BASK IN BASQUE CULTURE America’s Basque heritage dates back to the late 1800s, when immigrants from the Basque region of France and Spain were drawn to western states, notably Idaho, by the Gold Rush. Explore the culture in downtown Boise’s Basque Block at the Basque Museum and Cultural Centre, Basque Market and restaurants serving cuisine from the region, while events highlighting folk dancing and other Basque traditions include Boise’s annual Sheepherder’s Ball and the Jaialdi summer festival, held every five years. SCANDI STYLE Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden are each celebrated for a day in the four-day Scandinavian Festival, in Junction City, Oregon, every August. The free festival features a procession, dancing and music, food, craft and art stalls, and a Viking village. Danish Days is a three-day celebration in California’s “Little Denmark”, Solvang, each September, with parades, folk dancing, music and Hans Christian Andersen story telling. Salute Scandinavia, dance the polka, enjoy a Highland fling, hear shamrock music and more at a colourful cultural celebration. OOMPAH OOMPAH Don your lederhosen and raise a stein at nationwide Oktoberfest celebrations. The largest, the four-day Oktoberfest Zinzinnati in Cincinnati, features the Running of the Wieners dog race, a keg race and entertainment. The three-day Oktoberfest in the “Polka Capital of Texas”, Fredericksburg, has music, games, food, beer, and waltz and chicken dance competitions. Oktoberfest in Frankenmuth, Michigan, was the first outside Germany to be officially sanctioned by Munich. SHAMROCK ‘N’ ROLL The Dublin Irish Festival in Dublin, Ohio, showcases Irish history and traditions with music, dance, art and culture. Held on the first weekend in August, it is acclaimed as the “largest three-day Irish festival on the planet”. As well as Celtic events such as stone carrying and sheep trials, enjoy music performances from rock to bagpipes and folk music, Irish dancing competitions, Irish food, whiskey tasting and family-friendly activities. Melting pot The legacy of centuries of immigration and multiculturalism is seen and heard in multiple ways from coast to coast USA FUSION A RICKETTS – VISIT PHILADELPHIA U.S. cities with large Chinatowns – like Boston, San Francisco and New York – celebrate the Lunar New Year with parades 32 visitusa.org.uk
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