terrain park contest, youth ski race, torchlight parade and fireworks, and a hot chicken sandwich supper are planned during the weekend.

Meanwhile, a new 14-mile section of the Maine Hut Trail maintained by the Maine Huts & Trails organization is open to cross country skiers and snowshoers. The free trail now stretches a total of 45 miles from Carrabassett Valley to The Forks, with three staffed lodges that have overnight accommodations, meals and hot running water.

For more information about top events in Maine take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Maine.

The Arts and Culture of the American Southwest

2012-01-03T12:38:00.000-08:00

The 28th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering – the nation’s greatest celebration of the American West, its people, culture and traditions – will take place January 30 to February 4 in Elko, Nevada.

Every winter for the last 27 years, cowboys, ranchers, rural and urban people have traveled en masse to this small high desert community, to join with friends, family and others who care about the rural West.

Together, they listen to poetry and music, learn about cowboy culture in the U.S. and around the world, experience great art, watch western films, learn a craft, and gather to eat, drink and swap stories.

Programs at the 28th Gathering will focus on the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and New Mexico – which are celebrating their centennials next year – and West Texas. The event will present poets and musicians from the region, as well as workshops and panel discussions focused on regional food, culture and agriculture. An exhibition of Southwest ranching culture featuring the photography of Kurt Markus and Jay Dusard will be on display in the Western Folklife Center’s Wiegand Gallery.

The 28th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering will feature nearly 50 poets, musicians and musical groups from the US, Canada and Australia, performing on seven stages at four different venues. The line-up includes cowboy poets Baxter Black, Wally McRae, Paul Zarzyski, Waddie Mitchell, Yvonne Hollenbeck, Joel Nelson, Doris Daley and many others.

Music is as integral to the Gathering as poetry; the musical line-up includes Ian Tyson, Michael Martin Murphey, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, R.W. Hampton, Stephanie Davis, Wylie & The Wild West, Dave Stamey, Hot Club of Cowtown and more. Scroll down for a full list of artists and their hometowns.

For more information about the 28th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, or membership in the Western Folklife Center visit www.westernfolklife.org or by calling 775-738-7508 or toll-free 888-880-5885.

For more information about top events in Nevada take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Nevada.

Fort Fisher Presents “The Lights of the Great Armada”

2011-12-29T09:49:00.000-08:00

The year 2012 marks the 147th Anniversary of the end of the Civil War. As part of North Carolina's observance of the Civil War Sesquicentennial, the Fort Fisher State Historic Site at Kure Beach, North Carolina, will host "The Lights of the Great Armada: The 147^th Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Fisher" on January 21 and 22.

The event also commemorates the Second Battle of Fort Fisher, the largest land-sea battle of the Civil War.

Saturday’s events begin at 10am until 4pm and continue on Sunday from 11am until 4pm. The event will highlight the war's largest amphibious assault with a Navy and Marine living history program that includes small arms and artillery demonstrations, a period torpedo/steam engine exhibit, as well as special presentations focusing on the Union and Confederate sailors and marines who fought at Fort Fisher in January 1865.

There are a number of guest speakers. Re-enactors in period costume will bring history to life throughout the day with Confederate artillery demonstrations, cannon and small arms firings. The program is free and open to the public. “The Lights of the Great Armada” affords visitors a wonderful opportunity to learn more about local history and Fort Fisher's role in the Civil War. Visitors, residents, and motorists are advised of loud explosions during cannon firings and artillery demonstrations. Contact Fort Fisher State Historic Site for more details: 910-458-5538 or visit www.fortfisher.nchistoricsites.org.

For a free Official Visitors Guide to Wilmington, North Carolina and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach, please call 1-866-266-9690. For a complete event calendar, attraction listings, featured experiences and specials, visit www.gowilmingtonandbeaches.com.

For more information about top events in North Carolina take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in North Carolina.

Winter Adventures on the Oregon Coast

2011-12-28T09:13:00.000-08:00

Winter means that the Oregon Coast whale watching and storm watching season has officially begun - but it’s also the season for paddling quiet water trails, finding agates and glass balls on the beach, sampling beers and shopping for antiques.

Winter’s crashing waves bring the best storm watching, and also expose the rocks along the beach, making January a great month for finding agates. The oceanside village of Yachats celebrates this local gem with the first ever Yachats Agate Festival and Gem-Mineral-Fossil Show on January 21 and 22. This weekend festival will feature spectacular displays as well as family friendly learning opportunities for all ages. And a walk along Yachat’s basalt headlands promises beautiful tidepools, breathtaking churns and blow holes, and some of the most dramatic surf action in the world.

“Pouring at the Coast” (March 16 and 17 in Seaside) embraces winter with an intimate 5-course Brewer’s Dinner on Friday evening and a Craft Beer tasting and food pairing festival on Saturday. Sample more than 30 handcrafted beers by 14 of Oregon’s lauded brewers. The Confluence Wine Beer Seafood and Music Festival in Reedsport and Newport Seafood & Wine Festival roll out each February.

Now through Memorial Day, it’s “Finders Keepers” on Lincoln City beaches, where colorful hand-blown glass floats are placed on the beach every day (weather and ocean conditions permitting). Look for a special drop of antique Japanese glass floats during the Antique Week in Lincoln City from February 10 to 20.

The 10-day event includes a scavenger hunt at antique stores, a geocache challenge, special drop of antique Japanese glass floats along the beach, historical tours, and special events hosted by Harry Rinker, star of the HGTV series Collector Inspector.

For more details on The People’s Coast and events there click on visittheoregoncoast.com/

For more information about top events in Oregon take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Oregon.

Watch Out for Sauk Prairie’s Wintering Eagles

2011-12-27T08:34:00.000-08:00

Each year, from late November to the end of February, roughly 100 to 200 bald eagles fish, loaf, and court their mates among the bluffs and along the river in southern Sauk County, Wisconsin.

The 2012 Bald Eagle Watching Days will celebrate its 25^th Year in Sauk Prairie throughout Sauk City and Prairie du Sac on Saturday January 14. The festivities start on Friday evening (January 13) with the Live Birds of Prey Show at The Raptor Center.

The Bald Eagle Release on the banks of the Wisconsin River, presented by Marge Gibson of the Raptor Education Group, Inc., will return to the program for the 25^th Anniversary.

This annual event draws hundreds of people to see these majestic and symbolic birds in their natural habitat. The Eagle Days programs also include eagle watching tours, children’s activities, wine tasting, a wildlife photography seminar and exhibits and shows presented by groups such as the Raptor Center from the University of Minnesota and humorist David Stokes.

In 1988, a small group of eagle enthusiasts formed the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council (FBEC) in order to work with the local community to protect area habitat for wintering eagles. A not-for-profit, grass-roots organization of volunteers, FBEC built and maintains the Overlook on Water Street in Prairie du Sac from which one can often view eagles on “Eagle Island”. Council members are stationed there for several hours each weekend in January and February to assist viewers with telescopes and answer questions.

Guided eagle watching tours are available for a small fee Saturdays at 10am in January and February. For a donation, guided tours and power point presentations on the life of the bald eagle can be arranged for groups. Call 800-683-2453 for reservations.

For more information on the Bald Eagle Watching Days visit www.ferrybluffeaglecouncil.org/eagledays/index.html or visit Sauk Prairie at www.saukprairie.com/

For more information about top events in Wisconsin take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Wisconsin.

Scottsdale Celebrates the Arts

2011-12-22T10:00:00.000-08:00

From intimate dinners to large-scale exhibitions, Scottsdale's arts offerings vary in scope and size and cater to a wide variety of visitors.

Back for its 22nd year, the January 14 to March 25, 2012 Celebration of Fine Art is one of Scottsdale's most notable art shows, featuring 100 artists sprawled across 40,000 square feet of space. Visitors can meet the artists and watch them working in the full spectrum of art media, including oil, watercolor, pastels, sculpture and assemblages to glass, ceramics, stone, furniture, jewelry and more. Works range from realistic to impressionistic, western realism to contemporary, landscapes to still life. In 2012, the event will be held at its new location, on the Southwest corner of Hayden Rd. and Loop 101, just south of the Loop 101 off Exit 35, in the Big White Tents, just one mile from where it was previously staged.

Enjoy Scottsdale's pristine winter weather and boundless creativity during the 42nd annual Scottsdale Arts Festival March 9 to 11 at Scottsdale Civic Center Park. Brought to you by the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, the award-winning event features 200 jury-selected artists from throughout the United States, top-notch live music and entertainment, delicious fare from the Valley's gourmet specialty food trucks and fun activities for families.

Explore Scottsdale's art culture in a more intimate setting during the Artist in Residence series at The Hermosa Inn, a boutique hideaway . Featuring one artist a month through March 2012, the series pairs a four-course dinner at LON's, the inn's signature restaurant, with a meet-and-greet with an acclaimed artist.

Visit www.scottsdalecvb.com/ for more information on Scottsdale.

For more information about top events in Arizona take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Arizona

January Events in the Arkansas Delta

2011-12-20T11:38:00.000-08:00

Kick off the New Year at Cane Creek State Park in Star City by learning more about our animal friends. During Feed the Critters, offered on Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28, participants learn what alligators and turtles like to eat. Fashion a Fish is a chance for visitors to discover more about our water-dwelling friends. Learn about different species and how they live and eat on January 8, 15, 22 and 29.

Want to learn more about our feathered buddies? Check out Birding for Beginners on January 8. Join the park interpreter to discover some of the flying wildlife that call Cane Creek State Park home.

On January 21, the park offers A Geocaching Adventure. Participants learn about one of the fastest-growing outdoor hobbies and then take a caching trek through the park. To learn more about any of these events, contact Cane Creek State Park at 870-628-4714.

Join artisan Genny Saddler for a Navajo Loom Weaving Workshop at Parkin Archeological State Park in Parkin on January 14. Workshop participants make their own loom and learn to weave wall hangings and covers. Class size is limited and advance reservations are required. Phone 870-755-2500 for details.

Head to Piggott on January 28 for the 4th annual Indoor Yard Sale. Held at the Piggott Community Center, the event features more than 85 booths, ranging in offerings from antiques to furniture to crafts. Food and drink concessions are also available. Contact 870-598-5884 for more information.

Cane Creek State Park in Star City offers the Flapjack 20 All-Night Hike on January 28 and 29. The Flapjack 20 is a nighttime 20-mile hike on the Cane Creek Lake Trail. After a night of hiking, participants enjoy a pancake breakfast with all the trimmings. The event is free. For more details or to sign up for the event, contact Cane Creek State Park at 870-628-4714.

Visit www.arkansas.com/ for information and news on Arkansas events and festivals.

For more information about top events in Arkansas take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Arkansas.

Yoga & Songwriter Festivals in Colorado

2011-12-19T08:23:00.000-08:00

The inaugural Crested Butte Songwriters Festival from January 12 to 16 will feature performances by several of the best performing songwriters from the world of country music.

The festival will revolve around two nights of performances staged at Crested Butte hot spots, where live music bliss will introduce crowds to the faces, voices and stories behind hit songs. Signature in-the-round acoustic performances and rowdy, dance-inducing sets will dominate the schedule, and a benefit concert will be held on January 14.

On February 10 to 12 Yoga Rocks the Butte will feature a weekend of inspiring yoga classes, live outdoor music, organic food, a yoga marketplace and more at multiple venues throughout Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte. This new event taps into the area’s health and wellness philosophy and brings in experts from around the globe.

Bundle up and head to Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison for the first-ever 3 Stage Ice Fishing Contest, featuring prizes for overall champion and for each of the three tournaments to be held on the first Saturdays in January, February and March.

Gunnison-Crested Butte is nestled among almost two million acres of pristine wilderness in southwest Colorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. Gunnison-Crested Butte is also a haven for outdoor summer activities.

To find out more about Gunnison County or to book personalized vacation packages, call (800) 814-8893, or visit www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com/.

For more information about top events in Colorado take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Colorado .

‘Railroad that Went to Sea’ Honored

2011-12-16T09:30:00.000-08:00

A celebration commemorating the 100th anniversary of the completion of Henry Flagler’s Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad is to culminate January 14 to 23, with Keyswide events marking the centennial of the first train’s journey from the Florida mainland through the island chain to Key West.

When the inaugural train steamed through the Keys Jan. 22, 1912, it connected the previously isolated islands with each other and the mainland for the first time and ushered in a new era for travelers and residents. Stretching more than 100 miles out over open water, the Over-Sea Railroad was lauded as the world’s most unique rail line.
Highlights of the centennial celebration include a themed community parade, a one-man performance by a re-enactor portraying railroad founder Henry Flagler, a “family fun” day at the former railroad workers’ camp on the tiny island of Pigeon Key, museum and memorabilia exhibitions, hobbyist train displays and a re-enactment at Bahia Honda State Park.
History lovers can explore Pigeon Key, one of the Keys’ landmark railroad heritage sites, from 10am to 4pm Saturday, January 14, during a free-admission day of family fun. Nestled beneath the original Seven Mile Bridge in the Middle Keys, the 5-acre island features Flagler-era restored buildings and a unique railroad museum. The day’s other attractions include snorkeling, historic and contemporary foods, period games, live music and entertainment.
Meanwhile, before the centennial kicks off, New Year’s Eve partiers tired of cold-weather festivities such as the traditional “ball drop” in New York’s Times Square can find exuberant celebrations and much warmer temperatures in the Florida Keys.
For Over-Sea Railroad centennial information visit www.FlaglerKeys100.com . For Florida Keys visitor information visit www.fla-keys.com or 1-800-FLA-KEYS (1-800-352-5397)
For more information about top events in Florida take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Florida.

Holiday Happenings in the True South

2011-12-14T11:34:00.000-08:00

The True South is buzzing with the holiday spirit. Events, festivals, parties and a unique holiday atmosphere make December one of the best months of the year to visit Mississippi.

Here are some of the festive holiday happenings in Mississippi.

Canton: Victorian Christmas Festival, now through December 23, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. The festivities in Canton all take place around the Historic Courthouse Square, decorated with over 200,000 glittering lights. In addition to the Canton Animation Museums and the glittering decorations of the Square, Canton offers holiday visitors many other attractions.

Southaven: 13^th Annual Southern Lights, now through December 31, 6-10 p.m. Drive through the 116-acre Central Park with 100,000 twinkling lights. Cars can tune to five FM radio stations playing Christmas music as they ride through the park. Don’t miss the Christmas Tree Farm. Closed Christmas Day.

Natchez: Christmas in Natchez, now through January 1, 5 p.m. In Natchez, the winter holidays begin the Friday after Thanksgiving with the annual Lighting of the Tree and continue through city-wide New Year's celebrations, including tours of beautifully lit and decorated historic homes, holiday concerts, candlelight carriage rides and more.

Tylertown: Christmas in the Park, now through December 31, 6:00 p.m. Christmas in the Park is a colorful Christmas display of millions of lights staged at Holmes Water Park. More than 32,000 visitors enjoy the display each year. The park is open seven days a week from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., weather permitting.

Collins: Christmas in the Park, now through December 31, 5-9 p.m. Throughout the Christmas season, travel along a winding path through Collins City Park, marvel at the beautiful light displays and enjoy holiday music at Christmas in the Park. The attraction is open Thursday through Saturday nights only.

Check out www.VisitMississippi.org for more information.

For more information about top events in Mississippi take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Mississippi.

Honoring Ullr, the Norse God of Snow

2011-12-12T09:31:00.000-08:00

Each winter, snow-worshipers don Viking horns and line the streets of Breckenridge, Colorado, to pay homage to Ullr (pronounced Ooo-ler), the Norse god of snow.

The 49th annual Ullr Fest from January 8 to 14, 2012, gives thanks for snow with a notorious Main Street parade, wacky Ullympic competitions, an ice skating party, town bonfire and more. Key events are as follows:

Monday, Jan. 9 – Crowning of the Ullr King and Queen: Toast to 49 years of fun and hang with royalty of Ullrs past at the coronation’s new location – Main Street Station.

Tuesday, Jan. 10 – The Ullympics: Watch (or participate in) wild events such as the frying pan toss, group ski racing and retro relay. Awards and a party follow.

Wednesday, Jan. 11 – Ullr Dating Game: Calling all bachelors and bachelorettes! Join local radio station KSMT and all the great singles in town for Breckenridge’s version of the Dating Game. Ullr himself will be on hand looking for love.

Thursday, Jan. 12 – Ullr Fest Parade: Join Breckenridge locals as they show off notoriously creative floats in – unofficially – the world’s craziest parade, which honors the Norse god of snow. More than 12,000 fill the streets to see floats showcasing ski jumps, hot tubs and ski waxing stations. A town bonfire follows.

The Ullr Fest tradition started in 1963, when locals wanted to thank Ullr for Breckenridge’s average of 300 inches of snow. The first few years of “Ullr Dag” (Ullr Day in Norwegian), townsfolk honored Ullr with gold coins, parties and skiing. Some Ullr traditions grew into signature town events, including snow sculpting. What began during the early days of Ullr is today the International Snow Sculpture Championships.

Visit www.gobreck.com/ for more information about Breckenridge.

For more information about top events in Colorado take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Colorado .

New York’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

2011-12-08T16:39:00.000-08:00

On December 31, approximately 1 million revelers, celebrating the start of the new year, will fill New York City's Times Square to enjoy performances by Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber and to watch the famous New Year's Eve Ball descend from One Times Square.

In the days and hours before the Ball drops, events and activities related to the New Year's celebration will be held across New York City.

Located at the Times Square Visitor Center, the New Year's Eve Wishing Wall is quickly filling with visitors' wishes for 2012. Everyone is welcome to stop by and record their wishes on pieces of paper. Individuals can also submit their wishes online at timessquarenyc.org/index.aspx . All of the wishes from the wall and those submitted online will be collected and added to the confetti that flutters down onto the streets of Times Square at midnight on New Year's Eve.

From 1 to 3pm on December 31, join Patrick and Family at Staten Island Children's Museum for a Rocking New Year's Eve daytime celebration for the whole family, with music, dancing, party hats, make your own maracas, snacks and a special countdown.

On New Year's Eve, New York Road Runners hosts the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, a 4-mile race in Central Park. Before the race starts at midnight, enjoy a laser light show and fireworks, dancing and a costume parade at the Central Park Bandshell.

New Year's Eve celebrations in Brooklyn kick off around 11pm with entertainment and hot refreshments at Grand Army Plaza and fireworks from midnight to 12:15am at the Long Meadow.

For more information about New Year's Eve events happening in New York City, visit www.nycgo.com/holidays .

For more information about top events in New York take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in New York.

Stage Set for Mardi Gras and Bassmaster

2011-12-07T10:17:00.000-08:00

With Mardi Gras season fast approaching, preparations are being made for countless parades, parties, balls, festivals, and neighborhood celebrations in Shreveport-Bossier: Louisiana's Other Side.

Carnival festivities begin with the 12th Night Celebration Saturday, January 7, and continue until the midnight Texas Street Bridge Closing Ceremony on Fat Tuesday, February 21.

Shreveport-Bossier's major parade weekends will feature the Krewe of Centaur which will roll on Febuary 11, and the Krewe of Gemini which will roll on Febuary 18. These two parades typically draw some 400,000 people to experience the fun and pageantry of Mardi Gras. Both parades commence at 4pm starting at East King's Highway Park in the Broadmoor neighborhood and ending on Clyde Fant Parkway in downtown Shreveport.

One aspect of Shreveport-Bossier's Mardi Gras season which sets it apart from many is the variety of parades and celebrations held annually.

On the weekend following one of Shreveport-Bossier's major Mardi Gras parades, the Bassmaster Classic returns to the Red River in Shreveport-Bossier, February 24 to 26. This event, billed as "the Super Bowl of bass fishing," will be one of the largest sporting events ever held in the region.

The Bassmaster Classic is the ultimate competition in professional bass fishing. This spectacular three-day event - complete with a theatrical presentation of the weigh-ins and hours of television coverage - delights fans of all ages. The 2012 Bassmaster Classic Outdoor Expo, featuring more than 150 vendors, will be held at the Shreveport Convention Center.

For a directory of local resources, including maps to key Bassmaster Classic locations and more, visit www.bassmasterclassic2012.com .

For more information about Mardi Gras in Shreveport-Bossier: Louisiana's Other Side, visit www.shreveport-bossier.org.

For more information about top events in Louisiana take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Louisiana.

Escape to a Merrymaking Jubilee in Hill County

2011-12-05T10:38:00.000-08:00

The whimsical town of Hillsboro, Texas, invites visitors and residents of all ages to partake in a fun-filled weekend at the Holiday on the Square, December 9 to 10. Hot chocolate, parade floats and lights galore are some of the things guests will catch sight of upon arriving at this jolly holiday spectacular.

Merrymakers will line the streets for the Hill County Christmas Parade. This year’s theme is A Modern Christmas and will be the largest parade to date.

Following the parade, Santa Claus will be available for Christmas list wishes and free photos in front of the Chamber of Commerce, located at 115 North Covington Street. Out-of-towners and residents alike can enjoy the sites and sounds of the elementary-aged children’s choir, Rhythm Rascals and the Hillsboro band and cheerleaders, while getting their fill of free popcorn and hot chocolate. Arts and crafts vendors will be on-site, along with bounce houses and other fun and games for the entire family.

A special event will also take place during the holiday weekend in Hillsboro. The Texas Old Time Fiddlers will be performing Christmas favorites at the Burson Art Gallery on 207 East Elm Street, Friday at 7:30pm. The pickin’ will continue Saturday from 1 – 6 p.m. at the Hill College in the Vera Martin Daniel Performing Arts Center Auditorium.

Hillsboro is located in North Central Texas and is the county seat of Hill County. A town just off Interstate 35, Hillsboro is the primary center for trade and commerce in Hill County and is the midway point between the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and Waco. Hillsboro is home to the popular Outlets at Hillsboro as well as many antique stores, museums, restaurants, and historic bed and breakfasts that unite the city’s small town atmosphere with modern convenience. Also serving as the gateway to Lake Whitney, Hillsboro offers both visitors and residents “everything within reach”.

For more information on Hillsboro visit www.hillsborochamber.org/

For more information about top events in Texas take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Texas.

Warm Holiday Traditions on Oregon Coast

2011-12-01T08:19:00.000-08:00

You may think of yourself as a Dancer, a Prancer, a Comet or even a bit of a Cupid, but the Oregon Coast has the holiday lights, the sights, the festivities, the special deals and, yes, the glorious weather to dash away all your winter doldrums.

Enjoy the annual Newport Lighted Boat Parade at dusk on December 3 from 5pm to 7pm. Proceeds from this event benefit the Pacific Communities Hospital Foundation and is one of the kick-off events for the Festival of Trees. On shore, you can find great places to view the parade along Newport’s Historic Bayfront and throughout South Beach.

Earlier on December 3 (from 10am to 4pm), at the north end of Newport, the Bureau of Land Management’s Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area will host a Victorian Holiday Celebration. Relive the 19th century holiday traditions that were celebrated by the families of Yaquina Head lighthouse keepers; games, music, ornament making, historical crafts, tree decorating and refreshments. Admission to the park is free and a 15 percent discount will be given at the Yaquina Head Interpretive Center Store.

The Holiday Bazaar in Reedsport celebrates 50 Years of Homespun Fun on December 2 and 3. Quality gifts, homemade treats, handcrafted folk art, clothing, jewelry and more will fill the tables just as they have for 50 years. Located at the Reedsport Community Bldg. 495 Fir Ave.

The Christmas in Waldport and the annual Bridge Walk there begins with Santa arriving by fire truck at 5pm on December 10 at the Waldport Visitors’ Center/Alsea Bay Bridge Interpretative Center, milepost 156 on the central Oregon coast. Festivities include a “decorated Christmas dog contest”; hot dogs, chips, cookies & hot chocolate; Coast Wind Ensemble and the annual “Bridge Walk” from about 6:30 to7:00pm.

For more details on The People’s Coast and its events click on visittheoregoncoast.com/

For more information about top events in Oregon take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Oregon.

Greater Fort Lauderdale Lights up Holiday Season

2011-11-30T08:08:00.000-08:00

One of the most magical times of the year is the holidays, and Greater Fort Lauderdale offers up seasonal festivities with a decidedly unique flare befitting its American Riviera reputation and image.

Starting with the “Rockin’ Boats and Holiday Floats” theme of the annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade which celebrates its 40^th Anniversary on December 10, the Parade will feature a light show extravaganza with hundreds of brightly lit boats and yachts as they cruise from the downtown New River and 10 miles up the Intracoastal Waterway.

Light Up Lauderdale showcases the Riverwalk and Arts & Entertainment District, featuring the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, historic Stranahan House and New River promenade, with thousands of lighted displays and festive décor. Light Up Lauderdale will run through January 14, 2012.

For those who like their holiday celebrations with a chance to shop, dine and stroll, Las Olas Boulevard is the place to be. LOB’s fashionable boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, sidewalk cafes and trendy lounges will be decked out in holiday décor with the tree-lined thoroughfare featuring an ice staking rink, open through January 1, and Snow Mountain, an interactive children’s attraction and the only mountain of snow in South Florida.

Other Greater Fort Lauderdale holiday happenings include:

The Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade on December 3 at the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk.

The Pompano Beach Boat Paradeon on December 11 along the Intracoastal Waterway in Pompano Beach
Sounds of the Season: A Holiday Extravaganza is a classical holiday concert at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on December 12.

Those visitors wishing to bring in the holidays with a spiritually staged event, First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale hosts the iconic annual Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant through to December 18.

For more information on the above events and a complete list of holiday events in Greater Fort Lauderdale, please visit www.sunny.org.

For more information about top events in Florida take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Florida.

Christmas Past Comes to Life in St. Charles

2011-11-28T07:49:00.000-08:00

The streets of historic St. Charles, Missouri, are alive with excitement through to December 24 as cries of "Merry Christmas," "Good Yule," & "Humbug" fill the air. Carolers stroll the streets, the smell of roasting chestnuts fill the air and jingle bells can be heard. Christmas characters and Santas have come from around the world to celebrate the season.

The Christmas Traditions Festival has entertainment for the young and young at heart with a variety of festivities. Don’t miss out on some of the fun events like Santa’s North Pole Dash (5K Run or 1 Mile Fun Walk) on December 10. Join other kids as they run here, there and all around the square saying “Catch me if you can!” during the Snowman Shuffle (Kids Run in Frontier Park) on the same day.

Santa has taken time out of his busy schedule so you can have your picture taken with him. Don’t miss breakfast with Santa where you can enjoy an up-close-and-personal visit at the beautiful Mother-In-Law House Restaurant.

And when Santa has to leave on Christmas Eve, join St. Charles for the Santa Send-Off at 1:30pm to bid Santa goodbye during this last parade of the season and wish him the best as he heads back to the North Pole.

If you’re looking to experience the spirit of an old-fashioned ‘Norman Rockwell-feeling' Christmas, you'll find it in historic Augusta, Missouri during the Candlelight Christmas Walk from December 2 to 9 from 5pm to 10pm.

Learn more about Christmas Traditions and plan your visit by browsing the entire 2011 Festival Guide now.

To learn more about St. Charles, visit the Greater Saint Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau homepage or City of St. Charles official website.

For more information about top events in Missouri take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Missouri.

Branson: Ozark Mountain Christmas

2011-11-25T08:13:00.000-08:00

Just like the ending of a fantastic live music show, this nationally acclaimed Missouri holiday destination, with its broad and unexpected mix of world-class entertainment, lakes area recreation and Christmas spirit, creates a grand finale for the year.

Ozark Mountain Christmas will bring your family together for holiday entertainment, great shopping and elaborate decorative light displays. This seasonal festival features the Branson Area Festival of Lights (through January 1) which illuminates the night sky with millions of twinkling lights and Christmas shows at dozens of theatres.

Christmas on the Trail show and Trail of Lights at Shepherd of the Hills Historic Homestead are also Christmas traditions in Branson.

Silver Dollar City, the award-winning 1880's theme park, has their Old Time Christmas finery all aglow on nearly every tree and building. And With a 5-story special effects Christmas tree, The Living Nativity, the grand production show of A Dickens' Christmas Carol and legendary holiday dining options throughout the park, you will make new Christmas memories.

Sight & Sound Theatres’ production of The Miracle of Christmas will warm the hearts and bless the souls of everyone that sees it. You won’t want to miss the Adoration Parade held the first Sunday in December. This festive nighttime parade through Historic Downtown Branson and Adoration Scene lighting ceremony celebrates the birth of Christ and features floats, marching bands, and thousands of Christmas lights.

Branson is a holiday shopper’s paradise with Branson Landing, Historic Downtown Branson and three major outlet malls featuring more than 300 name-brand shops. Hundreds of boutique, arts, crafts and specialty stores throughout the town offer one-of-a-kind handmade heirloom-quality gift items.

Visit www.explorebranson.com for information about Branson and the Lakes area.

For more information about top events in Missouri take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Missouri.

It’s Time to Visit Tavares

2011-11-23T09:26:00.000-08:00

Tavares, America's Seaplane City, splashes down with its Christmas celebrations on December 3 with its City Christmas Light-up and parade.

This year's theme is Twas the Flight Before Christmas. The parade starts down Main Street at 5:30pm. Activities at nearby Wooton Park will follow and include Santa arriving by seaplane (of course!), falling snow, ice skating, horse drawn wagon rides, S'mores Pit, photo booth, face painting, a bounce house, Kids DJ, Library Book Giveaway, rock climbing wall, great food and more food, as well as a variety of seasonal entertainment.

Some 7,000 take-offs and landings from the Tavares Seaplane Base & Marina in its first year of operation and 16 major community events at Wooton Park each year brings in thousands of visitors to Tavares. Soon waterfront entertainment offerings will be expanded to include an event pavilion and pier, which is expected to be under construction by mid-2012. The Tavares Pavilion on the Lake will host community events, business conferences, weddings and formal events.

Tavares will host the season-opening stop for the BASS Bassmaster Open Southern Division from January 19 to 21 at Wooton Park, Lake Dora. It will be the Bassmaster Open's only stop in Florida. Weigh-ins are open to the public, with a variety of food and vendors throughout the park.

The annual African-American Heritage Parade & Festival on February 4

begins at 10am with a parade down Main Street. Festivities continue at Wooton Park on the waterfront with ethnic foods, history and cultural learning, arts & crafts, rides for kids.

And every Saturday night venture into the haunted, historical world of Tavares with the Floating Ghosts Séance Tour of Downtown Tavares for a hair-raising tour into the haunted past of this historic city.

Tavares is the hub of Lake County, Florida. A major source for news of events in the region is Time for Tavares

For more information about top events in Florida take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Florida.

Discover Cool Sounds and Fairs at Claremont

2011-11-22T11:07:00.000-08:00

While the fall brings Santa Ana winds to Southern California, it also brings students back to the seven world-class colleges in Claremont and a renewed opportunity for visitors and tourists to catch live local music and fairs.

The birthplace of Grammy-winner Ben Harper, Claremont is home to a wide variety of musical performances, ranging from classical at the Pomona College Department of Music, to student choral and orchestra performances. Local pubs and clubs feature Los Angeles County and Inland Empire area bands performing seven nights a week.

The famous Folk Music Center and Museum in Claremont Village is owned by Ben Harper’s family and includes a collection of rare and antique musical instruments and artifacts from around the world.

On December 4 visitors will receive free admission to Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden where they can visit with Santa and make crafts with the kids, and enjoy holiday gift sales, festive live music and prize drawings.

Among the Fall events to look forward to next year is the Village Venture Arts & Crafts Faire which in October fills The Claremont Village with over 450 arts & crafts booths including photography, pottery, jewelry, clothing, and garden knick-knacks – just in time to kick off the holiday shopping season.

In early November there is Marley’s Ghost concert at the Folk Music Center. Since forming in the mid-’80s, Marley's Ghost has built a singular reputation among discerning roots-music lovers for its instrumental virtuosity, ultra-tight four-part harmonies and animated live performances. They blend English folk, Jamaican reggae, Gospel, Country and R&B.

Visitors can find more information about Claremont and local activities at www.DiscoverClaremont.com, www.claremontchamber.org and www.claremontcalendar.com.

For more information about top events in California take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in California.

A Dickens of a Christmas in Jim Thorpe

2011-11-20T21:09:00.000-08:00

Jim Thorpe, in Carbon County, Pennsylvania is celebrated for its picturesque scenery, its mountainous location, its architecture and as the Gateway to the Poconos.

It is also hugely popular at this traditional time for its Olde Time Christmas Celebration when its streets bustle with the sounds and joy of a Christmas of yesteryear, straight out of a Dickens novel.

Jim Thorpe’s Olde Time Christmas Celebration is spread out over three weekends. Be part of the holiday festivities starting December 2-4^th, December 10-11^th, and December 17^th-18^th.

Street carolers sing in chorus while horse-drawn carriages transport riders through Jim Thorpe’s beautifully adorned Victorian streets. Decorated store fronts invite visitors inside to discover unique items and ideal gifts for their loved ones.

Rub shoulders with Dickens characters. If you bring family and friends dressed in Victorian hats or capes, you could be rewarded for dressing in character with a Scrooge dollar given out by Jim Thorpe’s strolling Ambassadors of Christmas (put Scrooge behind you and spend those Scrooge Dollars which is legal tender in Jim Thorpe during Olde Time Christmas).

There are train rides with Santa, live Nativity plays, historic district ghost walks, a Gingerbread House Contest, expanded shopping hours, and seasonal dinner specials at Jim Thorpe’s many restaurants. Grab a mug designed by a local artist and take around to participating merchants for gifts and treats.

In addition, ticketed entertainment takes place each Saturday night of Olde Time Christmas at the Mauch Chunk Opera House, one of the finest downtown music venues in Pennsylvania. This year the timeless Dickens story has a new adaptation – A Coal Country Christmas Carol with all the elements of the original Scrooge, Marley and Tiny Tim placed inCoal Country.

It’s easy to get to Jim Thorpe. It’s only an hour-and-a-quarter from Philadelphia, two hours from New York City and 35 minutes from the Lehigh Valley. For more information on Jim Thorpe visit www.jimthorpe.org/

For more information about top events in Pennsylvania take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Pennsylvania.

Arrgh! Pirates to Plunder Key West

2011-11-18T11:47:00.000-08:00

The historic seafaring town of Key West is to become a pirate stronghold Thursday, November 24 through Sunday, December 4, when “brethren of the coast” and winsome wenches invade the island for the 12th annual Pirates in Paradise Maritime Heritage & Music Festival.

Featuring more than 100 costumed pirate re-enactors, Pirates in Paradise offers a packed roster of revelry for children and adults intrigued by the Florida Keys’ seafaring history and culture.

The festival includes nautical excursions and pirate sails, the staged re-creation of an actual pirate trial, parties and buccaneer balls with dancing under the stars, walking tours of Old Town Key West led by re-enactors and historians, a lively pirate village and marketplace, swashbuckling film presentations and much more.

Highlights include the annual National Walk the Plank Championships, set for noon Saturday, December 3. Entrants in this typically hilarious competition are to plunge into the deep from Key West’s “pirate vessel” Schooner Wolf, moored at the Truman Waterfront. Plank-walkers are judged on their costumed attire, overall style, pleas for mercy and splash.

Seafarers and wannabes can experience tall ship sails and sea battles on the Schooner Wolf, scheduled to weigh anchor at 1:30 and 4:30pm daily. Call 305-296-9694 for reservations.

Festival attendees eager to mingle with costumed pirates and damsels are invited to “invade” the Pirate Village Marketplace, Art Fair & Holiday Bazaar, open daily at Key West’s Truman Waterfront Commons. Attractions include the Pirate Pub & VIP Hospitality Tent with nonstop entertainment, craft beer tastings, period arts and crafts, storytelling competitions, a carnival, daily sea chantey songfests, strolling minstrels and more.

Adventurous attendees also can enjoy Literature & the Sea sessions with author/historian Robert N. Macomber and other writers, an exuberant re-enactment of the trial of real-life female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read, and a rich cargo of other events.

For Key West visitor information visit www.fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY

For more information about top events in Florida take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Florida.

New England's Favorite Christmas Town

2011-11-17T14:05:00.000-08:00

To get into the proper holiday spirit early, the place to be the first weekend in December is the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut. Festivals galore start the season right in this region that is always as pretty as a Christmas card, and there are numerous opportunities to check off your holiday shopping list in scenic settings. The only dilemma is where to go first.

One good place to start is Connecticut's own little town of Bethlehem, a quaint village that is transformed each December, when it becomes New England's favorite Christmas Town.

Thousands of visitors arrive to mail their Christmas cards with a Bethlehem postmark and to enjoy the 30th annual gala Christmas Town Festival, set this year for Friday night December 2 and Saturday, December 3. The town green is transformed for the occasion with some 70 vendors offering crafts and good food. Bring the family for musical entertainment, hayrides and the chance for a photo with Santa.

Bethlehem's historic Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden will be festively decorated for the weekend, with themed decorations in each of the first floor rooms. Children will enjoy games, prizes and surprises and refreshments in the Visitor's Center. This house will be open during festival hours, December 2 from 5pm. to 9pm and December 3 from 10am to 4pm. For details, phone (203) 266-7596.

Bethlehem also offers the chance to visit a rare museum-quality 18th century Neapolitan Crèche housed in a barn at the Abbey of Regina Laudis.

For more information about other December events in the Litchfield Hills visit www.visitwesternct.com.

For more information about top events in Connecticut take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Connecticut.

Oshkosh Celebrates 10 Years of Magical Lights

2011-11-17T07:59:00.000-08:00

The Oshkosh Celebration of Lights has been bringing joy, beauty and wonder throughout the holiday season to thousands of visitors to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, since 2001.

Set up in Menominee Park on Lake Winnebago, the one-mile, magical journey through more than a half-million lights is a great event for the entire family. Experience the awe of the 100-foot Christmas tree, sculptured scenes, animated lighted displays and more! Drive your car, walk or take a horse-drawn carriage ride as you relax and enjoy the spirit of the season.

In addition to the twinkling displays, kids are encouraged to visit Santa’s Workshop and the Elves Hideout for pictures with Santa and several children’s holiday activities and projects. While you are there, don’t miss out on the live reindeer and Santa’s Gift Shop.

Celebrating “10 Years of Holiday Magic”, Oshkosh Celebration of Lights kicks off on November 23, the night before Thanksgiving, and runs nightly from 5 to 9pm through January 1.

Several special events throughout the span of Celebration of Lights make the event even more appealing. ‘Patriot Night’ on December 7 will commemorate the 70^th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor and will honor all service men and women, past and present, allowing their cars free admission on this night.

A new patriotic display will also be featured. On December 10 and 31, enjoy ‘Nights of the Torches,’ presenting hundreds of torches and Roman candles against a winter’s night sky and dazzling with the thousands of lights.

A non-profit fundraising event, Oshkosh Celebration of Lights benefits several organizations throughout the Oshkosh area including numerous local food pantries, Toys 4 Tots, the Oshkosh Area Humane Society and more. Non-perishable food donations are encouraged every night and get you $2 off the admission price.

To find out more information and for a schedule of special event nights, visit www.OshkoshCelebrationOfLights.org.

For more information about top events in Wisconsin take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Wisconsin.

Candlelight, Mistletoe & Home Tours

2011-11-16T08:47:00.000-08:00

Fort Scott, known for its Fort Scott National Historic Site and its National Cemetery, celebrates its rich heritage with major events on the first full weekend in December.

The 32nd Annual Moonlight & Mistletoe and the Homes for the Holidays Tour is on December 2, 3 and 4 – an opportunity to see older Victorian homes decked out for Christmas. The tours are on Saturday and Sunday with a bonus tour on Friday night with a purchase of an extra ticket.

The 30th Annual Candlelight Tour at Fort Scott National Historic Site on December 2 and 3 commemorates the Civil War Sesquicentennial. Over 700 candle lanterns illuminate the site and over 100 re-enactors bring the fort to life. Groups will be led by re-enactors throughout the grounds and buildings as they visit scenes with live re-enactments. Tours run from 6:30 to 9 every 15 minutes on the evening of the December 2 and from 5 to 9 every 15 minutes on the 3rd. Tickets are $7 each. Reservations are required so call 620-223-0310.

Fort Scott ushers in the Christmas with its Downtown Christmas Parade & Holiday festival on November 29.

And looking ahead, Fort Scott holds its Good Ol’ Days celebration on the first full weekend of June every year (in 2012 on the evening of May 31 and June 1 and 2 ). It's an old fashion street fair with 3-plus blocks of arts and crafts, food, several stages with live entertainment and music, children's carnival, street dances on Friday and Saturday nights and much more. It is kicked off with a parade on Friday evening followed by a chicken dinner and a street dance. Re-actors are on site for the weekend at the National Historic Site.

Visit Fort Scott at www.fortscott.com

For more information about top events in Kansas take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Kansas.

Gettysburg Honors Fallen Soldiers, Famous Speech

2011-11-15T07:44:00.000-08:00

Two of Gettysburg's largest annual events will coincide on November 19, for a day highlighted by a ceremony in Gettysburg honoring Lincoln's immortal address, a parade through downtown and an illuminary featuring more than 3,500 candles in the national cemetery.

Dedication Day – a time in which Gettysburg honors the Gettysburg Address and President Abraham Lincoln's visit to Gettysburg – is held annually on November 19. Remembrance Day, a time when thousands of Civil War re-enactors and living historians converge on the historic town to honor the brave men who gave their lives fighting in the nation's most famous battle, is always held the Saturday closest to Dedication Day. This year, both occur on the same day, making it a popular time to visit Gettysburg and pay tribute to these historic events.

The day starts at 9:30am with a Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Soldiers' National Monument in the Soldiers' National Cemetery. The Dedication Day ceremony follows at 9:45. The ceremony includes remarks, Civil War-era music and the reciting of the Gettysburg Address.

At approximately 11am, immediately following the Dedication Day Ceremony, a Salute to U.S. Colored Troops will follow near the eastern portion of the cemetery. This salute will feature soldiers re-enacting the U.S. Colored Troops, along with presentations by historian Deb McCauslin and Getty.

The Remembrance Day Parade begins at 1:30pm, and can be seen from High Street, Baltimore Street, and Steinwehr Avenue. A ceremony will follow in Zeigler's Grove at the Gettysburg National Military Park. The parade attracts re-enactors from as far away as Europe.

The day is capped off with the Remembrance Day Illuminary in the Soldiers' National Cemetery.

For more information on Dedication Day or Remembrance Day, call the Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau at (717) 334-6274 or visit www.gettysburg.travel.

For more information about top events in Pennsylvania take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Pennsylvania.

Celebrating 20 Years of Fantasy in Lights

2011-11-14T07:57:00.000-08:00

Fantasy in Lights^® at Callaway Gardens bedazzles young and old nightly, November 18 to December 30, continuing a tradition started two decades ago.

Families choose a time (6, 7 or 8 p.m.) and board the fun, interactive “Jolly Trolley” or take their own car while navigating more than five miles and 14 striking holiday scenes at the 13,000-acre destination about an hour southwest of Atlanta and thirty minutes north of Columbus.

Take a break from the electrifying displays and gather round two narrated scenes on Robin Lake Beach, Twas the Night Before Christmas and The Nativity, each lasting about 10 minutes.

Then, unwrap more holiday magic at the Christmas Village, open daily beginning at 4pm, an indoor magical wonderland shopping area with opportunities to visit Santa Claus and other holiday characters. Shop for specialty food items at the Callaway Gardens Country Store^®, gather unique gifts. An array of Georgia crafters will be on hand making and selling their wares.

Purchase tickets in advance online or by phone; prices range from $16 (Value Night) to $22 (Prime Night) for adults and $8 (Value Night) to $11 (Prime Night) for children; children five and younger are admitted for free but must still have a "free child" ticket. If purchased on-site, tickets are $25 per adult and $12.50 for children 6-12; children five and younger are free.

Callaway Gardens includes a garden, resort, preserve and residential community on 13,000 acres in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Highlights include a butterfly conservatory, horticultural center, discovery center, chapel, inland beach, nature trails and special events throughout the year.

To experience the most spectacular holiday light and show in the South, visit www.CallawayGardens.com or call 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292).

For more information about top events in Georgia take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Georgia.

Fun Events in Peanut Capital of the World

2011-11-09T19:33:00.000-08:00

About half of the peanuts grown in the United States are grown within a 100-mile radius of Dothan, Alabama, so it’s no surprise that the nation’s largest peanut festival is held here each fall to honor peanut growers and to celebrate the harvest season.

The 2011 National Peanut Festival is just drawing to a close but there is still time to get there for the final few days of fun (through to Sunday November 13).

But Dothan also hosts other interesting events.

For instance, on Thursday, November 17 you can enjoy exotic sample-sized martinis at the mARTinis on Main at the Wiregrass Museum of Art while exploring regional and local artists at this swanky affair benefiting the Wiregrass Chapter of the American Red Cross. General admission tickets are $30 and include 4 drinks, Hors d'oeuvres, live jazz music and auction.

Or enjoy a day of free family fun on Foster Street in Downtown Dothan at the Downtown Christmas Festival on Saturday December 3 from 9am to 3pm. Let the kids play in the snow, visit with Santa, ride the train, roast marshmallows, decorate cookies and make ornaments for the family tree. Families will delight in the horse and buggy rides and rows and rows of vendors with delightful Christmas crafts and gifts for sale. Most activities free, thanks to the generosity of local businesses who sponsor the venues.

And mark your calendars for the Tri-State BBQ Festival on Friday and Saturday April 13 and 14 at the Houston County Farm Center when Dothan becomes the Mecca for all things cooked low and slow during the second weekend in April each spring.

Visit Dothan at www.dothanalcvb.com/

For more information about top events in Alabama take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Alabama.

5-million Lights Salute Veterans

2011-11-08T18:44:00.000-08:00

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is gearing up for its four-month-long celebration of Winterfest – a Great Smoky Mountains tradition that includes 5-million festive lights and festivals within a festival.

Chosen by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event in the Southeast, Winterfest is a mixture of holiday celebrations, themed special events and the millions of decorative lights.

Four months of activity begin on November 8 with a special parade saluting military veterans (Veterans Day is of course November 11) and a ceremony in Patriot Park that flips the switch on the Winterfest lights.

This is Pigeon Forge Winterfest’s 22nd year. Dates are November 8 to February 26, 2012.

Apart from the afternoon parade ending in Patriot Park, the November 8 kickoff also includes an evening program featuring a tribute to veterans, bluegrass music and the Pigeon Forge Community Chorus.

After the entire city’s light displays pop on, Pigeon Forge’s Fun Time Trolleys will offer free rides on the Trolley Tour of Lights for the rest of the evening.

Among the events on the calendar:

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas (November 5 to December 30) glows with 4 million holiday lights of its own and the premiere of “Christmas on Ice” in DP’s Celebrity Theatre.

The Titanic Museum Attraction gets in the Edwardian holiday spirit with its “Christmas in a Winter Wonderland” (November 8 to December 31) festivities.

Wilderness Wildlife Week (January 7 to 14) offers eight days of programs and activities about Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other outdoor topics, while Saddle Up! (February 23 to 26) brings a taste of the Old West to Pigeon Forge with cowboy poetry, western music and a chuckwagon cookoff.

Information about Pigeon Forge Winterfest, including Wilderness Wildlife Week in January and Saddle Up! in February, is at www.MyPigeonForge.com and 1-800-251-9100. 

For more information about top events in Tennessee take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Tennessee.

Classic Holiday Offerings in Virginia

2011-11-07T08:29:00.000-08:00

Love is what the holidays are all about and Virginia’s classic seasonal events put love at the heart of holiday getaways – from Christmas-themed tours to special holiday deals.

The “Colonial Christmas” program at Jamestown Settlement features a film and interpretive presentations that compare and contrast 17th-century English Christmas customs with how the season may have been observed in Jamestown Settlement’s early years. For the month of December, daily tours and programs in the outdoor living-history area allow visitors to learn about the English colonists’ first Christmas at sea, enter a re-created colonial fort and take a scenic drive on Colonial Parkway to Yorktown, where the victory of the American Revolution was won. Call 757-253-4838 or visit www.explorewilliamsburg.com for more information.

Civil War Christmas at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre on December 17 brings visitors back 150 years to see how soldiers and civilians celebrated Christmas time during the Civil War when they were away from their families and loved ones. For more information, visit http://www.pwcgov.org .

New for 2011, Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration will dazzle visitors as Busch Gardens gets decked out in holiday splendor this Christmas. From November 25-December 31, the popular park will be ablaze with over two million twinkling lights, holiday traditions, dazzling shows and one-of-a-kind gift ideas. Call 800-343-7946 or visit www.christmastown.com for more information.

The Annual Scottish Christmas Walk parade held on Saturday, December 3 at 11am, honors Alexandria’s Scottish heritage. More than 100 Scottish clans dressed in traditional tartans will march through the historic streets of Alexandria. Call 703-746-3301 or visit www.scottishchristmaswalk.com for more information.

More than 100 holiday events and 30 new programs bring historic Christmas cheer to the streets of Colonial Williamsburg. For more information visit www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/visit/holidays/holidayPrograms.cfm

Visit www.Virginia.org for more trip ideas or call 1-800-VISITVA for a free Virginia is for Lovers travel guide.

For more information about top events in Virginia take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Virginia.

Enjoy an America’s Cup Getaway in San Diego

2011-11-04T12:15:00.000-07:00

San Diego welcomes the world's top sailors as they race for victory in the third stop of the America's Cup World Series from November 12 to 20. Spectators can enjoy high-speed adventures on scenic San Diego Bay, considered to be one of the best natural harbors for racing on North America's west coast.

With the excitement of the America's Cup races and sunny skies galore, now is the perfect time to plan a getaway to San Diego, where a variety of world-class offerings await.

Beginning Nov. 12, nine state-of-the-art high-speed catamarans representing seven nations will take to San Diego Bay at speeds over 30 miles per hour. The America's Cup World Series kicks off on opening weekend, Nov. 12-13, with three fleet (exhibition) races, and culminates Nov. 16-20, when teams compete for Series points during the Match and Fleet Racing Championships.

San Diego's picturesque Embarcadero, Harbor Island, Shelter Island, Coronado Ferry Landing and numerous other locations along San Diego Bay will offer breathtaking views of the action as the vessels catapult from the starting line just off downtown's Navy and Broadway Piers. A variety of other activities on land will complement the exciting action on water, including food and shopping at the America's Cup Village, a racing simulator ride, battle of the bands live music event and more.

For a complete schedule of the races and other official America's Cup events, visit AmericasCup.com/sandiego.

For more information about top events in California take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in California.

Plan Your "Nosh-cation" in Hawaii This November

2011-11-03T18:31:00.000-07:00

What do you mean you’ve never heard the term “nosh-cation” before? It combines two of America’s favorite pastimes, noshing (or eating) and vacationing.

This word may not have hit the foodie lexicon just yet, but given the variety of food festivals coming up throughout Hawaii in November, one avid cuisine traveler just may become the first to complete a “nosh-cation.”

Think about it. Three events on three Hawaiian Islands (on Hawaii Island, Kauai, and Oahu), in two weeks. Completely possible! Here’s the details for an incredible time eating your way across the Aloha State:

41st Annual Kona Coffee Festival – now to November 13 – Since its inception in 1970, the Festival has sought to preserve, perpetuate, and promote Kona’s unique 183-year coffee heritage. With close to 50 events over 10 days, there’s something for everyone, from casual coffee drinkers to connoisseurs to multi-generational families. www.konacoffeefest.com

Garden Island Range and Food Festival – November 13 – The event brings together the Kauai community and the cattlemen, farmers, and chefs to taste healthy, local, and nutritious foods. Locally produced agricultural products are presented through social, cultural, and scientific exchanges. www.kauaifoodfestival.com

Wailea Food and Wine Celebration – November 18 – The Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center’s annual benefit in support of community arts education at Hotel Wailea’s elegant Anuhea Room. Enjoy exceptional wines and taste the best in Maui cuisine from the finest local restaurants and chefs all while supporting a worthy cause! www.huinoeau.com

For more information about top events in Hawaii take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Hawaii.

American Indian Crafts Events in Nevada

2011-11-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

Learn about Nevada’s American Indian culture at one of several events showcasing native artwork scheduled this fall.

Beadwork, baskets, jewelry, quilts, paintings and other items made by American Indian artisans will be displayed — and in some cases sold — in November and December.

American Indian tribes throughout Nevada share information about crafts shows, powwows and other cultural events open to the public through Indian Territory, a nonprofit organization that promotes and markets tribal activities and enterprises.

American Indian arts events scheduled this fall include:

Contemporary Arts and Crafts from the Powwow Tradition, an exhibit organized by the Nevada Arts Council, is on display through December 21 at the Charleston Heights Art Center, 800 S. Brush St. in Las Vegas. A public reception for the exhibit, with a performance by the Las Vegas Native Dancers from the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe, runs from 6 to 8pm. The exhibit, part of the NAC’s Traveling Exhibition Program, will move to the Clark County Museum in Henderson from January 6 to May 6, 2012, and then to the Marjorie Barrick Museum on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus from May 16 to September 13, 2012. Details: 702-229-1012.

Annual Holiday Faire, 9am to 5pm November 12 and from 10am to 2pm November 13 at the Stewart Community Center, 465 Clear Creek Ave. in Carson City. Items crafted by Washoe tribal members and others, including beadwork, jewelry, lamps, quilts, blankets and ceramics, will be for sale. Admission to event, which will feature 20-25 vendors, is free. Details: Debi Jones, 775-313-4871.

After-Thanksgiving Native American Arts and Crafts Sale, 10am to 6pm November 25 and 26 at the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony gymnasium, 34 Reservation Road in Reno. Beadwork, baskets, hand-crafted items, blankets and other items made by Paiute Indians and other tribes will be for sale. Baked goods and Indian tacos also will be available at the event. Admission into the sale is free. Details: Janice Gardipe, 775-329-6114.

Tommo Craft Fair, 10am to 6pm December 16 and 17 at the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, 34 Reservation Road in Reno. Around 25 American Indian artisans will offer beaded items, quilts, paintings, jewelry, baked goods and more. Admission into the sale is free. Details: Henrietta Tobey, 775-336-8896 (after 5 p.m.) or Joanne Bill, 775-560-9965.

Learn about American Indian events throughout the state at the Indian Territory website, www.nevadaindianterritory.com.

For more information about top events in Nevada take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Nevada.

Astronauts Get Down to Earth at Autograph Show

2011-11-01T10:03:00.000-07:00

They just may have encountered aliens, they definitely did some moonwalking, zipped around outer-space in Jetson’s-like backpacks and zoomed to and from earth in 4 different types of spaceships for 50 years; and now, they are beaming down to the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, to rendezvous with you!

On November 4 to 6, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) will present the World’s Largest Astronaut Autograph & Memorabilia Show, where over 40 famed galactic travelers will be just one small step away from making a giant leap into your life!

It's back for the fourth year running .... and is boldly going where no other autograph show has gone before. Snapshots and signatures don’t even begin to scratch the surface of what all this stellar event has to offer; the 2011 show will open a new dimension of excitement, bringing guests up close and personal, through special photo opportunities, lunches, dinners, autograph sessions, space chats and more, with explorers who have tasted the great unknown.

Guests may bring their own items to have signed or purchase them at the show. In addition to the sensational lineup of rocketmen (and ladies), which includes astronauts from the Mercury 7 through Space Shuttle programs, ASF has teamed up with some of the spaciest exhibitors in the world to offer fans the ultimate selection of out-of-this world memorabilia, photos and more! Ticket packages range from $15 to $600. Astronaut autographs are an additional fee.

ASF's Astronaut Autograph & Memorabilia Show is launching this week, so get your head out of the clouds and secure your SPACE now by visiting www.AstronautScholarship.org/aams or calling 321-455-7014.

For more information about top events in Florida take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Florida.

Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel Prepare to “Shellabrate”

2011-10-31T07:54:00.000-07:00

The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida are filled with festivals and events before it’s time to "Shellabrate" with an island-wide extravaganza that honors the 75th anniversary of the Sanibel Shell Fair.

"Shellabration" takes place February 26 to March 4, 2012 with shell-related events on Sanibel and Captiva islands. The traditional Shell Fair takes place March 1 to 3 at the Community House on Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island.

Shell collecting has been a favorite pastime for the residents and visitors to these islands for many decades and 75 years ago the first Shell Fair was held by winter residents to display their beautiful collections. For details and a schedule of events: www.shellabration2012.com or 239-472-2155.

Here are a few other popular festivals before the “Shellabrations”.

The 2011 American Sandsculpting Championship and Beach Festival, Fort Myers Beach from November 2 to 6 continues its tradition as one of the most popular, family-friendly events in Florida, attracting an estimated 50,000 attendees over the five-day event.

The tasty Taste of the Town, Fort Myers held downtown in Centennial Park on November 6 features samplings from more than 40 local restaurants. The popular food and entertainment festival attracts more than 15,000 people and includes live music and more along the Calooshatchee River.

The Christmas Luminary Trail and Open House, Sanibel and Captiva islands on December 2 and 3 draws visitors from all over the world as they join local residents to celebrate the season. Three miles of luminary candles line Periwinkle Way.

The Holiday Nights at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers from December 2 to 31 reflects the many contributions of Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and their families.

Visit www.fortmyers-sanibel.com for more information on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel.

For more information about top events in Florida take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Florida.

Master Detective Returns to Cape May

2011-10-28T08:02:00.000-07:00

Mystics, mediums, murder and mayhem abound in Cape May, New Jersey, during Sherlock Holmes Weekend, sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC).

From Friday, November 4 through Sunday, November 6, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s master sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, and his partner Dr. Watson return to Cape May to unravel a baffling new case for 2011, “The Case of the Surreptitious Ghoul!”

Join the famous detective and his partner as they explore the Gothic Habitants of Underground London Society, or G.H.O.U.L.S., for short. Psychics, mystics, mediums and a murderer inhabit this bleak world. The duo will need your help as they peer deep into the darkness and face the fears that lie within.

It is clear that “The Game’s Afoot” on Friday, November 4 at 8:30pm. Join Holmes and Watson Watson for Act I, an evening reception at the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St. It is here that the crime is committed and your exciting weekend begins. A cash bar will be available. Registration begins at 7pm and doors open for seating at 8pm.

On Saturday, November 5 from 1 to 3pm, gather the evidence you need to solve the crime during the Search for Clues Tour. Visit a selection of Cape May’s Victorian treasures in a search of clues alongside other amateur sleuths.

On Sunday, November 6 at 12:30pm at the Inn of Cape May, Holmes finally unlocks the mystery. Enjoy a hearty lunch as Holmes and Watson reveal the solution to this year’s mystery.

The East Lynne Theater Company (ELTC) presents an optional activity, “Sherlock Holmes’ Adventure of the Norwood Builder” on Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5, at 8am at the First Presbyterian Church, Decatur and Hughes streets.

For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals, and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC at www.capemaymac.org.

For more information about top events in New Jersey take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in New Jersey.

Discover Holiday Magic at Holiday Festival of Lights

2011-10-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

Celebrate a Lowcountry tradition in South Carolina at Charleston’s most beloved nighttime event – the 22nd Holiday Festival of Lights.

The journey begins with a three-mile drive through hundreds of breathtaking light displays featuring millions of twinkling bulbs. The festival delivers more light displays each year, with over 700 shining displays this season. James Island County Park comes alive with the illuminations on November 11 and continues through January 1.

This year’s event kicks off with a grand opening celebration on Friday, November 11, featuring a tree lighting ceremony and the announcement of the winners of the greeting card and gingerbread house competitions. The opening ceremony starts at 6:30pm and activities are included with festival admission price. Festival hours are 5:30 – 10pm Sunday through Thursday, and 5:30 – 1pm Friday through Saturday.

In addition to the drive-through displays, there is Santa’s Village, with train rides, gingerbread house contest, gift shop, marshmallow roasting, and more. Winter Wonderland includes visits with Santa, a carousel, climbing wall, and more marshmallow roasting. Live entertainment is provided most weekends and on several other evenings throughout the festival.

The event is produced by the The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission. The magnificent lighted displays are designed and built by park staff. Volunteer RVers stay in the park starting in September to test and replace all of the lights throughout the display each year, and to operate the trains and carousel, and to perform various other functions.

Visit the Holiday Festival of Lights at www.ccprc.com/index.aspx?NID=140.

For more information about top events in South Carolina take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in South Carolina.

San Francisco Hosts Stellar Line-up of Body Musicians

2011-10-25T10:06:00.000-07:00

Tongue in Cheek? Snap, clap, step and holler – the 4^th International Body Music Festival returns to Yerba Buena Center and other Bay Area Locations, San Francisco, from November 1 to 6.

The only festival of its kind anywhere, the International Body Music Festival (IBMF) presents more than 20 events featuring traditional and contemporary Body Music styles from the U.S., Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey, Canary Islands, Greece, Canada and other popping, stomping, humming corners of the world.

Spanning six days, the festival will feature concerts, teacher trainings and workshops for adults and teens, body music open-mic, a family matinee and in-school assemblies.

The body resonates with sound and they often prove irresistible – from humming and clapping, stomping and stepping. Body music old and new will be presented by Oakland’s SlamDance, the Turkish ensemble KeKeÇa, African-American hip hop steppers from Las Vegas and the U.S. debuts of Kantu Korpu from Anthens, Greece and Cambuyón from the Canary Islands.

An IBMF commission from Balinese Kecak (keh-CHAK) group Çudamani will premier at the festival. Festival founder and producer Keith Terry is a body music pioneer; the festival is a project of Oakland-based Crosspulse and is produced in association with Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

For more information on International Body Music Festival visit www.InternationalBodyMusicFestival.com or call 510-601-9797.

Visit San Francisco at www.sanfrancisco.travel

For more information about top events in California take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in California.

Shedding Light on Issues Facing Florida's State Animal

2011-10-24T15:50:00.000-07:00

The first annual Florida Panther Festival on October 29, 2011 at North Collier Regional Park in Naples, Florida will shed light on the plight of the endangered Florida panther through interactive activities about the Florida panther’s life and habitat.

Activities include presentations by panther biologists, a Living with Wildlife Pavilion, interactive walks, fun and educational activities for children, livestock pen demonstration, live bluegrass music, food vendors, information from various conservation agencies and organizations in panther territory, and much more.

The Festival is free of charge. The previous day, Friday, October 28, a variety of field trips are available into areas in southwest Florida where panthers roam. Various fees apply to field trips.

The Living with Wildlife Pavilion will provide area residents proactive steps that can be taken to protect pets and livestock on private property from any wildlife. The Pavilion will be staffed by panther biologists and will include tools biologists use to monitor panthers, capture videos, demonstration livestock pen, handouts, and the popular Adopt-a-Panther program.

The sounds of bluegrass music will enliven the festival with live performances by two bands, Frontline Bluegrass and the BugTussle Ramblers. Fascinating presentations by panther biologists and panther research team members will take place throughout the day. Presentations will include secrets of panther capture techniques, why biologists track panthers, how orchids play a role in panther habitat health, and even what it's like to hold a Florida panther kitten. There will also be face painting, children’s games, and food vendors throughout the day.

On-site adventures at the Festival include the “Walk the Panther Mile”. Rangers from Big Cypress National Preserve will guide a one mile walk on the trail at North Collier Regional Park.

For information or reservations, visit www.FloridaPantherFestival.com.

Visit Florida's Paradise Coast of Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades

For more information about top events in Florida take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Florida.

Haunted Massachusetts: Witches, Ghosts and Goblins

2011-10-20T16:59:00.000-07:00

Massachusetts boasts a rich history filled with mayhem and the dark arts. From witches to ghosts and other unexplainable paranormal activity, the Commonwealth is the place to be this Halloween season. Witchcraft that was once thought to be alive in Salem, the home of Lizzie Borden in Fall River, and the haunted graveyards, mansions, and trails that scatter the state, Massachusetts has plenty of stories, legends, and tales of years gone by.

The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) invites you to spend this October feeling the thrills of the truly spooktacular across the Commonwealth. There’s no better place than the home of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692; Salem is known for being a unique, haunted town that truly comes to life during this ghostly time of year.

From the museums that explore witchcraft and dungeons, to the root of Hawthorne’s inspiration at the House of the Seven Gables, you’ll experience the chills of the unexplainable. Learn about the paranormal, as you walk along eerie sidewalks as guides interpret the sites and structures. Interested in unlocking your future? Visit one of the many psychics or get in touch with those of the past as you experience a séance.

Salem isn’t the only place to get your fright on, as Massachusetts is home to several known haunted locations. Dare to visit the ghost of Old Coot in the Berkshires, visit the burial sites of Henry Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louisa May Alcott and Bronson Alcott in Central Massachusetts, or tour Boston and hear tales of scandal, torture and paranoia.

For a complete list of spooks and thrills visit www.massvacation.com

For more information about top events in Massachusetts take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Massachusetts.

First Ever Southern Food and Wine Festival

2011-10-19T18:20:00.000-07:00

The Union Square District of El Dorado provides the backdrop for the first ever Southern Food & Wine Festival on October 28 and 29. The event highlights Southern culture and provides a chance to enjoy some of the South’s finest food and wine.

The agenda also includes art walks and live music by artists such as Grammy award winning performer Trombone Shorty.

El Dorado is aiming to have festivals and special events in the city every other week year-round as part of a goal to become the festival capital of the South and highlight a new theme of "It's Showtime."

The festivities begin on Friday evening with a dinner hosted by Presqu'ile Winery at the new El Dorado Conference Center. Presqu'ile Winery is a Santa Maria Valley, California winery with Arkansas roots, owned by the Murphy family.

“This first event seemed a natural fit given harvest time, fall beauty, and a family owned Santa Maria Valley winery from El Dorado, Presqu'ile Winery,” said Austin Barrow, President of El Dorado Festivals & Events, Inc. "The focus will not only be on the wonderful food and variety of wines available, but the beautiful topography of our city and some of our finest visual artists. This is the first of many festivals to come.”

On Saturday the festival opens on Union Square with a self-guided art walk at noon. The Granite Club opens to food and wine tasting at 2pm and the festival ends with live music by 2011 Grammy nominee Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue.

Tickets for the event can be purchased online and range from individual one day passes, two day passes, two day limited access passes, concert tickets or wine dinner only passes

Event directors hope the festival becomes an annual event in the city. Numerous other festivals are also in development for the 2012 season including the birth of a professional theatre, The Southern Theatre Festival.

For more details visit Southern Food & Wine Festival at www.southernfoodandwinefest.com or El Dorado Festivals & Events at www.eldofest.com or call 870-863-6113

For more information about top events in Arkansas take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Arkansas.

Handcrafted Wines, Beers, Arts/Crafts, Cigars and Cheeses

2011-10-19T09:36:00.000-07:00

"Handcrafted" is the theme that will weave together fine products, crafts and locally-made beers and wines at the Second Annual Delaware Wine & Beer Festival, set for Sunday, October 23 at Pizzadili Winery in Felton, Delaware, from 12 noon until 5pm.

Festival-goers will have the opportunity to meet Delaware's vintners and brewmasters, talk about their locations, products and processes, with 30 varieties of wines and beers available. Tours of the winery will be held throughout the day, and the Pizzadili retail shop will be open. Festival goers can participate in a keg tossing competition, and a corn hole tournament is being planned. Pizzadili Catering will handle all food sales.

Day of ticket sales are $35 and include 10 sampling tickets. Designated driver tickets are $5, but will not be eligible to purchase wine or beer. Glasses of beer will be sold at $3 and wine will be $4. Parking is free. An outdoor wine shop will be available, selling bottles of local wines to take home.

This year's premier sponsor is the Delaware Wine & Ale Trail, created by the Delaware Tourism office to promote Delaware's growing wine and beer industry. It is a unique, statewide collection of wineries and breweries that welcome and educate visitors about the production of Delaware wines and brews.

Fine handmade cigars will be available for sale that day by Veritas Cigars, a Delaware corporation that will sponsor the festival's entertainment tent. Festival-goers will be treated to free samples of cheese provided by Cabot Creamery Cooperative.

Angelucci Gallery and Artists' Studios in Milford is the featured sponsor of the Delaware Artisan Faire held in conjunction with the Wine & Beer Festival, which will feature 25 Delaware artisans including several from Angelucci Gallery. Photography, fused glass, sea glass jewelry, paintings, prints, fiber arts and more will be available for show and sale.

The event will be held rain or shine on the grounds of the vineyard and inside a covered pavilion. The winery is located at 1683 Peach Basket Road near Felton, DE, just minutes south of Dover.

It is 1/10th of a mile off Route 13 behind Delaware Auto Auction.

For more information, visit www.visitdover.com/winebeerfestival, or call Kent County Tourism, 302-734-4888 or 800-233-5368.

For more information about top events in Delaware take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Delaware.

A Mix of Pumpkins, Art & Seasonal Celebrations

2011-10-18T08:39:00.000-07:00

When the maple leaves in Everett, Washington begin their colorful transformation, visitors to the city will enjoy how locals celebrate the harvest season and prepare for the winter holidays.

One of the area's most popular venues for seasonal fun is the Schack Art Center, home to the Snohomish County art scene for nearly four decades. Several autumn- and holiday-themed events and classes are scheduled that visitors of all ages can enjoy.

Pumpkins, beer, bratwurst and live music are a few of the flavors and joys of autumn to be showcased at this weekend harvest Schack-toberfest, from October 21 to 23.

At the pumpkin carving demonstration on Saturday from 1 to 5pm, kids of all ages will get plenty of design and technique ideas for their own jack o'lanterns, just in time for Halloween. Pastel artist Janet Hamilton will create an autumnal masterpiece on Friday from 3 to 5pm and Sunday 1 to 3pm.

The diversity in shape, color and size of the glistening glass pumpkin orbs in the Urban Patch will delight festival goers who can purchase their favorites as gifts or treasures. Buy a raffle ticket (or more) for a chance to win the largest glass pumpkin.

The center's skilled glassblowers meticulously handcrafted these glass pumpkins in the Hot Shop, the working glass arts studio. They will show festival attendees how they make the glass pumpkins in the glassblowing demonstrations. Admission is free.

While enjoying live music, bratwursts with all the fixings, and beer or hard cider, adults can cheer on master glassblowers who vie to create the biggest glass pumpkin of the Beer, Brat, & Glass Pumpkin Night, October 22 from 6 to 9pm.

All the exquisite creations will be auctioned off with proceeds benefiting the Schack Art Center. The evening also features live music. The ticket price includes one commemorative Schack pint glass filled with beer. Cost $20 per person.

For Schack Art Center Contact Information visit www.Schack.org

For information on Snohomish County visit www.snohomish.org/

For more information about top events in Washington State take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Washington.

The Spookiest Place for Halloween Season

2011-10-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

Get into the spirit of things throughout Kansas this Halloween as ghost tours, a zombie prom, a scary train ride and the oldest Halloween parade take over the state.

Take part in one of the oldest Halloween celebrations in the country; Independence’s Neewollah (that’s Halloween backwards!) has been happening since 1919. This year, visitors can check out Neewollah from October 21 to 31.

Neewollah is the largest annual celebration in Kansas. The city of Independence will grow from a town of just under 10,000 citizens to 75,000 in the final days of the 10-day celebration. This year’s celebration includes three parades – a Doo Dah Parade, Kiddie Parade and a Grand Parade. A chili cook-off, hometown musical and queen's pageant also add to the festival activities.

The main downtown is filled with 30-plus food vendors, a large carnival and bandstand for nightly entertainment. The arts and craft show and Great Pumpkin contest along with the band competition, fun run and bike ride provide activities for everyone. For more information, visit www.neewollah.com.

Spirited spooks will be at The Little Red Barn Halloween Fest at Custer Farm just northeast of Hays from October 26 to 29. Take a hayride through the lighted forest of Halloween displays that covers five acres. Enjoy an outdoor fire pit, live animals, a ghoulish graveyard, a goblins gift shop, Halloween movie and other kid-friendly activities. For more information, call 785-625-4582.

The oldest Halloween parade in the nation takes place right in Kansas, in the small town of Hiawatha. The 97^th Annual Halloween Parade on October 30 is a family-friendly event featuring two parades, one in the afternoon and a grand parade in the evening. For more information, call 785-742-7136.

Visit www.TravelKS.com for more information on other events in Kansas.

For more information about top events in Kansas take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Kansas.

Dover Charities Benefit from Craft Show

2011-10-16T10:15:00.000-07:00

With over 200 vendors from eight states, the largest single-day craft show on the east coast, the Dover Officers' Spouses' Club's 28th Annual Craft Show, will be held on Sunday, November 6 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds.

All the crafters and artisans featured at the show are selected for their craftsmanship and artistic talents. All items sold at the Craft Show are handmade. Here’s a small sampling of the treasures you’ll find – Amish quilts, original artwork, jewelry, baskets, candles, pottery, ceramics, clothing, toys, holiday decor and leather goods. The food court features local organizations selling an impressive selection of breakfast, lunch and snack items for the duration of the show.

The Dover Officers' Spouses' Club (DOSC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving Dover Air Force Base families, base organizations and the local community, while providing officers' spouses opportunities to meet, socialize and network with their peers.

The DOSC Craft Show, founded in 1984 by Kay Kross, wife of retired AMC Commander, Gen. Walter Kross, is held every year on the first Saturday in November, this year November 5. More than 4,000 visitors are expected to come through gates. It's the biggest fundraiser for the Dover Officers' Spouses' Club and the Craft Show enabled the Club to give upwards of $40,000 in charitable contributions last year.

All profits from the annual Craft Show are donated to base, local and national charities. The Club also awards a large number of scholarships to dependents of military members.

The show is open from 9am to 4pm. Admission is $4, children under 12 are free. There is free parking.

Visit www.doverosc.com for more information on the Dover Officers' Spouses' Club.

For more information about top events in Delaware take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Delaware.