Created and Maintained by: The Photoimaging Information Council
Calendar of Events
Take Great Pictures' Calendar of Events is a wonderful photo resource for any traveler. Here we feature some of the best photo ops throughout the US and the World, from hot air balloon festivals to various cultural celebrations to off-beat events, our Calendar is sure to get you some great photographs. Check out schedules for Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day, New Year's Eve, July 4th, and dozens more holidays.
September
1,
2008 Labor Day Celebration and Moon Pie Eatin' Contest in Birmingham, AL
The family-orientated Annual Labor Day Celebration and Moon Pie Eatin' Contest is held at Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park. Expect craft stalls, music, a barbecue and, of course, the contest to see who can eat the most moon pies.
Womenfest offers an all-round good time for women of all ages, creeds and persuasions. With an array of different events to choose from, this week-long event in the Key West sun should be a memorable one.
Begun in 1987, Womenfest is dedicated to the idea that women should come together and share their experiences as women. A welcome reception and various cocktail parties help participants get to know one another. The Key West Gay and Lesbian Community Center organises daily seminars of interest to lesbians, while sporting tournaments are held throughout the week. Naturally, water activities are on tap, including daily trips (with an all-female crew) out to the reefs for snorkelling and diving. Catamaran trips, waverunners and parasailing also tempt the adventurous.
As well as the more cerebral activities, there are always the Hot Buns and Wet T-shirt contests to contend with...
September
2 - 6,
2008 United States Dance Championships in Orlando, FL
Contestants from over 30 countries dance their way to Universal Orlando for the United States Dance Championships. Spectators enjoy an atmosphere charged with Latin fire as both amateur and professional couples fight it out in the most elegant way possible.
Fierce competition determines the outcome of four major World Championships - IDO World Mambo, Argentine Tango, Professional Dance Sport and ISDF World Standard Dance Sport - and a further seven US titles.
September
3 - 7,
2008 Electronic Festival in San Francisco, CA
The annual San Francisco Electronic Festival is held at the Project Artaud Theater. Founded in 1999, the artist-run event provides a platform for the diverse community of composers and sound artists working with electronic-based technologies in the Bay Area.
The festival website publishes full details of this year's programme as soon as they are available.
September
5,
2008 Local Galleries Exhibits in Bend, OR
The first Friday of each month is the time for art lovers to visit Bend, as local galleries stay open late for special receptions and presentations. Programs vary, but many stage evenings with featured artists, live music or food.
Please visit the event website for full details and a map of participating galleries.
The Spinach Festival recalls Lenexa's days as the "Spinach Capital of the World". Expect pony rides, a quilt show, a large sunflower competition and an appearance by Popeye and Olive Oyl to mix the world's largest spinach salad.
Also taking place is the "Spinach Speedway" car show, featuring classic, antique, hot rods and custom cars.
The signature event of the River Walk (Paseo del Rio), Pachanga del Rio - A Taste of the River Walk allows visitors to taste food and drink from some of San Antonio's best restaurants while enjoying an evening boat ride.
The event features a private Pachanga Barge which cruises to participating restaurants, where visitors can enjoy their favourite local cuisine. Twenty-five restaurants take part in the event, offering the chance to sample a wide variety of dishes. There is an after-party scheduled from 9pm-11pm, at The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum on 318 E Houston Street. Highlights of the party include prize draws and live music.
September
13,
2008 International Mariachi Festival in Las Vegas, NV
First held in 1991, to celebrate Mexican Independence, the Las Vegas International Mariachi Festival takes place at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
The festival originated in the state of Jalisco (in Western Mexico) in the late-19th century and used the instruments brought by the Spanish, namely the bass guitaron, guitar, violin and, later, the trumpet. Mariachis used to find work playing in the haciendas, but after the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) the haciendas had to let them go and they wandered from town to town and eventually took to playing in public venues for a fee. With the advent of radio and television their popularity grew and mariachis can now be found all over Latin America.
As an integral part of Mexican culture and history, mariachis can also be found in many parts of the US. One of the best times to see them play is during the Mariachi Festival. The mariachis convene in Las Vegas each year dressed in wide-brimmed hats and studded charro suits. The songs speak about machismo, love, betrayal, death, politics and revolutionary heroes.
Touted as "smart, hip and diverse", the annual Brooklyn Book Festival sees over 100 exhibitors, including bookstores, publishers and literary organisations, set up camp in the halls and on the lawns of Brooklyn Borough Hall and Plaza.
The festival, which also features a teen writing competition, celebrates its third anniversary in 2008 with a stellar line-up including authors Paul Auster, Gloria Naylor, June Jordan and Ezra Jack Keats.
For more information, please visit the Brooklyn Book Festival website.
