Winter Wonderland - Hot Festivals & Events Around The U.S.
Whether your clients choose to revel in the ice and snow of winter or seek an escape from the cold, the U.S. offers a host of fun festivals this season. Here are just a few to whet your appetite.
Chill Out In Chicago
Visitors to Chicago this winter are invited to celebrate the vibrant season at the Museum of Modern Ice, a winter festival held in Millennium Park February 1 to 29. The centrepiece of the event will be Paintings Below Zero, a colossal, site-specific installation of boldly coloured abstract paintings in ice by Canadian artist Gordon Halloran. As part of the winter event, many Chicago hotels will offer special hotel packages with discounted accommodations, reduced parking, and other special amenities.
For more information, visit www.millenniumpark.org or www.cityofchicago.org/tourism.
Tahoe’s Winter Playground
North Lake Tahoe comes together in celebration of winter fun each year at the end of February, during the North Lake Tahoe Snow Fest. This year’s event takes place February 29 to March 9, and boasts events that span two states (Nevada and California) and five ski resorts (Diamond Peak, Alpine Meadows, Homewood Mountain Resort, Northstar-at-Tahoe and Squaw). Highlights include “Last Tracks” at Diamond Peak, where travellers can taste wine and hors d’oeuvres at the Snowflake Lodge before skiing down a freshly groomed run at sunset; the Great Ski Race from Tahoe City to Truckee; live music and parties at North Shore casinos; and the famous Gar Wood’s Polar Bear Swim.
For details, visit www.tahoesnowfestival.com.
Welcome The Year Of The Rat
On February 7, Asians the world over will welcome “shu nien,” the Year of the Rat. Some of the best Chinese New Year celebrations will take place in San Francisco, where almost three weeks of special events get underway February 2 to 3, the weekend of the Flower Market Fair, when shoppers purchase special foods and flowers for new year feasts. The grand finale is the Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade, on Saturday, February 23. Named one of the top 10 parades in the world by the International Festivals & Events Association, it is one of the few remaining night-illuminated parades in the U.S.
For more information, visit www.chineseparade.com.
Hot Treats In New Mexico
Here’s a fun way to stay warm this winter: check out the annual National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show, held at the Sandia Resort and Casino Events Center near Albuquerque February 29 to March 2. The main attraction here is the largest collection of hot and spicy products ever assembled in the U.S., an astonishing variety hot sauces, salsas, barbecue sauces, candies and mustards. Clients can also watch demonstrations by top chefs and shop for a variety of non-food products including clothing, books, original art and kitchenware.
Visit www.fiery-foods.com/ffshow/ffs_pubinf.html for details.
Oregon’s Coastal Harvest
Foodies – and wine lovers – will be tempted by the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival. The “premier seafood & wine event of the west coast” has been attracting visitors from around the world to the central Oregon Coast since 1978. This year’s event takes place February 22 to 24.
For more information, visit www.newportchamber.org/swf.
Start Your Engines
NASCAR fans will want to head to Daytona Beach for Speedweeks action January 26 to February 17. Clients can attend thrilling events every day during the three-week celebration at Daytona International Speedway. Festivities begin with Grand American Road Racing’s Rolex 24 and conclude with the legendary, 50th annual Daytona 500.
Visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com for details.
To find out more about the Discover America – Canada Committee, attend a meeting or receive the bi-monthly newsletter, contact them by fax at (416) 352-5567. by e-mail at admin@seeamerica.ca or visit www.seeamerica.ca.
