Fly-Away Escapes - 2005 (travel prize ideas)

Where to be in 2005
From: Knight Ridder (BY MARGARET BACKENHEIMER)

JANUARY 8-9: Cork, Ireland “Awakening,” the largest street party in Irish history, kicks off Cork’s reign as Cultural Capital. 28-Feb. 10: Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg Animation Film Festival. From Felix the Cat to Woody Woodpecker. 28-Feb. 13: Bormio, Italy Bormio 2005 World Ski Cup.

FEBRUARY 6: Jacksonville, Fla. Super Bowl XXXIX. Paul McCartney takes the snap at halftime. 9: Hong Kong International Chinese New Year Night Parade. Wake-up call for Year of the Rooster. 17-27: Montreal Montreal High Lights Festival. Chicago chefs in the spotlight. 18-20: Charleston, S.C. Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. Artists, outfitters and TV star Jeff Corwin.

MARCH 17: Kansas City, Mo. St. Patrick's Day Parade. Shamrocks and stout for 300,000 in the Show Me State. 25-Sept. 25: Aichi Prefecture, Japan 2005 World Exhibition. An eco-minded expo featuring model communities. 27-April 2: Hilo, Hawaii Merrie Monarch Festival. “World’s largest hula competition.” 31-April 3: Vail, Colo. Vail Film Festival.

APRIL 2-Dec. 6: Copenhagen and Odense, Denmark Hans Christian Andersen 2005. Author’s bicentennial filled with fairy-tale events. 17-24: Oklahoma City National Week of Hope. Ceremonies mark the 10th anniversary of tragic bombing. 18-29: Singapore World Gourmet Summit. 23-Aug. 31: Smaland area, Sweden Glaskonst. Art glassware exhibition.

MAY 12-15: Reno Reno River Festival. Kayakers take a chance on the Truckee River. 13-14: Owensboro, Ky. International Bar-B-Q Festival. Heated competition with 10 tonnes of mutton. 27-30: Fresno, Calif. California Country Music Festival. First-time fest hopes to stage world’s largest line dance.

JUNE 3-13: Oslo Oslo Festival. Norway turns 100 with opening of Nobel Peace Centre. 12-30: Lisbon Lisbon Festivities. Summer street parties with wine, sardines and fado.

JULY 17-25: Salt Lake City and statewide, Utah Days of ’47. Pioneer era all abuzz in Beehive State. 22-27: San Sebastian, Spain San Sebastian Jazz Festival. 22-31: Edmonton, Alta. World Masters Games. Twenty-seven sports for those who refuse to quit. 25-30: Chincoteague, Va. Pony Swim & Auction. 80th annual roundup by island’s “saltwater cowboys.”

AUGUST 6-14: Helsinki, Finland IAAF World Championships in Athletics. Two-hundred countries take to the track for “world's third-largest sports event.” 6-20: Regina, Sask. 2005 Canada Summer Games. Competitions underline Saskatchewan centenary. 26-28: Bangor, Me. American Folk Festival.

SEPTEMBER 2-4: Interlaken, Switzerland Unspunnen Festival. Yodeling and stone-tossing at its best, held every 13 years. 4-18: Bucharest, Romania George Enescu International Festival. Sixteen orchestras salute Romanian virtuoso. 23-25, Sept. 30-Oct. 2: Wellington, New Zealand World of Wearable Art Show. 30-Oct. 9: Albuquerque Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Up, up and away with 700 balloons.

OCTOBER 2-24: Warsaw International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition. 13-16: Gulf Shores, Ala. National Shrimp Festival. 21-23: Portsmouth, England Trafalgar Weekend. 200th anniversary of Admiral Nelson’s finest hour, part of SeaBritain 2005. 30: Dresden, Germany Inauguration of the Frauenkirche. The Church of Our Lady rises from the ashes.

NOVEMBER 20: Paphos, Cyprus Cyprus Aphrodite Marathon. Seaside run in the birthplace of the goddess. 23-Dec. 31: Marshall, Texas Wonderland of Lights.

DECEMBER 2-Jan. 7: Winnipeg Winter Wonderland. A drive-through winter theme park. 10: Hamilton, Bermuda Christmas Boat Parade. 31: Anchorage area, Alaska New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks Display. Hearty skiers light up Mt. Alyeska with flares.

Dates are subject to change. Always check in advance to confirm dates and details.