An Electrifying Celebration for Edison

Florida

The 63rd annual Edison Festival of Lights, which continues through Feb. 18 in Fort Myers, honors the city’s most famous citizen. Thomas Edison wintered here for 50 years. The centerpiece of the more than 40 events is the nighttime parade, the largest in Florida--with plenty of electricity on 100 floats. Other highlights include tours of Edison’s two estates, a science and inventors fair, a marathon organ concert and an orchid show. For more information, contact the Festival of Lights, 2254 Edwards Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33901; telephone (941) 334-2999, Internet https://www.edisonfestival.org.

North Carolina

The 225th anniversary of the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Moores Creek Bridge will take place Feb. 24 and 25 (actual battle date was Feb. 27, 1776) at the National Park site near Currie, 20 miles north of Wilmington. The victory by 1,000 patriots over 1,600 Loyalists was decisive, ending royal authority in North Carolina. Contact the National Park Service, Moores Creek Battlefield, 40 Patriot Hall Drive, Currie, NC 28435; tel. (910) 283-5591,https://www.nps.gov/mocr.

South Carolina

The fifth annual Native Gullah Celebration, Feb. 3 to 25 in Hilton Head, pays homage to the traditional West African-based culture of the islands off South Carolina and Georgia. The fest begins with National Freedom Day commemorating the 13th Amendment, signed into law by President Lincoln on Feb. 1, 1865. Other highlights include gospel performances and a traditional barbecue. An expo Feb. 17 and 18, focusing on Gullah arts, crafts and food, is the most popular part of the monthlong festival. Contact the Native Islander Gullah Celebration, P.O. Box 23452, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925; tel. (843) 689-9314, https://www.gullahcelebration.com.

Texas

The friendship between the U.S. and Mexico and between sister cities Brownsville and Matamoros is the focal point of Charro Days, Feb. 22 to 25 in Brownsville. Traditional dress of the charro (the Mexican cowboy) and the colorful dresses of the women are seen everywhere during this festival. Events include a parade of horse-drawn floats, mounted charros, street dances, Mexican folklorico performances, band concerts, an arts show and a Mexican-style rodeo. Contact the Brownsville Convention and Visitor Bureau, P.O. Box 4797, Brownsville, TX 78523; tel. (956) 542-4245, https://www.charrodays.org.

Virginia

George Washington’s birthday is celebrated in a special way in his home state. On Feb. 19 at the George Washington Birthplace National Monument, near Colonial Beach, visitors can tour a replica of the house Washington was born in, hear talks on his life and see demonstrations of colonial life. Gingerbread and hot cider will be served in the log house, the only day all year it is open to the public. At Mount Vernon there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at 10 a.m. Feb. 21, followed by patriotic music and military performances on the bowling green. Other celebrations take place at Gunston Hall in Alexandria and Historic Kenmore Plantation & Gardens in Fredericksburg, where Washington’s sister, Betty Washington Lewis, lived. Contact George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, P.O. Box 110, Mount Vernon, VA 22121; tel. (703) 780-2000, https://www.mountvernon.org.

Germany

Many cities and towns in Germany celebrate Carnival Feb. 25 to 27 with Mardi Gras similarities: parades, costume balls, puppet theater and music. Carnival is particularly popular along the Rhine; it’s called Fastnacht in Mainz (4,000 costumed children in parade), Karneval in Dusseldorf and Cologne (women kiss the cheeks of costumed strangers at the Women’s Carnival, and there’s a huge float parade). In Munich it’s known as Fasching, with black-and-white balls and special pre-Lenten doughnuts for sale. For more information, contact the German National Tourist Office, 122 E. 42nd St., New York, NY 10168-0072; tel. (212) 661-7200, https://www.germany-tourism.de.

Jamaica

Bob Marley’s birthday bash is a big one in Kingston, running the first 10 days of February in different parts of the city. Feb. 1 to 6, the events take place in the Trench Town neighborhood, where Marley grew up, and include reggae performances and church concerts. Feb. 4 to 10, the celebration centers on the Bob Marley Museum and Tuff Gong, his former home, with more reggae concerts and tours of the sites. For more information, contact the Jamaica Tourist Board, 3440 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 805, Los Angeles, CA 90010; tel. (213) 384-1123, https://www.jamaicatravel.com.

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