Popular Events and Festivals
Lindsey Wooldridge
Americans love to celebrate, whether its a good 'ole conservative flag-waving parade, a jamming multi-day music festival, a feast of the taste buds or a risque, anything goes halloween party. Here's just a sampling of great events and festivals happening around the US during 2009.
The Bite of Seattle
What: Seattle’s best restaurants and food companies join together for Northwest’s top food festival. Includes 5 outdoor beer gardens, entertainment and is free (not including food). Funds are given to charity.
Where: Seattle Center
When: July 17-19, 2009
Contact: (425) 283-5050
Northwest Folklife Festival
What: One of Seattle’s best festivals with four days of music, dance, and theater. Free admission ($10 suggested donation).
Where: Seattle Center
When: May 22-25, 2009
Contact: (206) 684-7300
San Francisco Fringe Festival
What: Over 260 performances by local, national and international theater companies.
Where: Exit Theater, San Francisco
When: September 9-20, 2009
Contact: (415) 931-1094
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
What: Free outdoor performance series in Yerba Buena Gardens. A mix of Bay Area musicians, poets and writers, with a focus on rising talent.
Where: Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco
When: May to October, 2009
Contact: (415) 543-1718
Jazz & Heritage Festival
What: Over 4,000 musicians, cooks, and crafts people show off their cultures and heritage.
Where: At the Fair Grounds and other city locations
When: April 24-26 and April 30 - May 3, 2009
Contact: (504) 410-4100
Louisiana Swamp Festival
What: Cajun celebration at the Audubon Zoo. Cajun and Zydeco bands jam on 3 stages and authentic Cajun cuisine is served up by the boatload.
Where: Audubon Zoo, New Orleans
When: Around November 1-30. Call for specific dates & times.
Contact: (504) 581-4629
Newport Beach Film Festival
What: The annual Newport Beach film festival features over 70 features and 100 short films from over 25 countries.
Where: Theaters in Newport Beach (Orange County)
When: April 23-30, 2009
Contact: www.newportbeachfilmfest.com
Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show
What: More than a billion dollars worth of boats and yachts will be featured by marine manufacturers from around the world. Admission $18.
Where: Broward County Convention Center, Ft. Lauderdale
When: October 29 - November 2, 2009
Contact: (800) 940-7642
Chicago Blues Festival
What: The Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free-admission blues festival in the world, with five stages of more than 60 performances.
Where: Grant Park in Chicago
When: June 12-14, 2009
Contact: http://www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents
Haunted Happenings
What: Known as “Witch City,” Salem’s (Massachusetts) Halloween popularity has led to a 3-week long celebration. On Halloween night, take the “Fright Train” from Boston’s North Station to Salem. Go to the Common for a wild costume party.
Where: Salem, Massachusetts
When: Around Oct 5-31.
Contact: www.Hauntedhappenings.org
Shakespeare in Central Park
What: Free outdoor performances of select Shakespeare plays. You must line-up for tickets the day of the performance.
Where: Central Park, New York City
When: June - August
Contact: (212) 539-8500
Village Parade
What: The biggest celebration of Halloween in the world! 1.5 million people line the streets to see the most outlandish and unique costumes. Get there early to get a good standing spot.
Where: 6th Ave. in Greenwich Village
When: October 31
Contact: www.halloween-nyc.com
Featured Articles
Welcome to America! This fertile land is much more than golden beaches and purple mountains, giant cities and rolling green hills...
America the beautiful is a big place packed with heaps to do from sea to shining sea, and one of the best ways to take advantage of all this country has to offer.
The United States has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, most of which is visible in the country’s national parks.
Americans love to celebrate, whether its a good 'ole conservative flag-waving parade, a jamming multi-day music festival, a feast of the taste buds or a risque, anything goes halloween party.
In this second part, we give you more culture tips plus some cultures in differences across the Country.
Featured Articles
Welcome to America! This fertile land is much more than golden beaches and purple mountains, giant cities and rolling green hills...
America the beautiful is a big place packed with heaps to do from sea to shining sea, and one of the best ways to take advantage of all this country has to offer.
The United States has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, most of which is visible in the country’s national parks.
Americans love to celebrate, whether its a good 'ole conservative flag-waving parade, a jamming multi-day music festival, a feast of the taste buds or a risque, anything goes halloween party.
In this second part, we give you more culture tips plus some cultures in differences across the Country.