The classic saying goes, "March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb". Take advantage of the month's wind by attending a kite festival throughout the country. The festivals typically feature competitions, displays and hands-on activities that allow spectators to fly a kite. One of the major festivals is the Smithsonian Kite Festival at the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. The event is part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. For a small-town atmosphere, visit the annual kite festival in Cary, North Carolina. Cary is less than 30 minutes from Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh.
Basketball mania sweeps the country with the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. The event, often called March Madness, attracts even non-sports fans as people fill out their brackets to predict the winner of the 68-team tournament. Games take place at rotating neutral sites throughout the country. Pick a city -- and go.
Music festivals aren't just for warm weather. An eclectic slate of festivals are found in March from the annual Jewish Music Festival in Berkeley, California, to the Savannah Music Festival in Georgia, which has acts in Americana, classical, jazz and world music. The South By Southwest event -- also known as SXSW -- is more than just a music festival. In addition to the range of musical acts, SXSW also shows films and has an Interactive component that includes a trade show and presentations that showcase new technology.
Before the Major League Baseball season begins in April, the players get their kinks out in spring training during March. Teams are split into the Cactus League, held in Arizona, and the Grapefruit League in Florida. Teams play approximately 15 to 20 home games from late February though the end of March. Tickets are less expensive than during the regular season, and players frequently sign autographs.
St. Patrick's Day is named for the Irish patron saint on the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. You don't have to be Irish, however, to enjoy the holiday. The United States has dozens of parades in small towns and cities with a high population of Irish people like Boston, Chicago and New York. The parades feature local civic groups and often have entertainment like live music. Attending a St. Patrick's Day parade then exploring a city makes for a nice vacation.
