Spring is here, and along with it Easter and Passover and the usual celebrations for both holidays. There are, however, other spring celebrations and events going on that don’t have to do with religious observances. And they’re close to military installations, too!
1. Norway Day Festival, Olympia, Washington
You don’t have to be Norwegian to enjoy this festival. The Norway Day Festival takes place at the Thurston County Fairgrounds in Olympia. The festival is filled with Norwegian music, arts and crafts, history, genealogy, and foods. There will also be artwork, crafts, gifts, and baked goods to purchase. This event is usually held on a Saturday in mid-April.
2. Sweet Auburn Springfest, Atlanta, Georgia
Springfest is the largest free outdoor festival in the Southeast with thousands of attendees each year. The event takes place in the historic Sweet Auburn district in Atlanta. There will be a mix of live music, food, and fun. You can walk the mile and a half avenue lined with ten stages and shop from the dozens of vendors selling their art, jewelry, and fashion. Children will also have fun in the Fantastic Fun Zone. The event is around the second weekend in May.
3. Kodiak Crab Festival, Kodiak Alaska
The community celebrates the abundant resources that the area receives from the surrounding sea with a seafood festival. The festival will be over Memorial Day weekend. This festival began in 1958 to market the new industry of king crab. Over time, the “king” was dropped as there was a decline in the king crab industry. At the festival, you will find rides, games, food, and other activities like the salmon toss, parade, and the survival suit race.
4. Downton Cuckoo Fair, Wiltshire, England
Located in the picturesque village of Downton in Wiltshire, this event will be held the first Saturday in May. You will find craft, gift, housewares, and food stalls along with rural craft demonstrations, Punch and Judy shows, clowns, a Maypole, and dancer and street entertainers. (This is not the same Downton as the show Downton Abbey–that took place in a fictional village about 200 miles away. They just happen to have the same name.)
5. Saborea Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
This food festival will be taking place from April 2nd through 5th this year at Escambron Beach in Old San Juan. There will be food, entertainment, and drinks as well as cooking demonstrations by local and international chefs. The chefs will show off their best dishes as well as creations they made just for the event. There will also be a broad range of rums, wines, beers, and other liquors to taste. This event is for ages five and up.
6. Lei Day Celebration, Waikiki, Hawaii
While it might be May Day everywhere else, May 1 is Lei Day in Hawaii. Queen Kapiolani Park, Waikiki, Oahu is the location for this event. This Lei Day celebration is the biggest in the state. There will be Hawaiian games, music, and hula performances as well as crafts such as lei-making and weaving lauhala. There will also be a lei court with a queen as well as a lei garden contest.
7. Frühlingsfest, Munich, Germany
You have heard of Oktoberfest. . . but have you heard of the spring’s Frühlingsfest? Located in Munich, Germany, the festival is often called “little Oktoberfest” because of the much smaller size. There are only thousands of people in attendance instead of millions. .. and there are fewer beer tents. The fest usually starts the end of April. There will be a flea market, fireworks, dance music, an amusement park, delicious food and, of course, beer. (There is even a carousel where you can ride and drink at the same time!)