The Principality of Sealand -- all of it There's an old saying that, in America, anyone can grow up to be the President -- and it's true. You could be President tomorrow. Of course, you couldn't be the President of the United States of America, but if you lower your expectations just a little, you could rule your own country -- or, more to the point, your own micronation. Creating a micronation of your very own is an easier task than you might think. You can do it for political reasons, as an act of protest, or to create a safe haven for a like-minded community of people. Do it as an experiment in diplomacy, an educational project, or just for kicks, we don't care. You don't even need to own a private island or a prime piece of real estate. For that matter, you don't even need any real estate at all. All you need is a dream and a flag. Some micronations exist only online, or as sketches in the journals of their monarchs. In fact, we could declare this space Sparkylvania or Sparkistan right now if we wanted to ... but, frankly, going to all the trouble of setting up a constitution and establishing diplomatic relations and printing our own passports and currency and stamps sounds like too much hassle. Of course, you could save yourself the trouble and just buy an pre-existing country. Sealand, possibly the world's most famous micronation, could be yours for a mere 750 million Euros. Of course, if you buy it, it'll be you who's responsible for fighting off all those invading armies, and who needs that headache? Suggested Sites... CBC Interview With Prince of Sealand - His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Sealand discusses the micronation's past and the royal family's plans to sell it. Micronations of the World - Smithsonian Magazine explores micronations and the people who found them. Hutt River Principality - a successful secessionist state that split from Australia 37 years ago. Imperial Collection - stamps, bank notes, and other ephemera from micronations around the world.

Directory categories: Micronations, Sealand, Countries of the World, Hutt River Province, International Law

Archived under: Cultures, Government, Invention, Micronations, Regional, Society and Culture, Travel

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So if it got really hot, would the building pop? (Photo by brendagayle) Just west of Sioux Falls, in the small South Dakota community of Mitchell, there stands an elaborate palace of corn, complete with onion domes and minarets. Sounds nutritious, delicious, and downright fascinating, doesn't it? We thought so, too. Today, on the first day of the annual Corn Palace Festival, we here at the Spark would like to honor Mitchell's most renowned landmark: the world's one and only Corn Palace. For over 100 years, the Corn Palace has served as a place where city residents and their rural neighbors could gather to celebrate the end of the crop-growing season and harvest. It was originally built as an artistic expression to extol the fertility of South Dakota soil. Just to be clear, the palace isn't itself made of corn, but is instead covered in it: Large murals constructed entirely from locally-grown corn and other grains adorn the many facades of the structure. Each year (with the exception of 2006, when the redesign was nixed due to drought) invites a new theme -- subjects like "Lewis and Clark" and "Everyday Heroes" have been interpreted in painstaking, granular detail by local artists, including the distinguished Native American painter, Oscar Howe. This year's theme, "American Destinations," was developed and crafted by Cherie Ramsdell, who has been at the artistic helm since 2003. It honors the United States' most celebrated tourist destinations, including the Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate Bridge, Kennedy Space Center, and, naturally, the Corn Palace itself. If, in your travels, you happen to be near South Dakota this week, we urge you to stop by Mitchell for some great music, fantastic food, and a tour of the nation's "corniest" (argh!) roadside attraction. You can't miss it -- just follow the hungry birds. Suggested Sites... Corn Palace Convention and Visitors Bureau - everything to do and see in Mitchell, SD -- including the world's only corn palace. Corn Palace Festival - official site of the annual harvest festival. City of Mitchell - official site for the city of Mitchell, South Dakota. Corn Palace Webcam - check out live images of the famous Corn Palace. YouTube: Corn Palace - 1 of a Kind - AFN commercial promoting South Dakota's Corn Palace.

Directory categories: Entertainment and Arts in Mitchell, SD, Roadside Attractions, Buildings and Structures, Corn, Mitchell, South Dakots

Archived under: Architecture, Arts, Buildings, Corn, Corn Palace, Creativity, Decorating, Design, Events, Festivals, Food and Drink, Midsummer, Popcorn, Recreation and Travel, Regional, Roadside Attractions, Sculpture, Small Towns, Summer, Tourist Attractions, Travel, United States, Vegetables, Weird Stuff

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(Photo by Jason Meredith) Back in the good ol' days, county and state fairs celebrated a region's agricultural achievements and drew folks in from the fields for a day of fun. Even though fewer of us live on farms nowadays, a day at the fair is still one heck of an occasion. As soon as you arrive on the midway, that unmistakable smell hits you: equal parts hot asphalt, deep fryer, and livestock. The fairgrounds reek of summer -- and everything else. Whatever your penchant, the fair's got it: prize-winning veggies and crafts, animal races of all sorts, stinky livestock pens, carnival rides, good-time music in the band shell, and lots and lots (and lots) of food -- most of it deep-fried. (Deep-fried latte? Gross!) The mind boggles at how many types of food can be served on a stick. Corn dogs are so passé! Cutting-edge fairgoers save the sticks for such nouveau delights as teriyaki ostrich, roasted alligator, and fried Twinkies. But, if you prefer your animals uncooked and without sticks, you can always count on the 4-H kids to parade the fluffy bunnies, pink piglets, and cute cows. Suggested Sites... State Fair Dates - find out when your fair is happening. Exhibiting and Judging Garden Vegetables - key techniques for blue-ribbon veggies. Meet Me at the Fair - Flickr Photo Group - it's almost like being there. How to Beat Carnival Games - better your chances of winning a prize. Deep-Fried Fair Food - mac-n-cheese, peanut butter and jelly, Oreos, hard-boiled eggs? Is there nothing they won't deep-fry?

Directory categories: State Fairs, Deep-Fried Dessert Recipes, 4-H, County Fairs, Livestock

Archived under: Amusement Parks, Animals, Awards, Celebrations, Contests, Crafts, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Food and Drink, Fried Food, Junk Food, Regional, Summer, Tourist Attractions, Travel, United States

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Watch out, pup! They're going to soak you! (Photo by Mara 1) For many of us, dragging ourselves out of bed in the morning is one of the day's least pleasant activities. Well, in Finland, today is National Sleepyhead Day; the one day of the year when ensuring you're up and about in good time is no problem at all. The day's traditional customs dictate that on July 27th, you get to wake up the last person asleep in your household through the medium of water. You might chose to simply pour a nice icy-cold glass of water over your victim as they snore away in their bed. But you may also be lucky -- or sadistic -- enough to toss the unfortunate individual into the nearest lake, river, or ocean. The origins of the day lie in the tale of the Saints of Ephesus, who, refusing to recant their Christianity fled the Emperor Decius and hid in a cave. Decius promptly ordered the cave to be sealed as punishment. Some 309 years later, a local farmer opened the tomb. Much to his (and we dare say the departed Decius’s?) shock, the farmer found the saints all waking from the longest nap in history. (Take that, Rip van Winkle!) What is less clear is where the water pranks associated with the day came from. Nowadays in the coastal town of Naantali, "unikeonpäivä" (to give it the day its Finnish title) is a major event and the town throws a festival each year in its honor. One might be tempted to think that a town that is already home to the world’s foremost theme park dedicated to the "Moomins" -- those incredibly popular (if seriously creepy) children’'s characters -- would have enough on its plate. But not so. The festivities kick off with a Finnish celebrity being (un)ceremoniously dumped into the Baltic Sea at 7:00 a.m., and run late into the evening with music, games, and other assorted revelries. If the phrase "Finnish celebrity" strikes you as a glaring oxymoron, then National Sleepyhead Day offers some interesting insight. Given that previous recipients of the chilly "honor" have included president Tarja Halonen's husband and the CEO of a Finnish oil company, the term "celebrity" is used in its loosest possible context. That said, if the upshot of being a celebrity in Finland is that someone may, one day, wish to throw you into freezing water at 7:00 a.m., it may account for slim pickings when unikeonpäivä rolls around. Just think of the effect on the cult of celebrity worldwide if we all embraced the practice with true Finnish enthusiasm. Suggested Sites... Visit Finland - home of the Finnish Tourist Board. Naantali - official site of the home of the annual celebrity dunk. Naantali Music Festival - everything you need to know about the long-running festival. The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus - information on the saints whose imprisonment is the precursor to National Sleepyhead Day

Directory categories: Finnish Holidays and Observances, Finland, Finnish Government Officials, Theme Parks, The "Moomin" Series

Archived under: Celebrations, Celebrities, Europe, European History, Events, Festivals, History, Mythology and Folklore, Pranks, Regional, Saints, Sleep, Tourist Attractions

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"What are YOU doing this weekend?" (Photo by Veronica ML) Ah, the lazy days of summer are here. Wait -- "lazy?" We Americans are lazy enough already, according to this month’s American Journal of Medicine. That means it’s time to get out, get active, and to take advantage of some summertime activities! Nothing on your calendar? No problem! Ours is packed through the season. Here are just a few ideas for just this weekend: In major metropolitan areas, of course, there’s always something going on. If you’re anywhere near Chicago, this weekend is "Taste of Chicago," with free admission and filled with food and music. Speaking of music, everyone in Dallas is likely lined up for the "American Idol" auditions. If you missed registering in Texas, get your plane tickets now for one of the upcoming auditions in Los Angeles, Orlando, or Denver. Are there events geared toward those who want to get or stay fit this summer? Certainly! Remember the "Seinfeld" episode where Kramer swims in the East River because the pool is too constricting? It turns out there's a gaggle of like-minded New Yorkers who are swimming around Liberty Island today. If you can't make it, don’t worry; they have more events scheduled. Of course, you don’t have to live in the big city to find cool things to do. Wherever you are, you can still participate in "Take Your Dog to Work Day" (provided your employer approves, of course!), Some folks in Petaluma, California, however, will be skipping work with their pooches to visit the Sonoma-Marin Fair and enter the "World’s Ugliest Dog Contest." If the thought of big crowds and rats on leashes makes you want to just stay home -- or if you’re just saving all your energy for the Fourth of July weekend -- you can still get involved by watching other people push the limits of hockey, golf, or pure speed. Just don’t say you’re bored!

Directory categories: American Idol, Recreation in Manhattan, Chicago Travel Guides, Activities for Dogs, Sports

Archived under: American Idol, Animals, Boredom, Calendars, Chicago, Cities, Contests, Dogs, Eating, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Food and Drink, Health, Outdoors, Pets, Recreation and Travel, Regional, Seinfeld, Sports, Summer, Swimming, Tourist Attractions, Travel, Vacations

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