Created and Maintained by: The Photoimaging Information Council
Calendar of Events
Take Great Pictures' Calendar of Events is a wonderful photo resource for any traveler. Here we feature some of the best photo ops throughout the US and the World, from hot air balloon festivals to various cultural celebrations to off-beat events, our Calendar is sure to get you some great photographs. Check out schedules for Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day, New Year's Eve, July 4th, and dozens more holidays.
Oklahoma's rattlesnake baiting season has come once again, and is held over three days to celebrate (and hunt) the venomous creatures. Festivities include a parade, bull riding, train rides, and the "den of death." And don't forget what all the hullaballoo is about; the snake hunting takes place over the weekend. Just try not to get bit...
In Bend, OR, the art galleries stay open extra late (until 9pm) every first Friday of the month. Come join them in May for special receptions, presentations, live music, featured artists, and food.
May
3,
2008 Miami Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival - Miami, FL
Originally from the Far East, dragon boat racing has found its way to Miami, FL, once a year in the form of a festival. Each boat has 20 paddlers each, and they compete in 250 meter races take place off the coast of Claughton Island. There is also plenty of entertainment to keep the crowds happy, even if they're not into the races.
May
4,
2008 St. Croix Ironman Triathalon - St. Croix, Virgin Islands
Come watch (or join?) the intense athletes during the Ironman Triathlon all over St. Croix island. The race begins at Hotel on the Cay, in the middle of Christiansted Harbor. It consists of a 2km swim, followed by a 90km bike ride, and ended with a grueling 21km run. Be sure to bring some water....
Cinco de Mayo (literally the 5th of May) commemorates the 1862 victory of a small Mexican militia over Napoleon's powerful invading force.
New York's large Mexican community celebrates their culture and cuisine throughout the city. Stop by any Mexican restaurant and check for local events to see how festive the day is!
More than 20,000 goths congregate in Leipzig, Germany, from May 9-13 for the annual Wave Gothic Meeting, where music, performance, and parties celebrate all things dark and mysterious. Don't forget your black eyeliner.
May
11 - 12,
2008 Gardens for Connoisseurs - Atlanta, GA
The Gardens for Connoisseurs tour, traditionally held on Mother's Day weekend, allows flower lovers to view the beautiful gardens all over Atlanta that are usually closed to the public.
May
15,
2008 World Championship BBQ-Cooking Contest - Memphis, TN
Join the 90,000+ people who gather for the weekend cook-off in Memphis, TN, where the BBQ is superb and the southerners don't mess around! Over $60,000 in prize money is awarded at the "Superbowl of Swine" and the event is just one of the Memphis in May festivals. Watch for the dressed up grills and pounds of pork; certainly, this is not a place for vegetarians...
May
17,
2008 Mike the Headless Chicken Days - Fruita, CO
Since 1999, the town of Fruita, CO, has held a festival for Mike the Headless Chicken. The festival commemorates a freak slaughtering accident that took place in 1945, leaving the rooster, Mike, headless--yet he survived for another 18 months! Locals and visitors alike are welcomed to celebrate by dressing up like chickens, running races like headless chickens, eating contests, and general chicken madness.
May
18,
2008 Bay to Breakers Foot Race - San Francisco, CA
From the serious to silly, tens of thousands of racers run together in SF's 12K Bay to Breakers Foot Race. Although there are some intent runners vying for the cash and prizes, most are there simply to have fun and run in various costumes along the roads that lead from the SF Bay to the breakers of the Pacific Ocean.
The Indianapolis Zoo hosts the annual tortoise race, which is modeled after the Indianapolis 500 motor race. The tortoises are lured to the finish line with fresh fruits and vegetables.
The event is presented by the American Dairy Association of Indiana, and marks the move of the Aldabra tortoises from their winter area to their summer home.
May
25,
2008 The Baby-Jumping Colacho Festival - Castrillo de Murcia, Spain
Observe the bizarre ritual of El Colacho, where grown men dressed as devils (complete with weaponry) jump over helpless babies.
The event has occurred since 1620 at Castrillo de Murcia in Spain, celebrating Corpus Christi. The belief is that the "devil" who jumps over the sweet babies will be removing the evil from the children, cleansing them in the process.
May
26,
2008 Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling - Brockworth, England
Watch Brits battle it out in a mad downhill race involving an eight pound Double Gloucester rolling cheese.
The event has created broken limbs and other disastrous accidents. Apparently, there is an average of about 30-40 injuries as well as some usually very behaved folk acting in a very non-civilized way. Should be fun.
