If you live in a place long enough, you should possess some local history to pass on to visitors. Bay City, Michigan, for instance, is the birthplace of Madonna and the city that Annie Edson Taylor called home before she became the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel (and survive). Which brings me to April 19, the second-annual International Obscura Day, a cultural event that aims to celebrate curiosity and discovery. Local tours are planned in several countries to spotlight "unusual places hidden all around us." Do you know of one in your backyard? Read on.
International Obscura Day is sponsored by two organizations that can make you feel like exploring: Atlas Obscura and Hendrick's Gin. Atlas Obscura dubs itself as the definitive guide to the world's wondrous and curious places. The guide people are setting up tours and events in cities including Paris, Portland, Chicago and Sydney for 2011.
Last year, about 4,000 people participated in 80 events in 20 countries. Of course, they want to grow that number this year. Sixty-some events are planned in places including London, San Francisco and even Antarctica.
Obscura Day 2010 from Dylan D. Thuras on Vimeo.
There will surely be more awareness of the day this April 19. Atlas Obscura snagged a SXSW Web Award last year, among other honors (not including what you're reading right now).
The Atlas Obscura folks have extended an invitation to Planet Green (and TreeHugger) readers to join in the fun, and participate in this day of expeditions, back-room tours, and hidden treasures in home towns. That's everything from pop stars and waterfalls to pop culture and watering holes.
What's your hometown famous for, or what local trivia can you think of? Consider it a challenge. And check out the Atlas Obscura site, where you can type in your location and find nearby attractions worth seeing, including some you might not have heard of. I've got to ask my sister-in-law about this.
More on Exploring Your World
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