Annual celebration of local natural phenomena in your area?

[shootingstar]

Several wks. ago I enjoyed the cherry blossom trees and Japanese magnolia flowering trees across the city in Vancouver. Some photos, etc. Vancouver celebrates the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. It gets bigger every year. International haiku competition, blossom walks/maps, a bike ride, outdoor painting, garden displays, dance, etc. Against the local mountains, it would be different from..ie. Washington DC. In my personal opinion, with a high Asian-based population, it adds another dimension but with Canadian twists that involve aboriginal groups, pan-Asian performances, etc.

In early fall, there are some salmon festivals in Vancovuer area in celebration of the Pacific salmon runs swimming inland..if there's enough each yr. I do believe British Columbians have much higher sense of protecting their environment. And it starts with appreciating nature locally.

In contrast here in Alberta, in the city where I live, there isn't a true annual festival that celebrates a local natural phenomena. Wish there was...I think it raises a higher level consciousness among locals of nature worth admiring, worth protecting. Environmental protection must lst inspire people for its beauty, what the land/water /air gives to local.
The closest thing in Alberta, is the Canadian Rocky Mtns., but prairie people seem to see it as "other" not the true place where they live unless they are wealthy enough to own a 2nd home in the mountains. Besides many of these areas are national and provincial parks, already protected.

In the Toronto area, the annual fiery autumn tree colour in parks is much appreciated and rural areas nearby. I'm certain like northeastern U.S., there are driving/cycling maps to see best of nature's colour show.