Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine, Your destination for travel resources and entertainment.

A collection of fun events to keep you busy over the next three months.

February

2 Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania

Groundhog Day

When German settlers first came to Pennsylvania, they brought with them the Deutschland tradition of relying on woodland creatures for weather predictions. Today we’ve got the Weather Channel for that, but the groundhog remains a respected authority on seasonal patterns. Aside from the groundhog’s usual prognostication on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney—about 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh—this year’s daylong festivities include Phil’s Birthday Celebration, with cake, punch, and a gift for anyone born on the day; Groundhog Day wedding nuptials performed by the Punxsutawney mayor; Groundhog Day Scavenger Hunt; and the Meteorologist Hall of Fame Induction. Join the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club at sunrise (approximately 7:25 a.m. EST) for the morning ceremony. According to folklore, spring’s arrival depends on whether or not Punxsutawney Phil—said groundhog—sees his shadow after emerging from hibernation. If he does, don’t plan on breaking out your warm-weather duds for at least another six weeks. If he doesn’t, spring is in the air. But check your local forecast later; Phil’s predictions aren’t always accurate.

5 Phoenix

Phoenix Experimental Arts Festival

Redefine the definition of art at Phoenix’s Experimental Arts Festival. For two nights at Paradise Valley Community College, avant-garde artists top themselves with innovative songs, dances, and acting. CONDER/dance group incorporates a 52-foot fabric sculpture into its performance, while dancers from Scorpius Dance Theatre perform an excerpt from their fashion-show inspired Catwalk. But this isn’t a good way for the kids to experience art: The performances contain strong language and mature themes.

6 New York City

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

It’s no secret most hip-hop songs are less than kid-friendly, but rapper Secret Agent 23 Skidoo is changing all that. Hear him perform songs from his debut album, Easy, at a dance party at Symphony Space in New York City. His music combines funk, bluegrass, reggae, blues, and classic hip-hop beats with positive lyrics, making for music even big kids can enjoy. His song “The Last Dragon Left on Earth” tells the story of a dragon who overcomes his fear of humans in order to finally learn how to fly and find his family. The dragon befriends 7-year-old Billy, and the song sends the message that sometimes you have to get over your fears to experience life in the fullest, and finding a friend can help you do that. That’s a life lesson that’s easy to dance to.

11 Nashville, Tennessee

Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville

Nashville: the capital of Tennessee, country music, and new to the list: antiques and gardening. This year marks a special milestone for the Southern city, with the Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville celebrating its 20th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, featured guests—like Michael S. Smith, decorator to the White House; Ryan Gainey, the show’s Entry Garden designer; and Her Grace, Jane Percy, the Duchess of Northumberland and creator of Alnwick Garden, the 14-acre “Versailles of the North” public garden in England—will share their expertise with show-goers. Since its inception, the annual event has grown to be the largest show in the country to combine gardens and antiques in one location. Visitors can stroll through professionally designed gardens, learn from international horticulture experts, or browse the wares of more than 150 antique and flora vendors. The show runs through Feb. 13, with a Jazz Night on Feb. 12. Purchase a one-day pass online before Feb. 10 for $10, or $15 at the door. With all that expert advice and design inspiration, you’ll be more than ready for a home and garden makeover by the time the first jonquil blooms.

12 Fairdale, Kentucky

Valentine’s Day Hike at Jefferson Memorial Forest

Instead of a bouquet of roses, give your loved one the whole forest. The Valentine’s Day Hike at Jefferson Memorial Forest takes couples through a romantic candlelit stroll through the nation’s largest municipal urban forest on Mar. 12 and 13. The forest is located in Fairdale, Kentucky, just 15 miles from downtown Louisville. Don’t worry about wearing out: The hike is less than a mile and a half. It begins at 7:30 p.m. EST and ends around 10 p.m., with a breathtaking view of the lights of Louisville. Then, get cozy with your Valentine by the fireplace at Manor House while enjoying hot chocolate and goodies from local bakeries. At only $25 per couple, it’s much cheaper than a fancy dinner. Talk about a sweet date.

13 Phoenix

World Championship Hoop Dance Contest

See the World Champion of hoops crowned in Phoenix, but leave your basketball-fan paraphernalia at home. On Feb. 13 and 14, the Heard Museum will host the best American Indian and Canadian First Nation hoop dancers in a contest to find out who gets to call themselves the world’s best for 2010. Every dancer creates a unique routine that uses anywhere from four to 50 hoops, incorporating choreography that honors his tribe’s traditions and history. Some also use techniques from modern dances like hip-hop. Judges grade the dances based on five skills—precision, timing/rhythm, showmanship, creativeness, and speed—and look for a performance that combines artistry, athleticism, and creativity. And unlike in the other hoops competition, men and women compete against each other here. Last year’s winner, Brian Hammill, should be on hand to defend his title against dancers such as 2008 world champs Charles Denny, Derrick Suwaima Davis, and Alex Wells. Winners get a share of more than $30,000 in prize money, while fans can watch them for just $10. It’s the most fun you can have with a hoop that doesn’t involve a 7-footer named Shaq.

Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival

The term “South Beach Diet” takes on an entirely different connotation at the Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival. Over the stretch of the four-day event, you’ll see Food Network personalities up close and personal. Take a bite out of the best burgers and wash it down with a cold beer at the Amstel Light Burger Bash hosted by Rachael Ray. Or fill your stomach Sunday morning with Paula Deen at her Kiss My Grits Sunday Jazz Brunch. For a family friendly good time, head to Jungle Island for Fun and Fit as a Family, where the kids can learn about healthy cooking through fun and games. Then let the whippersnappers burn some fuel on a fitness course.

27 Virginia Beach, Virginia

Greenberg’s Train and Toy Show

Get on board as Greenberg’s Train and Toy Show makes a stop in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for a two-day track-packed extravaganza. Chugging along since 1976, it’s the oldest model train show in the Northeast. Check out train layouts covering hundreds of square feet, complete with bridges, mountains, and rivers. Look closely and you’ll even see farmers working in the fields and storefronts open for business. The show offers hundreds of scenery items to make your train collection envious, from model cars and trucks that move on their own and stop at traffic lights to plastic that you melt to look like water (heat it with a blow dryer to form waves). The hard-core enthusiasts can dish out thousands of dollars for a brass Eerie Railroad Triplex Locomotive, while the train-collecting beginners can spend as little as $20 for a basic set. If you’re looking to upgrade from your old toy train, bring it to the show to get offers from multiple dealers. Let the kids tag along for workshops and demonstrations, so they can get started on their toy train collection early. We think you can…we think you can….
28 Chicago

Hustle Up the Hancock

Put a little lift in your step as you Hustle Up the Hancock. And by hustle we mean climb, and by Hancock we mean Chicago’s 100-story John Hancock Center (gasp!). Every year, more than 4,000 people huff and puff their way to the top to raise money for the Respiratory Health Association, an organization dedicated to lung disease research, advocacy, and education. Sound too daunting? Try the half climb instead, which starts on the 52nd floor. Either way, you’ll end up on top.

March

4 Columbus, Ohio

Arnold Sports Festival

Pump up your New Years Resolution to get fit at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. The four-day extravaganza weighs in as the largest multi-sport festival in the nation. This year, new categories include skateboarding, amateur strongman, and figure and synchronized skating. Also making its debut at the festival: a three-day drawing and painting competition, beginning with a figure drawing and painting session on Friday—using athletes as models—followed by a studio day, and juried presentation on Sunday. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Lorimer—former chairman of the World Weightlifting Championships and Mr. World contest—masterminded this sports-obsessed weekend. With 18,000 competitors in more than 40 events, including 12 Olympic sports, plus the popular Arnold Classic and Ms. International bodybuilding contests, it’s a sports-fanatic’s dream. The Fitness EXPO hosts more than 700 exhibits offering the latest in fitness apparel, equipment, training tools, and nutrition. To that, we say, “Hasta la vista, belly flab.”

5 Albuquerque, New Mexico

National Fiery Foods and Barbecue Show

Torture your taste buds at the National Fiery Foods and Barbecue show in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where you’ll find the largest collection of hot and spicy foods ever assembled in the United States. From pickled raw garlic and spiced popcorn to habanero lollipops, you’re sure to find something to fire up your appetite. Past shows boasted such edibles as chipotle-spiced hot chocolate and hot apple salsa made with green apples, jalapenos, habanera, chipotle, and cinnamon. But be careful: Some of the vendors use bhut jolokia, the hottest pepper in the world according to Guinness World Records.

7 Austin, Texas

Zilker Park Kite Festival
Keep your fingers crossed for a steady breeze. You’ll need it at the Zilker Park Kite Festival in Austin. Anyone with a homemade kite can enter the contest, but you don’t have to have one to come to the festival. If the urge strikes, there will be a kite-making workshop to kick off the day, which will teach you how to make a kite in 10 minutes—and it’s guaranteed to fly. Amuse the kids with moonwalks or a rock-climbing wall. You won’t want to miss the kite contests, which will happen all day. In the past, there have been kites as big as 30 feet by 20 feet, and the smallest kite to win an award was smaller than a fingernail. In fact, when it was time to hand out the award, the kite was lost in the grass because it was so small.

12 Chandler, Arizona

Ostrich Festival

Flock to Chandler, Arizona, to see the largest birds in the world at the Ostrich Festival, about 30 miles from Phoenix. Make sure you get a front seat for the main attraction: ostrich races. They may not be able to fly, but they sure can run. Ostriches can cover between 16 to 23 feet per stride and maintain speeds between 30 and 50 miles per hour. At the ostrich display, you’ll learn that an adult male ostrich can grow up to 10 feet tall and weigh in at a whopping 400 pounds, that it would take an hour to soft boil a fresh ostrich egg, and that they have one of the most advanced immune systems known to man. But the ostriches don’t get all the attention: The festival also features pig races three times a day. The Kids’ Zone offers pony rides and a petting zoo with more than 100 animals. You’re sure to work up an appetite, so save room for the ostrich burgers.

12 Delray Beach, Florida

Garlic Fest

Stock up on Tic-Tacs and Listerine: It’s time to celebrate that stalwart of stink, the humble garlic. At Garlic Fest in Delray Beach, Florida, located outside Ft. Lauderdale, you can devour a year’s worth of garlic goodies and get tips on how to make the most of the bulb in your own kitchen. Mosey on over to the Gourmet Alley to sample dozens of creative garlic concoctions, such as garlic mahi mahi, garlic crab cakes, garlic nachos, garlic pizza, garlic shrimp scampi, and even garlic ice cream. Then head to Garlic Chef Stadium to watch cooking demonstration by local chefs, as well as the hotly contested Garlic Chef Competition. In that, competitors have one hour to prepare three gourmet dishes using identical ingredients, a mystery ingredient, and, of course, lots and lots of garlic. The kids can keep themselves entertained at Garlic University—where they can paint a terra cotta pot and plant a garlic seedling—or in the children’s area, which offers amusement park rides and performances by jugglers and stilt-walkers. Sounds like a stinkin’ good time. 14 Boston

Southie’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Celebrate the patron saint of Ireland in one of America’s most Irish neighborhoods at Southie’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Boston. In recent years, an average of 850,000 spectators have gathered to watch more than 30 marching and pipe bands from throughout North America. The spectacle kicks off at 1 p.m. EST, with the three-mile route beginning at the Broadway T stop and passing through the historically Irish neighborhood of South Boston to its final destination at Southampton Street in Andrew Square. Afterward, walk off the calories from all that green beer on the Irish Heritage Trail, a three-mile, self-guided tour through the downtown, North End, Beacon Hill, and Back Bay neighborhoods. Search for a four-leaf clover in the Rose Kennedy Garden, take in sobering first-hand accounts at the Boston Irish Famine Memorial, and discover Irish America’s rich history of leadership at the Massachusetts State House. Unless you’re pinch-resistant, remember to wear green.

15 New York City

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

If every dog has its day, then Feb. 15 is the one for highly groomed pups everywhere. The day marks the start of the 134th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City. This year, three new breeds will get their first chance to compete: Irish Red and White Setter, Norwegian Buhund, and Pyrenean Shepherd. The festivities take place at Madison Square Garden, where 2,500 dogs in seven categories—hound, toy, non-sporting, sporting, herding, working, and terrier—will compete for the best in breed, best in group, and best in show titles. Last year, a Sussex Spaniel named Stump took the crown. We can only hope this year’s champ offers half his alliterative flair.

24 New Orleans

Tennessee Williams/New Orleans  Literary Festival

He may have shared a name with another Southern state, but Tennessee Williams’ spiritual home was the Big Easy in Louisiana. The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival honors its patron literary saint and showcases scholars, writers, and performing artists. The itinerary includes panel discussions, theatrical performances, a one-act play competition, a breakfast book club, French Quarter literary walking tours, a fiction-writing contest, a book fair, a fundraising event, and an opening night gala. The notable list of participants reads like a who’s who of the Southern theater: Tony award nominee Lois Smith, an original cast member of Williams’ Broadway production Orpheus Descending whose recent credits include HBO’s True Blood; John Patrick Shanley, the playwright/screenwriter/director behind Doubt and Moonstruck; bestselling authors Winston Groom (Forrest Gump) and Jill Conner Browne (The Sweet Potato Queens series); and Emmy Award-winning journalist Cokie Roberts. For a dramatic ending to the weekend, check out the Stanley and Stella Shouting Contest, named for the boisterous lovers in A Streetcar Named Desire.

April

4 San Francisco

Union Street Spring Celebration and Easter Parade

Marching bands, beauty queens, and rollerblading cows. It’s all part of The Union Street Spring Celebration and Easter Parade, known as the “Biggest Little Parade in San Francisco.” However, with more than 45 groups participating, we don’t see anything little about it. Enjoy brunch on the patio of one of Union Street’s bistros—such as Ottimista Enoteca Café, La Boulange, or Crepes Á-Go-Go—and watch as colorfully costumed stilt walkers, self-propelled mini-floats, and beautiful classic cars pass. This street-fair-plus-parade focuses on family, with an emphasis on entertainment for children at the fair portion. Kid-friendly features include inflatable bounce playhouses, a climbing wall, a hands-on children’s activities area, a petting zoo, and live music. Bring your camera; cows on blades are photo-worthy.