The Neptune Festival Sand Sculptures of Virginia Beach is an annual festival. The festival is 10 days long and includes sport competitions, arts and crafts,the King Neptune’s Grand Parade and the sand sculpture competition. Here is a video displaying some of the finished sculptures.

For more information on the Neptune Festival Sand Sculptures of Virginia Beach visit: http://www.neptunefestival.com/news.php?s=17&nepfest_main_PSID=tbuf8rntopo7g9ktipic9avt86.

LMT Clock Events Neptune Festival Sand Sculptures of Virginia Beach

Here are the top 10 places to celebrate the 4th of July and some of their best events:

1. Boston: Over 200 events including Boston Harborfest and the Boston Chowderfest
2. Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard: Nantucket’s Independence Day Celebration, Hyannis Boat Parade and Old Whaling Church Barbecue.
3. Chicago: Navy Pier Beer Garden, Music Shell and Millennium Park
4. Mount Rushmore: Tons of events; see them all here www.nps.gov/moru
5. Philadelphia: Visit the Liberty Bell and the historic sites in Independence Mall. Extended viewing hours over the holiday. Here’s a full list of events: www.americasbirthday.com
6. Queen Mary 2: Board the Cunard line’s newest prestige cruise ship for a 5 day Independence Day Sampler.
7. San Diego: Freedom Days Parade, San Diego Country Fair and Big Bay celebration. For more events visit: www.signonsandiego.com
8. San Juan Islands: San Juan Island, Fourth of July Beach and Pig War Picnic. For more events visit: www.guidetosanjuans.com
9. US Virgin Islands: Parade on St. John. For more events visit: www.usvitourism.vi
10. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Folklife Festival and National Independence Day Parade. For more events visit: www.washington.org

LMT Clock Events Top 10 Places to Celebrate the 4th of July

New Orleans Mardi Gras

Also know as the “carnival” of the northern hemisphere, New Orleans Mardi Gras is one of the largest free events of the year. What can you expect to find at this event? Food, parades with creative floats and about 700,000 people in the streets of the French Quarter wearing colorful beads, costumes and having a really good time
Here are some tips for getting the most out of your Mardi Gras experience:

Dress comfortably

Make sure to pack toilet paper to use in the port-a-potties

LMT Clock Events, Travel New Orleans Mardi Gras

It is amazing, but realistic that the Olympic Torch Relay was there yesterday in my hometown, Fuzhou, a city with a history of more than 2300 years! The whole nation witness the symbol of peace spreading around the world and finally coming to the ancient land.

When you see the happy faces along the street when the torch passes by, you come to realize that the civilization of western world is warmly welcome by the eastern culture with new concepts and contents. It is part of the stride of human being when entering 21 century.

The peaceful flame discerns those attempts to challenge basic human rights. It takes masks off those people who pretend themselves to be Mr. Saint.

The torch relay continues its way to the next city. I wish the hope for peace is handed down without an end.

 

Brista Events, Travel olympic torch relay in Fuzhou

Having a few international friends, I often consider where I would recommend they travel to have a TRUE American experience. With the current economic situation, some of these off-the-beaten-path destinations are looking better than ever. Here’s proof that the Mid-West should no longer be called the ‘fly-over-states.’

Madison, Wisconsin:

A gorgeous college town of 200,000+ situated between 2 lakes. Imagine a white capitol building and 5 blocks from its 3 and 9 o’clock positions are lakes and at the 6 o’clock position is State Street: a pedestrian-only street with bohemian shops (and the Gap), local bars and international restaurants (E. African, Afghani, etc). These 10 blocks lead straight to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

Experience America in Madison:

1. Go in the Fall for colorful leaves and the amazingly large farmers market around the capitol square every Saturday.





2. Get there in time for the Halloween bash (Saturday before the holiday). Voted the #1 Halloween party by Playboy several years, it’s not really a family-friendly event.





3. In the summer, the capitol square hosts Concert on the Square (free) every Wednesday night, bring a blanket, picnic and wine.
4. Check out the Kohl center for concerts and sporting events
5. Eat and Drink! Around the capitol is typically more upscale then on State Street.

1. State Street and Campus

i. The Memorial Union – that’s right, the student union. Sit on the famous Terrace and have a beer (you might have to have a student order for you from the Ratskeller as you need to be a member or student!)

ii. Himal Chuli – Great Nepalese food

iii. Chautra – Hole in the wall Himalayan food, don’t get scared off by the wild plants in the entrance.

iv. State Street Brats – so wisco! Have a brat and stay for the bar atmosphere. Be sure to try a ‘Spotted Cow,’ a great local brew.

Now drive around Madison:

1. Visit the many wineries and breweries such as Capital Brewery (www.capital-brewery.com or www.wollersheim.com).
2. Head to the American Players Theatre in Spring Green for Shakespeare under the stars! (www.americanplayers.org)
3. Also in Spring Green is Frank Llyod Wright’s famed home and studio, Taliesin (www.taliesinpreservation.org).

Budget Travel (www.budgettravel.com) had an article about Wisconsin in their May issue. Before you go, learn more about the Wisco-basics: http://www.youmightbe.com/pages/wisconsin.html

Chicago, Illinois

This is the city I recommend all foreigners visit (over New York) if they really want to experience the America not found in movies. Stay a few nights in the downtown area and a few in one of the neighborhoods like Wrigleyville or Lakeside. I will only add 2 notes about downtown as the sites are quite well known: try it before Christmas; cold yes, but also beautiful and, second, music lovers check out: www.lollapalooza.com. Now, more on the neighborhoods:

1. Go to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field (Wrigleyville)
2. Before the game, have a few at one of the designated ‘Cubs bars’ near the stadium. (Wrigleyville)
3. Every neighborhood has unique, local bars and restaurants. Some worth mentioning: Sheffield’s just off Belmont for a drink, Orange for amazing brunch, Joey’s Brickhouse for a great burger (all in Lakeshore)
4. Go to the Weiner’s Circle late night (post bars), the busty lady behind the counter will verbally abuse you like its going out of style. (Lincoln Park)
5. The shopping is great down town, but check out the boutique stores tucked inside the neighborhoods.

Louisville & Lexington, Kentucky

Known as the blue grass state, Kentucky is rich in history, beauty and Southern hospitality. All of Kentucky can get behind a 2 things – horses and basketball (if you are in Louisville cheer for the Cardinals, in Lexington, you are a UK fan!). The two cities are only 1.5 hours away by car.

1. Lexington
   1. Keeneland – this small but beautiful horse track is only open in April and October. Although all walks of life are in attendance, I suggest dressing up (no hat required) and bringing $2 for a bet and $4 for a drink. www.keeneland.com.

   

   2. Afterwards head to Murray’s (www.murrays-merrick.com) for a drink on the patio and the food is great too (upscale southern food in an old Horse Manor). Go to Dudley’s downtown for brunch. www.dudleysrestaurant.com
   3. Wineries – have lunch and a tasting at Chrisman Mill, then at night, head to Talon Winery for its Summer Concert Series (tickets in advance for dinner and a concert: 859-971-3214).
   4. Bourbon! You can order a glass anywhere or tour the many distilleries such as Makers Mark. Dip your own bottle in the famous red wax.
   5. Right outside of Lexington you can’t miss the Shaker Village.
   6. Visit the Liquor Barn (I would live there if I could) the only thing to rival its selection of booze is the selection of amazing foods.

   

2. Louisville
   1. The Kentucky Derby – start with Keeneland then finish with the Derby. Unless you are young and stupid (and drunk), don’t opt for the infield. Be sure to wear a hat and order a mint julep.
   2. Don’t miss the Mohammed Ali Center, is interactive and really more about life and about a boxer. www.alicenter.org. There is also a Children’s museum in the area.

   

1. 1. 21c Museum Hotel – whether you stay here or just visit for an hour the art is too cool, and free. Visit the bathroom before you leave. www.21cmuseumhotel.com
   2. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is a must for any sports fan. All these museums are within walking distance too each other too. www.sluggermuseum.org
   3. Fourth Street Live – This is a street of bars and restaurants that is a lot of fun to eat during the day and drink during the night.

Before you leave this great state, be sure to ask someone what ‘corn hole’ is. Don’t worry, its not dirty. Your kids will even like it!

Traveling is all about your experiences, so whether you head off-the-beaten-path in Wisconsin, Illinois or Kentucky, you will be able to experience the beauty, culture, tradition . . . and various accents of the TRUE America.

i. Great Dane Pub- the best and most eclectic bar food and great beer! Get the beer sampler and sit in the outdoor beer garden. (www.greatdanepub.com)

ii. Restaurant Muramoto is a favorite – atypical Asian fusion with a very unassuming entrance.

iii. Marigold for breakfast or brunch. Café Continental is solid too.

iv. Harvest and L’Etoile are fine dining but worth it - the seasonal menus use local foods from local farms.

lvolcheff Destinations, Dining Reviews, Events, Featured, Tips, Travel chicago illinois, Experience the True America, keenland, lexington kentucky, liquor barn, louisville, madison wisconsin, madison wisconsin halloween bash, mohammed ali center

Chicago is a city of immense culture and entertainment. Two such events that any music or arts lover should enjoy are Looptopia, going on its second year and Lollapalooza now running its third set as a staple festival in the city.

An all night party called Looptopia will be coming to Chicago in May of 2008. Chicago has become one of the prettiest cities in America with all it’s new planting and flowers but now its time to party. This is going to be one of the best block parties in a city!

The Loop will be bustling with activity from 6 PM Friday till 6 AM Saturday as the city stages its second year for Looptopia multidisciplinary arts festival. Modeled on dusk-to-dawn cultural extravaganzas staged annually in Paris, Rome, and Madrid, the completely free event comprises roughly 75 offerings, including live music, theater and dance performances, film screenings, art exhibits, workshops, and more.

There will be showings by many different artists all through the night. For the inaugural offering, Redmoon staged many sites all over the Loop and MFChicago held a huge dance party with dueling DGs and video projections. Turning the streets into Club Looptopia.

The whole thing culminates in a sunrise celebration in Millennium Park, with music, yoga, and free breakfast.

If this event does not get you to the city I would suggest Lollapalooza 2008. This will take place in Chicago’s Grant Park the first weekend of August. Lollapalooza 2007: 3 days, 8 stages, and 130 bands.

In its third year as a destination festival, Lollapalooza bestowed a musical experience unlike any other to the city of Chicago. For three days, Grant Park will be transformed into a celebration of music, food, arts, technology, and community, where fans gathered from around the world to catch one of the summer’s most powerful line-ups.

After all that is done, enjoy the wonderful shopping and attractions this New York of the Midwest has to offer.

ryannovak Destinations, Events, Travel Lollapalooza, Looptopia

Springtime means festivals in New Orleans, celebrating the trinity of favorite things in New Orleans: food, music and culture.

The French Quarter Festival is a free three-day party in the French Quarter in late April. It’s the biggest free music festival in the South and there’s always great music and great food in a historic setting. There’s music in the streets, on the banks of the Mississippi River, an area for kids behind the St. Louis Cathedral and two largest jazz brunches in the world. Watch the video below for some footage of the 2007 French Quarter Festival opening parade.

Food: There are two areas for food. Jackson Square is lined with food booths from everything from crawfish pasta to alligator sausage. There’s also a line of food booths in Woldenberg Park.

Music: Ten stages are set up in Woldenberg Park, on Royal and Bourbon Street and at the old mint at the edge of the French Quarter. Music ranges from country to Zydeco to classic to jazz. Here are my top picks for music at the 2008 French Quarter Festival.

For the kids: At the Aquarium of the Americas Plaza there’s an area just for kids with face painting, hat making and a chance to play in a Jazz band. There are also several special events for the whole family.

2008 dates: In 2008, the French Quarter Festival will be held from April 11-13th Plan to come! There are great deals available from www.lastminutetravel.com.

mattwhipple Events, Tips, Travel French Quarter Festival

While in Madison Wisconsin visiting some friends I had the opportunity to witness the Polar Plunge. If there is one in your area you have to see this! The plunge is a charity event that gives businesses, organizations and individuals the opportunity to support local Special Olympics athletes. There are two ways to raise money for this charity event:

1) Get Sponsored. Have individuals, organizations or businesses sponsor you to take the plunge.

2) Pledge a Plunger. If you don’t want to take the plunge yourself, you can make a contribution and sponsor a plunger.

The Polar Plunge I saw took place in Olin Turville Park, Madison on frozen Lake Monona. There was a man made dock on the shoreline of a hole cut into the lake that was surrounded by spectators armed with cameras. The plungers get into lines and make there way towards the dock dressed in full costumes and some in bathing suits. The announcers count down and the plungers jump into the freezing water, make their way across the decent sized hole to the ladder and then run to the hot tubs and changing area to warm up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a promotional video for the state of Wisconsin Polar Plunge on YouTube.

For more information visit Wisconsin’s Polar Plunge website

Erica Fischer Events, Travel Polar Plunge