USA Festivals From Coast to Coast. By Emily Dahl and Lisa Miller

One of the best ways to learn about and experience the diverse cultures of the USA is to travel to a festival. Americans are known for their diverse tastes in music, food, sports, and art, and what better way to explore this variety than by devoting an entire weekend or longer to celebrating the local culture. Whether you are looking to hear blues music, see an independent film, or eat local cuisine, there is a festival that can offer you that experience. Each festival that follows happens every year and has a short description. They are arranged geographically from the West Coast, through the Midwest and South, and end on the East Coast. Pick your favorite festival and enjoy the adventure during your stay in the USA.

The first festival is a wild one out in the desert. If you want to take camping to the extreme, check out Burning Man, which is held each year in the Black Rock Desert outside of Reno, Nevada. It begins the last week of August and runs for six days and provides an escape from the "real world." A temporary community of 25,000 people is created based on the principles of self-expression and self-reliance, and it is not for the faint of heart. You must survive for 6 days with no running water, in extreme desert temperatures, and with no cell phone service. However, if you immerse yourself in the performances, the extreme art and the communal spirit of the festival, it is said by some to be a life-changing experience.

While most festivals are in the summer, there are still many fun and interesting festivals to attend during the winter months. The last two weeks in February means it's time for the Chinese New Year Festival, in San Francisco, California. It includes a community art fair, a flower fair, and the Miss Chinatown USA pageant. However, the highlight is the spectacular nighttime parade that weaves through San Francisco's vibrant and historic Chinatown community. It was voted one of the best parades in the USA by the International Festivals & Events Association and attracts more than 3 million spectators and television viewers each year.

If you are interested in cutting edge cinematography, and new creative film making techniques check out the Seattle International Film Festival held in late-May through mid-June. Over 50 countries submit their films, and many famous actors and directors speak and talk about their newest films and projects. Get immersed in different cultures, techniques of filmmaking and check out this festival.

For a spectator friendly festival, try out the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which is held the first week of October. Enjoy the cool, crisp fall air and some famous New Mexico chili peppers while watching 700 colorful hot air balloons float through the sky. This festival, which is the most photographed event on earth, takes place on a 200 acre farm outside the beautiful city of Albuquerque and is said to be an extremely joyful, relaxing, and beautiful experience.

Music enthusiasts can get into the sprit by attending a big "destination rock festival." Music festivals occur throughout the USA, especially during the summer months. One of the best is Austin City Limits, which is held every September in Austin, Texas. It all started as a small studio television show 30 years ago, and then in 2002 the 3-day outdoor festival began, bringing thousands of music fans to the state capital. Austin City Limits bring all types of music together and showcases many emerging performers.

If you want to celebrate a unique style of American music, head up to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado for a weekend of bluegrass music. Rocky Grass, which is held the last weekend in July, gives visitors a chance to dance, camp, and listen to hours upon hours of live bluegrass music in a quaint mountain setting. The festival is held in Lyons, CO, near both Rocky Mountain National Park and Boulder, both of which could add interesting side excursions to the festival experience.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, known by the locals simply as "Jazz Fest", is like a second Mardi Gras held annually during the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May. Thousands of people are drawn to the soulful, southern city to take in the finest jazz, gospel, blues, zydeco, and rock music performers in the country. Nearly as outstanding as the music is the food which includes such traditional southern delicacies as crawfish po' boys, red beans and rice, and muffaletta sandwiches.

In the Midwest music fans come out on a massive scale for Lollapalooza, which is an amazing collection of over 130 rock bands spanning 3 days. Lolla fills Chicago's massive Grant Park along the lakefront complete with a fantastic view of the historic skyline. Over 60,000 music lovers find their way to this party by the lake during the first weekend in August.

For a real local cultural experience, check out the many state fairs across the USA. They feature livestock competitions where animals in perfect condition are awarded the Blue Ribbon, along with craft competitions, and local food specialties. The Wisconsin State Fair takes place in Milwaukee, for two weeks in August. They have a brew master competition, carnival rides, musical acts and magic shows. Another great thing about state fairs is that admission is cheap, usually around $5, for tons of cool shows, competitions and exhibitions.

A great way to experience winter in the North is at the St. Paul Winter Carnival in Minnesota. This annual festival, which is held the last week in January, makes the most of the frigid temperatures and large snow accumulations that define the winters in the upper Midwest. Instead of loathing the cold in this capital city, you can make the most of it by maneuvering through the ice maze, competing in a snow sculpture building contest, taking a dog sled ride, or enjoying the unique flavors of the Minnesota Hot Dish tent.

The first festival in this article was wild and the last one is eccentric. Instead of the desert, this festival is in the biggest city in the USA, New York City. Theatergoers, performance artists and theater companies all converge on the New York Fringe Festival for 16 days in August. It is the largest multi-arts festival in the country with over 1300 individual performances. New York City comes alive with creativity and tons of new and exciting styles of theater and performance art. During your stay in the USA make festivals part of your plan and explore the vast diversity of cultures found from coast to coast.

Article by Emily Dahl, Hostelling International Chicago Intern and Lisa Miller, Hostelling International Chicago Programs Coordinator www.hichicago.org

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Burning Man: www.burningman.com 

Chinese New Year Festival: www.chineseparade.com 

Seattle International Film Festival: www.seattlefilm.com 

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta: www.balloonfiesta.com 

Austin City Limits: www.aclfestival.com 

Rocky Grass: www.bluegrass.com/rockygrass/index.html 

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: www.nojazzfest.com 

Lollapalooza: www.lollapalooza.com 

Wisconsin State Fair: www.wsfp.state.wi.us/ 

St. Paul Winter Carnival: www.winter-carnival.com 

New York Fringe Festival www.fringenyc.org