TIMELESS GARDENS: RHODE ISLAND FLOWER SHOW

Spring is sprung very early in Providence, Rhode Island’s capital, where the 17th Annual Rhode Island Spring Flower & Garden Show has been a magnet for early Spring fun.

Held at the Rhode Island Convention Center in downtown Providence from February 18 to 21 this year, the Rhode Island Flower Show attracts over 30,000 attendees every year, showcasing more than 30 garden displays and some 250 garden marketplace vendors. There are demonstrations and lectures, with an emphasis on organic gardening Take the kids for some family fun.

Providence, Rhode Island seamlessly blends the urban sophistication of a big city with the graceful charm of a small town. Sightseers leisurely glide in gondolas on the Providence River, past gleaming office buildings. Cobblestone streets lead to some of the finest restaurants in the country.

With a thriving arts district, a commitment to historical preservation, and a sophisticated nightlife, Providence offers a variety of entertainment options. The Bank of America Skating Center, located in the heart of the city, offers winter fun for the whole family. Tony award-winning Trinity Repertory Company draws throngs of theatergoers into the city. Children will delight in the sights and spectacles at the Roger Williams Park Zoo and the Providence Children's Museum.

Providence is a very compact and walkable city. Add the rich culture of top restaurants, acclaimed theater, and a renaissance art scene that the Ocean State is known for and you've got the perfect destination for that early start to Spring.

For more information about top events in Rhode Island, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Rhode Island at www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-rhode-island.html

Or, take a look at the official web site for Providence at www.goprovidence.com/

BERKELEY SPRINGS HOSTS “GRANDDADDY” OF WATER TASTINGS

The award-winning 20th annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting welcomes bottled and municipal waters from around the world on Saturday, February 27. Entries come from all over the United States and from as far away as New Zealand, Iceland and Romania.

Held at The Country Inn in this historic spa town in West Virginia, it is the largest and longest running water tasting competition in the world. Tasting of municipal waters, followed by purified drinking water, begins at 2:30pm. Bottled waters, both still and sparkling, are tasted at 6:30pm. Winners in all categories are announced at a public awards reception at 8pm.

A distinguished panel of media judges determine the official winners, but there is a role for the public. All day Saturday, they taste water along with the judges. Most importantly, the public votes for the People's Choice award for best packaging.

Watermaster Arthur von Wiesenberger, noted expert and author from Santa Barbara, CA, trains the media judges and directs the challenge of evaluating a product where tastelessness is the most sought after quality. He has dubbed this the "granddaddy of water tastings".

The water tasting weekend begins on Thursday, February 25, with preliminary tastings at The Country Inn. Special events and activities continue everywhere in Morgan County through Sunday, February 28.

The Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting is the centerpiece of the award winning Winter Festival of the Waters, featuring three months of special activities, sales, and accommodation packages.

For more information about top events in West Virginia, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in West Virginia at www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-west-virginia.html

Or, take a look at the official web site for Berkeley Springs at www.berkeleysprings.com