Saint Paul Winter Carnival Celebrates 125th Anniversary

The Saint Paul Winter Carnival, the oldest winter festival in the United States, has brought family-friendly events and community pride to Saint Paul and the Twin Cities metro area, Minnesota, since 1886 and this year the “Coolest Celebration on Earth”™ celebrates its 125th anniversary from January 27 to February 6.

In honor of the sesquicentennial celebration, the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation Winter Carnival organizers have strived to create and promote 125 events under this year’s festival umbrella. All events take place in the City of Saint Paul and are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.

In addition to its traditional events, the 2011 calendar of activities also includes numerous outdoor athletic events, supports the Saint Paul arts scene and rallies behind the U of M Golden Gophers in a variety of sports.

Most events will take place in Downtown Saint Paul in and around Rice Park and Landmark Center, Lake Phalen, the Como Park area, as well as the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Its traditional events include the Ice Carving Competition (in addition to the spectacular ice carvings, Rice Park will host live music from local artists daily), snow sculptures, historic winter carnival displays, fireworks, and the Royal Coronation. With the help of the Carnival’s legendary characters – King Boreas and the Royal Family, Vulcanus Rex and his Krewe, and the Royal Order of the Klondike Kates – the Saint Paul Winter Carnival will be 11 days of excitement and entertainment for all ages.

Among the new festivities for 2011 is the Winter Carnival Talent Contest.

For more information about top events in Minnesota take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Minnesota.

For the most current information on the 125th Saint Paul Winter Carnival visit www.winter-carnival.com

Your Favorite Childhood Stories in Massachusetts

Experience Christmas from the pages of your favorite, classic children’s storybooks! From Dr. Seuss books recreated in dazzling lights to reliving Louisa May Alcott’s “LItle Women” in her childhood home, Massachusetts offers a wealth of holiday delights to tempt families during the Christmas season.  Here are just a few highlights and possible itinerary stops in Massachusetts.


Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas, Stockbridge: Nestled in the beautiful Berkshires, the town made famous by Norman Rockwell becomes an enchanting New England storybook setting decorated with holiday wreaths and festive lights. Experience Christmas of long-ago as the town recreates Rockwell’s evocative Stockbridge at Christmas painting, complete with vintage automobiles and stunning holiday decorations. Fun-filled family activities include holiday house tours, horse drawn carriage rides, caroling, concerts and visits with Santa.

Bright Nights at Forest Park, Springfield: One of New England's most popular holiday destinations and largest holiday lighting display, historic Forest Park is illuminated with hundreds of spectacular Christmas lights. The park pays tribute to hometown children’s author Theodore Seuss Geisel with Seuss Land, a glittering panoramic light display featuring Cat in the Hat, Horton and other beloved characters. 

Higgins Armory Museum, Worcester: Celebrate the season with the revelry of the Middle Ages and recreate the fantasy world of Chronicles of Narnia! Featuring arms and armor ranging from ancient Greek Corinthian helmets to suits of armor crafted during the Renaissance, this one-of-a-kind museum displays artifacts and more than 35 suits of armor amidst tapestries, stained glass and soaring ceilings. 

Orchard House, Concord:  This authentically-preserved historic house was home to Louisa May Alcott and her family. See Louisa’s bedroom where she wrote Little Women and other stories that would captivate children. The Orchard House features a Christmas shop brimming with terrific gift ideas.
 
For more information about top events in Massachusetts take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Massachusetts.

For more information visit: www.massvacation.com.

Silver Jubilee for Historic Helena’s Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival

Listen closely and you can hear it .... the soulful sounds of a guitar and the brusque voice of the bluesman, proclaiming all the wrongs he has faced. It’s the blues and it has become the heartbeat of the Arkansas Delta, a region that is no stranger to hardship. You hear that adversity in the music .... and it reaches into the depths of the listener’s soul. It’s the blues – a powerful, lyrical lullaby for anyone who has faced pain or tragedy or just had a really bad day.

Each October, thousands from throughout the world flock to historic downtown Helena as the music takes over – giving visitors a three-day, down-home, soul-baring musical history lesson. The Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival (formerly known as the King Biscuit Blues Festival) has become one of the largest blues festivals in the world. This year (from October 7 to 9) the world-renowned event celebrates its 25th anniversary.

The festival is adding a special event this year, Warm-Up Wednesday. In the past, activities and music have always started on Thursday afternoon. According to Munnie Jordan, festival director: “We want our visitors to get a behind-the-scenes look at how the festival comes together.” So Wednesday, October 6, the festival area will have a “test run”.

The festival encompasses the majority of the historic town’s Cherry Street, the same street that blues legends Sonny Boy Williamson, Robert “Junior” Lockwood and Robert Johnson once strolled on their way to becoming musical legends.

For more information about top events in Arkansas take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Arkansas.

For more detailed information and a complete lineup for the 25th annual Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival, visit www.bluesandheritagefest.com.