New Home for World Ice Art Championships

Fairbanks, Alaska is home to one of the world's largest annual ice sculpting competitions and exhibitions. Held every year since 1988, the World Ice Art Championship has grown to a month-long event featuring more than 100 teams from around the world.

Some 45,000 visitors come to the Ice Park in Fairbanks to see these intricately carved masterpieces. The theme for the 24th annual World Ice Art Championships is "Future in Ice" and promises to deliver over two hundred larger-than-life sized sculptures.

The 2013 event (open daily 10am to 10pm) will be held from February 26 through March 24 in its new home at the George Horner Ice Park at 3050 Phillips Field Road. The new locale features "O'Grady Pond Too", a large on-site pond which will produce over four million pounds of "Arctic Diamond" ice – exceptionally clear, thick ice used by the sculptors.

The surrounding trees set the perfect backdrop for the competitions' ice sculptures, and there is plenty of room between the pond and the trees for a Kids Park, ice mazes, a skating rink and concession area. Competitions will 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.

To learn more about the World Ice Art Championships call (907) 451-8250, or go to www.icealaska.com. To see the full schedule of winter events and activities in Fairbanks visit www.explorefairbanks.com.

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.

Port Clinton’s Novel New Year’s Eve Celebration

Don’t drop the ball, drop the fish with one of the most unique New Year’s celebrations in the nation – on December 31 Port Clinton, Ohio will reel in the New Year with the annual Walleye Drop, where visitors and locals come together to watch a 20-foot, 600-pound fish plummet from the sky. 

Festivities commence at 4pm with a variety of free children’s games and an early, kid-friendly rendition of the midnight moment dubbed the “Minnow Drop”.  Shortly after the music on the street starts with professional DJ Rock & Roll Express, who encourages you to dance the night away while you check out the local walleye themed street vendors. Whether it’s a fresh perch or walleye sandwich from the Port Clinton Fish Company or a glass of “Walleye White” wine from the local winery, there’s something for everyone’s palate.

Of course the party goes on well after midnight with main stage entertainment and a  plethora of fireworks. And if all this isn’t enough, The Listening Room adds to this unique event with live, original music. 

Listening Room favorites Mike Willis, Mickey Kelley, Matt Rodgers and fiddle phenom Forest Miller roar into town for an incredible two-night extravaganza to help ring in the New Year.

For more information about Lake Erie Shores & Islands visit www.shoresandislands.com

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

Mardi Gras Season in Shreveport-Bossier

Located in the northwest corner of Louisiana, Shreveport-Bossier has established itself as a popular regional Mardi Gras destination for locals and visitors alike.

Over the course of Shreveport-Bossier's Mardi Gras season – which officially begins with the annual 12th Night Celebration on Saturday, January 5, and closes following the Fat Tuesday Bridge Closing Ceremony at midnight on Tuesday, February 12 – an estimated 400,000 people from throughout the region will experience Mardi Gras in Shreveport-Bossier.

The two largest evening parades in Shreveport-Bossier are the Krewe of Centaur, 4:30pm Saturday, February 2, and the Krewe of Gemini, 5pm Saturday, February 9. Both parades will begin at the corner of Clyde Fant Parkway and Lake Street in downtown Shreveport, proceed down Clyde Fant Parkway and turn onto Shreveport-Barksdale Highway, ending at the intersection of Preston Avenue and East Kings Highway near Duck Pond Park.

The Krewe of Centaur parade, "Centaur's Parade of Festivals”, will feature 31 floats, 10 marching bands and 600 krewe members throwing more than 2-milllion beads, cups, stuffed animals, doubloons, and toys.

The Krewe of Gemini parade theme for 2013 is "Gemini Loves Television". Individual float themes will include "The Simpsons", "Cheers", and "Happy Days". The Krewe of Gemini Den is also home to the Krewe of Gemini Mardi Gras Museum, which houses the world's second-largest collection of Mardi Gras royalty costumes.

Shreveport-Bossier's annual Mardi Gras celebrations also include a number of smaller, quirkier parades and events. For instance, the Krewe of Barkus and Meoux's Pet Contest and Mardi Paw Pet Parade provides a chance for festive pets to celebrate Mardi Gras in their own parade on Sunday, February 3 at Riverview Park in downtown Shreveport.

For more information about Mardi Gras in Shreveport-Bossier visit www.shreveport-bossier.org/mardi-gras or for more details select the Mardi Gras page at www.shreveportbossierfunguide.com.

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.

Food Festivals in Hawaii

While travelers may be heading to the Hawaiian Islands for different adventures, such as eco-tourism, culture, arts, golf/sports, or health/wellness pursuits, there is one common denominator critical to anyone on vacation ..... FOOD!

Hawaii offers the best of both worlds for visitors looking for a little fun in the sun, while tempting culinary taste buds with a number of food festivals throughout the year. If your travel plans typically include great eating experiences, here are a few upcoming events you won’t want to miss:

On February 23 chocolate lovers can learn the steps that go into making this sweet treat from start to finish, taste different chocolates, watch live entertainment, and listen to industry professional speakers at the Hawaii Chocolate Festival (Oahu) Held at Dole Cannery, the festival was created to raise awareness about Hawaii’s growing cacao industry and to solidify chocolate as the state’s newest ‘ambassador of aloha’.

Oahu’s top chefs come together at the Hawaii Convention Center on March 1 for the Honolulu Festival Friendship Gala, serving up creative regional cuisine featuring the abundance of Hawaii’s ocean, farms, and ranches. The event takes place from 6:30-8:30pm and is part of Oahu’s premier Honolulu Festival cultural event, promoting understanding and ethnic harmony between people of Hawaii and the Pacific Rim region. 

The Kona Brewers Festival on Hawaii Island on March 9 began as a birthday celebration for Kona Brewing Co. in 1996 and has grown to be one of the premiere festivals on the island and in the state. The festival features 60 types of ales and lagers served alongside island-style cuisine from some of Hawaii’s top chefs.

Satisfy all your chocolate cravings and more at the Big Island Chocolate Festival at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii on March 23. The highlight of the decidedly decadent festival is the colorful and tasty 5:30-10pm gala with tempting sweet and savory chocolate creations prepared by top island chefs, chocolatiers, and confectioners. 

The all day East Maui Taro Festival on April 20 and 21 features non-stop Hawaiian entertainment and hula, food booths and arts and crafts booths, not to mention hands-on cultural demos such as poi-pounding, kapa cloth making, creating Hawaiian musical instruments and lauhala weaving.

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

City of Festivals Summer Lineup

Heralded as the "City of Festivals," Milwaukee showcases its rich heritage with a procession of ethnic and cultural celebrations throughout the summer 2013. 

The Henry W. Maier Festival Park along the shores of Lake Michigan becomes a portal to the world as guests explore the arts, cuisine, history and entertainment of a new culture nearly every weekend.

The festival season kicks off with color during Pridefest, the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender pride festival in Wisconsin. Join the festivities June 7-9, 2013 with food, entertainment and shopping in the marketplace.

The parade of world cultures begins with America's largest Polish Festival, Polish Fest, June 14-16, 2013. See historic exhibits, folk art demonstrations and old-world crafts. Enjoy enchanting legends coming to life, traditional dance troupes swirling and twirling, and  scrumptious dishes.

Celebrate the 45th anniversary of the world's largest music festival, June 26-30 and July 2-7, 2013 (closed on July 1). Summerfest is an eleven-day event offering the best in regional and national entertainment on 10 different ground stages and an amphitheater featuring a diverse array of music. A smorgasbord of the area's finest restaurants serve mouth-watering fare and entertainment abounds with world-renowned comedians, a children's play area and daily demonstrations and activities.

Romance, nostalgia, and rich Italian delicacies fill the air at Festa Italiana, America's premier Italian cultural event from July 18-21, 2013. A few days later grab a stein and cool off with your favorite brew at North America's largest annually held German festival German Fest on July 25-28, 2013.

These events are followed by a celebration of African-American heritage and culture at the African World Festival (August 4 and 5); Irish Fest, the world's largest Irish cultural festival on August 15-18, 2013; the south-of-the-border Mexican Fiesta extravaganza on August 23-25, 2013; and the Indian Summer Festival of both traditional and contemporary American Indian culture from September 6-8, 2013. 

For other festivals and events taking place around Milwaukee in different locations Visit Milwaukee.

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

Jackson MS Hosts First Rhythm and Blues Festival

The first annual Jackson Rhythm and Blues Festival will premiere on the grounds of the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum on September 20 and 21, 2013.

The event will be a two-day music festival and will feature one of the largest collections of blues and rhythm and blues artists anywhere in the Southeast.

Headlining the two-day festival will be Five Time Grammy Winner Buddy Guy.

Musical artists appearing Friday, September 20 include: Mint Condition, Leela James, Urban Mystic, Dorothy Moore, Memphis Icebreakers, Jeff Floyd, The Jarekus Singleton Band, Mark “Muleman” Massey, Dexter Allen, Vasti Jackson, Lacee, Pat Brown and Eden Brent.

Artists performing on Saturday, September 21 include: Buddy Guy, Bobby Rush, Denise LaSalle, Tab Benoit, Ruthie Foster, Mud Morganfield, Shakura S’Aida, John Primer, Johnny Rawls, Zac Harmon, Reba Russell, Homemade Jamz, Eden Brent, Vickie Baker, Patrice Moncel, Kenny Brown, Terry “Harmonica” Bean and Ben Payton.

“The festival line-up includes Grammy winners, blues challenge winners, national and international recording artists and many local music icons,” Wanda Wilson, President and CEO of the JCVB, says. “Jackson, with the most Mississippi Blues Trail Markers and our deep seeded history of blues culture and blues music, it just made sense for Jackson to finally have a blues festival.”

Friday general admission tickets are $25 and gates will open at 5pm. Saturday general admission tickets are $35 and gates will open at 1pm. A weekend pass good for both days is $55. All tickets are available through Ticketmaster and the Mississippi Coliseum Box Office.

  

Visit www.JacksonRhythmandBluesFestival.com for details. For more information on the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau click www.visitjackson.com or call 601-960-1891.

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

Football Hall of Fame Celebrates 50 Years

As 2013 quickly approaches, football fans everywhere are looking forward with great anticipation to the collaborative celebration of 50 years of success since the Pro Football Hall of Fame first opened its doors in Canton, Ohio on September 7, 1963 when the first Enshrinement Festival events were held.

The 2013 Enshrinement Festival events will take place from July 19 through August 6. Fans are also marking their calendars for Saturday, September 7, 2013 for the 50-Year Community Celebration Day to be held at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Enshrinement Festival events have grown from the original four in 1963 to a total of 19 over two and half weeks, enjoyed by nearly 700,000 people and producing an economic impact of nearly $32 million for Canton/Stark County, and $56 million for the State of Ohio. 

A team of 4,200 extraordinary community volunteers annually joins with the professional staffs at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and Pro Football Hall of Fame to plan and stage the events that surround the central focus of the entire celebration – the Enshrinement of football players, coaches, and contributors into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which has earned its reputation as “America’s Premier Sports Museum and Showplace!”

Stay tuned for details about the Community Celebration Day on September 7, 2013, and other activities being planned to appropriately mark this important milestone by checking out www.profootballhofef.com or www.profootballhof.com. 

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

Birmingham, Alabama Commemorates Civil Rights Era

An afternoon at a lunch counter.  A thousand arms linked at the elbow. A firing line of water hoses. A pack of German Shepherds.  A letter from a Birmingham jail. A devastating explosion.  A world that would never be the same.

The year was 1963, and as the world watched, events in Birmingham sparked an unstoppable surge toward equal rights for people of all races. 

In the year leading up to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Birmingham's bravest men, women and children risked their lives to abolish segregation and gain equal footing in a society of inequality. Not all the Birmingham stories leading up to 1963 are grim; stories of heroism and triumph also have their place in the history of the movement.

As Birmingham enters 2013, the city will mark the 50th anniversary of pivotal events of the 1963 campaign. Plans for the commemoration call for a yearlong multi-city promotion to include a Civil Rights Trail linking cities with significant ties to the movement. Other cities participating in the salute to 1963 include Jackson, MS, Selma and Montgomery, AL, Columbia SC, Memphis, TN, and Washington, DC. 

Large numbers of group tours as well as individual travelers are expected to visit Birmingham's historic Civil Rights District along with other trail cities during 2013. 

Richly detailed exhibits in the Civil Rights Institute reveal slices of black and white life in Alabama from the late 1800s to the present. A series of galleries tells the stories of daily life for African-Americans in the state and the nation and how dramatically different it was from the lives white people of the era took for granted.

One of the most compelling sites in the Civil Rights District is historic Kelly Ingram Park, across the street from the Civil Rights Institute. The park served as a gathering place for demonstrations in the early 1960s, including the ones in which police dogs and fire hoses were turned on marchers, many of them children. A new park audio tour, accessible by cell phone, will be rolled out for the 2013 commemoration.

Catercornered to the park is Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Birmingham's most famous civil rights landmark. On a bright September morning in 1963, a dynamite bomb set by Ku Klux Klansmen exploded at the church, killing four little girls. For nearly five decades since that time, visitors have come from all over the world to honor the victims, Carole Robertson, Denise McNair, Cynthia Wesley and Addie Mae Collins. Now a new marker has been placed on the east side of the church where the girls were killed in the ladies' lounge as they prepared for morning worship.

Major special events also are being planned for the commemorative year. For more information and details visit the website 50 Years Forward.

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. 

Yoga, Music Festival Unveils 2013 Event Dates

Wanderlust Festival, the one-of-a-kind yoga and music festival set within nature's most inspiring scenery, has revealed its lineup of dates and locations for the 2013 season. 

Known as the premier summer (and now winter!) getaway for yogis, music fans and outdoor enthusiasts, this year's Wanderlust Festival will include a never before seen line-up of world renowned yoga instructors, top musical acts and offer an unforgettable experience of hiking, biking, paddle boarding, running and much more.

Wanderlust will make its return to the beautiful mountainsides of Vermont, Colorado, California and Whistler, BC in the summer, following the first-ever Wanderlust Chile and Wanderlust O’ahu coming winter 2013.  

The 2013 Wanderlust Festival winter season will include Wanderlust Chile at Termas de Chillan, Santiago, Chile from February 15 to17, 2013 and Wanderlust O’ahu at Turtle Bay Resort, O'ahu, Hawai’i from February 28 to March 3, 2013.

The summer events are:

Wanderlust Vermont (June 20-23, 2013), Stratton Mountain, Vermont

Wanderlust Colorado (July 4-7, 2013), Copper Mountain, Colorado

Wanderlust California (July 18-21, 2013), Squaw Valley, North Lake Tahoe California

Wanderlust Whistler (August 1-4, 2013), Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

Wanderlust 2013 will feature a broader range of experiences than ever before, including a line-up of some of the world's foremost leaders in yoga, wellness, health and green living, blended with a diverse roster of gifted musicians and performance artists. Each location will offer a unique array of yoga, music, and outdoor activities like surfing, hiking, biking, running, paddle boarding, organic food and wine events, and the Wanderkind children’s program.

Feel free to learn more at www.wanderlustfestival.com.

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

Celebrating Knoxville, East Tennessee’s Arts and Culture

For 53 years the Dogwood Arts Festival in Knoxville has provided an enriching experience combining the natural and cultural beauty of East Tennessee. 

Each April, Dogwood Arts features a vibrant mix of blooming gardens and trails, visual and performing arts, literary arts, culinary arts, theatre, film, and American Roots music.

Here are some of the springtime events Dogwood Arts has in store for you.

Art in Public Places Knoxville, now in its seventh year, is a juried collection of large-scale sculptures created by artists throughout the U.S. The exhibition will feature up to 20 large-scale sculptures and the selected works will be exhibited in premiere Knoxville locations from April 1, 2013 to March 7, 2014. 

In its fifth year, Chalk Walk will feature large paintings created by professional and student artists on the sidewalks of Krutch Park and Market Square in downtown Knoxville on April 6, 2013.  

Dogwood Art DeTour provides an intimate look into local artists’ working studios as the creative process can be just as interesting as the finished product. The event will take place April 20 & 21, 2013 and studios will be open to the public from 10am to 5pm both days.

Taking place in the heart of downtown Knoxville April 12-14, 2013, Market Square Art Fair is Dogwood Arts’ popular, signature outdoor event featuring fine art and craft, live music and dance performances, culinary demonstrations and tastings, and hands-on art activities for kids and adults.

NEXUS showcases regional and national artists working in the field of contemporary sculpture. The exhibition is at the U.T. Downtown Gallery for showing from March 25-April 6, 2013. 

The Regional Fine Arts Exhibition showcases and awards the finest artists of the region. The exhibit will be on display in the Emporium Center from April 5-28, 2013.

For a calendar of events visit www.dogwoodarts.com .

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.

Holiday Season Events at Fisherman’s Wharf

Crab Fest kicks off this year’s holiday season of family events in true San Francisco style at Fisherman’s Wharf on Sunday December 9 with three hours of eating, drinking and celebrating the season from 12 noon to 3pm.

Crab Fest features signature crab dishes prepared by chefs from renowned Fisherman's Wharf restaurants, complemented by local sustainably-produced wines.

Participating restaurants include Alioto's, Bistro Boudin, Blue Mermaid, Cafe Pescatore, Capurro's, Fog Harbor Fish House, The Franciscan, McCormick & Kuleto's, and Scoma's. Also participating are Treasure Island Wines, SFWinery and the Bay Institute.

The Crab Fest will also demonstrate many different ways to cook and enjoy crab with participating Fisherman’s Wharf chefs sharing their favorite crab dishes. The event also includes exhibits, demonstrations, recipe ideas and much more.

The venue is The Waterfront Terraces (in the Wax Museum Building) in Jefferson Street. The cost is $25 per person in advance or $30 at the door with proceeds to benefit the SF Fire Fighters Toy Program and the SF Police Department Youth Fishing Program. Advance tickets are available at San Francisco Crab Fest or Fisherman’s wharf.

The Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District (FWCBD) has planned a full calendar of family fun for this holiday season.  Through January 2, 2013, Fisherman’s Wharf will be a center of holiday lights and activities for visitors of all ages, from unique special events to year-round attractions.  Events organized by the FWCDB include a Lagoon Concert & Lighting Event on Saturday, December 1; the Crab Fest on Sunday, December 9; the Lighted Boat Parade on Friday, December 14; Tree to Shining Tree Walking Tour and activities throughout Fisherman’s Wharf. 

For additional information visit Fisherman’s Wharf .

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.

Celebrate Christmas with Civil War Soldiers

Leave the hustle and bustle of modern holidays behind and travel back to a simpler place and time at Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site's Civil War Christmas at Four Oaks, North Carolina.

On Saturday, December 1, drop by and help decorate an 1860s style Christmas tree, spend time with Confederate soldiers around the campfire, sip cider with civilian living historians and tour the circa 1855 Harper House. This holiday program will take place from 10am to 4pm, and is free and open to the public.

Members of the 27th N.C. Troops will demonstrate how the common Civil War-era North Carolina soldier and civilian marked the holidays by presenting musket demonstrations, mail call and discussions about uniforms and what soldiers did while home on a Christmas furlough. A small military camp will also be set up for visitors to wander through.

Bentonville Battlefield is located at 5466 Harper House Road in Four Oaks, three miles north of Newton Grove on S.R. 1008, about one hour from Raleigh and  about 45 minutes from Fayetteville. 

And in Halifax, North Carolina, Colonial Christmas traditions along with a lively Christmas Parade will combine to create a festive atmosphere for all at the Christmas in Halifax festivities on Saturday, December 8 from 10am to 4pm. 

Costumed re-enactors of the 5th North Carolina Regiment of the Continental Line will depict the life of Revolutionary War-era through military drills, campfire cooking and more at Halifax's Tap Room, an 18th century tavern. Highlights will include firings of 18th century muskets and a hands-on recruitment and drill activity.

The North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources annually serves more than 19 million people through its 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, the nation's first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the N.C. Arts Council, and the State Archives. To learn more, visit www.ncdcr.gov.

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

‘Tis the Season for Giving at Laketown Wharf

It may be cold and snowing up north, but along the snowy white shore of Panama City Beach, Florida it's warm and fuzzy as Laketown Wharf kicks off the holiday season of giving with a full-weekend of entertainment, food and fun to raise money for the Anchorage Children's Home and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Starting December 7 at 5pm, the second annual Laketown Wharf Holiday Festival gets underway with the official tree lighting ceremony, followed by two days of fun for the whole family going on from noon to 10pm on Saturday and noon to 6pm Sunday.

Children's activities include photos with Santa, games, crafts and a reptile show. There'll also be tasty treats supplied by a variety of food vendors and lots of entertainment by local artists including: Travis Dean, Violet Blues, The Blisters and DJ Nick at Night.

The perennial favorite Silent Auction will feature a variety of goods and services donated by area businesses. Auction items include but are not limited to: a Wyndham Bay Point Resort spa and golf package, art from Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida, vacation stays at Sterling Resort properties, a photo session on the beach from Lasting Images and more.

And event goers can win a New Years Eve or Valentines Package in a raffle for $5 per entry. The overnight getaway stay in a two-bedroom/two-bathroom condominium at Laketown Wharf is valued at over $350.00.

All proceeds from the raffle, silent auction and food vendor sales will be donated to the Anchorage Children's Home and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

For more information on participating in or donating to the Holiday Festival, visit www.LaketownWharf.com or call toll-free 1-855-756-7457 or 850-563-3000. 

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.

Magical Evenings in N.C. Holiday Garden Setting

Perhaps you’ve heard or read about enchanted forests, but have you actually experienced one? Now is your chance! Visitors who travel to Wilmington, North Carolina’s historic river district and island beaches during the holiday season will have the opportunity to experience “Enchanted Airlie”, a spectacular glittering landscape of lighted oaks and twinkling displays in a coastal garden setting.

Now in its eighth season, Enchanted Airlie (November 23 to December 22) is a Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event. Magical evenings and fond memories are in store for visitors and local residents who visit the tastefully decorated gardens. On select dates beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving and continuing into late December, Airlie Gardens is transformed into a visually stunning wonderland of theatrically illuminated large oaks, small native trees, holiday flowers, and elegant displays. Prepare to be enchanted by a world of holiday fantasy that features 300,000 lights and whimsical LEGO exhibits to delight visitors of all ages.

Back by popular demand is the massive LEGO exhibit that has drawn record crowds. Last year’s Wilmington-themed display featured more than 250,000 LEGO bricks that set a world record as the largest crowd to see a single LEGO display in the U.S. This year’s exhibit promises to be even bigger, spotlighting a number of miniature architectural feats with the colorful blocks. 

Enchanted Airlie runs November 23-24, 29-30; December 1, 6-8, 13-15, and 20-22 in two time slots: 5-7pm and 7–9pm. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.airliegardens.org or in-person at Airlie Gardens service center (300 Airlie Rd., Wilmington) between 9am and 4pm. Individual tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for children ages 4 – 12. Children under age 3 are free.

From the river to the sea, more than 40 holiday activities celebrate the season in Wilmington, North Carolina’s historic river district and 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

American Sand Sculpting Championship

Master sand sculptors from all over the world will descend upon The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida for the 26th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship from November 16  to 25. 

Held on Fort Myers Beach, this event is one of the longest running sand sculpting competitions in the world. This year it will be the largest in the state of Florida showcasing 30 sand sculptures with the theme “Winter Wonderland.”  Area accommodations will offer attractive rates and packages for this event.

More than 1,000 tons of sand will be piled and sculpted into unbelievable works of art. For the first time in its history, the American Championship will host both singles and doubles divisions. Southwest Florida residents and visitors alike will have a remarkable opportunity to see a collection of some of the world’s top sand sculptors create master sculptures and compete for the title of American champion. The singles competitions will take place the first week, followed by the doubles competition in week two.

In addition to watching the sculptors compete, there will be various interactive activities for all ages to participate in during the event. The main event will be open daily from 10am to 5pm Tickets are $5 for adults and children 5 and older, 4 and under are free.

Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida includes: Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Boca Grande & Outer islands, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres.  

Visit www.fmbsandsculpting.com for a full schedule of daily events and information, or for information on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, log onto www.FortMyersSanibel.com.

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.

Beauvoir Celebrates 1889 Holiday on Mississippi Gulf Coast

Beauvoir, the historic last home of American statesman Jefferson Davis located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, will take a step back in time this holiday season with the 1^st annual Christmas at Beauvoir, an 1889-themed holiday celebration now held each Thursday through Sunday (5pm until 9pm) through January 6, 2013.

First Lady of Mississippi Deborah Bryant, honorary chairwoman of Christmas at Beauvoir, joined by Father Claus and school children singing carols, opened the new holiday event by turning the switch on thousands of white lights that adorn 100 live oak trees across the grounds.

Christmas at Beauvoir is an engaging holiday event with carolers, storytellers, actors and musicians in 1889-period dress entertaining visitors as they take a train tour of the grounds among the lights of the 100 live oak trees and stroll through Jefferson Davis’ home decorated in 1889 fashion. Father Christmas will be on hand for photos with children, and families can enjoy crafts, games and activities from the time period. Admission is $20 for adults; $12 for seniors, military and children ages 5-15; and children under 5 are free.

The light display will continue through Sunday, January 6, which is Twelfth Night. Reigning Gulf Coast Carnival Association King d'Iberville and Queen Ixolib (Ick-suh-lib) will darken the lights and then parade to the Mardi Gras Museum to officially welcome the Mardi Gras season to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Christmas at Beauvoir ties in with other holiday light displays across the Gulf Coast region such as Celebration in the Oaks at City Park in New Orleans, La. and Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile, Ala. Beauvoir is located midway between New Orleans and Mobile, with just over an hour drive to either city.

Beauvoir, the last home of Jefferson Davis, overlooks the Gulf of Mexico in Biloxi, Mississippi, and is a National Historic Landmark, National Literary Landmark and Mississippi Historical Landmark.

Visit www.beauvoir.org for more information on Christmas at Beauvoir.

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.

Boston's Historic Freedom Trail Celebrates Holidays

When the trees are sparkling and the window displays enticing, The Freedom Trail joins revelers to celebrate the season with the annual Historic Holiday Stroll.

While Christmas was not widely celebrated during the American Revolution in Boston, visitors may now enjoy Boston’s festive atmosphere on this merry 90-minute tour Thursday through Sunday at 3:30pm beginning November 15 through January 2013.

Led by a costumed tour guide dressed in 19^th century Dickensian garb, visitors learn how holiday traditions evolved in Boston while experiencing highlights of the American Revolution. The tour concludes with the chance to warm your bones with hot chocolate, tea, or wine and Boston Cream Pie at the historic Omni Parker House.

Following the Stroll, guests enjoy 10 – 20% discounts off museum store purchases at Freedom Trail sites, including the Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Paul Revere House, and Old North Church (valid with any Freedom Trail Foundation tour receipt from November through February).

“The Freedom Trail and Boston as a whole are alive with tradition all year and especially during the holiday season,” said Suzanne Taylor, Freedom Trail Foundation Executive Director. “The atmosphere is reminiscent of the 19^th century and the Holiday Stroll makes visitors feel like characters in ‘A Christmas Carol’ set against the unique backdrop of Boston’s historic sites and the American Revolution.

This special Freedom Trail Historic Holiday Stroll is offered to the public Thursday through Sunday and may also be booked as a private family or group tour (perfect for company outings).  Beginning at the ArtsBoston Bostix Booth at Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

For reservations, more Freedom Trail information, and to learn about special Freedom Trail hotel packages visit The Freedom Trail.

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.