by C.E. Evans

Created on: June 03, 2008

Most Americans probably won't make it to Sailsbury Plain in England for the ultimate Summer Solstice event at Stonehenge. However, there are plenty of events close to home where you can celebrate the official start to summer, and bask in the sunlight of the longest day of the year on June 21st.

New York , New York
Want a relaxing start to summer? You'll want to check out Solstice in Times Square, a free yoga fest held on Duffy Square at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue. A variety of yoga classes are offered throughout the day and pre-registration is required.

http://www.timessquarenyc.org/about_us/even ts_solstice.html

If you are in Manhattan during the last few minutes of sunlight on June 21st, you may experience "Manhattanhenge", or the one time per year that the sun lines up with the Manhattan grid, illuminating every cross street for approximately the last 15 minutes of daylight.

Fairbanks, Alaska
For a truly unique experience for those of us from the lower forty-eight states, visit Fairbanks and "Celebrate the Midnight Sun." Due to the position of the earth, Alaska experiences virtually 24 hours of daylight at Summer Solstice. The city holds an annual fair, Midnight Sun Baseball Game (starting at 10:30pm), a Midnight Sun Fun Run 10K (starting at 10:00pm), a riverboat race, and a music festival on the longest day of the year. You can also take a 25 minute drive on Steese Highway to either Murphy Dome or Eagle Summit, both of which provide picturesque views of the midnight sun itself.
http://fairbanks-alaska.com/midnight-sun-even ts.htm

Green Lake, Wisconsin
Don't go to bed early! Celebrate the extra hours of daylight by wearing your pajamas all day in Green Lake, Wisconsin, located approximately 90 miles northwest of Milwaukee. This Summer Solstice celebration features a day-long pajama party, bed races, various pajama related contests, food, a car show, and more. Admission is free.
http://www.visitgreenlake.com/visitgl/eventdeta il.asp?event=1894&return=c

Lindsborg, Kansas
If you want to feel like you left the country, try the Midsummer's Day Festival in "America's Little Sweden." 2008 will mark the 37th year for Lindsborg's traditional celebration, which will focus on the Swedish heritage of many of its residents. The Midsummer's Day festival will provide many opportunities for visitors to both observe and take part in various traditional customs. This year the festival will host a Swedish Village, which will house artists, storytellers, dancers, a market,

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