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US: Wilmington, DE – Let’s Do the Time Warp at The Rocky Horror Picture Show

What better homage to Halloween for adults then The Rocky Horror Picture Show. For over four decades, The Rocky Horror Picture Show has been giving absolute pleasure to adoring audiences.

You aren’t going to want to miss this interactive movie experience at the Theatre N Stage that combines film and live performers. A cult classic for more than forty years, The Rocky Horror Show is a humorous and sinfully twisted tribute to the science fiction and horror B movies of the late 1940s through to the early 1970s.

The musical tells the story of a newly engaged couple getting caught in a storm and take refuge in the eerie mansion of Dr Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry),  a transvestite scientist. Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker (Meat Loaf) and a creepy biker ((Richard O’Brien). Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named “Rocky.”

Costumes and audience participation are highly encouraged so get in touch with your inner Frankie and come to the party wearing your best Transylvanian costume. Sing along, shout along, and dance along having a great time with the featured live shadowcast.

Location:  Theatre N at Nemours , The Nemours Building, Wilmington, DE 19801
Dates and Times: Sat Oct 20 @11pm, Thurs, Fri, Sat Oct 25-27 @8pm
Tel: 302-571-4075
theatren.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitwilmingtonde.com

US: Salem, MA – Frightfully Fun Halloween Events in Salem

Is there a place that can be more synonymous to Halloween then Salem, Massachusetts?  Throughout the entire month of October visitors of all ages flock there for the ultimate Halloween experience. Whether it’s haunted houses, historic landmarks, costume parties, ghost tours, historic tours, events, psychic and tarot readings, witch and magical shops, Salem’s Haunted Happenings, a festive celebration of Halloween and fall in New England, offers a plethora of unique one of a kind Halloween experiences.

Oct 13th:
12th Annual Witch City 5K Road Race
– Salem Willows Park 167 Fort Ave. 9:00 am. 12th Annual Witch City 5K Road Race. Run through Boo-tiful Historic Salem. Get your best running costume ready for this annual Salem Haunted Happenings Event. A great way to begin your day of Halloween fun in Salem. Let the kids join the Halloween costume fun with the Spooktacular Kids Broom Dash. Post-race awards, costume contest, music, photos, refreshments and more. Witch City 5K

Haunted Harmonies A Capella Festival – Haunted Harmonies is a one day A Cappella Festival. Vocal Group Competition-2pm, Tabernacle Church (50 Washington St.) Free and open to the public. Street Singing-4:30pm-6pm, Essex Street Pedestrian Mall. Free. Evening Concert-7:30pm, Tabernacle Church (50 Washington St.) See website for tickets. Haunted Harmonies

Howl-O-Ween Costumed Pet Parade – Derby Wharf, Salem Maritime Historic Site, 160 Derby St. 1 pm-2:30 pm. The event will include plenty of fun and games and a parade and costume contest with prizes. The event is free, though attendees wishing to participate in the parade will be asked to register. Further details: Howl-O-Ween Parade

Dark Of Night At Pioneer Village– Pioneer Village, West Ave. – Forest River Park.  Starting at 7pm. In candle-lit cottages at the dark forest’s edge, ghostly tales are told. An annual event for those lucky enough to experience the village in October. Seating is limited. Parking is free. Schedule and ticket purchase: Dark Of Night

Oct 14th: MDA Halloween Witch Ride- 11am. Scenic ride from Boston Harley-Davidson at 649 Squire Rd. in Revere to Shetland Park in Salem. All bikes welcome. Register

Oct 19th: Tony Moran At Count Orlok’s – Oct. 19, Oct 2o, Oct 21 – Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery 217 Essex St. (978) 740-0500 Special celebrity guest Tony Moran, known as the face of Michael Myers in the film “Halloween” will be appearing at Count Orlok’s for a meet and greet and autographs. Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery

Oct 20th: Haunted GracePhantom of the Opera – Grace Episcopal Church, 385 Essex St. 7:30-9:30pm. Love Gothic buildings and silent movies accompanied by spooky organ music? Haunted Grace is back with a chance to watch the original 1925 Phantom of the Opera with a live soundtrack played on the organ at local Gothic Grace Church. Info and tickets

Jerry’s Fright Fair – Oct 20, Oct 21, Oct 27, Oct 28- 301 Essex St. 10am-7pm. 2 floors of vendors/artists selling mostly Halloween themed merchandise, artwork, jewelry, crafts and more! Info

An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe– Remix Church, 9 Church St – 6-7 pm  special guest, the dearly departed Edgar Allan Poe returns to Salem in a theatrically eerie setting, performing dramatic readings of “The Raven” and “A Tell-Tale Heart.” Mister Poe will answer all your deepest, darkest questions about his life, his work and his mysterious death. Information and tickets

Oct 21: Trick Or Treat On The Wharf – Pickering Wharf, Derby St. at Congress St.  5pm to 7pm  Join the businesses on Pickering Wharf for this annual event that is free and open to the public. Children can give their costumes a test run at Pickering Wharf in Salem – participating establishments will be offering treats for kids.

Oct 27: Devils Chase 6.66 Miler and Creepy Clown 3.33 Miler – Soccer Field, Salem Willows, Salem, Ma. (Other Side of 129 Fort Ave)  6:30am registration8am start time. The Devils Chase 6.66 Mile Run, named to the Top Nine Costume Runs in the World, is the best and most unique event you will run in all year long. 98% of participants dress up in devil-themed costumes. New this year,  a 3.33 Miler for our runners that want the same fun of the Devils Chase 6.66 Miler with half the run. People from all over the world venture to Historic Salem for one hell of a good time and a great run past a variety of Salem’s well known landmarks.  Devil’s Chase and Creepy Clown 3.33

Tales at the Witch House – The Witch House  310 Essex St. 978-744-8815. Starting at 7pm. Don’t miss a macabre tales of superstition and murder. Move through the darkened rooms of the Witch House by lantern light as the story is performed by costumed actors. Stories begin every half hour and last about a half hour.  Tales At The Witch House

Haunted Grace – Nosferatu – Grace Episcopal Church, 385 Essex St. 7:30-9:30pm. Love Gothic buildings and silent movies accompanied by spooky organ music? Haunted Grace is back with a chance to watch the original 1922 Nosferatu with a live soundtrack played on the organ at local Gothic Grace Church. Info and tickets

Oct 31: 27th Annual TNW Samhain Witches CircleThe Temple of Nine Wells -ATC Ceremony at Gallows Hill Park, 5:30pm-7:30pm. Members of the Temple of Nine Wells Community, local Witches and Pagans and visitors from all over the world will gather at Gallows Hill park on Samhain Night. Dress warmly and walk with them to the site at 4:30pm from NU AEON at 88 Wharf St. After the rite, return to the heart of downtown Salem in the annual Commemorative Candle Light Walk.  Samhain Witches Circle

Closing Fireworks Display – 10:15pm Washington St./Bridge St. Overpass. Official conclusion of Salem’s Halloween celebration.

On Going Events:
Imprisoned! 1692 : Essex National Heritage Area, 35 St. Peter. St. Weekends in October. Experience the horrors of the Old Witch Gaol (jail), the actual location where many accused were held during the infamous trials. There’s no turning back now. On the eve of the deadliest night of the Witch Trials, the jailer will guide you to hear the stories of the convicted and their final pleas. Their fate has been chosen, but is it deserved? They will let you come to your own conclusions. Information and tickets

Witchery – Musical Play Written Just for Salem: Ames Hall, YMCA, 290 Essex St. 800-838-3006 Fridays Oct. 5 & 12 – 7pm; Saturdays Oct. 6 & 13 – 2pm & 7pm; Sundays Oct. 7 & 14 – 2pm. Witchery is a live, fun filled musical play. A lost little witch falls off her mother’s broomstick on Halloween night into the land of Salem Massachusetts. Let’s all help the witches, warlocks, ghosts and turkeys find her, in this fun musical for all ages. Live actors, Live music. Witchery

Salem Witch Museum 19 1/2 Washington Square North 978-744-1692 – Do you believe in witchcraft? At this museum get an understanding into the complex perception of witches, “from midwives and healers to witch hunts and Wiccans.” Salem’s most visited museum presents the witch hysteria of 1692 in an educational, thought-provoking, and a bit spooky way. You’ll learn about the event leading up to the witch trials, and what life was like in Salem.salemwitchmuseum

Salem Arts Association Exhibition: “Dark Arts”: Salem Arts Association, 211 Bridge St. Ash St. Entrance. Oct 5-Nov.4 Salem Arts Association Presents “Dark Arts”. Explore Salem’s history with witchcraft, religion, and Halloween. Dark Arts

The Tarot Experience – Moon Witch: The Witchery, 61 Wharf St. witchcraft & moon magick along with themes from the tarot in new and thought-provoking ways.

Salem Horror Fest 2018: October 4-14 – Cinema Salem at Witch City Mall & Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St. A festival of screenings, parties, exhibits, concerts, panels, discussions, and celebrity appearances in the Halloween capital of the world. Film schedule and tickets: Salem Horror Fest

The Salem Haunted Magic Show – Hysteria: Oddities!: St. Peter’s Church Hall Theater, 24 Saint Peter’s St. September 29-November 2. A New Live 75 minute show HYSTERIA: Oddities! A unique blend of inconceivable magic, bizarre demonstrations of mind reading, wild comedy, and interactive audience participation. The show focuses on the mysterious and sometimes frightening world of the circus sideshow with incredible demonstrations of bizarre and scary magic, along with classic sideshow stunts like walking on broken glass, swallowing swords, beds of nails and eating lightbulbs . Showtimes and tickets: Salem Haunted Magic Show

Cry Innocent: The People vs. Bridget Bishop: Old Town Hall  32 Derby Square  June 17th-August 26th, Sat. & Sun. in September and daily October 1st – 31st.  The year is 1692. Bridget Bishop has been accused of witchcraft and YOU are on the Puritan jury. Hear the historical testimonies, cross-examine the witnesses and decide the verdict. Is Bridget Bishop capable of witchcraft? Play your part in history. Approximate duration of the show is 45 minutes. The outdoor arrest scene begins approximately 15 minutes before show time. During the show, the audience may step into the role of Puritan jurors. Tickets and schedule: Cry Innocent

Gallows Hill Museum And Theater: Gallows Hill Museum And Theater – 7 Lynde St. 978-825-0222  A variety of performances and attractions throughout October including: Gallows Hill Main Show, Lost Museum, Ghosts and Legends Trolley Tour, Daytime Walking Tours, Tales and Ales and other entertainment events Oct.1-Oct.31. Details and schedules: Gallows Hill Museum and Theater

Salem Time Machine: 131 Essex St. 4-D Walk-Thru Adventure into Salem’s Past 978-744-0013 -Two walk-thru attractions: Salem 3D Haunted Adventure, for families, children and those not wanting a scare. The attraction is dressed for Halloween and is a 16 minute walk-thru telling the story of Salem from 1650 to 1991. For those in a Halloween state of mind try the 3-D Haunted House with live actors, 3-D walls, 3-D floors, black lights, and haunting sound. Salem Time Machine

Witch Mansion: 186-1 Essex Street, Museum Place Mall  978-825-1300 – Witch Mansion claims to be Salem’s scariest haunted attraction. Built by a professional haunted house design firm, this eerie adventure is guaranteed to give you Chills and Thrills. Along with high-tech animations and creepy ghost illusions in 4D. You won’t believe your eyes as you enter a twilight world of ghosts, beasts and banshees.  Witch Mansion

Mahi-Mahi Haunted Happenings Cruises & Boo!s Cruises: Pickering Wharf – Derby and Congress Streets – (978) 825-0001 Haunted Happenings Harbor Cruise: The fabled coastlines of Salem sound come alive with tales of haunted lighthouses, eerie islands, ruthless pirates, and living monsters who wreak havoc on passing ships to this very day.  This spook-tacular 75-minute cruise screams Haunted Happenings Fun day or night. Haunted Happenings Cruise Halloween BOO!S Cruise: 2-hour cruise with DJ Snow spinning your favorite dance tunes and Halloween favorites. Costume prizes awarded, Ages 21+. Halloween Boo!s Cruise

House Of Seven Gables October Performances:  October 5-27, House Of 7 Gables – 115 Derby St. 978-744-0991.SPIRITS OF THE GABLES:Get swept into Hawthorne’s tale of guilt, greed and revenge as the characters from The House of the Seven Gables (1851), come to life and recount their stories while you walk through the very house that inspired Hawthorne’s timeless novel. LEGACY OF THE HANGING JUDGE: Legacy of the Hanging Judge takes visitors back through Nathaniel Hawthorne’s birth home to the events of the infamous Salem Witch Trials, through the eyes of the author, whose own ancestor, Judge John Hathorne had a hand to play in the tragic events of 1692. Performances begin every ten minutes in The Nathaniel Hawthorne birth house and last approximately 35 minutes. Last performance begins at closing. Combination tickets available. Reservations highly recommended. October Nights At The Gables

The Salem Psychic Fair And Witches’ Market: Witch City Mall – 176 Essex St. 10am-10pm Oct. 1- Oct. 31 Explore the future with a psychic reading and make contact with the Spirit World at Salem’s longest-running psychic fair. The Annual Psychic Fair and Witchcraft Expo features the Witch City’s most gifted Psychics. Wander an emporium of magical gifts, meet real practicing Witches, and make an appointment with one of Salem’s talented psychic readers.  Psychic Fair

Festival Of The Dead Event Series: Various events from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31. Locations include: 184 Essex St, Witch City Mall, Hawthorne Hotel, Salem Common. Halloween is the time of year when the shades of the dead whisper from forgotten places and spirits walk among us. The Witches of Salem honor this time with Festival of the Dead, an annual event series that explores death’s macabre customs, heretical histories, and strange rituals.  Festival of the Dead beckons guests to step through the veil into a realm where spirits await. Listing of events: Festival Of The Dead

Haunted Dinner Theater – Shipwrecked!: Hawthorne Hotel, 18 Washington Sq. Weekends from Sept. 28th through Nov. 3rd. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, pirate ships sailed in search of other men’s gold off the coast of New England.  One such ship, the Dolphin, was lost with all hands. A group of infamous pirate captains come together to solve the mystery of what really happened to the doomed vessel and her treasure and they look to you to decide who is a treacherous dog that should pay the ultimate price. Haunted Dinner Theater

Whether you go by broom, by trolley or by foot, abandon all hope and surrender to the spell of Salem! There’s nothing quite like spending Halloween in Salem, always jam packed with fun and spooky things to do.

Dates: Various
Times: Various
hauntedhappenings.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: bostonusa.com

Photo Credit: John Andrews Photography

US: Mount Vernon, VA – Walk in Washington’s Boots and Make Tough Decisions

Do you have what it takes to lead like Washington? Visitors to his Mount Vernon Estate now have a chance to put themselves in Washington’s boots and experience first-hand the leadership challenges that he faced on the battlefield and in the presidency.

“Be Washington: It’s Your Turn to Lead” is a new first-person interactive experience that allows visitors to  come face to face with a leadership challenge that George Washington also confronted as commander in chief or president. Listen to advice from his most trusted sources and make your decision.

Inside the immersive 1,200-square-foot Be Washington theater, participants take the role of George Washington as they seek to solve one of four crises that Washington faced. Events of the Revolutionary War and presidency come alive on a massive 30-foot 6K-resolution screen. Chris Jackson, the actor who played George Washington in the Broadway hit “Hamilton,” will introduce each of the plots onscreen and will later describe the course of action that General or President Washington took. Each scene takes about 18 minutes to complete.

Featured scenarios include the Battle of Second Trenton, the Whiskey Rebellion, the Genet Affair and the Newburgh Conspiracy. As you learn about the situation, participants hear insights and opinions from some of the same historical advisers that Washington would have had access to, such as Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox. As they sift through differing recommendations, they are asked to rate each adviser’s persuasiveness.

At the end of each segment as Washington, the participants have seconds to vote for which course of action they would take to solve the crisis.  All votes are then tabulated and shared on the main screen. Washington’s decisive actions at key moments helped to shape our history. Discover if you would have made the same tough choices.

Entry to the Be Washington theater is free when you purchase a general admission ticket to Mount Vernon. You can try the web-version of “Be Washington” at: play.bewashington.org

Location: George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121
Date: until – Dec 31, 2018
Time: 9am – 4pm
Tel: 703-780-2000
mountvernon.org/site/bewashington
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitalexandriava.com

US: Brunswick, GA – Coastfest For Circus, Sharks, Cannons, and Shrimp, of Course

The 24th edition of CoastFest, Georgia’s largest celebration highlighting their state’s unique coastal environment and natural resources, takes center stage on Saturday, October 6th from 10 am ’til 4pm with a family-friendly day of fun and education.

Over 70 environmental, educational, research and resource organizations from around the southeast will be represented at CoastFest 2018, offering visitors a chance to learn about Georgia’s coastal resources through interactive exhibits and displays and have some fun at the same time.

Visitors of all ages can participate in activities from recycling to learning about coastal weather, native plants to sea turtles, water conservation to archeology, herpetology to geology, sharks to shrimp.

Be captivated throughout the day under the Big Top by many unique events: Arthur Atsma and his Science Circus amaze the audience with science and Newtonian physics taught through fast-paced circus stunts and magic tricks keeping you on the edge of your seat. Jim Sawgrass and his Creek Indian encampment entertain with Native American songs and ritual dances, master juggler Rhys Thomas performing amazing juggling feats with tons of audience participation and Bubble-ologist Keith Johnson uses imagination and science to explore how bubbles work, and reptiles and raptors from the Center for Wildlife Education at Georgia Southern University will take center stage for two shows throughout the day.

CoastFest 2018 will offer new experiences around every corner. Put your hands into the touch tanks with unique coastal Georgia sea life, participate in living history demonstrations with military re-enactors from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War and witness cannon firings. Learn boating safety, master kayaking, try your hand at archery, or how about holding live snakes or even an alligator. You can tour the US Coast Guard boats, Plenty of ‘make-it-take-it’ projects, walk up to a bull moose, a bear, an elk, a wolf, and too many more activities to list.

Catch the excitement at this fun and kid-friendly, family-friendly FREE event with an abundance of educational games, activities and experiences.

Location: MaryRoss Waterfront Park , Bay Street at Gloucester St., Brunswick, GA 31520
Date: Sat, Oct 6, 2018
Time: 10am – 4pm
Tel: 912-264-7218
coastalgadnr.org/CoastFest
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: goldenisles.com

US: Miami Beach, FL- Florida Grand Opera: Free Family Day and Performance

Do you have a New Year’s resolution for 2018, perhaps that includes exposing your family to more culture, well here’s your chance. On January 6th, Florida Grand Opera is holding a fun-filled Family Day for those new to the genre or seasoned opera aficionados.

Explore the world of opera through hands-on activities, performances, interactive experiences, and the thrill of live theater. Enjoy a special presentation of Hansel & Gretel by the FGO Children’s Opera.

Florida Opera Piano2017-12-12_14-48-09Activities (while supplies last) –

10am-12pm: Black Box: Voice experience with an interactive voice lesson

Lab Theater: Instrument Petting Zoo

Classroom: Costume Demonstration and crafts

Dance Rehearsal Studio: Makeup/lighting color effects demo

12-12:45pm Hansel & Gretel Main Stage performance Floridsa Opera Hansel & Gretel FB_IMG_1510853432253

12:45 Post-show autographs and pictures in Main Stage Lobby

Appropriate for all ages. Free admission;  All patrons entering the theater require a ticket regardless of age. This includes children and infants.

Florida Opera Face Painting2017-12-12_14-50-12Location: South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, 10950 SW 211 Street, Cutler Bay, FL 33189
Date: Sat, Jan. 6th, 2018
Time: 10am – 2pm
Tel: 786-573-5316
Tel Box office: 786-573-5300
smdcac.org/events/fgo-family-day-2017
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & attractions: miamiandbeaches.com

 

US: Wilson, NC – Whirligig Festival for Art in Motion, Touch-a-Truck and a Dive Into a Cake

Wilson, NC Exit 121: The North Carolina Whirligig Festival is a 2-day hometown annual arts and crafts festival features arts of the region, including the giant Whirligigs created by late local artist, Vollis Simpson. Like the whimsical outsider art, the Wilson Whirligig Festival,  in Historic Downtown Wilson, is a community celebration of people and art in motion.V. Simpson 2017-10-10_10-52-15

The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park is hosting their Grand Opening the Thursday before the festival weekend, Nov. 2nd starting at 4 pm.

With Over 200+ vendors, 3 stages of live entertainment, a showcase of local and interactive art,  delicious food, beer gardens, Non-Profit organizations, free Whirli-Kidz Zone, Special events, 5K Whirli-Run, Whirli-Kidz Stage & Choir, Cup Cake Challenge, Photo Contest. New this year is a Ninja Whirligig Warrior Zone where you can meet local American Ninja Warriors, watch them compete and get a chance to test out the course yourself.

Kids Stage2017-10-10_11-00-39

The ever popular cake dive is back, Sun @4pm: witness the festival’s messiest event, a “dive” into a large 10 ft x 10 ft anniversary cake for a variety of prizes.

Touch-A-Truck is a fun event for the whole family, allowing children three + an all access pass to explore, climb and touch city of Wilson trucks and emergency response vehicles. Kids can sit in vehicles, honk the horn and talk with the equipment operators. Horn free hours will be offered throughout the day for kids with noise sensitivity.Police Vehicles2017-10-10_10-59-06

Douglas Street will transform into a space to build, create, and envision. With Brick Scholars, Greenlight, and Imagination Station Science & History Museum. Kids five + will be able to make Lego creations, even a whirligig! Showcase your creation with the onsite photo booth.

It’s a colorful 2-day celebration that sparks creativity in the people of Wilson, so get inspired and take part in the community’s largest celebration. (rain or shine)Logo 2017-10-10_8-27-06

Location: Historic Downtown Wilson,NC 27893
Dates: Nov 4 – 5, 2017
Times:  Sat, Nov 4 -10 am – 5 pm , Sun, Nov 5  noon – 5 pm
Tel: 252-289-9650
whirligigfestivalnc.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: wilson-nc.com

US: Baltimore, MD – Urban Adventure Quest – Baltimore is your Game Board…Anytime!

Turn Baltimore’s Inner Harbor into a giant game board with this fun scavenger hunt adventure. What a fabulous, unique and entertaining way for the whole family to see the city.  This amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure combines the excitement of the Amazing Race with a three-hour city tour.AAmazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure - Fun3

Guided from any smart phone, teams make their way among well known and overlooked gems of the city, solving clues and completing challenges while learning local history. The adventure begins in the Historic Inner Harbor and will take you on a journey along the water front, among museums and other historic buildings. You’ll explore interesting parts of Little Italy and see the location where the Star-Spangled Banner Flag was created.

This is an interactive tour, where your Smart Phone leads you on a fun and engaging walking tour of the city to complete challenges,  solve clues all while working together to unravel secrets of the city. Optional hints make sure that all teams can find a location or solve a challenge to move forward and earn points for correct answers.  See famous sights and hidden gems of the city while learning interesting facts and discovering unique history.

Mention promo code – Drivei95Blog to receive a 20% off discount.

Start: Outside the Maryland Science Center (Harbor side)
End: Star-Spangled Banner Flag House
Distance: 1.5 miles
Time: 2.5 – 3 hours
Challenges: 20
Bonuses: 4
Points of Interest: Inner Harbor, Maryland Science Center, USS Constellation , Baltimore WTC, Power Plant and Little Italy

Available 365 days a year, sunrise to sunset. Start when you want and play at your pace.

Start Location: Outside the Maryland Science Center (Harbor side), 601 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
Date and Time: Daily, 10am – 7pm
Tel: 805-603-5620
urbanadventurequest.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: baltimore.org

US: Pawtucket, RI – Dragon Boat Racing & Taiwan Day Festival in Blackstone Valley

Now in its 18th year, the Rhode Island Chinese Dragon Boat Races & Taiwan Day Festival is an extraordinary event for the whole family to enjoy.  Join the thousands of people who attend each year for exciting competition, family-fun, and a great opportunity to learn more about Chinese culture.RI Dragon Boat 2017-07-31_11-03-41

Racers continue to use the fiberglass Taiwanese-style dragon boats gifted to them from the Republic of China (Taiwan)  and incorporate the skill of flag-catching in each race.

The course length is 1,000 feet long up the Pawtucket River, with three boats racing at a time. A unique element to the races is the larger Taiwanese-style dragon boats, wood paddles, and the flag-catching in each race. If the flag is missed a penalty is added to their time.RI Dragon Boat- crowd2017-07-31_11-05-27

Sanctioned by the Eastern Regional Dragon Boat Association, the RI Chinese Dragon Boat Races consist of two divisions: the Mixed Division, which requires a minimum of 6 female paddlers, and the Open Division that has no gender restrictions.

In addition to the exciting boat races, under the giant tent you will find Taiwan Day festivities with some top notch entertainment including  cultural performances, many art & crafts tables, and the ever-popular dumpling eating contest. The festival also has a great selection of vendors, interactive activities, and food trucks.RI Dragon Boat dancers2017-07-31_11-08-34

Don’t miss the great entertainment throughout the day including:

  • The popular Chinese dumpling eating contest
  • Taiwanese arts & crafts tables
  • Lion dancers
  • Yo-yo performances
  • Interactive games and activities
  • A fun (and messy) watermelon eating contest
  • Food trucks
  • Vendors

With so much to see and do…the Taiwan Day Festival is truly a great opportunity to witness some wonderful traditional Chinese and Taiwanese entertainment.

Parking and shuttle buses: Parking and shuttles for teams and attendees will be located at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center‘s lot, 175 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI. Shuttle buses will start at 7:00 am and run until the awards ceremony has been completed.

Photo credit: James Toomey/Blackstone Valley Tourism Council

Location: Festival Pier, Pawtucket River, Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Date: Sat, September 9, 2017
Time: 8am – 5pm
Tel: 401-724-2200
dragonboatri.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: tourblackstone.com

US: West Friendship, MD – The Howard County Fair Celebrating 72 Years!

The 72nd Annual Howard County Fair kicks off on Saturday, August 5th through Saturday, August 12th, 2017. The fair is a  celebration of Howard County’s farming past and present. Howard County Fair -girl

An American tradition loaded with wonderfully wholesome family fun including: magic shows, clowns, balloon artists, carnival rides and games, interactive exhibits, educational demonstrations, livestock exhibits, musical entertainment, an animal petting zoo and appetizing food.

Howard County Fair -Pig RacesThe Howard County Fair hosts horse shows, pony rides, Antique tractor pulls, and livestock competitions, 4-H shows/exhibits, Demo Derby, Rodeo, Horse-Pulling Contest, Antique Automobile Show, Pie Eating Contest,  Pig Races, Bingo, AG Displays and Farm produce. Enjoy some of the area’s best live music, from rock and country, to bluegrass Howard County Fair - Tractorand oldies.

There is also a PRCA All American Pro Rodeo on August 8th & 9th, 7:00 pm as well as a Demolition Derby on August 9th & 12th – 7:00 pm.

Schedule of Some Featured Events:

Horse-Pulling Contest – First Saturday @ 10:00 am

Antique Tractor Pull – First Saturday @ 4:00 pm

Antique Automobile Show – Sunday from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Pie Eating Contest – Sunday @ 12:00 noon

Pretty Animal Contest – Sunday @ 11:00 am

Miss Howard County Farm Bureau Contest,
Future Howard County Farmer, and
Little Miss Howard County Farm Bureau Contest – Sunday @ 3:00 pm

Mule Pulling Contest – First Saturday @ 9:00 am

Coon Mule Jump – First Saturday, immediately after Mule Pull

Howard County’s Got Talent – Thursday @ 7:00 pm

Baby Contest Miniature Parade – Last Saturday @ 10:00 am

Parade of Floats – Last Saturday @ 5:00 pm

Amusement Rides & Games – Hours:
Saturdays and Sunday: 12 Noon – 11 pm;
Monday through Friday: 2pm – 11pm

“Kids and Critters” Barn Hours:
10:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
(CLOSED DAILY FROM 2 PM TO 4 PM)

Pig Races – 12 Noon, 3 pm, 6 pm, & 8 pm
Bingo Hall – Opens Daily at 6 pm
Pony Rides – 10 am – 10 pm
AG Displays – DAILY
Farm Produce – DAILY

Location: 2210 Fairgrounds Rd, West Friendship, MD 21794 Get Directions
Dates: Aug 5 – 12, 2017
Time: 8 AM – 11PM
Tel: 410-442-1022
howardcountyfair.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visithowardcounty.com

US: North Haven, CT – Medieval Faire with Jousting, Fairy Magic, Armored Combat, Music, and Merry Men

Walk into a medieval  fairytale and experience what a spring festival might have been like in 12th century Nottingham England. Fantasy takes flight when you step back to the past at Robin Hood’s Faire. Witness singing, dancing and magic throughout the faire, listen to old world music performed live on stage and in the streets and watch Robin Hood and his Merry Men stop Prince John’s villainy.Robin Hood's Faire- Night

This amusing and colorful festival offers continuous themed entertainment throughout the day and some special events including:  The Mayor of Nottingham’s Bingo Brunch, Princess Tea Time, Archery & Archery Tag, Opening Ceremony, Daily Tournaments, Paragon Jousting, parade, Prince John’s Plot and join the Merry Men interactive show. For a complete schedule of events: robinhoodsfaire.com/shops-and-crafts/show-information/show-schedule/

The Faire has featured weekends, with activities geared to themes:

May 13, 14 – Pet Weekend– Open up a whole new world for your pet when you attend Robin Hood’s Faire “Pet Weekend”. Participate in daily contests with your pet to win prizes or just watch shows, shop, and enjoy the day. robinhoodsfaire.com/may-13-14-pet-weekend/
May 20-21 – Fantasy & Fairies Weekend- Anything is possible with fairy magic as visitors from a variety of places and times are pulled from the future and past to Robin Hood’s Faire. Come as you are or consider dressing as a fairy or play someone from history or the future. robinhoodsfaire.com/fantasy-fairy-weekend-may-20-21/
May 27, 28, 29 – Bromance & Brew Weekend-What could be better than hanging out with your guy friends, competing against each other in manly contests, and sharing a cold craft brew? Guys will enjoy this weekend and  ladies, Sunday is a vow renewals with Friar Tuck.  robinhoodsfaire.com/bromance-brew-weekend-may-27-28-29/

Robin Hood’s Faire runs every Saturday, Sunday, and Memorial Day from May 13-29, 2017 (11 am to 7pm). Tickets to the festival are available at the Faire on all days of the show. All food, drink, and games are cash only. Robin Hood's Faire- Group

Location: North Haven Fairgrounds, 300 Washington Ave, North Haven, CT 06473
Dates: May 13 — 29, opened Sat, Sun & Memorial Day
Hours: 11– 7pm
Tel: 860-478-5954
robinhoodsfaire.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitnewhaven.com