Chester Food, Drink and Lifestyle Festival

The Chester Food, Drink and Lifestyle Festival is celebrated in Chester UK to promote the regional and local cuisine. The event lasts for three days and takes place on the Easter weekend at the Chester Racecourse. The top chefs prepare dishes and share their recipes. For the kids, the Academy of Culinary Arts holds free cooking classes and also gives useful cooking tips besides cooking lessons. For the kids’ enjoyment, there are rides at the fun area park. There are around 120 food stalls from where you can sample and purchase various food products. Only the best are put up for sale; you can find from home grown vegetables and prize winning sausages to other food products. At the beer marquee and champagne tent you can sample the delicious beverage.

The Lifestyle Exhibition is another event of the Chester Food and Drink Festival. Here you can see 50 stalls displaying local arts and crafts, fabrics, home and garden furniture and various home décor accessories. The Chester Festival provides golden opportunity for the visitors to purchase top quality merchandise at reasonable rates.

The Chester Food Festival is a way to create environmental awareness among people. The people are encouraged to visit the venue via public transport like train or bus or on a bike. The ticket money is refunded on showing the proof of travel.

Holi: The Festival of colors

This festival of colors is celebrated by the Hindus all over the world. Holi is celebrated on the last full moon of the lunar month Phalguna which comes somewhere in February or March. Phalguna is the last month of the winter season as well and Holi is a way to welcome the spring season. However, Holi is mainly celebrated to mark the triumph of good over evil.

Although many legends are associated with its origin, the most popular one involves the demon king Hiranyakashyap, his daughter the she devil Holika and his son the pious Prahlad. Prahlad was a devotee of Lord Naarayana and had unshakeable faith in him. The demon king not happy with this situation ordered his daughter Holika to walk into a burning fire along with her brother. Holika cold not be harmed by fire but when she entered into it, contrary to everyone’s expectations, Holika was burnt to ashes while Prahlad escaped unscathed. Holi is celebrated to commemorate this victory of good over evil forces and a person’s ultimate faith in his Lord.

Holi celebrations kick off with the burning of the effigy of Holika over a huge pile of sticks collected for days on the eve of Holi. The next day, the day of Holi known as Dhuleti is a day of pure merrymaking and enjoyment. People of all ages from all walks of life throw colored powder and colored water on each other amidst the chants of Holi Hai. Singing, dancing and savoring especially made delicacies is another way to enjoy Holi.

Holi brings people together as not only Hindus but also members of other communities like Muslims and Christians take part in this joyous occasion as well.

Sapporo Snow Festival

The week long Sapporo Snow Festival is held every year in early February in Japan. The festival began in 1950 when school children decided to have some fun by making snow models, now it is an opportunity to strengthen international ties. Teams from other countries also participate in the snow sculpting competition which turns this place into a winter wonderland during the festival. This amazing event attracts millions of people from all over the world.

Hundreds of snow statues are on display at the Odori Park, Susukino and Tusdome, the main sites of the festival where statues as large as multistory buildings can be seen. You can see your favorite cartoon characters, movie characters, magical creatures, graceful swans, famous buildings and celebrities all carved out of snow. In the evening, when the sculptures are illuminated, they simply take your breath away.

Although the snow sculptures are the main attraction, other forms of entertainments are available as well. Susukino holds a beauty contest where The Queen of Ice is selected. At Satoland sporting facilities are available; there are huge snow slides and snow maze where tourist can enjoy themselves. Food stalls are set up at Odori Park where you can taste various Japanese delicacies as well as sample food from other countries.

The Chiang Mai Flower Festival, Thailand

Get drowned in the intoxicating scents and exotic sights of flowers this February at the Chiang Mai Flower Festival in Thailand.

Chiang Mai is a town in the North of Thailand and is popularly known as the Rose of the North because of the wide variety of exotic flowers found here. The cool temperate climate of the place is ideal for the growth of flowers such as tulips, chrysanthemum, carnations which were originally imported from abroad besides the locally grown rose, and wide variety of orchids. Here you will find 3000 species of orchid, the damask rose, a special variety of rose and yellow and white chrysanthemums besides a host of other species of flowers. Flowers are in full bloom in February which sees an end of the winter season.

The three day festival begins with a beauty pageant where Miss Flower Bloom and Miss International Flower Bloom are chosen.

The main feature of the festival is the floral parade which takes place on the second day. Beautifully decorated floral floats most of them based on Buddhist themes with dancing Thai girls clad in traditional clothes are the highlights of the parade. As the floats pass at a snail’s pace; you will get plenty of time to photograph the marvel of nature (flowers) displayed by human intelligence.

On the third day winners of the best flowers in the show are chosen. You can also buy rare species of flowering plants at reasonable rates. You can savor Thai Cuisine at the various food stalls and buy handicrafts made by the locals.

Winterlude Festival, Canada

Winterlude is the Canadian way of honoring the cold winter season. This family event is held in Ottawa annually on three consecutive weekends from 5th February to 21st February and shows that even freezing winter can be fun.

Festival of Winterlude began in 1979 and is the brain child of the National Capital Commission. It attracts millions of visitors every year as winter sets in and the entire area is covered with snow. The Rideau Canal is the major crowd puller. This 202km long canal freezes to form the world’s largest skating rink. Its 8 km stretch from downtown Ottawa to Carleton University provides a perfect venue for figure skating, skate races and relays. Skis and sleighs are available on rent from the venue. Rest areas, changing shacks, and food stalls are other facilities provided to the visitors along the canal.

Besides skating activities, snow sculpture competition is also a part of this winter festival. 13 Teams from all over Canada participate in this competition and are given 43 hours to create amazing snow structures. The Confederation’s Park is the venue of this competition.

Children can enjoy themselves at the Snowflake Kingdom in the Jacques-Cartier Park. It is the largest snow playground in North America and offers activities like the enormous snow slide, snow maze, tobogganing, dogsled and horse sleigh rides, and the Ice Hog Theatre. Ice Hogs are the official mascots of the festival.

Live music and fireworks are other features of the Winterlude. Except for the Snowflake Kingdom, the rest of the venues are open for public on weekdays as well.

Valentine’s Day for the Special Lady

Women like to be pampered and what better occasion to spoil them and make them feel special than Valentine’s Day.

Women are difficult to please and choosing the right gift for them on a romantic yet sensitive occasion like Valentine’s Day can be tricky. Most men end up buying gifts which although make a big hole in their pockets, seldom touch the lady’s heart. A good present need not be expensive; it must be romantic and thoughtful. Following are a few suggestions to end the dilemma you are facing right now as Valentine’s Day is just round the corner.

The most romantic and best gift by far is a bouquet of long stemmed red roses along with a box of her favorite chocolates. These two gift items express your feelings more eloquently than a thousand sweet words; although a hand written card from you will add a personal touch.

Jewelry items also make an appropriate gift. Heart shaped rings and pendants are especially designed for Valentine’s Day. A diamond ring is a good gift but today’s woman prefers something new, something more personalized like her birthstone set in a ring. Most birthstones are semiprecious stones and are less expensive, to add glamour, you can get a ring or a pendant with her birthstone set in a cluster of diamonds. A ring is a sign of commitment and is sure to make her happy. For the more practical women, you can choose a beautiful wrist watch from a range of designer wrist watches.

Perfume is a sensual and tasteful gift your wife/girlfriend will like. You can also get her a make up kit especially the one endorsed by her favorite celebrity.

Crystal show pieces and candles also make a nice gift. Best thing you can do is to take her out to a romantic candle light dinner. But make a reservation before hand to avoid disappointment.

A gift selected with her preferences in mind not only portrays your love but also shows that you understand her as well.

Valentine’s Day Gifts for the Special Man

Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year. It is also payback time! Yes ladies it is the day to show your appreciation and love for the man who spoils you throughout the year and makes efforts to provide you with every comfort of life. So ladies think beyond socks and get something special for the special man.
Buying a gift for your husband/ boyfriend can be really easy if you keep his hobbies and likes and dislikes in mind. For example get power tools for the DIY guy.

If he is really into electronic gadgets then iPhone, cell phones, digital cameras make the right gift.
For the well groomed man you can choose from hand painted silk ties, colognes, after shaves, cuff links, sun glasses and watches. Laptop bags, leather belts and wallets also make appropriate gifts.

The best gift however remains a memorable day. Men like women also need to be told how much they are loved and how meaningless life can be without them. They too need emotional security. Seize the opportunity this Valentine’s Day to express your feelings. Begin the day with a special breakfast of his liking, write a romantic poem for him; if you cannot write one, copy one, he will not sue you for plagiarism. Little gestures of love do more wonders than gift worth hundreds of dollars. Convey the message that he is the best thing that could happen to you (it is okay to tell a lie this day). All in all make him feel loved and wanted. Everybody craves for love and Valentine’s Day is an ideal occasion to liberally shower it on your spouse/partner.

Hadaka Masturi in Japan

Hadaka Masturi when translated in English means “naked festival”. If the word “naked” conjures all sorts of indecent images in your mind then you are in for a big disappointment. The naked festival in Japan has mostly male participants that too in loincloths. The festival takes place on the third Saturday in February in the Kannon-in Temple located in Saidai-Ji in Japan.

It is a kind of a religious festival in which thousands of men dressed to the minimum wrestle with each other in the freezing temperature for a pair of tiny sacred sticks called “Shingi”.

The local men gather in groups in garages. The groups of men consume large amount of Saki (Japanese wine) and jump up and down to keep themselves warm chanting “washoi”. They then jog around the neighborhood and are doused with ice cold water which is supposed to purify them. Chanting washoi, they proceed towards the main temple. When all of them gather at the shrine, two pieces of Shingi wood are dropped from the temple and men push, shove and trample each other to get to these Shingi. It is believed that anyone who catches the Shingi will be favored by the lady luck for the rest of the year. Another highlight of this festival is the food stalls and the taiko drumming.

This festival is mostly restricted to adult males; but separate events for young men and very rarely for women is also held.

Orange Throwing Festival

The orange throwing festival takes place in Ivrea, a town in North Italy. The origins of the festival are unclear but it is said that it symbolizes the revolt against the tyrannous Count Ranieri of Biandrate. Among his many vices was lust for young women and he allegedly deflowered the young brides on their wedding night. Ones young bride Violetta however decided that the Count had had enough and when taken to his castle after her wedding, cut his head off with a dagger she had hidden in her dress. She then displayed the head to the crowd outside the castle who then attacked and burned the castle.

The orange throwing festival is celebrated to commemorate the revolution brought about by the courageous Violetta. It is also said that in the middle 1800s, the girls used to throw oranges from the balconies at young men participating in annual carriage parade to get their attention. The young men responded by throwing oranges back at them. After World War-2, the orange throwing festival became an official celebration.

Every year three thousands participants are divided into nine teams to celebrate the orange throwing festival. The teams on foot are the revolutionaries and those on carriages symbolize the Count’s guards. The commencement of the festival is signaled by holding a child in the air. Oranges are thrown at each other with considerable force and can actually hit one hard as during the cold February days the oranges become as tough as a ball.

The Fascinating Pingxi Lantern Festival

Pingxi Lantern Festival is a unique and an amazing festival of Taiwan. Pingxi is a remote village in Taiwan located in a mountainous area. The rocky terrain made it quite difficult to reach the village in olden days. The inhabitants of the area were also a frequent victim of loot and plunder. To let everyone know that they were safe, the people came up with the novel idea of releasing paper lanterns in the sky. Over the years this practice took the form of an annual cultural festival.

Now with various modes of transportation and with wide media coverage, the festival has gained popularity and draws huge crowds every year.

The fascinating Pingxi Lantern festival in Taiwan takes place on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year which is somewhere in late February. Thousands of lanterns made out of bamboo and rice paper are lit and released in the sky at dusk. The lanterns are tastefully decorated with colorful pictures and inscribed with the wishes for prosperous New Year. These lanterns are the messengers which carry the people’s hopes and aspirations to the skies. The sight is truly amazing and lingers in your mind for a long time to come.

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