The Wright Brothers became living legends in the USA for inventing the first aircraft and started the ball rolling on a huge revolution in aerospace, yet it is important to remember the contribution of the hot air balloon. Seen today as something of a recreational fancy, you must understand there is some serious science behind the pretty façade. It stands as the oldest of all flight technology (1783) and was the first method of carrying humans into the skies.

Every entertainment guide to the USA has to therefore contain the amazing Alberquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which pays homage to the greatness of the hot air balloon. Hot air ballooning is one of the most awe-inspiring experiences you can have in life (permitting you are not scared of heights!). Every October flight fans descend on New Mexico for to see this spectacle for themselves and all expectations are thrown of the window. In the USA they have a habit of doing things bigger and better than you ever thought possible.

Albuquerque has the perfect climate to go ballooning down to the clear blue skies, calm winds and a mixture of weather conditions that have come to be known as the "Albuquerque Box." The geography and landscape of the surrounding area, along with favourable weather patterns, allows the balloonist to navigate the skies with consummate ease, and even retrace their journey.

The Fiesta Park where the event takes place has over 200 acres of space to enjoy and during the festival is totally inundated with the beautiful canopies of the balloons. There are a variety of stalls and eateries for tourists and balloon enthusiasts to enjoy, including authentic food from the area and souvenirs. Balloons make the trip from all over the world, and it has a truly global feel. Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta October 6 - October 14 2018.

balloonfiesta.com

The USA has a deep affinity with horses that goes back to the time of the Pilgrims. The horse is a great symbol of the wildness of the American landscape and it goes right to the heart of the American identity. Nobody personifies this special relationship between man and horse better than the cowboy, like you see in old Western movies like Shane and A Fistful of Dollars. Today, modern day cowboys can be found in one place, the rodeo. 6 - 15 December 2018.

You can see the kind of passion the people have for their equine friends in any huge rodeo event. The biggest and most successful rodeo is the national finals in Las Vegas, Nevada, right in the middle of the desert. This is an annual event which takes place every December and is run by the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association).

There are all sorts of events at National Finals Rodeo to get the adrenaline pumping such as the bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and barrel racing. The team roping event can be spectacular as two mounted riders (split into "Headers" and "Heelers") chase and lasso a steer. But the one that all the people come to see is the bull riding, which sees a cowboy get on the back of a bucking bull and hold on until he is thrown off.

Every year at the Thomas & Mack Center which is situated in the University of Nevada they hold the grand rodeo final which is the biggest event in the cowboy calendar. It has all the glitz and glamour of a huge international sporting event and has been dubbed the ‘Super Bowl of Rodeo'. The event lasts 10 days and brings together the top 15 USA talents who compete for the overall crown in each rodeo discipline. More on

nfrexperience.com

The capital of any country is typically blessed with some of the most iconic landmarks and architecture that the nation has to offer. It is also commonly the greatest source of national pride and togetherness, where the biggest rallies of people collect in protest and in celebration. In Washington D.C, they are particularly blessed with instantly recognisable buildings that are huge adverts for tourism in the USA. But it is interesting to note that the biggest tourist attraction in Washington is not a building at all, it is a market. This year Aug. 31 - Sept. 23 2018.

Washington State Fair is the widely held to be the biggest single tourist attraction in the Evergreen state. In terms of its scale there are not many other fairs that can compete with it, and it regularly features in the list of top 5 fairs in the world. The event is split into two separate occasions, both of which are organised by The Western Washington Fair Association. The first meeting lasts 17-days through September and is known as the official Washington State Fair. The next is a four day extravaganza that happens in April.

There are all kinds of activities to enjoy on the day ranging from rollercoaster rides, food stalls, carnival games and petting zoos, so it is very child friendly. But perhaps the biggest lure is the amazing music acts who headline the Grandstand stage each year. A huge bonus is that you can go and see all of these amazing acts without breaking the bank. The gigs here are a lot cheaper than similar events in the local area. For instance, the KeyArena and the Paramount are far pricier. As an added incentive people who buy admission into the concert get free access to the fair.

Today, Washington State Fair can expect to attract well over 1 million people in search of fun and good times.

The Washington State Fair is the largest single attraction held annually in the state of Washington. The Fair continually ranks as one of the largest fairs in the world. The Washington State Fair hosts two annual events, the 20-day Washington State Fair every September, and the four-day Spring Fair in Puyallup every April.

Situated south of Seattle and east of Tacoma in the shadow of majestic Mount Rainier, the Washington State Fair Events Center comprises 169+ acres, with buildings and land valued at more than $54 million. The facilities are available for rent during the year, making the grounds a valuable community resource. A staff of 55 works year-round. Over 1,900+ employees are hired each September during the Fair. More info on thefair.com

The White House Easter Egg Roll officially dates back to 1878 and the presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes, but first-hand accounts suggest that informal festivities began with egg-rolling parties under President Abraham Lincoln. Starting in the 1870s, Easter Monday celebrations on the U.S. Capitol's west grounds grew so popular that President Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill that banned the rolling of eggs on Capitol grounds, citing landscape concerns.

In 1878, a group of bold children walked up to the White House gate, hoping to be allowed to play egg-rolling games there. President Hayes told his guards to let the children enter, and soon Easter Monday on the White House grounds became an annual tradition. President Benjamin Harrison added music to the festivities in 1889 with the United States Marine Band.

Egg roll attendance grew so popular that the number of guests had to be limited, and in 1939, the Secret Service had to go so far as shutting down a "racket" of children trying to sneak adults into the event for a fee.

The planning of the egg roll traditionally falls on first ladies, each incorporating her own tastes and interests to the event. First Lady Lou Hoover had part of the South Lawn roped off for folk dancing. First Lady Pat Nixon introduced the traditional egg roll races.

Because of World War I and World War II, there were no egg rolls from 1917 to 1920 and from 1943 to 1945. Food conservation and then construction on the White House prevented any celebrations from 1946 to 1952, as well. Fortunately, President Dwight D. Eisenhower reinstated the tradition in 1953.

The custom to receive a wooden Easter egg when leaving the event began in 1981 — an idea instituted by First Lady Nancy Reagan — and became a keepsake cherished by guests that donned the signature of the President and First Lady.

The 140th White House Easter Egg Roll was hosted by First Lady Melania Trump on April 2, 2018.