Who says all winter vacations have to be spent on snowy slopes or sandy beaches? If you are looking for a more untraditional winter getaway why not visit California’s Napa Valley. Not to imbibe on the fruits of winemakers labor; rather to enjoy the golden blooms of wild mustard during a two-month-long festival held in the region each year.
During the months of February and March, you and your family can taste and celebrate the yellow condiment at a variety of events held during the 15th annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival. This year the festivities run from February 2nd to March 29th.
Kicking off the 8-week celebration is “Mustard Magic,” which takes place February 2nd at 7 p.m. at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena. The lavish black-tie affair includes a gourmet buffet, a visual arts competition exhibit, a silent auction, and a performance by trapeze artists. Tickets are $150 in advance and $175 at the door.
If you don’t make it into town for the big mustard kick-off consider attending some of the festival’s other noteworthy events such as “Mustard, Mud & Music — A Calistoga Jazz Festival.” It’s being held from March 8-9, in the town of Calistoga. On March 14th the Oscars of the mustard world will be handed out at Napa’s Black Stallion Winery honoring “world champion mustard-makers.” As an added bonus this year all guests will be able to taste original mustard recipes by Napa Valley chefs and vote for the “People’s Choice Mustard Festival Chef of the Year” contest. The next day, the American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts in Napa will host a marketplace where you can taste mustards from around the world and shop for arts and crafts, and local culinary and gourmet products.
For more information on the Mustard Festival click here.
SPRING FLINGS
If you have a child like mine who loves amusement parks then you are likely already narrowing down your vacation options for the coming season.
If you haven’t considered visiting Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio now might be the year you put it on your list. The park just got a major addition thanks to northeast Ohio’s Geauga Lake amusement park, which closed in September because of low attendance.
Cedar Point is now the new home to seven kids’ rides from Geauga Lake, including the park’s famous miniature train and mini-teacup ride. Those and others will be featured in a new children’s area being assembled for the coming season at Cedar Point. In addition, a new Planet Snoopy will replace the current Peanuts Playground when Cedar Point opens for the 2008 season on May 10th. The park will also be adding a new restaurant with a kids’ theme and an extreme sports show when it opens in the spring.
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