Experience the California Wine Country Lifestyle for Less

Need a break from the so-called "lazy days of summer?" The California Travel & Tourism Commission (CTTC) has what you need - more than 80 accommodation packages that invite you to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of the wine country lifestyle during California Wine Month this September.

Whether you're looking to explore California wine country on a bike or in a Bentley, there are packages to indulge your fantasy getaway no matter how big your wallet. Established or aspiring oenophiles can access great budget or extravagant getaways while saving up to 35 percent on overnight packages in premier and emerging wine regions such as Napa, Sonoma, Lodi, Monterey, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara and Temecula Valley.

"Whether you're a passionate wine lover or just a dabbler in our state's signature beverage, there's nothing quite as exciting as visiting California wine country just before and during harvest time," said Caroline Beteta, CTTC president & CEO. "The beautiful valleys are abundant with the fragrance and colors of grapes and vines, and the bustle of vintners getting ready to create their next great vintage. With these great California Wine Month offers, there's no better time to visit our wine country – whether you want the ultimate bargain or luxury experience."

California is the leading destination for wine and food travel in the U.S., producing 90 percent of American wine and nearly 400 different crops, inspiring a playground for the culinary arts, which translates to a gourmet paradise for foodies yearning for a deeper connection with California's great wine and fresh produce.

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.

For information on special accommodation deals for California Wine Month, check out www.visitcalifornia.com/winemonth.

Maryland Steams into 55th Annual Steam Show

Arcadia in Baltimore County, Maryland became well known when it was chosen as the model for the fictional hometown, also called Arcadia, on the 2003 - 2005 CBS television series Joan of Arcadia.

This small rural idyllic town (the post office is in fact labeled not Arcadia, but Upperco) is today equally celebrated for the Maryland Steam Historical Society’s annual Steam Show – this year its 55th annual show is from September 16 to 19.

The show draws huge crowds from across the country – people who are interested in steam traction engines, other steam-operated equipment, gas and diesel tractors and engines, antique farm equipment of all kinds, horse-operated equipment, and displays of all of these. There are threshing, sawmill, and shingle sawing demonstrations on all four days.

Activities include a consignment sale at 2pm on the Thursday of the Show; an antique tractor pull at 6pm Friday; and a pedal tractor pull for kids at noon, and an antique car display, all on Saturday.

It also features a huge flea market and crafts display. Food is available all day long, beginning with breakfast.

The Steam Show is at the Arcadia Fire Company grounds, located 3 miles south of Hampstead and 5 miles north of Reisterstown. Members can be reached at the fairgrounds (410-374-1332) about one month before the start of the show until it closes.

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

For more information on the Steam Show visit the Maryland Steam Historical Society at www.marylandsteam.org

Phoenix’s Heard Museum Hosts World Hoop Dance Championship

The world’s best Native hoop dancers will return to Phoenix, Arizona, on February 5 & 6, 2011 to vie for the prestigious title of world champion at the Heard Museum’s 21st Annual World Championship Hoop Dance Contest – a unique competition which combines artistry, sheer athleticism and cultural traditions.

The last competition saw the return of Derrick Suwaima Davis (Hopi/Choctaw) of Old Oraibi, Arizona, who defeated all comers to capture his fifth world title – a record in the annals of the hoop dance. Davis is expected to return and try for another record win over former champions Brian Hammill (Ho Chunk) 41, of New River, Arizona, and Charles Denny (Chippewa/Cree/Ute), 20, from Fort Duchesne, Utah.

Also, check out sisters Waskwane and Beedoskah Stonefish (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa) of Suttons Bay, Michigan. Other categories of competition include Tiny Tot (under 5 years), Youth (5 to 12), Teen (13 to 17) and Senior (40 and older).

Dancers are judged on a slate of five skills – precision, timing/rhythm, showmanship, creativeness and speed. In recent years, younger competitors such as Nakotah La Rance (Hopi/Tewa) who’s also an up-and-coming actor, are incorporating modern dance steps like hip-hop into their routines.

Both women and men compete on an equal field for the title and the winners will take home their share of more than $30,000 in prize money.

The Jay Kahn Memorial Fund sponsors the youth competition prizes and the Arizona Commission on the Arts is a supporter of the contest.

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.

For more information on the Heard Museum’s World Championship Hoop Dance Contest visit http://heard.org/hoop/2010winners.html

Classic Motorcycles at Birmingham’s Barber Vintage Festival

Vintage racing enthusiasts (and many thousand others) will descend on Birmingham, Alabama, from October 8 to 10 for the 6th Annual Barber Vintage Festival.

The Festival offers them access to motorcycles and the legends of the sport. Here in one spot at the Barber Motorsports Park is the world’s greatest motorcycle museum, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, and vintage motorcycle racing like the annual Race of the Century for bikes 100 years old or older.

On the track there will be races for all classes of historic road racing machines from 1920's era to Grand Prix machines. For off-road fans there is vintage motocross, trials competition and cross country, and a race through the woods for one hour.

There are a variety of events for spectators to enjoy including a swap meet, flea market, vintage demos, vintage fire trucks, a wall of death, tech seminars and vintage aerial displays. Park admission includes all events. To add to the "fun" of the festival, participants and visitors are encouraged to dress in "period attire".

The venue for the Festival is the Barber Motorsports Park which is dedicated to the presentation, interpretation, exhibition and history of motorcycles, vintage vehicles and motorsports and includes a world class 2.38 mile racetrack. There is a rare chance to see and hear the exotic vintage motorcycles from the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. The museum now has over 1200 vintage and modern motorcycles and racecars and the largest collection of Lotus cars as well as other significant makes – the largest collection of its kind in the world.

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.

For more information on the Barber Vintage Festival visit http://www.barbervintagefestival.org/

Annual Yosemite Foothills Open Studio Tour

The mountain community of Oakhurst is known as a gateway community, located just minutes below the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park. What many people are surprised to learn is that Oakhurst, and Sierra Nevada foothills, have a thriving art scene. This becomes most evident each October during the Sierra Art Trails Open Studio Tour (this year Saturday and Sunday October 2 and 3).

Each October, the Sierra Art Trail Open Studio Tour brings in art lovers to see the latest works from the numerous local artists. “The show gives art enthusiasts the chance to see fine art and fine crafts in the making, and to purchase works directly from the people who create them,” said Jon Bock with the art trail. “The show features artists and artisans working in a wide range of media including painting, photography, jewelry, sculpture, fiber arts, woodcarving, ceramics, glass, and more.”

For those who can’t wait to see what the trail has in store, there will be a preview event opening on September 4 at Stellar Gallery in Oakhurst. The preview exhibit is open through to the Art Trails weekend, and includes a representative piece by each artist in the show.

The price of admission to Sierra Art Trails is $18.00, and includes the annual tour catalog, which acts as a “ticket for two” for the event. Catalogs include a list of artists and their viewing locations, and detailed maps to get you there. The Preview Exhibit is free and open to the public from 11 am to 5 pm Thursday through Monday.

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.

For more information on Sierra Arts Trails visit http://www.sierraarttrails.org

Fairs and Festivals Round Out Summer Fun in the Allegheny National Forest Region

With the end of summer in sight, there’s one staple yet to come – fairs – and McKean County in Pennsylvania has its fair share of events this month.

The McKean County Fair, held annually in East Smethport nearby to scenic Pennsylvania Route 6, has festivities, rides, animals and food for the entire family, with the week-long events ending on Saturday, August 21. The fair is in its 105th year.

Thursday, Aug. 19, will be Senior Citizens Day – they will be admitted free all day. The main event of the day will be the stock car racing which begins at 7:30 p.m. A Freestyle Motocross Show will wow the crowd starting on Friday, August 20. Then, on Saturday, August 21, there will be a demolition derby.

And don’t forget to try out the food at the fair. But if that fare doesn’t tickle your fancy, make sure to check out the elk jerky that will be available at the Crook Farm Fair August 28 and 29 at 476 Seaward Ave. in Bradford. The Crook Farm Fair runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

This is believed to be the oldest dwelling in the Bradford area and has been restored and furnished in the period of the 1870s.

The Old Time Country Music Festival will run along the same time as the fair. For the kids, there will be a petting zoo, pony rides and a kiddie carnival. There is also a herb garden and walking trail behind the farm for families to enjoy.

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.

For more information visit the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau website at http://www.visitanf.com/

Titanic’s “Christmas in a Winter Wonderland” at Pigeon Forge

It will snow this holiday season in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee – the Titanic Museum Attraction guarantees it. Starting Saturday, November 13, it will snow – yes, REAL snow – at the Titanic every Friday and Saturday evening at 7 p.m. through January 1, 2011. The snow is part of the museum’s “Christmas in a Winter Wonderland,” which is dedicated to honoring and celebrating the lives of the 2,208 passengers and crew of the Titanic.

Titanic Museum Attraction co-owner Mary Kellogg-Joslyn is pulling out all the stops this Christmas and has invested $150,000 in snow equipment (the same equipment used to make it snow at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom every Christmas) that will produce real, falling snow every weekend at the museum. An additional $100,000 will be spent on Christmas trees, carolers and musical events, holiday lights, and ornamentation that will decorate the interior and exterior of the Titanic Museum Attraction.

The Titanic Museum Attraction is a half-scale, permanent, three-deck re-creation of the Titanic and includes the perfect re-creation of the Titanic’s Grand Staircase and the collection of more than 400 authentic Titanic artifacts on display in the museum’s 20 galleries.

All of the priceless Titanic artifacts were either carried from the ship and into lifeboats by passengers and crew, or were found afloat soon after the sinking.

The Titanic Museum Attraction – which is conveniently located to all areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville – is now open every day from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.

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.

For more information on the Titanic Museum Attraction at Pigeon Forge visit www.TitanicPigeonForge.com

Toast 200 years of Oktoberfest History in Seattle

This year celebrates 200 years of Oktoberfest history and Fremont Oktoberfest is proud to be voted by USA Today and Orbitz.com as one of the world’s top places to toast the tradition.

The 14th Annual Fremont Oktoberfest takes place September 24-26, 2010 in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle benefiting the Fremont Chamber of Commerce.

Fremont Oktoberfest hosts a microbrew tasting garden where guests can sample over 80 beers. The event also features the Buxom Beer Garden and Village Beer Garden where guests can receive German beers by the glass. Various lounges and music stages provide guests with non-stop entertainment including the infamous Texas Chainsaw Pumpkin Carving Contest, Dog Modeling Contest and Miss Buxom Contest.

The Oktoberfest Village features traditional German food booths, a free entertainment stage and a Kids’ area with Zucchini 500 races, root beer tasting and Oktoberfest themed arts and crafts. The Oktoberfest Village is free and open to all ages.

The weekend also includes the Fremont Oktoberfest Brew HA-HA 5K Run complete with a beer belly division and appropriately ending at the Village Beer Garden. For guests looking for a unique adventure, the Brew HA-HA Street Scramble sends guests on a scavenger hunt to find the hidden treasures of the Fremont neighborhood.

General Admission tickets to the Fremont Oktoberfest Microbrew Garden are $2o in advance and $25 at the gate. Tickets on sale from August 16 at http://www.fremontoktoberfest.com/ Tickets include admission, a 5oz commemorative tasting mug and five beer-tasting tokens. 5oz beer tastes are one token each and additional tokens can be purchased for $1.75.

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.

For more information on Fremont's Oktoberfest visit http://www.fremontoktoberfest.com

The Not-so-Hazy-Lazy Days of an Oregon Summer

Don’t look now, but summer’s already starting to slip away. It’s about time to get up from the couch, out of the house, away from it all and off to a beach on the Oregon Coast.

How about hang gliding lessons over quiet sand dunes and rain-forested mountains from Oregon Hang Gliding in Pacific City? Or a three-mile excursion to the Pacific Ocean on the Siltcoos River Canoe Trail in Florence?

Feeling festive? Then slip over to Astoria where the Astoria Regatta's "Five Festive Days of Fun" on the mighty Columbia River, with sailboat races, nightly concerts, parades and a salmon BBQ is already underway until August 11. The Astoria Regatta is celebrating its 116th year.

Unfortunately you’ve left it too late for the annual Sand Castle Contest in Lincoln City but they’ll be going to extreme lengths to entertain at the sandboard jump competition at the Xwest Huck Fest at Sand Master Park in Florence (August 21). Or check out the 4-H exhibits, talent shows, the BBQ dinner and more than your fair amount of fun at Astoria’s Clatsop County Fair.

Folks will be flocking to the Oregon Shorebird Festival in Charleston from August 27 to 29 to observe the natural wonders of shorebird migrations, with guided field trips in the Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge and other birding areas. Or set off on your own with a guidebook and binoculars for a peep at the 173 birding hotspots along the Oregon Coast Birding Trail.

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.

For more information on summer fun on The Oregon Coast a.k.a. The People’s Coast visit http://visittheoregoncoast.com/

Santa Fe Indian Market – World's Largest

The Santa Fe Plaza plays host to the most prestigious Native American arts show in the world – the annual Santa Fe Indian Market from August 21 and 22. The one-of-a-kind event provides a unique opportunity to buy directly from Native American artists from across the country.

“Santa Fe Indian Market gives New Mexicans and their visitors a genuine cultural experience,” said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department, “and is an integral part of life in the Land of Enchantment.

The Santa Fe Indian Market has long been the place where Native American art meets the world. Join thousands of collectors, artists, volunteers and visitors who return from across the United States and the world to join in the festivities that celebrate American Indian culture and artistry.

Nearly 1,200 artists will be presenting their newest and best work for sale and admiration. Experience the best of Native culture by seeing the clothing contest, tasting fry bread and other Native foods provided by our vendors, and visiting the youth participants throughout the Market.

The outdoor market provides a unique place to meet and buy directly from the nation’s top Native American artists, including youth, who represent nearly 100 tribes. Demonstrations by Native American groups and artists allow visitors a chance to learn more about different tribal and artistic traditions. A book booth sells educational and informative books with signings by Native authors, and American Indian food vendors offer delicious Native food choices for visitors.

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

For more information contact Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, Inc. (SWAIA) visit www.swaia.org