Near Phoenix, Watching the Ostrich Races

The 14th annual Ostrich Festival, March 8 to 10, will take place in Chandler, Ariz., one of the country’s leading ostrich-raising areas. The highlight will be ostrich races, with the big birds running three times daily. Also planned: a carnival and live entertainment. Chandler is 22 miles south of Phoenix.

Contact the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, 218 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ 85225; (480) 963-4571, www.ostrichfestival.com.

Colorado

The Denver March Powwow, March 22 to 24 at the Denver Coliseum, brings together some of the nation’s finest tribal dancers and drum groups for competitions. Also planned: arts and crafts booth, storytelling and food.

Contact the Denver March Powwow, P.O. Box 19178, Denver, CO 80219; (303) 934-8045, www.denvermarchpowwow.org.

Maine

March 24 will be Maple Sunday all over the state. More than 80 sugar makers will open the doors of their sugarhouses to offer free tastings and demonstrations of the process, from tap to table. It takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. Some places will allow visitors to walk through the sugarbush on marked paths. Other places offer wagon rides.

Contact Maine Maple Sunday, Maine Department of Agriculture, 28 Statehouse Station, Augusta, ME 04333; (207) 287-3491, www.getrealmaine.com.

Mississippi

Since 1932 the Natchez Spring Pilgrimage has offered a chance to visit the many gracious antebellum mansions in the area. This year 31 homes, many of them private residences, will be open from March 6 to April 6 on a rotating basis, four each morning, four each afternoon.

Contact Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, P.O. Box 347, Natchez, MS 39120; (601) 446-6631, www.natchezpilgrimage.com.

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