Crystal Coast Blue Marlin

Fishing for Blue Marlin off the Crystal Coast

North Carolina�s Crystal Coast is home to the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament and in June the intensity will be at its highest when it is decided who takes home the grand Big Rock prize. 

Ever since the first big catch of marlin in 1957, fishermen have flocked to North Carolina�s coastal waters to see if they too could catch big game. The 53^rd annual fishing tournament kicks off on June 10 to 18 in Morehead City. Fishermen from all over the country join in on the tournament in hopes of winning big.             

The tournament offers a variety of festivities including a captain�s party, sponsored dinners, an awards banquet with an auction and a lady angler event. Prizes for the competition vary with each level as the opportunities to win increase. Daily release prizes include $5,300 for the 53^rd billfish release during the tournament and $2,000 each day for the first billfish released that day. 

The Big Rock Tournament has provided more than $1million to winners for the past 13 years and the competition continues to grow each year. With all this prize money, the board still finds a way to give back. Supporting numerous charities, they have donated more than $2,300,000.

The �gems� of the Crystal Coast include Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Emerald Isle, Harker�s Island and Morehead City. Dangling like a delicate strand of pearls off the coast of North Carolina, the favored Atlantic beach destination represents one of the only remaining natural barrier island systems in the world. 

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

For more information on the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament visit www.thebigrock.com 

French Quarter Festival

The largest free music festival in the South, the French Quarter Festival, showcases the finest music, food and culture that are uniquely New Orleans.

This year�s Festival from April 7 to 10 will feature over 275 hours of free music across 18 stages throughout the historic French Quarter.  With over 800 local musicians, every genre is represented. From traditional and contemporary jazz, to rhythm and blues, New Orleans funk, Zydeco, to brass bands, folk, opera and gospel, there is truly something for everyone.

Special events within the festival include the opening parade, the World Championship Crawfish Eating Contest, Battle of the Bands, Dancing at Dusk, the International Music Colloquium, family-fun activities at Children�s Headquarters, the World�s Largest Jazz Brunch, and more.  In addition, the kickoff party and fundraiser �TGIF� (Thank Goodness it�s Festival!) takes place the evening of Thursday, April 7 from 7 to 10 p.m.  

Attendees can also expect to see more great food and drinks, as there will be over 75 food and beverage booths located in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and the Louisiana State Museum�s Old U.S. Mint.  Participants in �The World�s Largest Jazz Brunch� will showcase local cuisine from the area�s finest restaurants. 

As always, there is no finer time to visit New Orleans as the spring, especially during the weekend of French Quarter Festival � the largest free music festival in the South.  April marks the start of the festival season in New Orleans and is normally a month of beautiful weather.  

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

For more information on the French Quarter Festival visit www.fqfi.org

Explore Mississippi History and Heritage

Mississippi invites visitors to experience the state�s rich history and cultural heritage and to find their true south during the month of February. Whether you are interested in Civil War history, the Civil Rights Movement or Native American culture, Mississippi is full of authentic sights, sounds, attractions and events for you to experience firsthand. It�s true: Mississippi is home to some of the nation�s most important history and heritage.

�So many historical figures lived, fought, struggled and endured in Mississippi,� said Mary Beth Wilkerson, director of the Mississippi Development Authority�s Tourism Division. �You can walk where they walked, see many of the things they saw and envision the years past that shaped our future and the world we live in today. That�s a key part of what makes Mississippi the perfect place to find your true south � we are real, honest and ready to share our story with you.�

Mississippi�s museums, historical homes, Civil War sites and Civil Rights landmarks are located throughout the state. From the Vicksburg National Military Park and the Corinth Interpretive Center near Shiloh National Military Park to the home of Medgar Evers and Freedom Corner in Jackson, plan a trip to Mississippi this month to experience it for yourself.

The year 2011 marks the 150^th Anniversary of the Civil War, and Mississippi is home to many of the Civil War Sesquicentennial activities and events being planned for 2011-2015. The Civil War Preservation Trust lists 39 Mississippi sites on its Civil War Discovery Trail. 

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

The recently launched www.mscivilwar150.com is an excellent resource for up-to-the-minute details about Civil War-related activities happening around Mississippi.

Savings on Santa Fe Winter Fiesta

What better time to throw a party in Santa Fe than the middle of winter?

From February 18 to 27, the Santa Fe Winter Fiesta will fill the sunny days and chilly nights with art, music, culture, and sports, with the help of fiesta savings offers from hundreds of Santa Fe merchants, restaurants and lodges.

  

A special Fiesta Lanyard offers value prices at participating businesses. Highlights of the Fiesta include:

• Fiesta Kick Off February 18, with a concert by rising star Brett Dennen at the Lensic, plus an evening-long Live 505 Bar Crawl with no cover charge for lanyard holders and a variety of specials at participating restaurants and taverns.
• GPS Snowshoe Scavenger Hunts February19, 20 and 21
• A Moonlight Cross-Country Ski trip in the amazing Valles Caldera February 19
• Live artist's demonstrations at the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art on February 22
• A Guided Native American Cultural Tour to Puye Cliffs February 22
• A series of evening concerts at the Santa Fe Performance Exchange
• Lift ticket savings all week at Ski Santa Fe
• Discounts on cooking classes and culinary tours from Santa Fe School of Cooking
• Art events all along Canyon Road February 25
• Grammy-nominated Latin orchestra Group Fantasma performs at the Santa Fe Farmers Market February19 at 8 p.m.
• Ice Carving Competition on the Santa Fe Plaza
•  

The Fiesta ends with three days of art-inspired fun during the 14th annual ARTfeast, February 25 to 27, including a town favorite, the Edible Art Tour February 25. 

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

Check www.santafewinterfiesta.com for everything that will be happening and to purchase a Fiesta Lanyard � your key to savings during the Santa Fe Winter Fiesta.

Blooming on Hawaii�s Garden Isle

Winter is an ideal time of year to visit the Garden Island. While most of the country is enduring the chilliness of winter, Kaua�i is sizzling with some events and festivals ..... and here are some of them.

Leilani Rivera Bond�s 17th Annual Hula H��ike on February 5 features Hawaiian music and dances by H�lau Hula �O Leilani and special guest artists.

The Zonta Club of Kaua�i will hold its Eat Dessert First fundraiser on February 11 at the Courtyard by Marriott Kauai at Coconut Beach. The event features desserts from Kaua�i chefs, fruit and cheese trays, a silent auction, prize drawings, and live island-style entertainment.

The cultural festival E Pili Kakou I Ho�okahi Lahui from February 18 to 20 brings together accomplished Kumu Hula (instructors) and cultural specialists to teach workshops in all styles of hula and chanting, and share stories and spirituality behind the dance in a non-competitive and open environment. The festival also showcases arts and crafts, food, music, and entertainment unique to Hawai�i.

Waimea Town Celebration on February 25 and 26 offers live top-line entertainment .... and crafts, games and product booths, along with a rodeo, softball, and three-man basketball tournament. Events on February 26 include a 10K run, canoe race, RC car race, ice cream eating contest, and ukulele competition.

The inaugural Garden Isle Tri-fest on March 12 and 23 features a variety of events at the Kaua'i Marriott Resort at Kalapaki Beach in Lihue Kaua'i.

A week of festivities honoring Prince Jonah K�hi� Kalaniana�ole, one of Hawai�i�s most beloved monarchs, takes place from March 19 to 26 in Po�ip�.

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

For information about Kaua�i � Hawai�i�s Island of Discovery � visit www.KauaiDiscovery.com

New York City Winter Offers

New York City is casting the spotlight on Harlem during Black History Month in February featuring new ways for New Yorkers and visitors to explore the neighborhood and take advantage of some of the best culture, restaurants and entertainment that New York City has to offer.

Cultural institutions highlighted throughout the month include: the Apollo Theater, Dwyer Cultural Center, El Museo de Barrio, Harlem Stage, the Museum of the City of New York, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and The Studio Museum in Harlem.

It is part of New York City�s marketing campaigns which include the City�s first-ever Broadway Week, the Get More NYC campaign, the return of the Off-Broadway promotion On the House and NYC Restaurant Week. The Get More NYC campaign, with programs offered throughout January and February, highlights special offers across retail, dining, culture, entertainment and hotels.

During the first-ever Broadway Week, January 24 to February 10, two-for-one tickets go on sale for 18 popular Broadway shows. Theatergoers can also enter the official AT&T Broadway Week Sweepstakes for a chance to win Broadway tickets for an entire year.

 NYC Restaurant Week� from January 24 to February 6 features more than 300 participating restaurants, including 35 new eateries, making it the largest NYC Restaurant Week in the program�s 19-year history.

The third annual On the House, an Off-Broadway program supported by media partner Time Out New York, offers two-for-one tickets to more than 30 Off-Broadway performances from January 24 to February 13.

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


For more detail on all of New York City�s winter programs and offers, visit www.nycgo.com.