This post is written by Sandi Combs, Marketing Specialist for Experience Columbus. You can follow Sandi on Twitter @Sandi_ExpCols .

Visitors in Columbus will notice that something special is happening in our city this year- we’re celebrating Columbus’ 200th birthday! Festivities commemorating 200Columbus the Bicentennial (as it’s officially known) will take place all year long, with events being planned by a wide array of organizations and neighborhoods throughout the city. Although you might think that these are for locals only, there are many exciting events that will be fun for everyone, whether you’re a resident or visitor.

Here’s a look at what’s happening during the next month:

Columbus’ actual birth-date is Valentine’s Day, so there are several special events to experience in the first part of February. Take in the sights and sounds of an amazing collaboration by BalletMet and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra during the performance of Jazz Moves Columbus , Feb. 2-12, 2012. Then, enjoy special discounts on shopping and attractions throughout the city during 200Columbus Days – just download the discount flyer. You may also enjoy seeing the performance of The Ruby Elzy Story on Feb. 11, having fun with your family at COSI’s Columbus Family Weekend Feb. 11-12, or cheering at the Columbus Blue Jackets game when they take on the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 14.

In addition to those special events, there are many long-running exhibits to see. COSI is hosting Race: are we so different?, which is the first nationally traveling exhibition to tell the stories of race from the biological, cultural, and historical points of view. The Columbus Museum of Art is recognizing the Bicentennial with several special exhibits, including Monet to Matisse , Columbus Views and Caravaggio: Behold the Man! Other art exhibits include Ohio Arts Council Riffe Gallery’s 100 Years of Art: Celebrating Columbus’ Legacy , the King Arts Complex’s Cityscapes Yesteryear and OSU’s Columbus Cartoonists: A Bicentennial Celebration .

We’ll keep you updated on more Bicentennial events to experience as the year progresses. In the meantime, if you’d like to know more about the celebration, visit 200Columbus.com . Or find the Bicentennial on Facebook or Twitter .

Did we miss something? Share your information about other great Bicentennial events in the comments.

This post is written by Anthony Cordo, Visitor Services Manager for Experience Columbus.

Four years ago, it was a struggle for me to figure out where I could best celebrate Halloween – that changed the second I stepped onto High Street in the Short North Arts District for Highball Halloween. The event features tens of thousands of superbly-costumed revelers, fashion shows, a Dogtober animal costume contest, dance music, street performers… the list of attractions goes on!

When, Where and Parking
Highball Halloween is on Friday, Oct. 28 from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. The event gets progressively larger as the night goes on, starting with the closure of 5th Avenue and eventually taking over all of High Street in the area. The closest and easiest parking is at the Gateway Parking Garage – it’s only a ten minute walk away. Refer to this map for directions. Avoid parking on the street in this area as many of the neighborhoods require a city parking pass.

How to Dress
This is a big one. While any old costume will suffice, to truly shine at a Short North Arts District event you’ve got to take it to the next level. The theme this year is “transformations” so figure something out that’s extravagantly transformative, and then take it up a notch. If you come up with something good you can enter the fashion show to win $1,000. For inspiration check out the galleries from Highball last year.

What to Do While You’re There
Check out the full event schedule
Dogtober
OK, this is just awesome. The costumes people come up with for their puppies are outrageous! Show off Rex’s couture side and prove your dog is the cutest in town.

Street Performers and Artists
Giant stilt walkers will be roaming the street with amazing costumes; several dancers from BalletMet will be undergoing transformations by professional makeup artists; and artist Coreroc will be creating a huge UV paint mural.

Costume Couture Fashion Showdown
Truly the highlight of the show, the Showdown features professional models in amazing costumes competing for a $1,000 prize. Judges include Dominique Reighard from America’s Next Top Model and Mayor Coleman.

General Public Costume Contest
This contest also includes a $1,000 prize for best costume. Anyone can enter, and some of the Short North Art District’s most knowledgeable beauticians will be on hand to judge the contest.

Click here for more information - and post your pics from Highball to us on Facebook!

We’ve got even more good news: we have 5 pairs of tickets to Highball to give away! Tell us what you’re dressing as below for a chance to win! We’ll pick five winners at random at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25.

This post is written by Claudia Plumley, Experience Columbus’ Marketing Manager.

The fall’s one of my favorite times of the year and it’s not just because of the changing leaves. Fall’s the official start of the arts season.

Learning about Columbus’ arts scene - and all of Ohio’s arts events – is easy. Just read the Arts in Ohio Guide . Along with being available online, it’s also included in the September issue of Ohio Magazine.

I’ve already got my tickets for several events and have a bunch of others circled on my calendar. Here are just a few events I plan to see in 2011-12.

Guitarist Kevin Eubanks will join the Columbus Jazz Orchestra on Oct. 26-30. Does the name sound familiar? He’s the former bandleader from the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

The Columbus Jazz Orchestra will team with BalletMet for Jazz Moves Columbus Feb. 2-12. It’s the third time these two groups have collaborated. Having seen the first two shows, I can easily say I’d move a European vacation to see this show. It’s just that good.

I’m also really curious about BalletMet’s DanceTech on April 20-28. It’s collaboration with the Wexner Center for the Arts where real-time video images will be created in direct response to the movement of the dancers. No performance will be the same – how cool is that?!

The Columbus Museum of Art is bringing out many of my favorite artworks for the exhibit Monet to Matisse starting Sept. 23. They’re showcasing their entire Sirak Collection, considered one of the finest private collections in the world when they acquired it 20 years ago.

I’ve never seen Mamma Mia and can’t wait for it to return to Columbus Dec. 13-18. Who can resist singing those great ABBA songs?!

Then, there’s all of the great art that’s moved – or moving downtown in the next year. Shadowbox’s new digs in the Brewery District are awesome. (No more mall bathrooms!!) They’re presenting The Rocky Horror Picture Show Sept. 11-Nov. 13. I haven’t done the time warp since high school – can’t wait!

One of my favorite festivals, the Columbus Arts Festival , is moving back to the riverfront in next June. And The Columbus Symphony is moving next summer’s Picnic with the Pops concerts to the new Columbus Commons.

I could write all day about the great arts events happening year-round in Columbus. Check out the full list in the Arts in Ohio Guide .

There’s no question – August is the best month to eat in Central Ohio. All the bounty of the farmland in and around Columbus is at its peak. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, peaches, sweet corn – the list goes on and on. While I do have a respectable garden plot at home, two or three times a week, I head to one of the dozen or so farmers markets in Columbus to stock up on the stuff I don’t grow at home.

The granddaddy of all farm celebrations is taking place tomorrow at the North Market. In addition to the great farmers market that’s there throughout the growing season, you can enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of the 20th Annual North Market Farmers Festival . It’s a casual way to meet the farmers and vendors at the market, taste the finest produce of the season, and pick up some cooking tips.

The Jam and Jelly contest (Humble Brag Disclosure: my wife and I are competitors – she’s entering peach-lemon verbena, and I’m entering juneberry-mulberry - we’re pretty pumped!) kicks off the day at 9 a.m., and musical entertainment runs until 5 p.m. There’s an ugly tomato contest, cooking demonstrations by market vendors and local chefs, and of course, all the summer bounty of Central Ohio’s farms.

What’s your favorite thing about August in Columbus?

This post is written by Sayaka Sekiguchi, Events Manager for Experience Columbus.

Festival season isn’t over yet! There are still plenty more fun and exciting events coming up in Columbus! But this will be your last chance this year to win some fabulous prizes donated by the members of the Greater Columbus Events Council.

Here are a set of prizes:

1 Winner:
• 2 entries to the Columbus Microbrew Festival at the North Market
• A complimentary registration to the New Albany Walking Classic

1 Winner:
• 2 tickets to the Arnold Sports Festival
• 4 tickets to the New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix & Family Day

4 Winners:
• Greek Festival packages including admission and baklava for two
• Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival package, including 2 t-shirts and one parking pass

Here’s how to win: Leave a comment below and name at least one Columbus festival or event that you plan on attending in September, October, November or December.

All entries must be posted by Noon on Aug. 12. One entry per person, please. We’ll randomly select the winners and notify you if you’ve won!

Who doesn’t love free stuff? We’re also giving away giftcards to shops at Jeffersonville Outlets this week. Click here to comment and enter that giveaway, too!

This post is written by Sandi Combs, Marketing Coordinator for Experience Columbus. You can follow Sandi on Twitter @Sandi_ExpCols .

Want to experience the authentic culture and heritage of Latino/Hispanic countries? Then don’t miss Columbus’ Festival Latino, Aug. 13-14 at Genoa Park (behind COSI!)

Festival Latino is known for its vibrant music, which gets guests up out of their chairs and dancing in the streets. This year’s headliners are 24 Horas (Saturday) and Tito Rojas with the Sammy DeLeón Orchestra (Sunday.) You’ll also want to stop by the festival’s Dance Plaza to check out one of the event’s trademarks – the performances of traditional dances from Mexico, Puerto Rico and beyond. The cultural celebration continues with the return of the Latin-inspired runway fashion show. This year’s theme showcases the influence of Latino culture on fashion throughout history.

The festival’s food and shopping won’t leave you wanting. Enjoy entrées, snacks and treats ranging from Mexican and Dominican to Colombian and Panamanian and more. Then, browse the wares of the vendors in the marketplace and pick up a piece of silver jewelry or Sumakta (Andean crafts.) Ohio-based Latin artists also will be at the festival to display and sell their work in the Artists’ Showcase area.

Bringing the kids along for the fun? The Childrens’ Area has plenty to keep the youngsters entertained. New this year are COSI’s live liquid oxygen show, interactive drum circles with local musician Enrique Infante, bilingual storytime, a taekwondo demonstration, and a visit from Columbus Clippers mascot Lou Seal.

Show times and other festival details can be found here . What’s the one thing you can’t miss at Festival Latino?

This post is written by Mary Szymkowiak, for the Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau. You can find Mary on Twitter @MaryS_DublinCVB .

As a longtime Dublin girl (and Dublin Convention & Visitors Bureau staffer ), I love all-things-Irish. So, my anticipation grows exponentially every year as we approach the Dublin Irish Festival —a magical central Ohio event, TWICE named a “Top 100 Event in North America.”

The 24th anniversary of the Dublin Irish Festival (Aug. 5-7), or “DIF” as fans call it, will be an amazing celebration of Irish music, culture, food and fun that comes with the tagline: Like Ireland, except smaller. Set on 29 beautiful acres of Coffman Park, DIF features many of the world’s top Irish bands. Best of all, you don’t have to be Irish to attend!

As a diehard DIF girl (one that has greeted many motor coaches), here’s my list of insider tips:

• Buy tickets at the gate–or save by purchasing them early online . Buying online is the ONLY way to take advantage of the weekend pass (not available at the gate). Kids under 12 are free. Students with a valid school ID save $2 on admission. Free admission Sunday until 11 a.m. with a donation of a non-perishable food item.
  
• Come early, stay and play. Historic Dublin hosts the Thursday night 5K Run and Dub Crawl —a fun event featuring plenty o’ Irish attitude. Dublin has 14 hotels, all within five minutes of the Festival. Additionally, Columbus has many hotels within a short drive of Dublin.
  
• Free parking is available at many businesses within walking distance of Festival grounds. Metro Center Business Park offers parking AND a free shuttle. Many Dublin hotels also offer shuttle service for guests. The best parking is reserved for bicycles.
  
• With 65 acts and 535 performances , you can feel the electricity in the air during DIF weekend. I’ll drop a few names (Moya Brennan, Gaelic Storm, StepCrew, Liz Carroll, The Young Dubliners, Teada, Karan Casey & John Doyle) and leave it to you to chart your fan plan.
  
• The Columbus Feis Irish Dance competition coincides with DIF, taking place at Dublin Coffman High School on Saturday. On Saturday night, the Feis Parade of Champions strut their stuff on the PNC Bank Irish Thunder Stage . It’s ALWAYS a showstopping ‘best of the fest’ event.
• If you find yourself lost, hurt or (Irish) penniless—think entrances. That’s where the Columbus State Preferred Pathway Information Tents, First Aid stations and ATMs are located.
  
• Thirsty? You’ll need to purchase tokens ($2 each) for Festival alcohol, soda and water stands; cash not accepted. (DIF has its own signature stout, brewed exclusively for the event. Warning: get yours while it lasts.)
  
• Embrace the culture. Buy a DIF T-shirt. Visit the Wake Tent. Pet a Celtic Canine. Shop for imported goods. Watch a hurling competition. Remember-While you’re here, you’re Irish!

I’m going to start off with a disclaimer: I’m a pescetarian (I eat seafood, but not other meat.) You’d think that would make the Jazz and Ribs Fest (July 22-24) low on my list of favorite summer festivals, but you’d be very wrong! There’s so much energy in this event that it’s hard to stay away - even if I’m grabbing a fresh squeezed cup of lemonade rather than a rack of ribs.

Set at North Bank Park and McPherson Commons in the Arena District, it’s a great place to spend a summer day. This year, the festival is even more special, because it’s the first big event to take place near the newly opened Scioto Mile park along the city’s riverfront! It’s a beautiful setting, made even better by the presence of cooling fountains and relaxing bench swings perfect for a break from the sunny July weather, just a short walk from the hustle of the festival. Even better, the festival is free!

Every year, the Jazz and Ribs Fest brings in more than 40 top national and local performers to fill downtown with music on three stages. This year, headliners include Dave Koz and Big Bad VooDoo Daddy and Latin Jazz virtuoso Bobby Sanabria, and local favorites MoJoFlo and Derek DiCenzo are always great to catch.

People tell me the ribs are outstanding, and having the chance to taste samples and meals from 23 different vendors in one location is pretty amazing. You’ll have to let me know - I’ll stick to the fair fries! You can even get tips for improving your own barbeque from the Great American BBC Tour

If you’re coming into town for this three-day festival, the Downtown Crowne Plaza is just a short walk away from the center of action. So come out and enjoy the music, the food and the new Scioto Mile! What are you looking forward to most?

This post is written by Claudia Plumley, marketing manager at Experience Columbus.
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Festival season is my favorite time of the year in Columbus. It officially kicks off on Saturday with the Ohioana Book Festival.

As an English major, the Ohioana Book Festival is one of my favorite Columbus festivals. More than 100 authors will be there this year – all of whom have recently been published. Each will read from their latest book.

Also this weekend is the Capital City Half Marathon . Then the next weekend, it’s the Komen Race for the Cure – the third largest race of its kind in the world. Then after that, it’s the Asian Festival . You get the idea – there’s a fun festival or event happening in Columbus nearly every weekend!

Mark your calendar with this handy schedule of events that are members of the Greater Columbus Events Council. Watch our blog for the opportunity to win prize packages throughout the year.

After a long and exciting festival season in Columbus, fall is in full swing and the independent spirit of local arts, bands, crafters, entrepreneurs and restaurateurs is gearing up for a major celebration.

After two successful years, the DIY commandos behind Independents’ Day are all set for Saturday, Sept. 18, when thousands of folks will enjoy an all-day block party on Gay Street, Pearl and Lynn Alleys.

In addition to 200 art, craft, food, and small business vendors, this free event features 50 bands on four stages, live theater, dancers and street performers.

Some of what you’ll see at Independents’ Day 2010: (more…)