News From DiscoverAmerica.com

• 
  SAVE
• 
  SHARE
• 
  TEXT SIZE
• 
  PRINT
• 
  COMMENT
• 
  PDF

. October 14, 2008

SEPTEMBER 30, 2008. Welcome to News from DiscoverAmerica.com, provided by the Washington, DC-based Travel Industry Association (TIA). Throughout the year, we will highlight select events staged in the USA, along with unique functions of the new official travel and tourism website of the United States.

USA Events (October 2008 - February 2009)

21st Micronesian Island Fair

Tumon, Guam

October 17-19

Immerse yourself in the magnificent island culture of Guam and Micronesia. Features include cultural performances, canoe races and traditional arts of the Pacific Islanders.

Prairie Harvest Festival and Barn Dance

Strong City, Kansas

October 18

Enjoy an old-fashioned harvest festival-strap on your boots for a day of barn dancing, cider making and hay rides.

World's Greatest Roper Finals

Guthrie, Oklahoma

October 25

Only the best international roping hands compete in the heading, heeling and tie-down roping tournament.

Keene Pumpkin Festival

Keene, New Hampshire

October 25

Keene boasts the world record for the largest number of lit jack-o-lanterns in one place at one time. Carve a pumpkin and you, too, can write your name on the Guinness Book of World Records log.

Churchill Downs Thoroughbred Racing

Louisville, Kentucky

October 26-November 29

Put on your most glamorous hat and cheer the swift stallions at the legendary racetrack that is home to the Kentucky Derby.

22nd Annual American Sandsculpting Championship Festival

Fort Myers, Florida

November 5-9

Watch in awe as 20 master sculptors transform clumps of sand into dolphins, giant computers, gods of the sea and more. Then take advantage of a free sand sculpting class.

100 Miles of Lights

Richmond to Virginia Beach, Virginia

November 17-January 1

Millions of lights illuminate stretch from Richmond to Virginia Beach. Highlights include lighted boat parades, marching bands, ice skating and a Yule log celebration.

1836 Thanksgiving Day Celebration

Farmingdale, New Jersey

November 23

Sample a true American custom by feasting on a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

Ozark Country Christmas

Branson, Missouri

Events throughout December

Branson is a city of fantastic shows. From performance halls to street parades to quaint shops, Christmas in this Ozark Mountain town is an unforgettable seasonal experience.

Macy's Downtown Dazzle

Cincinnati, Ohio

Every Saturday in December

Forget the chimney! Santa rappels down the side of an office tower onto the roof of Macy's department store. The program also features strolling entertainers and holiday music.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

New York, New York

December 3

One of the most magical holiday attractions, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a star-studded event that attracts thousands. Come see the gigantic tree as it illuminates the already bright and vibrant city.

Old Fashioned Cowboy Christmas

Medora, North Dakota

December 5-6

Saddle up for great food, lively music and all-around fun. The western-style Christmas is a "yee haw" of a good time!

Fort Sisseton Frontier Christmas

Fort Sisseton State Park, Lake City, South Dakota

December 13-14

Experience Christmas the old-fashioned way with sleigh rides, timeless Christmas caroling and traditional baking in old wood-fired ovens.

20th Annual Peach Drop

Atlanta, Georgia

December 31

Ring in the New Year with an 800 pound Georgia peach! The night's entertainment will continue well into the morning with various live performances on multiple stages.

The Tournament of Roses Parade

Pasadena, California

January 1

Start the New Year off with the sweet smell of a parade. You'll be impressed to see the colors and textures on every float-each decorated solely with flowers and other organic materials.

New Year's Competition Pow Wow

January 2-January 4

Tucson, Arizona

Dancers from over 50 Native American tribes meet to show their authentic handmade crafts, delectable American Indian foods, dancing, singing and drum contests.

Sundance Film Festival

Park City, Utah

January 15-25

Sundance is the premier showcase for new film work from American and international independent filmmakers. It is the largest independent cinema fest in the USA and is a perfect event for movie buffs.

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Fort Worth, Texas

January 16-February 8

Established in 1896, this legendary event attracts nearly one million people from around the world for the nation's oldest livestock show and performances of the world's original indoor rodeo.

Flake Out Festival

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

January 17-18

Delight in these frosty festivities: an ice carving demonstration, snowmobile races, horse-drawn sleigh rides, pony rides, a snowman-making competition and an open ice skating.

ZAP's Zinfandel Festival

San Francisco, California

January 28-31

Renown as the premier single-varietal tasting in the world, an estimated 300 wineries and over 10,000 attendees join the four-day festival events.

International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race

Jackson, Wyoming to Park City, Utah

January 30-February 7

The high-action sled dog race, speeding through multiple western Wyoming communities, offers plenty of opportunity to view these incredible dogs in action.

Super Bowl XLIII

Tampa, Florida

February 1

American football is a major part of U.S. culture, and the Super Bowl is the pinnacle of games. Join this year's ultimate sporting event on the sunny shores of Tampa Bay.

Groundhog Day

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania

February 1-3

Every February 2nd, the town hosts an esteemed weather expert who has been making predictions for over 120 years, Punxsutawney Phil, to forecast the spring season...and Phil just happens to be a groundhog. This beloved event got its start in 1886.

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition

Charleston, South Carolina

February 13-15

Visit the largest wildlife art event in the USA, with original paintings, carvings and sculpture. Highlights include special guest appearances and animal shows.

Chicago International Auto Show

Chicago, Illinois

February 13-22

Rev up to see a complete range of U.S. and foreign passenger cars and trucks, sport utility vehicles, experimental and concept cars. This year is the show's 100th edition.

SnowFest

North Lake Tahoe, Nevada

February 27-March 8

The town and area ski resorts celebrate snow and winter sports with 10 days of family fun, competitions and the best of Tahoe's famed winter activities.

Fun Feature: About USA - Welcome

A bipartisan welcome from three former U.S. presidents is included on DiscoverAmerica.com. Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton co-signed the official welcome letter found on the About USA page. "The gift of travel has given us a greater understanding for different cultures and people around the world," the Presidents said. "Along the way, we have built great friendships. It is our hope that you, too, will come to know America through your travels here."

Things To Do: Activity Finder

DiscoverAmerica.com's Activity Finder allows you to browse destinations by 24 popular trip activity categories. This filter produces hundreds of attractions and activities in cities nationwide based on what you are looking for in your next trip. It can also break-down activities by time of year and by nine geographic regions.

Here are just two of the 24 trip activities that you can sort by:

Art Galleries and Museums

About a quarter of overseas visitors to the United States include a museum or art gallery during their stay, according to the US Department of Commerce's Office of Travel and Tourism Industries. Select from up to 586 remarkable institutions nationwide, from the Experience Music Project in Seattle to the stunning Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Skiing

Find world-class ski and snowboarding resorts from coast to coast in the United States. To help you plan your winter getaway, DiscoverAmerica.com identifies 11 popular U.S. regions, from the Sandia Peak Ski Area in New Mexico to the mountaintops of Utah, which played host to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

About DiscoverAmerica.com

DiscoverAmerica.com is the first-ever official source of travel information on the USA and is designed specifically for international travelers. The website houses detailed trip-planning resources on all 50 states, popular American cities and attractions, procedures on entering the US, booking options, and activity and mapping tools, among other features. DiscoverAmerica.com is a product of the Washington, DC-based Travel Industry Association in collaboration with the US Department of Commerce.

News from DiscoverAmerica.com is produced by the Travel Industry Association (TIA). An overview of the website (PDF) and images for reproduction are available for your use. Look for the next issue in November. Please contact Greg Staley or Rebecca Pearson for additional media assistance.