Classic
Car Auctions
Barrett-Jackson
Classic Car Auction
Each April thousands of people attend the Barrett-Jackson Auction at
the South Florida Expo Center in Palm Beach, FL.
At the event, they auction hundreds of collector cars and trucks, while
Speed TV televises the auction on cable TV. At this auction they sell
superb classics, sports cars, hot rods and rare muscle cars. The show
also includes manufacturer showcases, nearly 100 vendors, auto test
drives and several simulators. In January, Barrett-Jackson hosts another
collector car auction in Scottsdale, AZ. Both auctions have seen sales
skyrocket because car collecting is becoming a great American pastime.
For information visit www.barrett-jackson.com
Keith McCormick’s Palm Springs Exotic Car Auction
This auction allows people to attend their auction events in Palm Springs,
CA, or if you have a vehicle you want to sell, you can present your
vehicle in their virtual auction. This group holds car auctions every
February and November and attracts buyers from more than 20 countries.
For more information you can visit www.classic-carauction.com
RM Car Auctions
RM stands for Rob Myers, and they hold car auctions several times a
year. At the time we visited their site, they listed an auction in Italy;
Lapeer, MI; Rochester, MI; Monterey, CA; Hershey, PA; and Toronto, Ontario,
Canada. This organization offers bidding on line, although it’s
probably more fun to be present at the auction. Their auctions attract
the attention of over 200,000 people annually.
For information visit:
www.rmauctions.com
Classic
Car Shows
Back To The
Fifties Car Show
Held in early July in Cascade Park, New Castle, PA.
This car show is a family fun event, where some of the area’s hottest
classic cars compete for prizes and trophies. Web site is: www.backtothe50sweekend.com
Carlisle, PA
Carlisle Events host collector car, truck and motorcycle events from
the spring to the fall each year. They attract more than 500,000 visitors
to the 82-acre fairgrounds in Carlisle, PA. Annually they have two automotive
swap meets, one in the spring and one in the fall, two collector car
auctions, and eight individual specialty shows featuring Corvettes,
Fords, GMs, Chryslers, trucks, motorcycles, sport compact, and custom
and vintage imports. Founded by Bill and Chip Miller, the Cars at Carlisle
shows attract automobile enthusiasts from around the world. For information
visit: www.carlisleevents.com
or call 717-243-7855.
Charlotte Auto Fair
This event is one of the largest classic car shows in the country. An
organization known as The Hornets Nest Region hosts two four-day events
every year at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC. One event
is held during April, and the second is during September. The Hornets
Nest Region has hosted the event since 1977. Over 1500 collector vehicles
are offered for sale. The event is spread over 150 acres and as many
as 150,000 people attend. For information, visit their web site at:
www.charlotte-autofair.com
Syracuse Nationals – Syracuse, NY
I hear this is a very big car show, but I had a hard time finding their
web site. I’m told there are thousands of cars and vendors. It’s
one of the biggest classic car shows on the East Coast, and takes place
in late July. It’s a three-day event and campgrounds are available.
There’s live music, an auto thrill show, demolition derby, garden
tractor pulls, R/C truck pulls, burn-out competition, fireworks and
live music. One web site where I found information was: www.rightcoastcars.com
Motorcycle
Rallies
Myrtle Beach
Bike Week
Myrtle Beach in South Carolina has the largest and most successful motorcycle
event in the Carolinas, and it’s the third largest motorcycle event
in the US. They have two bike week events a year, one during May and
the second during the month of October. The event during May is called
Myrtle Beach Bike Week, and the October event is called The Myrtle Beach
Fall Rally. For information you can call 336-643-1367, and the web site
is: www.myrtlebeachbikeweek.com
Daytona Bike Week
Bike week in Daytona Beach, FL, happens twice a year in March and October.
This is an international event that attracts motorcycle enthusiasts
to the Daytona Beach area from across the US and Canada. Festivities
include motorcycle races, charity rides, street festivals and expos.
At their web site you’ll find information about entertainment,
parking, accommodations, restaurants and more. For information you can
visit www.officialbikeweek.com
or call the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
at 1-800-854-1234.
Sturgis
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is one of the oldest, largest and greatest
motorcycle events in the country. The event is held in August each year
in Sturgis, SD, and has a history that goes back to 1936. The event
is seven days long and attracts as many as 600,000 people. The City
of Sturgis formed a department within the city to promote and organize
the Rally.
Enthusiasts are drawn to the unique combination of scenic riding, entertainment
and camaraderie with fellow bikers in a Main Street atmosphere like
no other.
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally experience is all about riding in the Black
Hills. At their web site www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com
you will find all the information you need. You can also call 605-720-0800
or e-mail info@sturgismotorcyclerally.com
Music
Festivals
The All American
Music Festival
This festival is for school bands to compete during the month of March,
April and May in Orlando, FL. It’s a professionally adjudicated
student music festival. Several types of bands can compete including
jazz bands, choirs, orchestras, marching and parade bands. Drill teams,
dance groups, and drum corps also compete. The competition includes
an entrance ticket to Universal Studios, and students receive photos
and CDs as part of the event. For information call 1-800 243-4365. Their
web site is: www.bandfest.com
The All American Bluegrass Jam
This festival is held during June in Orange, VA, about 75 miles south
of Washington, DC. The event attracts bluegrass musicians from all over
the country. It’s a three-day event put on by Nashville Music Promotions
Inc. For information, you can call 800-594-8499. Their web site is:
www.allamericanbluegrass.com
Summerfest, The World’s Largest Music Festival
From late June to early July, Summerfest celebrates 40 years of music,
fun and sun. The event has become Milwaukee’s cornerstone summer
celebration attracting the music industry’s hottest stars, emerging
talent and local favorites. The festival has 10 permanent stages, 45
diverse food and beverage vendors, and four unique marketplaces set
against beautiful Lake Michigan and the downtown backdrop. The festival
offers all types of music from country to rock n roll. Really looks
like a fun event! For information visit: www.allamericanbluegrass.com
or call 414-273-2680.
Sun Fest - Florida’s Largest Music, Art and Waterfront Festival
This festival in West Palm Beach, FL, is celebrating over 25 years of
fun and entertainment. It’s held during the first week of May each
year, offers four days of fun in the sun and attracts over 275,000 visitors.
The festival offers fun for the entire family, a variety of music styles,
as well as an art show. For information visit: www.sunfest.com
or call 561-659-5980
Fun
Places to Live or Visit
Grande Dunes,
Myrtle Beach
Grande Dunes is a premier coastal community located in Myrtle Beach,
SC. It offers a 130-slip marina, two world-class 18 hole golf courses,
a waterside tennis and fitness center, gated neighborhoods, and ocean
club. The real estate includes custom and single-family residences,
charming club cottages, golf villages, and spacious coach homes. For
information you can call 877-347-2633, or visit their web site at:
www.grandedunes.com
Little Harbor, FL
Little Harbor, on the shores of Tampa Bay and at the edge of a tropical
fantasy, is a seaside village unlike any other. Discover fabulous resort
amenities, luxurious waterfront residences, water- inspired clubs, and
marinas with deepwater access to the Bay and Gulf of Mexico beyond.
The community is located 30 minutes from three major metropolitan areas:
Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota. The area offers condominiums, townhouses,
single-family homes, resort condos and luxury condominiums. For information,
you can call 888-045-0010, or visit: www.littleharborflorida.com
Mountain Air, NC
Mountain Air, in the Blue Ridge Mountains just 35 miles from Ashville,
is a community that embodies the soaring spirit of the mountain beneath
its feet and the divine beauty of the forests that surround it. Mountain
Air offers luxurious single-family homes, mountain villas, and undeveloped
home sites. For information call 866-336-8540, or visit their web site
at: www.visitmountainair.com
The Villages
The Villages, FL, is an active 55+ adult community. They have charming
destinations for old-fashioned fun all year long. At the Spanish Springs
Town Square and the Lake Sumter Landing Market Square you can go shopping,
grab a bite to eat, see a movie, or sample your favorite brew at their
microbrewery.
The Villages offer organized activities, sports programs, temperature-controlled
swimming pools, social clubs, golf, dance programs, music and more.
If it’s time for you to relax and enjoy where you live, you may
want to take a look. For information visit www.thevillages.com
or call 1-800-245-1081.
The Waterfront Group
Americans love to live on or near the water, and this organization appears
to specialize in waterfront property. The company gets involved in lakefront
retreats, mountain cabins for recreational, retirement and vacation
needs. They claim to offer waterfront property at inexpensive below-market
prices. On their web site, I saw properties listed in the mountains
of Tennessee, the Inner Banks of North Carolina, Florida and Costa Rica.
For more information visit www.waterfrontgrp.com.
Each region has a different phone number, so the best way to look this
company up is on the Internet.
Resorts
& Spas
Grand Geneva
Resort & Spa, WI
It’s in beautiful Lake Geneva, WI, and offers 36 holes of championship
golf, relaxing spa services at Well Spa, as well as hiking, horseback
riding, and more. Ristorante Brissago and the Geneva Chophouse offer
creative culinary experiences and award-winning service. The facility
has 355 elegant guest rooms, three dining options, 50,000 square feet
of event space, indoor and outdoor tennis, indoor and outdoor swimming
pools, hiking paths and more. For information call 888-392-8000, e-mail:
info@grandgeneva.com. The web site is: www.grandgeneva.com
Paradisus, Dominican Republic
This is a luxury vacation destination that provides guests with a true
escape. It’s a two-story, full service facility that features beautiful
rooms, and a variety of spa services. The facility offers body and facial
treatments, personal trainers, spinning classes, group dance classes,
sauna, cardiovascular and weight-training and more. The facility has
6 restaurants, 8 bars, 8,600 square foot Spa and Health club, 12,447
square feet of meeting space, and 554 suites. For information you can
call 866-43-melia or visit the web site at: www.paradisuspalmareal.travel/
Westglow Resort & Spa, NC
This facility is nestled in the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains of
North Carolina. Westglow is a full service European-style spa specializing
in pure pampering. It has a restored Greek revival mansion, which was
once the home of renowned artist and author Elliott Daingerfield. The
accommodations include elegantly decorated suites, a formal dining room
and a relaxing parlor. They offer face and body treatments, health and
fitness services, and salon services. For information you can call 800-562-0807,
e-mail: info@westglow.com and
the web site is: www.westglow.com
Go
Cruising
Carnival
Carnival Fun Ships are a great way to have fun. Their fleet is composed
of over 20 ships, and they travel all over the map. You can cruise to
Alaska, The Bahamas, Canada or New England, The Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii,
Mexico, The Panama Canal and elsewhere. Visit their web site and you
can find a cruise, get fun information, contact a vacation planner and
travel the world.
For information call: 1-888-Carnival or visit their web site at: www.carnival.com
Cruise Deals
At cruisedeals.com you’ll find special pricing on cruises. You
can choose from over 30 locations to cruise to including exotic locations
like Africa, Australia, Canada, Hawaii, New Zealand, Europe, and elsewhere.
You can take a cruise from as little as 1-2 nights to two weeks in length,
and choose from about 20 cruise lines. For more information call 800-668-6414
or visit: www.cruisedeals.com
Holland America Line
This cruise line offers cruises to Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean and
your favorite destinations worldwide. This company offers over 130 years
of experience and is considered the undisputed leader in the cruise
industry’s premium segment. With the introduction of the 1918-passensger
ms Noordam in 2006, Holland America Line’s fleet grew to 13 ships,
offering nearly 500 cruises from 25 home ports. Itineraries range from
two to 108 days and visit all seven continents, including Australia/New
Zealand and Asia sailings, a world cruise to several ports in the Caribbean,
Alaska, Mexico and Europe. For information call your local travel agent
and or visit www.hollandamerica.com
Hot
Air Balloon Festivals
Adirondack
Hot Air Balloon Festival - Glens Falls, NY
This event takes place in September and is a four-day event. There is
live entertainment and fun for the entire family. For Information you
can call 518-798-1761 or visit: www.adirondackballoonfest.org
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
The event goes for 10 days and looks exciting. Balloons go up starting
at about 5:45 am, and continue throughout the day till about 8 pm, weather
permitting. At the festival they have hundreds of balloons and special-shaped
balloons registered from throughout the world. At the web site you’ll
find all kinds of news, information and places to stay, and yes, you
can get a balloon ride. Try it, it’s a lot of fun. Their web site
is: www.balloonfiesta.com
or you can call 1-888-422-7277.
Carolina Balloon Fest
This event is scheduled for October and takes place at the Statesville,
NC, Regional Airport. They have a hot air balloon launch and competition,
and it’s also the start of the NC Wine Tasting Festival. There’s
also live music, special exhibits, a kid’s fun zone, crafts, food
and drink vendors. For information visit:
www.carolinaballoonfest.com
Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival - Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
This festival started in 1988 and has grown to become one of the biggest
festivals in Canada. Attendance at one point reached over 200,000 people,
with over 125 balloons. People driving RV’s are welcome, and parking
information is available at their web site. In addition to the balloons,
there are also numerous concerts that attract tens of thousands of people.
For information call: 1-866-319-FIDO or visit their web site at www.ville.gatineau.qc.ca/Festival/
The Battle Creek Air Show and Balloon Festival
This Battle Creek, MI, event has everything: live music, an amusement
park, arts and crafts, hot air balloons and an air show. The event offers
six days of fun for the entire family during the month of June. For
information you can call 269-962-0592 or visit www.bcballoons.com
The New Jersey Festival of Ballooning
This event is the largest Festival of Ballooning in North America, and
it’s the premiere family entertainment attraction in New Jersey.
The event is over 25 years old, goes for 3 days and happens during the
month of July at the Solberg Airport in Readington, NJ. The event has
non-stop family entertainment, lots of live music including some national
talent, food and fireworks. For information you can call: 1-800-Hot
air9 or visit their web site at: www.balloonfestival.com
For a more
complete listing of hot air balloon events around the country you can
visit the following web site:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_air_balloon_festivals
Wine
Tasting Festivals
Best of Country,
Beef and Wine Tasting Festival
This event is in mid-July at the Bridgeport Ranch Barns & Terrace
in Bridgeport, CA.
The event is sponsored by Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, the Harris
Ranch Beef Company, and Centennial Livestock. The event features live
entertainment, and a variety of local restaurants prepare tantalizing
dishes. Paso Robles Wine pairs up its premium wines with each dish,
and the Hunewill Ranch Bakery features country-style desserts. For information,
you can call: 775-545-7003 or email romero@bridgeportranch.com,
visit www.bridgeportranch.com
Michigan Wines
This organization has events listed on their web site from July through
February. On Mackinac Island, they feature some of Michigan’s best
Wineries and Breweries along with entertainment and food samplings from
Mission Point Resorts. The Round Barn Winery-Baroda is involved in a
BBQ Festival. The Sandhill Crane Vineyards celebrate America’s
birthday with a cookout, live blues music, and the release of a new
wine. For information you can call 517-241-4468, email mda-michigan-wines@michigan.gov
and their web site is: www.michiganwines.com
The Montana Big Sky Country Wine Tasting Festival
This event happens during the month of October in Hamilton, MT, at the
Bitterroot River Inn. They have an auction, food and drink and wine
tasting. For information you can email: localinfo@bvchamber.com,
their web site is: www.bitterrootvalleychamber.com
Napa Valley Wine Events
The Napa Valley has wine events every month of the year. For example,
in July they feature their newly released wines, there’s a 4th
July Barbeque, a blending seminar at St. Supery Winery, the Wine &
Chocolate at the Wineries of Napa Valley, the fifth annual hot dog weekend.
Each hot dog is served with a glass of wine. At the Robert Mondavi Winery,
they feature jazz music and more. When you’re in California, there
is lots of fun at the wineries in Napa Valley. For information, you
can visit www.winecountry.com
The Windy City Wine Festival
In early September, this festival in Chicago offers a souvenir wine
glass, ten tastings, a festival program, food and wine seminars, cooking
demonstrations, and the opportunity to purchase wine from a wide variety
of suppliers. For information visit: www.windycitywinefestival.com
For more information
on wine festivals you can visit: www.drinkwine.com
How
about Biking for Fun?
Bike Trips
Bike Riders, a Boston-based bike tour operator, offers guided bike tours
in New England, Canada and Europe. They offer culinary guest chef trips
in France and Italy, and their self-guided bicycle tours in Europe have
earned a reputation for exciting, off-the-beaten track itineraries,
luxurious inns and outstanding restaurants. They also offer walking
and hiking trips as well as family biking adventures. For information
you can call 1-800-473-7040. You can also visit their web site at: www.bikeriderstours.com
Beverly Hills Cycling Classic - Chicago, IL
This event happens in July. The 100k event loops through beautiful Beverly
Hills/Morgan Park, one of Chicago’s most historic, friendly and
hilly residential neighborhoods. More than 5,000 people come from throughout
Chicagoland to enjoy the racing action. For information call: 773-233-3100.
You can also visit the web site: www.bikeride.com
Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic
This event has a history of almost 30 years and happens during the month
of July. This 200-mile bicycle ride is the largest multi-day bicycle
event in the Northwest. It has up to 9,000 participants riding from
Seattle to Portland in one or two days. The route takes them through
scenic valleys, forests, and farmlands of western Washington and Oregon.
Their web site is: www.cascade.org/EandR/stp/index.cfm
or you can call 888-334-BIKE.
USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships in West Dover, VT
Off-road cyclists are offered a wide variety of events. Cross country
and short track cross country racing will be on the agenda for the endurance
riders, and downhill, 4-cross and super downhill will cater to the gravity
riders. Roughly 2,500 racers, including juniors, U23 athletes, amateurs
and professionals, will be on hand to compete. For more information
visit: www.usacycling.org/
A great place
to find biking events is at www.bikeride.com
Other
Great Ideas For Having Fun
Drive a Commercial
Truck and Take Photos Across The Country - Tom Harvey
Tom Harvey left his job at Kodak and pursued truck driving as a second
career. He got a Class A license and drove for a company out of Charlotte,
NC. His routes took him through most of the South with an occasional
run to the Northeast.
While Tom found truck driving to be isolating and somewhat dangerous,
he had his camera with him and captured 650 photos. He calls this photo
series “A View From The Cab.” A sample photo ("Truckstop
Dawn") can be seen here.
The Made In The Shade Beer Tasting Festival
This festival is held during July at the Coconino County Fairgrounds
in Fort Tuthill County Park located 3 miles south of Flagstaff, AZ.
The event features live entertainment and beverage sampling outside
under the cool pines of Flagstaff. Over 50 breweries from all over the
west attend the event.
For information e-mail info@azbeer.com.
Their web site is www.azbeer.com
The Great Tucson Beer Festival
This tasty event is over 20 years old and is held during September at
the Hi Corbett Field in central Tucson. Activities include live music,
appetizers, and, of course, great beer. For information call 1-520-296-2400
or visit www.visittucson.org
The Great Arizona Beer Festival
This event is held during the springtime in Tempe, AZ. At this event
you can taste craft and micro-brewed beers from the southwest, USA,
and the world. Hundreds of brews are available for tasting. Proceeds
are donated to the Sun Sounds of Arizona, a reading service for the
blind. For information visit: www.azbeer.com
The Gecko Fest
The Gecko Fest is a whimsical salute to the Gecko that is held Labor
Day weekend in Gulfport, FL. It’s a family event that celebrates
the end of summer with a walking parade, extraordinary entertainment,
and a street dance. The festival is described as a combination of a
family-oriented Mardi Gras, Renaissance Faire, and British Looney Party
gone Gecko in Gulfport, FL. People wear Gecko hats, fish hats, all sorts
of colorful hats and costumes to celebrate the many colors of Geckos.
For information visit: www.geckofest.com
Naples Grape Festival in Naples, NY
This festival in late September takes place in beautiful Naples, NY.
It’s a small scenic town that attracts 80,000 people for the annual
celebration of the grape harvest. For the festival, over 20,000 grape
pies are prepared, and there’s free grape juice and grape pie samples
throughout the weekend. This festival offers everything grape including
grape jellies, kuchens, cookies, ice cream, sauces, tarts and of course
fresh picked grapes. For information visit: www.naplesvalleyny.com
Visit the Outer Banks of North Carolina
Since 1587, people have been drawn to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Today, visitors still marvel at the quiet sanctuary that lies before
them. The Outer Banks is a string of sandy barrier islands more than
130 miles long that bow out into the Atlantic Ocean and cup the shoreline.
The islands are filled with watery hideaways where wildlife takes refuge
and nature lovers delight, quiet beaches for sport or peace, and history
that dates back to America’s beginnings. For information call:
877-629-4386 or visit their web site at: www.outerbanks.org
Go Paragliding
In under five minutes, you can lay out your lightweight canopy on the
ground, and step into a flight lasting as long as you want. Santa Barbara,
CA, is a paragliding paradise. The weather permits year round flying
and the 4000’ Santa Ynez mountains overlooking the Pacific.
Paragliders are similar to hang gliders in that they are foot- launched
and foot landed. The pilot lays the canopy out on the ground, puts on
the harness, launches by running down a slope, and quietly glides down
to the landing below. For information you can call 805-965-3733, email
info@flyaboveall.com and their
web site is: www.flyaboveall.com
Fly In A Glider, Go Sky Diving, or go for a Balloon Ride
Let your spirit soar as you glide through the air and fly like a bird.
Share the sky with the eagles as you soar above the clouds. Soaring
is a thrilling, yet soothing sport that can involve the whole family.
Many of the flights have a wing mounted camera so you can capture your
experience. For information you can call 800-759-7433, or email information@1800skyride.com.
Their web site is: www.1800skyride.com
Go On An Amazon Expedition
Amazonia Expeditions has operated fine natural history and adventure
trips in the western Amazon since 1981. The western Amazon rainforest,
found in Peru, is known to have the greatest diversity of flora and
fauna found in the world. Biologists refer to this region as the “green
paradise” of the Amazon forest. The best in northeast Peru is the
Reserva Comunal de Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo. This area was designated a reserve
by the Peruvian government in 1991. Scientific research has found one
of the world’s richest varieties of plants, amphibians, reptiles
and birds. For information call 800-262-9669, email amazonia.expeditions@verizon.net.
Their web site is: www.perujungle.com
Go To Key West, FL
Key West is a magical place and it has something for every person. At
Key West you can go saltwater fishing, eat at great restaurants, go
on a charter to see the dolphins, go diving, take a moonlight sail,
indulge in fun shopping, and hang out in bars. And there are lots of
festivals and activities. In July there’s the Underwater Music
Festival and the Hemingway Days Festival; in August, they have the Lobsterfest;
in September, the Womenfest; in October, the Goombay Fest. There’s
always something going on in Key West. A website for information is:
www.keywest.com
More
Boomer Links
Baby Boomer
Magazine
Complete resource magazine for the Baby Boomer Generation including
health, travel, community, family, dating, activities, jobs, financial,
retirement, shopping, entertainment, home, and nostalgia. Their web
site is: www.babyboomer-magazine.com
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your ideas
Submit
your ideas to us about fun ideas and places around the country. If it
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