Enjoying Ethnic Enclaves

Theres something about the crunch of leaves under foot and the hints of an upcoming winter that just makes people want to celebrate. Dont limit yourself to the traditional Americana of Thanksgiving and Halloween, however: the United States is a country of immigrants, and it turns out that for all the cultural differences, deep down we all just want an excuse to eat, dance, and celebrate.
Comment [JC1]: ones foot?

Celebraciones de Gente, Flagstaff, Arizona

Literally a Celebration of People, this annual festival is a celebration of Hispanic cultures. Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), an ancient holiday with pre-Columbian roots known for its gaily dressed skulls and skeletons, comes a bit early for Flagstaff, Arizona. Visitors are encouraged to honor the dead and celebrate the living at the many cultural exhibits and workshops. During tThe last weekend in October, the Museum of Northern Arizona and Nuestras Raices (Our Roots) work to bring the old ways to a new generation with songs, dances, and calaveras de azcar (sugar skulls). http://www.musnaz.org/hp/celebraciones_fest.shtml

Comment [JC2]: Not to sound overly analytical, but I feel like this statement minimizes the meaning of these celebrations. Perhaps something more like these are a great opportunity to eat, dance and celebrate

Comment [JC3]: Good way of putting this Comment [JC4]: I would add an intro to this group, because it runs so much into the Museum of Northern Arizona.

Feast of San Gennaro, New York City

Opening with a cannoli-eating contest and a blessing of the stalls, the Feast of San Gennaro combines the down-to-earth with the reverent in a way unique to the Italian people. Originally a small act of devotion by a few immigrants to San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples, by a few immigrants, the feast has expanded to an full 11-day festival (September 12-22) replete with live performances by Italian performers, stands filled with traditional Italian food, and two processions honoring San Gennaro. The main event occurs on the nineteenth19th, the official Saint Day of San Gennaro, where after a Mass held in the Most Precious Blood Church, the statue of San Gennaro is carried through the streets of Little Italy. http://www.sangennaro.org/

Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival, Estes Park, Colorado

The sound of pipes and the banging of drums welcomes you the Highland Festival, an event that combines the spectacle of caber tossing and stone throwing along with the more kitsch Renaissance faire-fare of turkey legs and jousting. A celebration of Celtic heritage, men wear their clan Tartans with pride and people of all ages compete in the many tests of strength and agility, including Irish and Scottish dance competitions. But dont worry, kilts arent mandatory: though for once it may be you getting the odd looks for not wearing one. http://www.scotfest.com/Scottish_Festival/Home.html

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Autumn Moon Festival, San Francisco, California

DBedecked in red banners, which display the color of luck, the closed streets of San Franciscos historic Chinatown fills with traditional music and the sweet allure of vendor food during the Autumn Moon Festival, a celebration of Chinese culture and tradition, as lion dancers roam the streets during the dragon parade. Based on the Chinese lunar calendar, this holiday typically falls occurs in late September or early October and is easily recognized for by its beautiful moon cakes: holiday fruit cake delicacies that are just one of the many traditions this holiday passes from one generation to the next. http://www.moonfestival.org/

Comment [JC5]: All the descriptions here make the sentence too long.

French Food Festival, Larose, Louisiana

Joie de vivre (joy of living) helps define the Cajun paradigm, and if you visit Larose, Louisiana, during the last full weekend of October, youll understand why as you fill your plate with jumbalaya, shrimp po-boys, and pistolettes. The French Food Festival offers more than just food, with local music (including zydeco) and demonstrations of the unique Cajun culture, the result of French-speaking Acadian exiles settling among the melting pot that was eighteenth- century Louisiana. Come hungry, and bienvenue dans le bayou. http://www.bayoucivicclub.org/fff.htm

Comment [JC6]: Id like one quick example of the unique Cajun culture.