Watch the excitement at the Florida Sports Park on March 1-2, where the annual swamp buggy race will be held. This has been a tradition since 1943, which started with only a few racers. Due to increased interest, there are now over 70 racers, all aiming for first place and a brand new shotgun. After the race, stick around--don't miss the ceremonial mud dunking of the newly crowned Swamp Buggy Queen.
March
4,
2008 Tagata Fertility Festival (Hounen Matsuri) - Tagata Jinja, Komaki, Japan
The Tagata Fertility Festival, or Hounen Matsuri, is celebrated in Komaki, Japan annually. The event, which is symbolized by phallus symbols, is held as an offering in order for the Shinto deities to produce a healthy and bountiful harvest.
March
7,
2008 Frozen Dead Guy Days - Nederland, CO
Every year in Nederland, CO, there is a celebration for Bredo Morstel, the frozen dead guy. His recently deceased body was brought to CO from Norway in 1989 by his grandson, and has remained there since in a cryogenic state. There are a variety of events held, including a coffin race, to commemorate his frozenness in a shed behind his daughter's old house.
March
8,
2008 Kona Brewers Festival - Kona-Kailua, Hawai'i
King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel hosts the annual micro brewery festival on Hawai'i's Big Island. All eight of Hawai'i's breweries are represented, as well as 20 more from the mainland. Local chefs, live music, and hula dancing are some of the other included events at this lively festival.
March
9,
2008 New England Spring Flower Show - Boston, MA
The Massachusetts Horticultural Society produces the annual New England Spring Flower Show at Boston's Bayside Expo and Executive Conference Center. The show is in its 137th year and has grown to be the third largest flower show in the world. There will be many exhibits, competitions, entertainment and information-sharing, as well as 40 fully landscaped gardens.
March
9,
2008 27th Annual Jungle Boater Race - Ozark, AR
The Annual Jungle Boater Race is a Class II, eight-mile canoe race on the Mulberry River. Categories include men's tandem, women's tandem, men's solo, women's solo, mixed tandem, and parent-child. Boats start one per minute, which makes for a rapid and fun-filled race with some very tight curves.
Hosted by the nation's live music capital, Austin's South by Southwest music, film, and media festival (based at the Austin Convention Center) features hundreds of gigs from March 7-16, day and night, at venues all over the city. See the SXSW website for more information on shows and events.
March 13 -
April 12,
2008 61st Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens - Charleston, SC
Discover some of the most beautiful private residences and gardens in America during the 61st Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens. Daily tours offer visitors the chance to see beyond the facades of nearly 150 historic private homes in 12 colonial and antebellum neighborhoods during the pinnacle of Charleston's blooming season.
March
13 - 17,
2008 St. Patrick's Festival Parade - Dublin, Ireland
All over the world revelers celebrate St. Patrick's Day, Ireland’s national holiday, but the real party is in Dublin. The festival spans five days and nights and features music, street theater, family carnivals, comedy, dance, a treasure hunt, and more. One million people attend each year to watch over 4,000 performers, and most of the spectacles are free. The grand finale is the famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17th.
March
14 - 30,
2008 Budapest Spring Festival - Budapest, Hungary
Many of Budapest's finest buildings and open spaces serve as venues for the eclectic events of the prestigious Spring Festival. Classical music leads the way but the series also features exhibitions, folkloric events, theater and film. Some 60,000 visitors attend the festival each year, which ends with a huge fireworks display.
March
21,
2008 Holy Cross Crucifixion: Lenten Rites - San Fernando, Philippines
In the Philippines, you can actually witness the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ during the Holy Week. There is a reenactment performed by locals costumed in Roman and peasant clothing, and at least three people are nailed to crucifixes by their hands and feet. They believe this brings them closer to God and tests their faith. Sounds painful.
The 34th annual Denver Powwow, held at the Denver Coliseum, features over 700 dancers and musicians from 70 Native American tribes, all competing through dance, style, and expression. There will also be a Storytelling room, arts and crafts, and a lot of delicious fry bread and other Native American foods.
March
24,
2008 Motorcycle Mayhem @ Bakken - Klampenborg, Denmark
Thousands of Danish and Swedish bikers gather forces to celebrate the Bakken Amusement Park season every March. The park remains open from March through August thanks to these burly bikers and their hogs.
Tampa's Doubletree Hotel hosts the annual Tattoofest March 27-29. With competitions, entertainment, and discussions, there will be something for everybody who loves tattoos and piercings. The contests are all free to enter, so get involved!
