A Crooked Little Street in Iowa

Iowa

The Snake Alley Criterium, May 26 and 27 in Burlington, is a weekend of bike races through town, including pedaling up Snake Alley, which “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” calls the “crookedest” street in the world: five half-turns, two quarter curves and an ascent of 58 feet over 275 feet. Riders of all ages and skill levels compete, and spectators line Snake Alley to cheer them up (literally). Burlington is on the Mississippi River in southeast Iowa. For more information, contact Downtown Partners Inc., 214 N. 4th St., Suite 3C, Burlington, IA 52601; telephone (319) 752-0015, Internet https://www.midwestcyclingnews.com.

Maine

The Warblers and Wildflowers Festival, May 24 to 28 on Mount Desert Island, is a rare chance for visitors to tour public gardens (Asticou Azalea Garden, Thuya Garden, Wild Gardens of Acadia and a butterfly garden) with head gardeners and designers. Local botanists will also give talks. And every morning at 6, there’s a Warbler Walk at a different location on the island. The warbler migrates through in May. For more information, contact the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce, 93 Cottage St., Bar Harbor, ME 04609; tel. (207) 288-5103, Internet https://www.barharborinfo.com.

Oregon

Portland brings its nickname, the City of Roses, to life June 1 to 25 during the 92nd annual Portland Rose Festival with more than 25 major events all over town. Pasadena-style flower-covered floats dominate the Grand Floral Parade on June 10, and more than 10,000 children are expected to dominate the Junior Rose Festival Parade on June 7. Other highlights: the 112th annual rose show, milk carton boat races, midway rides, Blue Angels air show, an expo of Northwest arts and foods and an Old West village. For more information, contact the Portland Rose Festival Assn., 222 N.W. 2nd Ave., Portland, OR 97209; tel. (503) 227-2681, Internet https://www.rosefestival.org.

Pennsylvania

The 17th annual Rhubarb Festival is expected to draw more than 10,000 rhubarb lovers to Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse on May 19 and 20. The festivities start with a traditional rhubarb pie contest (slices sold after judging) and go on to the unusual: rhubarb punch, rhubarb mousse, rhubarb salsa and dozens more rhubarbed dishes. In the car derby, all the cars are made from rhubarb stalks. Of course, there’s a Rhubarb Queen. For more information, contact Kitchen Kettle Village, P.O. Box 380, Intercourse, PA 17534; tel. (717) 768-8261, Internet https://www.kitchenkettle.com.

Mexico

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at its source, the city of Puebla, less than two hours’ drive southeast from Mexico City. It was here, on May 5, 1862, that the battle the holiday commemorates took place when Mexican troops defeated French forces. Although it took five more years to drive the French out of Mexico for good, this battle has become a cause for revelry nevertheless. Puebla celebrates with a parade, dances, street festivities and fireworks. Local restaurants feature special moles, a Puebla invention that has become Mexico’s national dish. For more information, contact the Mexico Government Tourism Office, 2401 W. 6th St., 5th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90057; tel. (213) 351-2069, Internet https://www.mexico-travel.com.

Events appears monthly.