What & when is your town's special celebration?
 

I am looking always for fun events at different times of the year. What event and what time of year do you recommend for your town or area? (i.e. Fiesta week in San Antonio). Thanks.

<BR>Here in Seattle, I'd have to say Seafair, the first weekend in Aug., coming up this weekend as a matter of fact. (However, I'll be at the Mariner/Yankee game), Hydrofoil races on Lake Washington (BIG spectator event, especially for boaters), the Blue Angels are usually in town (and they must've been practicing today 'cuz Sea Tac flights were making a tight left turn out over my house (in Burien) to Puget Sound, and that usually happens only when the Angels are here). Big parade too, with the Seafair Pirates. Another big festivity here is Bumbershoot Festival, a big concert earlier in the year. And we have a big food festival called Bite of Seattle.

Boston Marathon, third Monday in April <BR>Hot Air Balloon Festival, in the fall Lake George, upstate NY, or ABQ N.M. <BR>BBQ cook off Kansas City stockyards last weekend in June. Ice Sculptures Winterfest Stowe Vermont third week in January. Ice Sculptures all over New England "First Night" celebrations on 12/31 <BR> Christmas in different parts of the country, I will always remember the day after Thanksgiving in San Antonio, in 1994, The riverwalk was packed, the lights were twinkeling above it as the parade of boats went by, and Santa arrived on a Harley, on the last boat.

I live in Louisville, KY, and the best time (by far!) to be here is the first week in May for the Derby. There is an race the day before as well (the Oaks) which is almost as big. If you like to party, Derby is insanity. Call it Mardi Gras with the added incentive of making a few bucks on a horse. And us Louisvillians are so friendly! Come visit us!

I live in a suburb of the Twin Cities (St. Paul/Minneapolis). Minneapolis is a great city with many lakes, so we celebrate the Aquatennial in the summer in Minneapolis. And Minnesota winters can be brutal, so we celebrate the St. Paul Winter Carnival in January. These celebrations occur over 8-10 days, and include multiple events, parades, contests, exhibits, and fun things. (My oldest sister was St. Paul Winter Carnival Queen of the Snows in 1965! What a fairy-tale time that was for my family, but of course, that was in the "olden days", when the highest aspiration of many girls and young women was to win a beauty contest.) <BR> <BR>There are many other "local" festivals. My suburb, Wayzata, has James J. Hill Days, which celebrates the 19th century industrialist who built a railroad along the shores of Lake Minnetonka, helping to grow our fine town. The highlight of James J. Hill days is a bedrace down the center of Lake Street.

"Christmas Prelude" in the beginning of December in Kennebunkport, Maine. An annual event which includes the lighting of the town's Christmas tree, carolling, all sorts of special events, wonderful decorations at the stores and in private homes, some of which are open to the public for "tea" or other libations. A wonderful way to start the season... <BR>

My hometown of New Ulm, Minnesota holds Heitagefest during the middle two weekends of July. New Ulm is a very German town and the festival has German food, beer tents, and music. There are entertainers from Germany and Austria as well as local musicians. There are also arts and crafts and things for the kids to do. On the Sunday of the second weekend there is a parade. Also, while in New Ulm you can tour the Schells Brewery and Herman Monument (Herman the German) and see the glockenspiel. But be advised that accommodations book up way in advance. I believe there is a web site - just do a search for heritagefest or New Ulm, Minnesota.

Here in Wichita Kansas (and y'all thought there was nothing to do here) River Festival is held every year beginning the 2nd Friday in May and runs for 10 days. Lots of stuff from Parades to book and art fair. Is also the first weekend for the farmers market. By the way, it is the ar-KANSAS river (there are 2 of them big and little) not the ar-KANSAW river. There is also an inter-tribal pow-wow at the Mid-America all Indian Center the 3rd weekend in July. And if you or your significant other or children are into baseball.....Starting this friday there are 72 solid hours of AAA baseball. Nonstop unless it rains. Bring your pillow your blankie and your sunscreen. If that doesn't tickle your fancy, there is Botanica, The Wichita Art Museum (a fave of the late Vincent Price), Cowtown (an outdoor museum), The Sedgwick County Zoo (the best by far), tons of golf courses, Joyland (a small amusement park with the best wooden rollercoaster) and FantaSea Water park. Music Theatre of Wichita runs 5 shows in the summer that are Broadway quality (sometimes better). Or....you could go bowling. <BR>

I don't know if this still happens, but there used to be an annual Zucchini Festival every summer in Harrisville, New Hampshire. It was unbelievable. <BR>

Strawberry Festival, Olney Maryland. Everything u can possibly have, that's made out of strawberries....juice, cocktail, etc.

Strawberry Festival, Olney Maryland. Everything u can possibly have, that's made out of strawberries....juice, cocktail, etc.

Interesting topic. I would like to make a correction to a previous post by Sandra. The American Royal Bar-B-Que Contest in Kansas City (which is in the old stockyards) is the last weekend of Sept. or first weekend of Oct., whatever month it happens to be that weekend. Unless there is another contest in the stockyards in June that I'm unaware of I believe it's then. And it is a lot of fun, people from all over set up their own "booth" where they bar-b-que and have whatever food & drinks they want, and it's usually a big party Fri. night of that weekend. You can smell the bar-b-que for a mile away before you get there.

Thank you Stephanie for the BBQ update. I had done this in the early 90's at that time it was held in June. On a later trip to Kansas City attended the American Royal Rodeo in November, that was a lot of fun too, have not been out that way since 97 did not know the info I gave had cahged dates.

This isn't a commercial: Get a subscription to Saveur Magazine. They list the festivals relating to food in a calendar section each issue. The festivals are described briefly, however, they are listed for ones ALL OVER THE WORLD. I love to cook as much as travel, so this helps me plan tips, too. The articles highlight various people and preparation....its wonderful. Its as much a travelog as a food mag. -Cher