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Summer Events on U£®S£®Islands

Hundreds of U£®S£®islands host summertime festivities and many invite travelers to join in the fun£®Here are 3 of our favorite island events across the country£®

Detroit Kite Festival (July 14)

Belle Isle, Michigan

    Kite flying is an ancient skill that's been used by cultures around the world for wind testing, fishing, military communications-and windy day fun£®On Belle Isle, Detroit, the latter is celebrated in high style with this event that draws thousands of attendees, including the Wind Jammers, a professional kite-flying team based in the city£®Kites can be borrowed, bought, or built, with staff from the Detroit Institute of Arts on hand to teach the basics of kite construction£®

Ukulele£¨ËÄÏÒÇÙ£©Festival (July 21)

Oahu, Hawaii

This festival, now in its 50th year, sings the praises of the ukulele£®Originating in part from the braguinha,  a small guitar brought to Hawaii in the 19th century by Portuguese immigrants(ÒÆÃñ)who worked in the sugarcane fields, the ukulele quickly became a beloved element of the hula culture£®The event features internationally known musicians as well as a famous children's orchestra£¨¹ÜÏÒÀÖ¶Ó£©£®Head to the Queen Kapiolani Park, which lies at the base of Diamond Head and is also home to the Honolulu Zoo£®

Mermaid(ÃÀÈËÓã)Festival (July 5-7)

Key West, Florida

    Haven't heard of MerMay? Come to this Florida event to see 35 mermaids rise to the surface£®With goals of celebrating mermaids and advocating for ocean conservation, the festival kicks off the first of seven events with Meet the Mermaids at Havana Cabana and goes on to include Swim With the Mermaids sessions (tails available for rent), an adults-only Ocean Blue party, and a MerTots Splash Hour£®Ticket sales will support the nonprofit organization Reef Relief£®

21£®What can tourists do at Detroit Kite Festival?

A£®Join the Wind Jammers£®

    B£®Fly a kite for wind testing£®

    C£®Fly their own handmade kites£®

    D£®Teach the basics of kite construction£®

22£®Where does Ukulele Festival take place?

     A£®In Portugal£®                       B£®In the Honolulu Zoo£®

     C£®In the sugarcane fields£®           D£®In the Queen Kapiolani Park£®

23£®How is Mermaid Festival different from the other two festivals?

     A£®It takes place in July£®

     B£®It is a traditional festival£®

     C£®It helps to protect the environment£®

     D£®It allows tourists to enjoy performances£®