Do you prefer
jazz music or Bach? Shakespeare or Tennessee Williams? Each year in the U.S.A. there are
festivals to celebrate almost anything you can think of. Some festivals are only for a day
while others last for a few months. Some are serious, and some are fun and noisy. Some
attract thousands of people, and some just a few.
Festivals that many people enjoy are the state
fairs. These are usually at the end of summer. Farmers enter their animals in competitions and hope to
win a ribbon : blue or purple (first), red (second) or white (third). There are also
prizes for the biggest and best crops and for home-made food, clothes, toys, etc. There
are rodeos and square dances, and often
famous entertainers.
Each part of the U.S.A. has its own special festivals: when people from Europe, Asia and
Latin America came to live in different parts of the U.S.A., they brought their
celebrations with them. For example, there are
Oktoberfests (German),
Nordland
festivals (Norwegian),
Tulip Time
(Dutch), Chinese New Year and
cherry blossom festivals (Japanese). These
celebrations have their own special food, drink and entertainment.
One of the best known
festivals in the world is "Mardi Gras". It takes place early in the year in New
Orleans, Louisiana. For two weeks there are big parades, parties and dances. When the
parades pass by, everyone shouts "Throw me something, Mister!" and they fight to
catch the small presents thrown to them. Mardi Gras brings many musicians from all over
the world to New Orleans, the home of jazz music.
Not all festivals are as famous as Mardi Gras. How would you Iike to go
to the National Hollering Festival, or the Missouri World Championship Goose Callin'
Contest? How about the Iowa Hobo Convention? Whatever your interest, there is probably a
festival for you somewhere in the U.S.A.
