I attended Universal’s Halloween Horror Night in October 2008. For quite a few years Universal have been putting on an adult themed Halloween evenings in the park which have allegedly improved year on year. Each year has a different ‘theme’, and this year’s was ‘Bloody Mary’.
Firstly, some practical details – there are a number of different tickets available. The evenings happen over 2-3 weeks in the lead up to, and including Halloween itself, but not on every night - usually not on Monday’s and Tuesdays. Sometimes they even go on a couple of days past Halloween. You can get single night admission (this year they were available via several sources from about $44) or get a ‘Frequent Fear Pass’ for $69 which is valid for several nights, but excluding Halloween itself. To attend on Halloween itself you will have to pay more, but I understand there is little extra happening on that night – you are just paying to be there on the specific day. Also, if you already have a valid Universal Park day time ticket for the day you wish to attend a Horror Night (other than the 31st) you can get re-admission for the evening Horror night for $29 per person (which is what we did) – and this includes the Orlando Flex Park tickets whether or not you have attended that particular park on the same day – so long as the ticket is actually valid for that day.
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And you thought that radishes are only added to salad, - think again!
I must admit that on occasions I have been known to cut through the small round radishes we get in the UK, paring them into small segments – but not quite to the bottom, then putting them in a bowl of iced water and wait for them to open into ‘flowers’. Cookery lesson over for today…..
My artistic efforts are absolutely nothing by comparison with what you will see on ‘La Noche de Rabanos’ – night of the radishes.
This event is held on 23rd December every year, its origins are unknown, but researchers do know that on Christmas Eve in the 19th century markets sold varieties of vegetables and dried fish. Vendors vied for trade by decorating their stalls with sculpted radish figures that were further adorned with onions, turnips and flowers. The most interesting ones were purchased to the festive tables of homes on Christmas Eve.
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This unusual ‘dinner party’ has been held annually for about 20 years now so you would have thought that the guests-of-honor would know how to behave. Well unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately for the sake of a spectacle) – no-one has yet taught the wild long-tailed macaques monkeys table manners.
The location (the Khmer ruins) is some 70 miles north of Bangkok, and the host of this particular event is a grateful local hotelier. He is grateful for the business that the monkeys bring, and it is held that villagers believe the monkeys protect the village and even bring them good luck. The 600 or so guests are served a sumptuous feast of fruit, vegetables, rice, noodles, coca cola (apparently a favorite treat). Even menus, table-cloths and napkins are provided – I guess more for the photos. I wonder how they know its time to tuck in….or even which day to turn up?
The event now includes a procession, children dress up in monkey costumes (of course) and live music. Well – the festival works because it now draws in some 10,000 visitors – so I guess that’s the best tip the hotelier (and indeed whole village) can receive! Who said you make your own luck……? If you want to go the fun takes place on the last Sunday in November, but I wouldn’t recommend trying to eat the banquet yourself as the monkeys don’t always take too kindly to it.
For 2 days every July since 1979 truck lovers are able to indulge in one of the biggest and best trucking events. Just outside Iowa on highway 80 (exit 284) at the aptly named Iowa 80 truck stop hosts the Annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree as a thank you to the truck drivers of America for delivering goods across the country.
In 2009 this will take place in 9th and 10th July and some 175 exhibits are anticipated. One of the best times to visit will be the first night when there is a large firework display and the ‘Lights at Night’ competition when all the super trucks light up the evening with their impressive customised lighting. In fact this is a gathering of some of the most amazing customised trucks you can see together in one place. Many of them are works of art with thousands of dollars spent on their paint jobs and chrome. They are mobile works of art and to enter the competitions they also have to be road-worthy.
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The majority of naturist sporting events are usually based around swimming pools, volley ball or mini ten courts. Usually played very ‘gentlemanly’, with no agro, in fact quite genteel!
But if you are looking for more of an adrenaline rush……look no further!
Walsall Ace Karting is opening the track for another naturist night of speed and fun on 20th September 2008.
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