New WebSite Highlights 1,000 Fun, Unusual Weekend Events (NAPSA)—“‘Isn’t there anything new to do this weekend?”If you’ve ever asked that question, you are not alone. According to recent research, more than half of Americans (53 percent) report they are looking for “something different” to do on their weekends. Yet most (65 percent) say theystill spend weekends “running errands,” “working” or “watching the tube.” The good newsis that new kinds of travel guides to get Americansoff the couch are comingout, especially via the Internet. Hampton Inn hotels, for instance, has produced a “weekends-only” events calendar and online searchable databasefilled with more than 1,000 activities for families, seniors, couples and solo travelers who want a quick escape for the weekend. This calendar can be accessed free through www.hamptoninnweekends.com, where events are sorted by month, region and any type of special interest...even the really different annualactivities to spark the imagination, such as: The Wizard of Oz Festival in Chesterton, Ind. The Wizard of Oz comes tolife with costumed Oz characters, parade, arts and crafts and food. Also meet the munchkins from the movie. Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival in Little Chute, Wis. Features a cheese breakfast, tastings and carving contests. A Punkin’ Chuckin’ Contest in Millsboro, Del. Hundredsof unlucky pumpkins get smashed to smithereensbycatapults, slingshots, human and engine power. The O. Henry World Champi- onship Pun-Off in Austin, Texas. Pundits match wits in two separate pun competitions. A new 2003 calendar sports 1,000 different weekend activities for families, including the Millsboro, Delaware Punkin’ Chuckin’ Contest. And the Haute Dog Charity Easter Parade in Long Beach, Calif. This annual parade features about 400 pooches, some colorfully costumed in Easter attire, get together for Yappy Hour. From hundreds of food and art festivals to balloon races, Civil War reenactments and film festi- vals, the year 2003 holds plenty of opportunity to make the most of a weekend and chase away the boredom blues. “Boredom is a major problem in the lives of Americans, affecting everything from productivity to one’s overall outlook on life,” says Alan Caruba, founder of The Boring Institute, a clearinghouse for information about boredom and how to overcomeit. “There are so many great activities out there that can help a person snap out of the ‘same old weekend’ rut—if you take a few momentsto just look!”
