Some 25 Maine Lighthouses Open to the Public

Maine's second annual Open Lighthouse Day will take place on September 18, 2010, when the Coast Guard, in partnership with the Maine Office of Tourism and the American Lighthouse Foundation, will open some 25 lighthouses for the public to visit and tour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Open Lighthouse Day is the largest event of its kind to take place across the country. Since 1791 with the opening of Portland Head Light, lighthouses have greatly contributed to Maine's proud history and have helped make its picturesque coastline legendary.

While all Maine lighthouses cannot be opened to the public for safety and accessibility reasons, those that are opened will provide Maine and its coastal communities the chance to showcase the long lasting and proud partnerships that they have shared with the Coast Guard for over 200 years. The Coast Guard has owned and operated Maine's lighthouses for many years until recently when many of them were transferred to organizations such as the American Lighthouse Foundation and other private owners who take great pride in preserving some of Maine's most iconic structures.

The public is invited to take part in this unique opportunity to experience a piece of Maine's maritime history.

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

Additional information on all of Maine's lighthouses and a detailed list of the lighthouses that will be open on September 18 can be found at www.lighthouseday.com.

Morikami Bon Festival Honors Ancestors

For the 33rd year, the Morikami will host the uber-popular Bon Festival. The event, on August 14, inspired by Japan’s three-day Obon holiday honoring the spirits, packs all of the celebration’s excitement into one fun-filled evening.

Bon follows the Obon holiday’s tradition of remembering ancestors and thanking them for the living’s quality of life with cultural activities, entertainment and food, as well as a sea of illuminated lanterns and fireworks.
 


When night falls, patrons pay homage to those who have passed on by floating individually decorated candlelit lanterns on Morikami Pond, a traditional Japanese ceremony known as Toro Nagashi. The myriad of lights created by the floating lanterns signifies the guidance of departed souls back to where they came candlelit lanterns on after their brief visit. There will be limited lanterns available for $10 each, and they will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.



Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens has been a center for Japanese arts and culture in South Florida since its opening in 1977. The Morikami invites guests to discover South Florida’s heritage and its connection with Japan, and explore a series of six diverse gardens inspired by a different historical period and style of Japanese gardening. Experience traditional and contemporary Japanese culture through world-class exhibits, varied educational programs and seasonal events, bonsai display, pan-Asian cuisine and a distinctive museum store. 
 


The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is at 4000 Morikami Park Road in Delray Beach, Florida.

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.

For more information on Morikami’s Bon Festival visit http://www.morikami.org