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. November 19, 2008

NOVEMBER 19, 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 (December 2008 - March 2009)

Holiday Ale Festival

Portland, Oregon

December 3-7

More than 30 winter ales are featured in this region's only winter outdoor beer event. Each brew is specially created to bring warmth and cheer to the holiday season.

For more information about Portland, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

Falmouth Holidays-by-the-Sea

Falmouth, Massachusetts

December 5-7

The picturesque town welcomes Seafaring Santa as he sails into the docks to kick off the holiday season.

For more information about Cape Cod, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

Fiesta de las Luminarias

San Antonio, Texas

December 5-21

Experience the holiday serenity of San Antonio's River Walk by strolling along its enchanting banks with more than 6,000 luminarias lighting the way.

For more information about San Antonio, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

37th Annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

December 13

The world's most-watched boat parade shimmers across the length of Fort Lauderdale with colorful lights, decorations and entertainment.

For more information about Fort Lauderdale, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

New Year's Eve Party on the Strip

Las Vegas, Nevada

December 31-January 1

Las Vegas is a thrill on New Year's Eve. The casino strip transforms into the longest New Year's block party in the USA.

For more information about Las Vegas, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

Mummers Parade

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

January 1

Celebrate New Year's Day watching the oldest folk parade in the U.S. The ritzy parade features thousands of musicians and dancers elaborately dressed in feathers and sequins.

For more information about Philadelphia, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

2009 U.S. Figure Skating Championship

Cleveland, Ohio

January 18-25

The U.S. Figure Skating Championship is the most prestigious figure skating event in the country. See the crowning of 12 new national champions.

For more information about Cleveland, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

St. Paul Winter Carnival

St. Paul, Minnesota

January 22-February 1

Minnesota's capital embraces the fun of winter with ice-carving contests, snow-sculpting competitions and car races on ice.

For more information about Minnesota, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

Carnaval Brasileiro

Austin, Texas

January 31

Flamboyant costumes, Brazilian samba music, and the uninhibited, spirited atmosphere make Austin's Carnaval one of the biggest such festivals outside of Brazil.

For more information about Austin, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

27th Annual Chocolate Festival

Norman, Oklahoma

February 7

Chocolate lovers can sample everything chocolate-from decadent cakes to bold chocolate chili-at one of the top rated food fests in the Southwestern U.S.

For more information about Oklahoma, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games

Boise, Idaho

February 7-13

Watch floor hockey, figure skating, Alpine skiing and much more as you cheer on admirable Special Olympics athletes from around the world.

For more information about Idaho, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

NFL Pro Bowl

Oahu, Hawaii

February 8

The best players of the National Football League gather at this all-star event to wow fans of American football-or any type of sports fan looking for an excuse to visit a warm beach in winter.

For more information about Oahu, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

Water Fall Ice Festival

Cody, Wyoming

February 13-16

Want to try waterfall ice climbing? Avid climbers take on one of the largest concentrations of frozen waterfalls in the nation and offer climbing demonstrations.

For more information about Wyoming, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

Modernism Week

Palm Springs, California

February 13-21

Everything is "Mod" at the celebration of design and architecture in Palm Springs. Special events include a modernism show and open-air bus architectural tours.

For more information about Palm Springs, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

South Beach Food and Wine Festival

Miami, Florida

February 19-22

South Beach is overflowing with flavor with food and wine tastings galore. Join popular TV personalities as they give cooking demonstrations and offer book signings.

For more information about Miami, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

Color the Wind Kite Festival

Clear Lake, Iowa

February 21

Hundreds of colorful kites rise above the frozen waters of Clear Lake, some as large as 120 feet (36.5 meters) in length. Watch remarkable choreographed team flying.

For more information about Iowa, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

The Academy Awards

Los Angeles, California

February 22

The glamorous Oscars! The greatest motion picture awards ceremony in the world is staged annually in Hollywood and televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

For more information about Los Angeles, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

Mardi Gras

New Orleans, Louisiana

February 24

A centerpiece of New Orleans culture, Mardi Gras is a celebration of music, parades, food and floats. Spend Fat Tuesday enjoying unabashed indulgence in the Big Easy.

For more information about New Orleans, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

Fiery Foods and BBQ Show

Albuquerque, New Mexico

February 27-March 1

It is no surprise the largest spicy foods show takes place in the state where locals eat chile with practically every meal of the day.

For more information about Albuquerque, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

The Yellowstone Rendezvous Race

West Yellowstone, Montana

March 7

The 30th annual ski race prevails with six speed competitions, all of which are part of the American Ski Marathon series.

For more information about Montana, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

First-Ever 6th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

Hot Springs, Arkansas

March 17

This goofy celebration, boasting Irish belly dancers, a pub crawl and green fireworks, is the world's shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade on the shortest street in the world.

For more information about Arkansas, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

Chicago Flower & Garden Show

Chicago, Illinois

March 7-15

The Flower and Garden show will blossom along Chicago's lakefront, attracting novice green thumbs and horticultural aficionados to the sweet smell of gardening.

For more information about Chicago, click here.

For more information about this event, click here.

Macon Cherry Blossom Festival

Macon, Georgia

March 20-29

Delight in the splendor of hot-air balloons, historic tours, gala balls and fashion shows beneath a beautiful canopy of more than 300,000 blossoming Yoshino Cherry trees.

For more information about Georgia, click here.

For more information about this event, click 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:

Scenic Byways

Search Scenic Byways for 16 great American roadways to travel during your U.S. holiday. Scenic Byways is a collection of distinctive and diverse roads found in states from Alaska to Florida. Each drive takes in breathtaking vistas and natural and man-made panoramas, such as the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway in Oregon and the Creole Nature Trail in Louisiana.

Resorts and Spas

Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton and Harrah's are among the popular resort and spa properties found on DiscoverAmerica.com's Activity Finder. Browse 46 famous resort locales and hidden gems in the U.S., including luxurious beach front experiences in Maui, mountain lodges in Oregon and Utah, and refined resorts in California.

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 U.S., booking options, and activity and mapping tools, among other features. DiscoverAmerica.com is a product of the Travel Industry Association in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Commerce.

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