Summertime is here and fun-filled festivals are breaking out all across the
land. 'Festival'
is defined as an event, usually staged by a local community, which centers on
some unique aspect of that community.
Going back past medieval times, a feast or festival was known as a set of celebrations
in honor of a specific religion's God or gods. For example, in Christianity
there are two principal feasts, properly known as the Feast of the Nativity
of our Lord (Christmas) and the Feast of the Resurrection, (Easter).
What makes festivals across America
(and throughout the world) so interesting is that each community has special
things to celebrate, and varied ways of expressing them. A small sample of the
coming activities in the major U.S. cites paints the picture:
Atlanta
From July 20 - July 22, Atlanta,
GA will be hosting the Great Atlanta Blues & Music Festival.
The free event, which will be held at Woodruff Park in the Downtown area,
aims to bring people together to celebrate Georgia's great music legacy.
Local and national artists will perform there.
Baltimore
On the same dates, farther north, in Baltimore,
MD, residents and visitors will be having fun at Artscape,
described as "the mid-Atlantic's largest celebration of the arts."
It will feature more than 120 arts and craftspeople from across the country,
visual art exhibits, live concerts on four outdoor stages, a full schedule
of performing arts including dance, opera, theater, fashion, film and
classical music, hands-on projects, children's entertainers, three street
theater locations, and lastly, an international menu of food and beverages.
This cornucopia of goodness will be held at Mt. Royal Ave.
Boston
In Boston,
the Fishermans Feast will take place from August 16 - August 19.
This free Italian Street festival goes down in Boston's North End and
was started way back in 1910 by immigrants from Sicily. It includes free
nightly entertainment and daily activities for the kids.
Charlotte
For intellectuals living or visiting the Charlotte,
NC, area the Literary Festival — coming up August
11 - August 12 — will be a feast for the eyes and ears. To be held
at Marshall Park and the Blake Hotel, the event will feature authors such
as Zane, Catherine Coulter, Mary B. Morrison, Donna Hill, Francis Ray,
Michele Bowen, Nikki Turner, Omar Tyree, Robert Wilcox and more. In all,
more than 40 authors will be on site.
Chicago
In Chicago,
they're talking about the Retro on Roscoe festival. From August
4 - August 5, the Retro, now in its 12th season, will attempt to live
up to its reputation as Chicago's ultimate neighborhood street festival.
One of the main features, the Windy City Chili Cook-Off will again host
a competition that shows the talents of over 25 cooks mixing up the city's
best chili. Also, the festival's Antique Car Show will showcase over 50
antique, classic and muscle cars throughout the weekend.
Dallas
For a little cultural flavor, down in Dallas
the Viva Dallas Hispanic Expo is scheduled for August 11 - August
12. It will showcase over 300 exhibitors and vendors who will have something
to say on topics such as Hispanic cultural awareness, careers, education,
health, community outreach, and there will be food sampling at the Youth
Pavilion. All this is taking place at the Dallas Market Hall.
Denver
Happening right now in Denver,
CO, is Venice on the Creek, an event running from June
1 - August 31. Located across the street from Larimer Square, the city's
only gondola rides along Cherry Creek from Larimer to Confluence Park.
Detroit
Also taking place now is The Spirit Of Detroit
Music Festival, pleasing residents and visitors alike from July 1
- July 31. The event features great family entertainment, art, diverse
vendors, food, and three stages of energetic musical performances. The
performers are national, regional, and local. The youth can enjoy the
children's village area where there is face painting, storytelling, and
other activities geared towards family fun.
Honolulu
Way over in Honolulu,
Hawaii, they're waiting on The Original Creative Festival,
scheduled for August 3 - August 5. The 13th annual installment promises
three days filled with Fun, entertainment and education, featuring mainland
and local exhibitors, designers and internationally-known teachers. Things
to do will include free fashion shows, make-it-take-its, free seminars,
specials only at the festival, on-going demo's, door prizes, quilt displays
and craft products and supplies.
If you live in one of these fine cities, hopefully you'll be on hand to enjoy
the listed events to the fullest extent.
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