February 2004

Editor: Deb Thompson deb@lightpatch.com

Festivals for Travelers, Sites of the Month, Archives, Opinions, Rants, Praises.

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The Artsy Site Of The Month: Art Kids Rule! Spirograph This is also fun for grown-up people.		Handy Site Of The Month: Wind Chill Index How cold does it feel?
Just Fun Site Of The Month: Visited States Check off the U.S. states you've visited and see a map of them (also with a link to Visited Countries).		Scientific Site Of The Month: Science Fiction Blunders' Hall of Infamy Burning ships, Energy Beam Battles...They're great in fiction, but are they good science?

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February Events

For February Travelers

February 5-7, 2004 Smoky Mountains Storytelling Festival Grand Resort Hotel, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.	Workshops in storytelling and cartooning, story swapping, and stories told by master storytellers (including 14-year-old Tamarind King). Food is available onsite Learn Details: Call 865-453-8574.
February 6, 2004 Duct Tape Ball unknown venue(s), Anchorage, Alaska.	Not a festival in the strictest sense of the word, the ball is in its 5th year as a fundraiser, and features an "Under The Sea" theme this year. You dress for the event in your best duct tape fashions, and you sit at tables decorated with elegant duct tape arrangements. There is also an auction of duct tape art, and you can win prizes. Further Information: Call 907-276-5550.
February 6-7, 2004 Chocolate Festival various venues, Anaconda, Montana.	Each local merchant is fined (for charity) if caught not giving away free chocolates to all customers. There is also a quilt exhibit and a bake sale at Copper Village, and a chocolate goodie giveaway. More: Call 406-563-2422.
Sorry, folks. I'm unable to fulfill requests for personalized festival lists. (Unless you want to hire me for personal research!)
February 6-8, 2004 Hudson Hot Air Affair various venues, Hudson, Wisconsin.	Fireworks, pancake breakfast, snow volleyball, bingo, karaoke, chili cook-off, balloon launch, craft fair, commercial vendors, Moon Glow, activities for kids and more. Further Information: Call 715-381-2050 or 888-247-2332.
February 6-8, 2004 Tent City Days unknown venue(s), Wrangell, Alaska.	With a glance back at Gold Rush history Wrangell celebrates with bed races, a beard growing contest, sports, a ball and breakfast. More: Call 800-367-9745.
February 7, 2004 International Chocolate Festival Crystal Coast Civic Center, Morehead City, North Carolina.	Twenty-seven exhibit booths await your visit, and you can see 40 feet of chocolate brownies. There are chocolate sculptures, chocolate demonstrations, Chocolate Bingo, and a dessert competition by chefs. Further Details: Call 252-504-2203.
February 7, 2004 Winter Festival Clark Park, Fish Creek, Wisconsin.	Bike toss, ice golfing, snowshoe dance contest, chili cook-off and more. More: Call 920-868-2316 or 800-577-1880.
February 7-8, 2004 Gasparilla Pirate Fest various venues, Tampa, Florida.	In its celebration of 100 years, The Gasparilla storms into Hillsborough Bay and does a ritual capture of the city. The events include a parade, brunch, music and more. Additional Information: Call 813-353-8108.
February 7-8, 2004 Salem's So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival Downtown, Salem, Massachusetts.	Wine and chocolate tasting at Old Town Hall, merchant chocolate specials, local Red Cross blood drive, ice sculptures on display. Further Details: Call 908-740-1208.
February 7-8, 2004 Schnee Days Downtown, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.	Winter golf, ice skating, snow sculpting, Schnee Ball, chili cook-off, bratwurst, entertainment and more. More: Call 877-ELK-HART.
February 7-8, 2004 Winter Festival Downtown, Cedarburg, Wisconsin.	Barrel races, sock hop, pancake breakfast, ice sculpture contest, bed races on ice, chili contest, music, open family skating, the "Ice-Burg Open" golf tournament with yellow tennis balls, hayrides, Snowbird Egg Hunt, Children's Carnival, bratwurst, Alaskan Malamute Dog Weight Pull Competition and more. Further Information: Call 262-377-9620 or 800-CDR-BURG.
February 7-8, 2004 Chocolate & Coffee Lovers Festival Convention Center, Seaside, Oregon.	Chocolate carving, pie-eating contest, gourmet chocolate and coffee tastings, educational coffee seminar, cooking contests, raffle, fashion show, chef demonstrations. There is a small admission fee. Booths will provide small free sample tastings and will also offer products for sale. Details: 800-444-6740 or 503-738-6391.
February 7-8, 2004 Everglades City Seafood Festival Downtown, Everglades City, Florida.	Great seafood served up as a local fundraiser. Further Information: Call 941-695-4100 or 941-695-3781.
February 7-8, 2004 Iola Winter Carnival unknown venue(s), Iola, Wisconsin.	Snowmobile radar run, crafts, raffle, lutefisk supper, Badger State Ski Jumping. Learn More: Call 715-445-4005.
February 7-8, 2004 Chocolate Lovers Festival Old Town, Fairfax, Virginia.	Regular and chocolate-chip pancakes, The History of Chocolate at Legato School, Taste of Chocolate with hundreds of samples you can enjoy for a small fee, The Chocolate Caper mock trial for kids, the Chocolate Challenge (chefs and artists compete with edible sculptures and cakes), high tea at Bailiwick Inn (please call 703-691-2266 for reservations), 18th Century gaming (with chocolate coins for bidding), entertainment, puppet show, storytelling, cooking demonstrations. Additional Details: Call 703-591-2450.
February 7-8, 2004 Kites On Ice Lake Mendota, Madison, Wisconsin.	Kite artists display their kites with synchronized flying, kite aerial photography, mass ascension, snowshoe demos, Nite Lites and Kites Show. Further Information: Call 608-850-4900.
February 7-8, 2004 Winterfest Festival Main Street, Lake Havasu City, Arizona.	Car and boat displays, arts and crafts, Civitan Salsa Challenge, food. More: Call 928-855-4115.
February 13-15, 2004 Yuma River Daze Arts & Crafts Fair various venues, Yuma, Arizona.	In its 9th year, this is largely an arts and crafts event, with strolling entertainment and historic reenactments to add to the fun. Learn More: Call 928-782-5712.
Colorful festivals are great for taking pictures. Please ask permission before taking photos of arts and crafts items at a festival booth.
February 13-15, 2004 Homer Winter Carnival various venues, Homer, Alaska.	To get people out of the house in the dead of winter, this festival features a parade, a community dance, beer-brewing contest, Chocolate Decadence at the Pratt Museum and more. Find Out More: Call 907-235-7740.
February 13-15, 2004 Eelpout Festival City Park area, Walker, Minnesota.	Ice drilling competitions, competition for best eelpout encampment, sled dog rides, Eelpout Peelout 5-Mile Run, Polar Plunge, Eelpout 500 On-Ice Auto Race. Further Details: Call 320-259-6010.
February 13-16, 2004 Cloverdale Citrus Fair Fairgrounds, Cloverdale, California.	Now in its 112th year, the fair features large-scale citrus exhibits, wine tasting, a gourmet food show, carnival and events for kids, and plenty of arts and crafts. Additional Information: Call 707-894-3992.
February 13-22, 2004 Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival County Fairgrounds, Indio, California.	Monster Truck show, parade, musical entertainment, petting zoo, art, cooking demonstrations, demolition derby, nightly pageant called The 8th Voyage of Sinbad and the Pearl of Wisdom, camel races, ostrich races, plenty of carnival foods, and carnival rides. Learn More: Call 800-811-FAIR.
February 14, 2004 Sweet Potato Festival Samuel Pannell Community Center, Sacramento, California.	In its 15th year, this one-day special event features a sweet potato pie contest, vendors, cookbooks, festival merchandise, sweet potato ice cream, entertainment, a California Highway Patrol safe car-seat display, and you may pre-order whole sweet potato pies by calling ahead. Additional Details: Call 916-491-6859.
February 14-15, 2004 Dexter Winter Festival various venues, Dexter, Maine.	Snow sculpture contest, Snowmobile Radar-Run, sleigh rides, fireworks, snowmobile parade and more. Information: Call 207-924-3067.
February 14-15, 2004 Cabin Fever Festival Fairgrounds, Frederick, Maryland.	Juried arts and crafts, craft demonstrations, decorating ideas, entertainment, food. Additional Details: Call 301-898-5466.
February 14-16, 2004 Olmsted Winterfest Delaware Park, Buffalo, New York.	Activities for kids, music, sports, fireworks, chili cook-off. Information: Call 716-884-9660.
February 14-16, 2004 Bryce Canyon Winter Festival Ruby's Inn, Bryce, Utah.	Ski clinics, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, archery, photography clinic, ski archery competition, snow sculpture contest, people-powered sled race, kayaking demonstrations, kids snowboot races, entertainment. More: Call 435-834-5341.
February 19-22, 2004 Color In The Valley various venues, Stockton, California.	Artists Market Theater films and panels, gospel choir, spoken word presentations, Black Tie Gala Awards Banquet, Fashion Extravaganza, visual art and more. Learn Details: Call 800-600-1583.
February 20-March 7, 2004 Fur Rendezvous various venues, Anchorage, Alaska.	Antique car show, ski races, chili feed, pancake feed, Fur Rondy Grand Prix, Frostbite Footrace, antique tractor and toy show, military vehicle show, spaghetti dinner, arts and crafts, oyster shucking competition, pony rides, ice bowling, music, Senior Pinochle Tournament, Eskimo Blanket Toss, Snowshoe Softball, snowboarding competition, stamp show, wine, dinner theatre, cribbage, Cabin Fever Bon Spiel. Further Information: Call 907-274-1177.
The ABC Art & Craft Event Directory: 2003 National Edition by Mary Reed	Carnival Secrets by Matthew L. Gryczan
February 21-22, 2004 Strawberry Folk Festival Redland's Fruit & Spice Park, Homestead, Florida.	Storytelling, music and dance entertainment, activities for kids, rides, gift and plant booths, food, traditional crafts and more. Additional Details: Call 305-883-6464.
February 21-22, 2004 Greek Festival St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Palm Desert, California.	Greek music with Greek dancers and dance lessons, cooking demonstrations, tours of the church, foods and pastries, marketplace. More: Call 760-568-9901.
February 26-29, 2004 Almond Blossom Festival Community Center, Ripon, California.	Queen pageant, Almond Blossom Run, parade, crafts, almond treats, 8K and 1-mile run, baking contest, diaper derby, and there will be raw and roasted almonds for sale as well as cinnamon-vanilla almonds and other flavors. This event is in its 42nd year. Further Information: Call 209-599-7519.
February 26-March-7, 2004 Florida Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds, Plant City, Florida.	The theme for the 69th year is "Florida's Berried Treasure". Features include a queen pageant, a historic log cabin Post Office with festival hand-cancellation of cards and letters, carnival rides, Country music concerts, agricultural and horticultural displays and competitions, crafts, strawberry plants for sale, and plenty of strawberry treats such as cobbler, sundaes, shortcake and fresh berries for sale. Additional Details: Call 813-752-9194.
February 27-March 7, 2004 Snow Festival various venues, North Tahoe, California.	Pancake breakfasts, Kiddie Kapers parade, snow sculpture competition, fastest bartender competition, fireworks, the Polar Bear Swim at Gar Woods Bar(register to compete: call 530-546-3366), spaghetti feed, Mardi Gras in the Mountains Parade, wine maker dinners, Sierra Vista Tricycle Races, broomball, snowshoe championships, dog dress-up contest, luau and more. To Learn More: Call 530-583-7167.
February 26-March-7, 2004 Capay Valley Almond Festival various venues, Esparto, California.	Esparto and other Yolo County towns celebrate the almond tree blossoms with almond roca, fried almonds, fresh almonds, tri-tip barbecue and other fun. Additional Details: Call 530-787-3242.
February 28-29, 2004 Grant Seafood Festival Community Center, Grant, Florida.	In its 38th year, the festival features fresh seafood dishes, displays on the local fishing industry, entertainment, crafts. Learn Details: Call 321-723-8687.
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February 28-29, 2004 Swamp Cabbage Festival various venues, LaBelle, Florida.	Rodeo, parade, Swamp Stomp 5K Run, arts and crafts, music, food and more. More: Call 863-675-2872.
February Somethings! Brief, bare-boned last-minute festival listings:
February 5 For The Love Of Chocolate, County Community Center, Medina, Ohio, 330-723-4565 or 877-441-4565 February 5-16 State Fair (Centennial), State Fairgrounds, Tampa, Florida, 813-621-7821 or 800-345-FAIR February 6-8 Cordova Iceworm Festival, Cordova, Alaska, 907-424-7260 February 6-22 Washington's Birthday Celebration, Laredo, Texas, 956-722-0589 February 7-8 & 14-15 Hoggetowne Medieval Faire, County Fairgrounds, Gainesville, Florida, 352-334-5064 February 8 Art & Wine Extravaganza, Elks Lodge, Sonora, California, 209-588-9689 February 13-14 Olustee Battle Festival & Reenactment, Lake City, Florida, 386-755-1097 February 13-15 Arcade Winterfest, Village of Arcade, Arcade, New York, 585-492-2114 February 13-15 Ice Castle Extravaganza, Lakeside Park, Mayville, New York, 716-753-3113 February 15 Winter Festival, Fireman's Park, Wayside, Wisconsin, 920-864-2255 February 21-22 Tulsa Indian Art Festival, Greenwood Cultural Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 918-838-3875 February 21-22 Klondike Days, Eagle River, Wisconsin, 800-359-6315 February 21-22 Oregon Asian Celebration, Lane Events Center, Eugene, Oregon, 541-687-9600 February 22-29 Charro Days, Brownsville, Texas, 956-542-4245 February 26-29 Snow Rondi, Anchor Point, Alaska, 907-235-2600 February 28 Grumpy Old Men Festival, Mississippi Parkside Marina, Wabasha, Wisconsin, 651-565-4158 February 28-March 7 International Carillon Festival, Bok Sanctuary, Lake Wales, Florida,
Other February 2004 Events You Might Enjoy
February 1 149th Birthday of Pt. Pinos Lighthouse, Pacific Grove, California, 831-648-5716 ext. 13 February 2-16 American Indian Exposition, Tucson Bargain Center, Tucson, Arizona, 520-622-4900 February 5-8 Orchid Show & Sale, Mall, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, 610-608-3944 February 6-8 Frostbite Follies, various venues, Littleton, New Hampshire, 603-444-6561 February 7 Arti Gras, Shopko Hall, Green Bay, Wisconsin, 920-435-2787 February 7-8 Valentine Wine & Chocolate Weekend, Lodi, California, 888-700-LODI February 7-9 Bald Eagle Days, Nelson Dewey State Park, Cassville, Wisconsin, 608-725-5855 February 8 Sweet Sensations--A Festival of Desserts, Pioneer Resort, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 920-233-6267 February 12 Chocolate Gala, Adorni Recreation Center (Waterfront Drive), Eureka, California, 707-442-6463 February 12-15 Hillsborough Antique Show, San Mateo Expo Center, San Mateo, California, 650-574-3247 February 13-15 Gem & Mineral Show & Sale, Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, North Carolina, 336-288-7452 February 14 Valentine Chocolate Frolic, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Altoona, Pennsylvania, 814-942-1372 February 14 Pathmark Gospel Choir Competition, Grand Central Terminal, New York, New York February 14 Roaring 20's Arts & Crafts, Sebring, Florida, 863-471-5104 February 14-15 Arts & Crafts Show, Town Hall, Julian, California February 14-15 Sing-Along Wizard of Oz, Kingsbury Hall, Salt Lake City, Utah February 14-15 Garage Sale, Prairie Capital Convention Center, Springfield, Illinois, 217-788-8800 February 14-22 Pittsburgh International Auto Show, Convention Center, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, 412-963-8909 February 15 Spam Cook-Off Doo Wop Party, Hotel Del Rio, Isleton, California, 916-777-6033 February 17-19 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, 800-235-9058 February 20-22 International Gem & Jewelry Show, Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly, Virginia, 301-294-1640 February 20-22 Special Olympics Wisconsin Winter Games, Wausau, Wisconsin, 608-222-1324 February 21 Fabulous Fairmont Fruitcake Follies, Municipal Airport, Fairmont, Minnesota, 507-235-5547 February 21-22 Art & Rubber Stamp Expo, San Mateo Expo Center, San Mateo, California, 650-574-3247 February 21-22 Sand & Sage Collectors Show, County Fairgrounds, Garden City, Kansas, 620-272-3844 February 21-22 Jewlery, Gem, Fossil & Mineral Show, W. Idaho Fairgrounds, Boise, Idaho, 208-628-4002 February 22 Philipsburg Chocolate Fest, Moshannon Hts. Building, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, 814-342-2930 February 22 Great Taste of Pacific Grove, Inn at Spanish Bay, Pacific Grove, California, 831-642-4943 February 22-27 Steinbeck House Anniversary Week, Salinas, California, 831-424-2735 February 28-29 Kentucky Crafted: The Market, Kentucky Fair & Expo Center, Louisville, Kentucky, 502-367-5180 February 28-29 Twin Cities Bead Bazaar, National Guard Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 952-492-2493 February 28-29 Gem, Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show, State Fairgrounds, Jackson, Mississippi February 28-29 Depression Era Glass Show, State Fairgrounds, Little Rock, Arkansas, 501-375-0435 February 28-March 7 Buffalo Home & Garden Show, Convention Center, Buffalo, New York, 716-631-2266 February 29 Donation & Consignment Sale, Strasburg Fire Co. Station 5-10, Strassburg, Pennsylvania, 717-687-7323
It's always best to call ahead to verify festival information. Please tell them you saw the listing in Deb's Monthly Review.

Trade something you have for something you want! Keep more of your cash-- And barter! Check out Santa Cruz Barter!

Look at this guy!

This is Scott L. Schwartz. If you ever get into trouble, you'll want him on your side. This guy means business. And his business is playing big and bad. Big may come easy, because he's 6'10" and weighs about 300 pounds. I'm not sure how he pulls off the bad part though, because he actually seems to be very... Well, never mind. Just click on the banner and get ready for some action. www.ultimatebadguy.com Scott played a camouflage wrestler in the highly successful film Spiderman

Once upon a time there was a man with a gentle voice and quiet charm. He made several movies and worked in a TV show playing a character who rode a motorcycle from town to town, touching lives, and singing a little here and there. Then some of us didn't hear much of him for awhile. We wondered if he would ever come to sing for us again.
Michael Parks is singing, and he recorded 17 songs for us to enjoy, including: I'll Never Be Free Basin Street Blues Don't Go To Strangers Easy Street This CD was a long time coming, but it was worth waiting for. Take a trip to Listen Recordings where you can order your copy.

Above: Metallic Choker Necklace Left: Dreamcatcher Earrings

Joan Garnand creates from her home in Tennessee. Her design styles range from simple elegance to whimsical fun. Joan does hand-painted stationery, uses spare moments at festivals to paint faces, and entertains children at private parties. Only a small sample of her work is illustrated online. Talk to her about what you're looking for!

The next time you and a friend reach for comfort food, it might make a difference what gender you are. This study from last year showed that men and women tended to split on the idea of what a comfort food is.
There's a lot of talk about global warming, but is it something we can even control? A good jumping-off place for learning more about it is here.		If you're tired of car air fresheners that look like trees and smell like flowers and pine needles, how about one that mimics a barbecue scent? Instead of little green trees you can get a Batman logo, Gumby, Hello Pitbull or Three Stooges.

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