February 15, 2004

Each year, the residents of Dixon, Illinois, honor a group of public spirited men and their project which has earned the town national recognition and as the State of Illinois official "Petunia City."
Thousands of pink petunias line more than two miles of Dixon highway approaches and main thoroughfares, giving the city a warm glow of color from early May until late fall.
It all began in the late 1950s when a combination of Dutch Elm disease and major highway expansion caused the removal of all trees along the communitys major roadways.
The Dixon Mens Garden Club, which for several years has worked on small flower beds scattered throughout the city, decided to do something about the barren look of the highway approaches.
In 1960 and 1961, the club planted 4,000 petunias along both sides of about one-half mile of the principal north-south route, South Galena Avenue. The next year, the club members put 6,000 more petunias on the three-quarters of a mile of North Galena Avenue.
Today, the plantings have spread to other approaches to the city and now extend along principal streets. Most of Dixon's 15,000 residents have taken part in one way or another.

In the heart of Staten Island, there is a place where the past can still be experienced with all your senses. The story of Richmond Town reveals layers of the past, and the lives of ordinary people connected to each other in many ways. From its beginning as a rural crossroad, through its development as county seat, to its place as a rustic outpost within New York City, this has been a community of people living and working together.

Brazil’s Independence Day (September 7th) is the occasion chosen to bring Brazilian-Americans, Brazilians who live away from home and those many people interested in Brazil together for a very special event. In 1984 the City of New York proclaimed the first Sunday in September as the day in which it celebrates Brazilian Independence from Portugal, which took place on September 7th, 1822.

The dream of an international tennis tournament in Miami began in the 1960s, when top tennis players such as Jack Kramer, Frank Sedgman, Pancho Gonzalez, Pancho Segura and Butch Buchholz toured the country in a station wagon, playing tennis in darkened arenas and fairgrounds. It was before the days of Open tennis, and they traveled with a portable canvas court and plenty of hopes. Buchholz - an original member of the “Handsome Eight” (the first recognized pros of Lamar Hunt’s World Championship Tennis Circuit introduced in 1968) - competed until he was forced to retire from tennis in 1970 with chronic tennis elbow.

The longest-running and most prestigious art fair in America. The Art Show takes place March 7 through March 11, 2012 in New York City. Organized by the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) to benefit the Henry Street Settlement, the fair presents exhibitions from the nation's leading art dealers and galleries showcasing a variety of museum-quality exhibits ranging from cutting-edge, 21st century works, to masterpieces from the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Fifty Year Club of the Ohio State Fair is an organization that holds an annual meeting during the fair. The objective of the group is to support, improve , and promote the Ohio State Fair and develop fellowship among the members.

November - The Festival is an annual celebration of Irish culture featuring international and local music and dance, traditional cuisine, workshops, cultural exhibits, and vendors of everything Irish. Along with the Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, it is an event in which all of the various Baltimore Irish Organizations join together to celebrate our common heritage.

The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter miles (2 km) at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds and fillies 121 pounds. The race is known in the United States as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" for its approximate duration, and is also called "The Run for the Roses" for the blanket of roses draped over the winner. It is the first leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in the US and typically draws around 155,000 fans. Source

July - One of the largest fireworks displays in the world. On the Mississippi Riverfront, near the 630-foot tall Gateway Arch. Also: air shows, food, outdoor concerts.

Produced by the Greater Mandeville Seafood Association, Inc, The Mandeville Seafood Festival, established in 1978, is the oldest festival held in St. Tammany Parish. Attendance is estimated at over ten thousand people per day, with admission at $10.00. Children ten and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Senior citizens over sixty-five are also admitted free of charge.

Join us for 10 days of fun-filled activities for the entire family. Enjoy the popular International Snow Sculpting Symposium, the Mukluk Benefit Ball, and the Wilderness Trek, along with other festivities. New this year are the Radar Run (a snowmobiling event), various outdoor activities for the family, a Polka Dance, and a special concert featuring a Duluth musical group, Warm Women of the North.

October - Spirit of Humanity Festival celebrates the positive from across the nation. It applauds the resilience of the human spirit. With a festival, it honors the super hero in all of us. With projects like Senior Speak and New Orleans Y.E.S! - Central City Voices, it allows us to gain a deeper appreciation for those in our surrounding neighborhoods. With holistic workshops, it teaches ways we can harness our energies and handle tragedies in a healthy manner. In New Orleans, survivors trickle back and add to the momentum of a city struggling to stand on its own. Returnees have a desire to keep the old spirit of the city alive while creating a better place for themselves and their families. Many are looking for ways to put the pieces of their lives back together. But all who return refuse to give up hope. They refuse to have their spirits broken. They exemplfy the Spirit of Humanity. Every day, people are living, laughing, and loving in the face of adversity. Every day, someone somewhere is struggling to survive and winning. Sometimes, the struggle is lost, but the battle itself serves as an inspiration or motivation to others. The Spirit of Humanity Festival is a celebration to honor all those who have, who are, or who will be willing to put up a fight to survive and win.

Mardi Gras Southeast Texas holds fun for all! From arts and crafts to Zydeco music and Parades, there is an attraction to peak everyone's interest.

March - The Miami International Film Festival (MIFF) brings the best of world cinema to South Florida and plays a leading role in maintaining and further enriching its film culture. MIFF uses the unique geographical and cultural position of Miami to be a premiere venue for the exhibition of international and US films, with a special focus on Ibero-American cinema. Both juried and audience awards are given in Documentary and Dramatic categories.

San Diego Brazil Carnaval is one of the largest most authentic Carnaval Event in California. It brings together San Diego’s Brazilian community and the rest of San Diego to celebrate the most important party of the year. Through out the years, San Diego Carnaval Mardi Gras has served as a vehicle to bring people together and build a cultural bridge between Brazil and the United States.

Join us for the 2007 Des Moines Arts Festival on June 29-July 1 for Iowa's only free, three-day celebration of the arts!

Each year, more than 800,000 people celebrate the City of Lakes during the third week of July. Please join us for Minnesota's largest parade and free outdoor concert, the fourth largest fireworks show in the U.S., our amazing milk carton boat races and sandcastle building competition, the world's largest purse triathlon, our neighborhood park BBQ's and so much more. We are fun for all ages, from the young to the young at heart. Grab some sunscreen and come join us! July 15-24, 2005.

November - By the time of the Festival, winter has typically begun in Haines. Conditions can include cold temperatures, wind, snow and/or rain, so you'll want to come prepared with appropriate clothing. We recommend dressing in layers with thermal or polypropylene underwear, a wool or fleece middle layer, and a waterproof/windproof outer layer. Warm gloves, hats with ear protection, and warm waterproof boots are essential. Although you might wish to dress up for Sheldon Museum's annual fundraiser, Eagle Elegance, casual clothing is acceptable for all indoor events.

October - Nevada became a state (admitted to the Union) October 31, 1864, so Nevada Day is October 31st.of each year. However, with the passage of AB396 by the 1997 Nevada State Legislature, Nevada voters, on November 3, 1998 advised the 1999 legislature they wanted to celebrate Nevada Day on the "last" Friday in October beginning in 2000. The legislature, after much heated debate, complied.
Nevada Day is presently a state holiday recognized on the last Friday in October with the parade on the Saturday following.

“The 2006 ARIZONA BALLOON FESTIVAL-CHANDLER (R)” and a "BOOO-Looning" Halloween event with more than 50 colorful hot-air balloons will participate in thrilling competition. The balloons will rise from the fields of Tumbleweed Park and compete in a Hare and Hound contest. Spectators are allowed to walk on the field and watch the balloons inflate and lift off. Photo taking is invited. DESERT GLOWS on Friday and Saturday evenings, October 27th & 28th, as a field full of illuminated, tethered, hot air balloons will glow in time to music.

Annual event, always held the first weekend of October. Over 1,500 costumed reenactors and 250 tipis, tents and other shelters of the colonial period. We host over 5,000 grade school children who attend a choice of over 100 demonstrations and classes on colonial America and the fur trade. Food, drink, music, dance, theatre, blackpowder shooting, storytelling.

The mission of the Miami Latin Film Festival is to foment foreign film in Miami and expose it to other markets, both nationally and internationally. The Festival promotes films of Latin language origin, which include Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian.
The Festival supports programs designed to highlight the world's diversity of cultures, ethnic backgrounds and national origins. This sets a platform in which we aim to create greater understanding and cooperation among ethnic groups, increase awareness of Latin cultures in the diverse South Florida population and to support the growth of the Film Industry in Miami. http://www.themiamilatinfilmfestival.com/

September - The objective of the Illinois International Film Festival is to celebrate the art and entertainment of film in all its forms. The artistic approach is eclectic.Through screenings and associated events, the festival aims to present a wide spectrum of filmmaking - feature films, documentaries, animation, short films, experimental student work, big budget, micro budget and so on. The Illinois International Film Festival brings audiences and filmmakers together to better enjoy the art and fun of filmmaking. The Film Festival offers filmmakers the opportunity to learn, grow and exhibit their films. The festival will offer attendees quality films expanding their knowledge of cinema and enhancing their appreciation of the filmmaking process. Film professionals and the interested public will have the opportunity to gain industry knowledge through interaction within a festival environment. The Illinois International Film Festival is about the film makers’ opportunity to entertain and move their audience.

Over the course of twenty-five years the K-300 has become the highest regarded mid-distance dog sled race in the world. The race annually attracts the top mushers in the world.

Tastin' n Racin' is celebrating its 2nd decade of hot Hydroplane action! It's going to be a big splash this year, not only with increased activity on the water, but with great events and specials on the board walk, main stage, and family fun area!

Annual regional arts & crafts festival celebrating the huckleberry and the local community, with 90 vendors, food, entertainment, parade and Miss Huckleberry pageant. This is the 28th year of this event.