Monday-Japan
AirVenture, at Wittman Regional Airport in
Oshkosh, claims to be the world’s largest annual aviation event, featuring more
than 15,000 planes of every design and purpose, from military to acrobatic
models. Top pilots demonstrate just what these machines can do.
Tuesday-Spain
Madrid’s Iglesia de la Encarnación church
brings out an ancient relic containing the blood of a doctor, San Pantaleón, martyred
in the 4th century AD. Spectators watch the congealed blood miraculously turn
to liquid, before being paraded through the church each year.
Wednesday-England
The Nantwich International Cheese Show,
held at Cheshire showground, Dorfold Hall, is generally accepted as the
definitive cheese show in the British Isles. It provides the opportunity to
experience the best traditional cheeses, incorporating both organic and
vegetarian varieties.
Inside a vast air-conditioned marquee,
cheese lovers can sample everything from Stilton to Camembert, Cheshire and
Wensleydale.
Thursday-India
The Muslim Shab-I-Barat festival takes
place 15 days before Ramadan. A night of prayer is devoted to asking for
forgiveness and for good fortune. Legend goes that the Holy prophet visits each
house and relieves the pains of suffering humanity.
Friday-Spain
The Galician town of As Neves hosts a
rather unusual procession every year. Locals who have had a near death
experience parade through the streets in coffins carried by family and friends
for the vigil dedicated to its patron, Santa Marta de Ribarteme.The procession
of family and friends follows the effigy of Santa Marta, known as the “saint of
death” through the town to Mass at the sanctuary devoted to her.
Saturday-Tampa
The legendary Carlos Santana performs live
at the Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa. Crediting BB King, John Lee Hooker and Jimi
Hendrix for his love of the guitar, he is widely recognised as one of its
greatest ever practitioners.
Santana born in Mexico moved to San
Francisco in the early Sixties. The impact of the band’s early material had
made their influence permanent. The success of Supernatural (2000) which won
nine Grammy Awards revived his career.
Sunday-Texas
If the idea of meeting the world’s largest
mosquito fills you with dread, then avoid the Great Texas Mosquito Festival,
held at Clute Municipal Park. Each July the residents decide to celebrate the
fact that they have bloodsuckers in abundance.
As well as the Willie Man-Chew (a 26-foot
inflatable Texan mosquito replete with cowboy hat and boots), there are live bands,
a goat-roping competition, and mosquito-calling competitions.