January is kind of a slow and sleepy month, but even if it’s not quite harvest time that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of foods to celebrate. There’s spicy stuff, sweet stuff, and everything in between...so here’s our picks for three fun food festivals that might be worth your time this month:

· Kumquat Festival – Dade City, Florida:
Of course the Sunshine State is known for oranges and grapefruits, but they’re also pretty darn awesome at growing kumquats. Dade City wants to share their love for the little orange fruits, and each year they invite like 40,000 friends to come check things out. This year’s festival is scheduled to run from 9am to 5pm on January 28—that’s a Saturday—and it’s free for all to enjoy.

Kumquat ice cream, kumquat pies, and kumquat cookies are just some of the special delicacies on display for sampling and snacking. Organizers are expecting around 350 different vendors to set up shop in the city’s downtown, so expect the usual arts, crafts, car shows, and entertainment in addition to all the tasty treats. There’s recipe contests too, and there’s even a chance to do your thing in hopes of scoring the title of Miss or Mister Kumquat. ]]> kjb 2012-01-11T10:54:42-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/10/27/81530/477

There’s a new tourist attraction headed to Big D, and it might just change the city’s skyline. Great City Attractions has been chatting up the city about installing a giant Ferris wheel in downtown Dallas, around the intersection of Houston and Elm streets—that’s in Founders Plaza for those who call the city home.

Right now it sounds like things are very much still on the drawing board. However, Texas has quite the reputation for going big or going home, so we think as long as the pricing is right it’s practically a sure thing. The wheel could be as high as 200-feet tall, and apparently may be ready to go in around ten days or so once approval is granted. The Ferris wheel at the state fair—that’s the one in our picture—already soars to around the same height. ]]> kjb 2011-10-27T09:31:54-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/8/30/72529/1351

If you’ve got some time to kill before your flight out of Dallas-Ft. Worth there’s no need to visit the airport bar—although that isn’t necessarily the worst idea. Instead keep the rental car for a few extra minutes, and take a visit to the American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum right on the outskirts of the airport complex in Fort Worth, Texas.

In a nutshell, the aviation museum shows off the history of American Airlines, and there’s plenty of interactive exhibits that keep you from dozing off during your visit. The museum’s Flightlab reveals how exactly airplanes stay up in the air, along with explaining all other kinds of stuff related to aerodynamics and flying machines. There’s even a Flight Simulator where you can test your skills in the cockpit, but just be sure to call ahead—(817) 967-5904—to ensure it’s open during your visit. ]]> kjb 2011-08-30T09:30:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/6/29/135346/465

Today is the last day of the Texas House's special session, which means it's the last chance for Texas lawmakers to pass their TSA anti-groping bill. The bill, which would make conducting enhanced pat-downs a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine, was first passed by the House, then modified and passed by the Senate, and is now back in the House for a final vote. As of publication time there's still no news on whether the vote is yay, nay, or nothing.

Will Texas lawmakers hold a vote in time? Which version of the bill will pass? What will the Texas public think? Who cares. This law is moronic. It won't pass in any recognizable form. If it passes in any form at all it will be struck down by the courts. If it isn't struck down by the courts TSA will pressure Texas until the law is repealed. This is our third post on the topic, and frankly we're starting to resent Texas just a little bit for continuing with this charade.]]> Omri 2011-06-29T15:25:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/6/27/103510/901

It's that time of the year, county and state fair season. While some go to see the has-been musical acts or to get their thrills on creaky old rides, the reason most people go is to gorge on fried fair food. We rounded up some of the weirdest fare that you will only find at a fair this year.

· Deep-Fried Kool-Aid Balls
The San Diego County Fair debuted these treats this year and they are selling like hotcakes. The balls of batter are made of flour, water and the fruity drink powder. A friend who tried them told us, "I could kind of taste the grittiness, which was not so appealing. If you like strawberry-flavored doughnut holes then I'd say it's worth the $6. Fried pickles were way better though." Get them through July 4. ]]> Jennifer Kester 2011-06-27T11:30:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/6/14/103452/804

Congratulations to the Dallas Mavericks on becoming this year’s NBA champions after they won game six Sunday evening in South Florida against the Miami Heat. The team has already been out partying and celebrating in South Beach—apparently living it up at LIV nightclub at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Which is a little funny—if we do say so ourselves—because that’s where LeBron James’ mom got arrested just a few months ago for slapping a valet (guess that means no tip!)

The team is now back in Big D and is getting ready to celebrate with the city this Thursday. Of course there’s going to be a parade—and probably more—and we’re expecting quite a celebration since owner Mark Cuban is paying for the whole shindig. Expect everyone from Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki to the city’s mayor to be in attendance. ]]> kjb 2011-06-15T08:50:37-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/5/27/13352/1580

Given our level of respect for the average politician getting involved in the average travel-related controversy, very rarely will we tell you that an idea is so stupid that it absolutely won't happen. We've spent years covering federal lawmakers who, at the behest of Hotel and Restaurant lobbies, impose fines on foreign tourists in order to promote foreign tourism. After a spike in populist pressure from "passenger rights" lobbies, we saw Congress pass a predictably and obviously counterproductive tarmac law that increased cancellations without doing much about delays. That's the level of sophistication we've come to expect from state and federal officials.

But when the Texas House passed a law threatening to arrest TSA agents for giving passengers enhanced pat-downs, we told you that it was a publicity stunt with flat out zero chance of holding up.]]> Omri 2011-05-27T15:03:42-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/