Courtesy Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Over nine days in October, the skies in Albuquerque fill with more than 750 colorful hot-air balloons during the International Balloon Fiesta, the largest hot-air balloon festival in the world. This year is the 40th anniversary of the event.
According to Tom Garrity, spokesman for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the Group Tour Hospitality Package makes it easy for organizers to plan their trip to the fiesta. Registration fees include admission tickets, access to a hospitality tent that serves light refreshments and parking in a lot near the tent.
The fiesta includes several interesting events, among them the mass launch, where all of the balloons in the festival take off in two large waves; the special shape rodeo, where many creatively shaped balloons all take off at the same time; and the “Glowdeo,” where balloons light up the night sky with their propane burners but are stationary on the ground, making the balloons look like colorful bulbs; and the Dawn Patrol, where balloons leave before daylight and land around the city at daybreak.
Mardi Gras
New Orleans
The world turns its eyes to New Orleans on Fat Tuesday to witness the color, spectacle and debauchery, but Mardi Gras runs much deeper than that. The celebration is steeped with tradition and meaning, and groups can have a variety of experiences. Visitors can arrange to take part in exclusive events like riding on a Mardi Gras float or going to a costumed ball, or they can simply sit on the sidelines and catch throws at a parade.
Mardi Gras parades begin about a month before the start of Lent, but the two weeks leading up to Mardi Gras bring the most action.
Despite their rowdy reputation, most Mardi Gras parades are tame events, Bourbon Street notwithstanding. Most of the Garden District is family appropriate, and all the suburban parades offer good, clean fun. Few other times show the unique spirit of New Orleans quite like Mardi Gras, where revelers celebrate and share food, drinks and laughs along the parade routes as they line up to catch throws that range from beads to coconuts. Remember the phrase “throw me somethin’ mister!” and you’ll fit right in and bring home plenty of interesting treasures.
Parades thrown by “krewes” such as Endymion, Bacchus, Rex, Zulu, Proteus and Orpheus each have a distinct theme, floats, costumes and celebrity riders to steal the show.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
New York
The iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off the holiday season as hundreds of marching bands from all over the United States, floats carrying celebrities and entertainers, and giant balloons parade through Manhattan. More than 3 million people line the streets along the two-mile route to catch a glimpse of their favorite band, celebrity or balloon. Popular characters include Snoopy, Kermit the Frog and Mickey Mouse.
Excitement starts the day before the parade, when groups can get a look at the balloons up close as the Macy’s Giant Balloon Inflation takes place around the Museum of Natural History.
This year, the parade route has shifted: Starting at 77th Street and Central Park West, the parade will march down to Columbus Circle and turn onto Central Park South, then down Sixth Avenue before turning to finish in front of Macy’s Herald Square.
Portland Rose Festival
Portland, Oregon
Attended by more than 2 million people each year in late May and early June, the Portland Rose Festival has delighted flower aficionados for more than a century. Festivities comprise some 60 events and include three parades, live music, food and, of course, flowers. Drawing 1.2 million people in 2011, it is one of the most-attended annual events in the United States, and for good reason.
The Grand Floral Parade celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012. During this parade, more than a dozen floral-covered floats are joined by marching bands, dancers, singing groups and vintage cars.
During the festival’s Fleet Week celebration, U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Navy ships on active duty that have recently come back from overseas dock at Tom McCall Waterfront Park and offer guided tours and demonstrations.
Another favorite event for groups is the Portland Rose Society’s Annual Spring Rose Show, where growers from across the Northwest compete for honors. Other events include dragon boat races, where about 80 teams from around the world race through the Willamette River in the distinctive boats.
Frontier Days
Cheyenne, Wyoming
For 10 days hear the last week of July, Cheyenne hosts Frontier Days, the largest outdoor rodeo in the world. The celebration of Western roots dates back to 1897 and features numerous group events, including daily rodeos; a large nationally sanctioned rodeo; a fair with rides, games, and food vendors; a free pancake breakfast; an air show featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron; and musical entertainment from music and comedy acts.
Groups can find out what goes on behind the scenes at the rodeo with a “Behind the Chute” tour and weave through the maze of gates leading to the arena. For a Western cultural experience, groups can visit the Old West Museum, which displays Western art and rodeo history; the Native American Village, with authentic storytelling, music, and dance; or Wild Horse Gulch, a Wild West town with artisans, craftsmen and merchants.
