USA Travel Magazine - Topics

  Home to over a dozen different craft breweries, micro distilleries, and wineries, Lake County is gearing up for Pig and Whiskey 2014 . During the festival you'll have the opportunity to sample over 50 whiskeys or visit the Cleveland Cocktail Corner, or enjoy a cold beer from one of the multiple awarding winning breweries. In fact, Lake County's brew masters have won awards at Ohio Brew Week , the International Beer Fest, and the World Beer Championship. And, local find, Seven Brothers Distilling Company won first prize in the COSE Small Business Pitch for their unique brewing concept and hand-designed equipment. Prefer wine? The local wineries have also won their share of awards at the Pinot Noir Shootout, the Pinot Noir Summit, Riverside International Wine Competition, Grand Harvest Awards, San Francisco International Wine Competition, Tasters Guild International, Great Lakes Wine Judging, and many other competitions. Many folks join the Pig and Whiskey  for the mouth-wat...

  Fall is one of our favorite seasons; we love the crisp breeze, the colorful blanket of leaves in the tree tops, and the smell of hot cider and sweet scent of homemade apple butter simmering over an open fire at the Historic Roscoe Village. And, for over 40 years the Apple Butter Stirrin′ festival at Roscoe Village has attracted travelers of all ages to this restored 1800's canal town to experience the sights, sounds and flavors of the season. The three days of Apple Butter Stirrin′ officially begins in Mid, October with the opening of the street lined with craft booths. The craft vendors, dressed in costume for this event, offer a wide variety of items from candles to pottery and from dried flower wreaths to birdhouses. Of course, no stroll through the craft booths would be complete without sampling the tempting food offerings that include homemade soups cooking in kettles and apple butter cooking over an open fire. You'll also find a variety of sandwiches to enjoy, kettle co...

  The Annual Great Maine Apple Day held in Late Oct is just the place to enjoy sampling recipes cooked with Maine apples. The event celebrates the History, Flavor and Tradition of Maine Apples, while honoring the importance of a diversified, perennial agriculture. Yes, there will be a pie baking contest, but if you want your dessert to literally stand up for the judges, you'll need to get out of the Macintosh rut. "The only thing a Macintosh does is make apple sauce in a pie," says Apple Day co-organizer and state apple expert, John Bunker. "There are many apple varieties that are just good for pies and people can learn about them at Apple Day." Learn the names of the apples that grow year after year on trees in their yard by bringing in samples and find almost 200 labeled varieties of apples on display. Who knows, you may be the owner of a rare Black Oxford, a medium-sized round apple with deep purple skin that was grown in Oxford County as early as 1790. Main...

  Where can you find a gathering of fifty artists from five different countries? At the Orion Independent Music Festival, taking place in Mid January in one of the world's most renowned ski resort towns. Coming from all over the U.S. and Sweden, Chile, Australia, and Canada, the artists represent an array of musical genres that will cater to every whim of those looking to discover new talent following a day on Park City's powdery slopes. Among the artist expected at this year's festival are Kettlefish, Peter Brienholt, Andy Frasco and Kole Hansen. "We have featured an exciting line-up of some of the best independent artists today, who will perform the regions most popular live music venues," says festival CEO and founder Steffon Olsen. "Our goal is to revolutionize the music industry by providing an international forum for high-caliber talent to be discovered by music industry professionals and fans alike." Most of the acts are independent artist, but th...

  Mankato features an abundant array of activities and festivals to enjoy throughout the year, and is home of the Minnesota Vikings Training Camp. It's Mankato's small town charm which draws us back. We love visiting festivals, fairs, and annual celebrations around the USA. It's a wonderful way to learn more about the people and culture of an area. In Mankato there are a number of great festivals and celebrations to experience. Spring is a wonderful time to savor a taste of cultures at the International Festival . Summer heats up with the annual Rockin' in the Quarry Festival , Fourth of July Fireworks show, the North Mankato Fun Days, and the Annual Hickory Street Ribfest in August. In September guests arrive from around the country to discover Native American traditions at the Mdewakanton, Mah-kato Traditional Powwow where you'll find unique craftsmen and cultural exhibits. History comes to life in October at the Historyfest. The beauty of winter takes hold and ev...