Motown 50 (Motown's 50th Anniversary Celebration) 12 January 2009 12 January marks the anniversary of the start of Motown in 1959 and it also starts a year long national celebration of Detroits Magical Motown sound! Forthcoming Detroit events are in the planning stage so go to: www.motown50.com for more info.

Tip-Up-Town USA, Houghton, Lake Michigan 1618 & 2325 January 2009 Since 1951 this mid-Mitt resort area, on the largest inland lake in Michigan, has been celebrating winter with festivities all centred around ice fishing. A packed schedule of family-friendly events includes a Grand Parade, fireworks, turkey bowling, snowmobile show and race, music, carnival, ice sculptures, contests for all ages.

For more info go to: www.tip-up-townusa.com

Urban Expedition! St Paul, Minnesota January-April Families can learn more about different cultures around the world without leaving their own back garden. For five Sundays during January-April, families can spend the afternoon celebrating the rich culture, music, food, dance, demonstrations, and marketplaces of destinations all over the globe! One of Minnesotas most popular events, Urban Expedition is also Free! Dates: 18th January 2009 8th February 2009 22n February 2009 8th March 2009 5th April 2009. For more details: www.landmarkcenter.org/UE.html

Grumpy Old Men Festival, Wabasha, Minnesota 27-28 February 2009 Think Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon and you can visualise them Ice Fishing! At this event youll see plenty of Grumpy old Men taking part in the Ice fishing contest, playing soft ball in the snow, showing off their Pets in the Pageant, eating Raghetti's Spaghetti, and theres plenty more fun for young and old!

Go to www.exploreminnesota.com

U.P. 200 Sled Dog Races, Marquette, Michigan 20 22 February 2009 The U.P. 200 is a competitive 12 dog, mid-distance sled dog race. This 240 mile Alaska Iditarod qualifier is one of the premier races in the Midwest, typically drawing more than 15,000 visitors annually. The 240 mile race starts and finishes in Marquette and is operated completely by volunteers.

Go to: www.up200.org for more info & videos. Outhouse Races, Trenary, Michigan 28th February 2009 Fans claim these wacky races between cleverly and colorfully decorated outhouses, equipped with skis for speed, are a cure for cabin fever. The town of Trenary, located in the heart of Michigan grows from 300 to more than 3,000 every year to se over 50 participants take part in this annual Outhouse Classic.

Take a look at some of the past entrants on: http://www.dayoopers.com/glry80.html

100 Mile Garage Sale, Wabasha, Minnesota 1-2 May 2009 While the credit crunch hits where else to bag a bargain than at a car boot sale and this one is a giant! More garage sales than you can count a must for the thrifty minded of us! For more info go to www.exploreminnesota.com

Michigans Holland Tulip Time, 2-9 May 2009 Living up to its town name this small Michigan town celebrates over 80 years of Dutch culture, heritage and beauty with a radiant display of over 6 million tulips.

Kicking off on Friday 1st May with fireworks this week long celebration has something for everyone including three amazing parades, multiple Dutch Dance performances, big name entertainment, outdoor concerts, music and variety shows, Dutch market, trolley tours and childrens events!

Named Best Small Town Festival by Readers Digest and featured in the book Amazing Places to Go in North America. This is one event worth a visit.

Got to www.tulpitime.com

2009 East Lansing Art Festival, Michigan 16-17 May 2009 Hundreds of artists from Michigan and beyond gather in Downtown East Lansing to exhibit art of all kinds. Hundreds of booths line the streets filled with Paintings, Ceramics, Sculptures, Blown Glass, Wood, Metals, Photography and more.

Have a peek at whats on offer on www.elartfest.com

Classic Car Show kickoff, St Paul, Minnesota. 5 June 2009 For those car buffs this event is a must! This Classic car show has over 800 cars, ranging from early 1900's vintage Model T's to mid-1970's custom, classics, and restorations, plus Eats & Entertainment! Go to www.stpaul.gov for more info.

Nisswa Turtle Races, Minnesota June-August 2009 This is a family fun traditional event for all ages! Races are held every Wednesday from June 10-August 19, rain or shine, at 2:00 pm sharp. Registration starts at 1:00 pm. Turtles are provided at the race site. Prizes are awarded to the winners of each race. 350+ racers show up weekly to see who has the fastest turtle. This event is a must attend!

For more turtle info go to www.exploreminnesota.com

6th Annual Gathering of Great Lakes Nations Pow Wow, Portland, Indiana 13-14 June 2009 Pow-wow in the Great Lakes and experience Native American life. Explore a pre-1840's living history encampment, watch artisan demonstrations, listen to Native American stories and enjoy Native American drumming, singing dancing demonstrations all day.

For more info go to: www.ncqlnac.org

Michigan Challenge Balloon Fest, Howell, Michigan 26-28 June 2009 Check out Howell for the state championship of hot air ballooning, featuring more than 50 gorgeous balloons. Enjoy thrilling skydiving exhibitions, stunt kite shows, kids activities, a 5K run, a medieval village, arts festival and family entertainment and more.

For more Balloon info go to www.Michiganchallenge.com

29th Annual Taste of Chicago, Grant Park, Downtown Chicago, Illinois 26 June - 5 July 2009

Every year towards the end of June, over 70 of the most popular Chicago Restaurants welcome over 3 million visitors to feast on a great assortment of gourmet goodies in Grant Park.

Along with the food-samplings this week long festival has Four Stages with live entertainment plus many booths offer Cooking Demonstrations and its all for FREE!

To find out more about the Taste of Chicago go to: http://www.chicago-downtown.com/events/   Blessing of the Blossoms Worlds Biggest Cherry Blossom Festival in Traverse City, Michigan 4 - 11 July 2009

Each July harvest, half a million people attend activities of the eight-day cherry festival on the pristine shore of the West Grand Traverse Bay. The festival hosts more than 150 activities for the entire family, including three grand parades, sporting events, band competitions, big name entertainment, air shows and the crowning of the queen. "Cherry activities" include cherry tasting, cherry pie eating contests, orchard tours, the Very Cherry Luncheon, and a cherry farm market. A giant fireworks display over West Grand Traverse Bay closes the festival.

Go to www.cherryfestival.org for more info.

Detroit International Jazz Festival, Hart Plaza & Campus Martuis Park, Detroit, Michigan August - September 2009 Detroit's annual swinging festival has become the largest jazz event in North America, now an institution after being held for a quarter of a century. The event jazzes up downtown with more than 100 concerts, late-night jam sessions and plenty of buzz in the area's 20 or so bars and restaurants. For Jazz info go to: www.detroitjazzfest.com

Fall Fireworks at Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois 12 September 1 November 2009 There is no way to end the day than by sitting on the shore of Lake Michigan at Chicagos Navy pier to watch a breathtaking fireworks display that has been synchronised to music. Each weekend throughout the Autumn season visitors and locals alike can enjoy a display that is backed by themed soundtracks that celebrate various fall festivities including A Tribute to Latin Music in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (12- 20 Sept.) and a special Halloween soundtrack (26 Sept. 1 Nov.). Shows are on Friday & Saturdays and start at 9 p.m. For more info go to: www.navypier.com/things2do/fireworks

-Ends-

For further information, please contact: Melanie Jones Tel: 08456 020 754 Email: melanie.jones@celletpr.co.uk