February
2,
2008 Groundhog Day w/Punxsutawney Phil - Punxsutawney, PA
February 2nd is Groundhog Day, and you can be a part of the official celebration at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, PA. Now pulling in a crowd of 30,000+, people come from all over to see if Punxsutawney Phil, the local weather-predicting woodchuck, will determine if there is to be extra winter in the cards. There are also many other events taking place, such as guided tours, meals, craft fairs and more.
February
5,
2008 Empire State Building Run-Up - New York, NY
Only the strongest and fittest will survive this race up the 1575 stairs of the Empire State Building, from the lobby to the 86th floor. The record so far for the fastest is Suzy Walsham (women's record) with 13:12, and Paul Crake (men's record) of 09:33. The race is by invitation only, so if you feel you've got what it takes, contact the New York Road Runners Club for an application. Otherwise, you can just observe from below.
February
6,
2008 Düsseldorf Carnival Parade - Düesseldorf, Germany
This bizarre and colorful German festival attracts more than 6000 wildly costumed carnival-goers who dance, scream, and parade through the city for days on end.
February
9,
2008 Woo at the Zoo - San Francisco, CA
Join Jane Tollini, former zoo penguin keeper and animal-care professional, for Woo at the Zoo. It's the San Francisco Zoo's Valentine's Day (or week) adventure which includes up-close animal encounters and a multimedia presentation looking into mating techniques and how animals reproduce and raise families.
An added bonus is that there is an array of romantic refreshments including champagne, sushi and a pasta bar. The cost for the event is $75.
February
10,
2008 Devil's Carnival (La Diablada) - Oruro, Bolivia
Oruro, Bolivia, spends three days in spring to celebrate carnival. The main highlight is the La Diablada, or the devil dance. The carnival consists of many groups with a variety of amazing costumes and dances. The origin of the Diablada is said to be from a particular type of devil worship. Apparently you can dance with the devil...
February
13,
2008 The Holy Land Experience - Orlando, FL
Visit the Holy Land Experience in Orlando (open daily) to experience an interactive recreation of Jerusalem during Jesus' time. The small theme park located near Disneyworld holds many highlights, including information from actors about Herod's Gate (recreated in a half-scale replica) and the Via Dolorosa, as well as the multimedia shows at the Wilderness Tabernacle and the Temple of the Great King, which evoke the world of Roman Jerusalem in greater detail.
February
14,
2008 Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony - Trang, Thailand
If you're thinking about getting married, or just want to renew your vows, why not do it in an underwater ceremony in Thailand? This annual event is hosted in Trang, and all couples are warmly greeted and escorted to Ko Kradan island where they take the 40 foot plunge to holy matrimony. All participants must be certified divers!
Come be a part of the "biggest free show on earth" in New Orleans, LA. The week of Carnival leading up to Mardi Gras ("Fat Tuesday"), the day before Ash Wednesday, is a delightful blend of music, parades, and various festivals to celebrate before Lent. This is the biggest celebration of it's kind outside of the Brazilian Carnival, and if you are lucky enough to get there, don't forget the beads!
February
23,
2008 Langley Mystery Weekend - Langley, WA
Since 1984, the residents of the small artists' colony in Langley, WA, have hosted a weekend of mystery and investigation. Every year the town produces a new murder-mystery to be solved by residents and visitors alike. Participants pay a $5 fee and receive a newspaper with information, photos of "suspects" and a map to the crime scene and locations for clues. The plot and explanations are revealed at the finale, where prizes are awarded to those who have solved the "crime."
Visitors and hotel guests alike can marvel in the ancient ceremony of firewalking at the Sheraton Fiji Resort in Denarau.
This act is an amazing balance of strength & discipline of the mind, body, and spirit. In Fiji, firewalking ceremonies are still performed for special occasions by the Sawau tribe. To see the ceremony in its true form, one would have to travel to Beqa, Fiji, where the Sawau tribe exist.
