Visit USA 2020 Travel Planner

AHOY ME HEARTIES Prepare to repel boarders during the Gasparilla Pirate Fest, held each January in Tampa, Florida. The revelries feature an invasion by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, a colourful parade of pirate floats and marching bands plus music, food and drink. Pirates also hit the streets of Portland, Oregon, for June’s Plunderathon festival. SKY’S THE LIMIT Over 500 hot-air balloons of all shapes fill the skies above New Mexico each October during the 10-day Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The fiesta also features laser shows, live music and family entertainment. Other ballooning events include Nevada’s Great Reno Balloon Race, the Teton Valley Balloon Rally in Driggs, Idaho, and the National Balloon Classic in Iowa. SPEED MERCHANTS The world’s oldest car race, the Indianapolis 500, is a Memorial Day weekend extravaganza in Indiana. The 500 Festival’s downtown Indianapolis parade attracts up to 500,000 people. The city's zoo honours the 'Indy 500' with a race of its own called Zoopolis 500, featuring tortoises. TON UP The 10-day annual Delaware State Fair celebrates its centenary in 2020. Covering 300 acres in Harrington, the mid-July event attracts over 300,000 visitors to agricultural exhibits, harness racing, a rodeo, a demolition derby, an ice rink and concerts featuring star acts. The two-week CEDAR RAPIDS FREEDOM FESTIVAL in Iowa draws crowds of up to 400,000 people with events including a hot-air balloon glow, classic car show, rock concerts and family fun. It all ends with Iowa’s biggest fireworks display on 4 July. See a cowpat- throwing contest at the WISCONSIN STATE COW CHIP THROW & FESTIVAL in Prairie du Sac; see racing rubber ducks at Michigan’s Rubber Ducky Festival; and watch lawn- mower drills at the Arcola Broom Corn Festival, Illinois.