The premier event of New York Road Runners, the ING New York City Marathon is one of the world's great road races, drawing more than 85,000 applicants. The race attracts many world-class professional athletes, not only for the more than $500,000 in prize money, but also for the chance to excel in the media capital of the world before two million cheering spectators and 260 million worldwide television viewers. As any one of the 635,000 past participants will attest, crossing the finish line in Central Park is one of the great thrills of a lifetime.
http://www.nyrrc.org

The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter miles (2 km) at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds and fillies 121 pounds. The race is known in the United States as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" for its approximate duration, and is also called "The Run for the Roses" for the blanket of roses draped over the winner. It is the first leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in the US and typically draws around 155,000 fans. Source

Greece celebrates its Independence on March 25th, which is also the day Gabriel announced to Mary that she was with child. In 1821, Greeks vigorously rose up against the oppressive Ottoman Empire which had occupied Greece for nearly four hundred years, embarking on the ultimately successful war of independence. Bishop Germanos of Patras boldly raised the Greek flag at the monastery of Agia Lavras, inciting the Peloponnese to rise against the oppressors.

Groundhog Day, February 2nd, is a popular tradition in the United States. It is also a legend that traverses centuries, its origins clouded in the mists of time with ethnic cultures and animals awakening on specific dates. Myths such as this tie our present to the distant past when nature did, indeed, influence our lives. It is the day that the Groundhog comes out of his hole after a long winter sleep to look for his shadow.

November - By the time of the Festival, winter has typically begun in Haines. Conditions can include cold temperatures, wind, snow and/or rain, so you'll want to come prepared with appropriate clothing. We recommend dressing in layers with thermal or polypropylene underwear, a wool or fleece middle layer, and a waterproof/windproof outer layer. Warm gloves, hats with ear protection, and warm waterproof boots are essential. Although you might wish to dress up for Sheldon Museum's annual fundraiser, Eagle Elegance, casual clothing is acceptable for all indoor events.

March - The Miami International Film Festival (MIFF) brings the best of world cinema to South Florida and plays a leading role in maintaining and further enriching its film culture. MIFF uses the unique geographical and cultural position of Miami to be a premiere venue for the exhibition of international and US films, with a special focus on Ibero-American cinema. Both juried and audience awards are given in Documentary and Dramatic categories.

America's most decorated Battleship is now the area's most exciting museum, open for tours, events and overnight encampments. Exploring “BB62” is experiencing history in a whole new way. Not only do you see exhibits of artifacts from the ship’s past, but you are put into the exhibit as you go through the tour route. Sit in the chair from which Admiral Halsey commanded the fleet. Stretch out on the bunks where the sailors slept. Climb into the 16” gun turret and learn how the projectiles were loaded.

The River to River Festival takes place each summer during the month of July, in a variety of public venues that canvas all of Downtown New York - from Chambers Street down to the southern tip of Manhattan and across the island from river to river. Starting in 2007, the River to River Festival is proud to be taking steps toward becoming an environmentally friendly festival. From recycling to printing to power generation, the Festival is teaming up with business and civic leaders to develop ways to lessen its impact on the environment and to become a carbon-neutral event.

The Calgary International Film Festival Society was established in 1999 as a non-profit organization providing an annual world-class cinema event for the citizens of Calgary and area. We aim to showcase the best of national and international film to Calgary audiences. The Festival has brought numerous Canadian film premieres and world caliber filmmakers to our city. Your support is needed to continue bringing quality films to Calgary.

September/October - This year we introduce a new event program at the VIFF. As part of our hospitality and networking initiatives, the festival is hosting a regular series of receptions at our spacious new Vancouver International Film Centre.

Riverfest is Arkansas' largest and most popular music, arts and food festival. The event is held annually over Memorial Day weekend in Julius Breckling Riverfront Park & the vibrant River Market District in Little Rock and the North Shore Riverwalk in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Riverfest, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) private, non-profit corporation, that since 1978 has donated over $700,000 to the development of Julius Breckling Riverfront Park and the River Market District. The mission of Riverfest, Inc. is to produce a quality, recreational, cultural, educational, family-oriented celebration of the visual and performing arts for the benefit of the community.

September. Some 25 riverboats, plus entertainment, food, fireworks. Come to Marietta, Ohio for the 31th celebration of the Sternwheel festival. The weekend after Labor Day, sternwheelers arrive in Marietta, home of the American Sternwheel Association and home to two sternwheelers on the National Register of Historic Places.

Sunday, July 4, 2004

Septermber/October. Just a couple hours drive from the glorious Rocky Mountains, Edmonton is known for its big sky and endless sunshine. Located east of Vancouver and west of Toronto, Edmonton is in the heart of the Canadian Prairies and our city is often called upon to be the set for independent and Hollywood movies. With a population of one million people, Edmonton is a city that loves movies. It's reported that the number one, per capita, movie rental city in Canada is Edmonton. Need we say more? Oh yes, and we have the world's largest shopping mall -- West Edmonton Mall.

February. Snow and ice sculptures, canoe races on the frozen St. Lawrence, Queen's Ball, parades.

July-August. Caribbean-style carnival with parties, music and parade.

February. Winter carnival.

A lo largo de sus veinte años de existencia, el Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara se ha consolidado como un espacio privilegiado para la exhibición del cine de calidad. Desarrollado en un ambiente que favorece el diálogo entre los creadores y el público, el Festival ha sido también un lugar de reunión de cineastas, actores, fotógrafos, funcionarios, distribuidores y críticos, nacionales y extranjeros. Así, este encuentro anual ha servido para dar a conocer jóvenes valores e impulsar sus carreras, al mismo tiempo que ha reconocido y revisado la obra de los ya consagrados.

- Has been in existence since 1989. What was initially a three-day festival is now a nine-day event.
- Festival attendance in 2005: 27,500
- Audience: approximately 50/50 males vs. females; ethnically diverse; majority of patrons range in age from 35 to 60 years, but youth do attend; proven consumers of media arts

The Vancouver International Comedy Festival Society is a non-profit society dedicated to the development of local comedic arts. The society strives to bring awareness, support and funds to BC comedic performers and provides emerging local comics with the audiences needed to develop their skills. The not-for-profit society is entering its 20th year and within the last three has been developing a clearer mandate and activities to become a stronger community voice for comedic arts and local talent.