Hot dogs, fireworks and the smell burning rubber are an Independence Day holiday tradition in Daytona Beach when NASCAR rolls into the Daytona International Speedway. July 2 – 4, The World Center of Racing will host the Coke Zero 400 Weekend Powered by Coca-Cola Weekend with the 51st annual Coke Zero 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series being the highlight under the lights on Saturday, July 4. NBA basketball star Vince Carter of the New Jersey Nets will serve as the Honorary Pace Car driver for the event, too. He’ll pace the 43-car field prior to the green flag waving.

The pedal is to the metal beginning Friday evening, July 3, with the Subway Jalapeno 250 Powered by Coca-Cola where NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers Brad Keselowski, Jason Leffler, Jason Keller, Kenny Wallace and Steve Wallace will compete as well as Sprint Cup Series stars Carl Edwards, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano and David Ragan. Saturday, July 4 at 2 p.m., racers will be given the green light for the Brumos Porsche 250 Rolex Sports Car Series race. Racers will speed around 71 laps during the 250-mile race over a 3.56-mile road course full of twists and turns.

Off the track, race fans can check out entertainment, driver appearances and autograph sessions all at the Daytona International Speedway. Scoot on over to Daytona Beach’s Main Street for more Independence Day festivities including live music, a kids zone and plenty of food. The musically inclined will want to head over to Pioneer Settlement for the first Saturday event with fun and entertainment for the whole family including informal music jams, free workshops and food. Bring the dancing shoes, 3 p.m. there will be a barn-style dance.

Fourth of July weekend in Daytona Beach, Florida, promises to be action-packed. Take advantage of incredible accommodation deals before they race on by.

Photo Credit: United States Air Force

The answer is “no.” All those white-bearded me running around Key West wearing wool sweaters in mid-July aren’t Santa Claus wannabes but Ernest Hemingway look-alikes paying tribute to the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway, who was affectionately called Papa Hemingway. The celebrated author called Key West home during the 1930s and his literary accomplishments are hailed during the annual Hemingway Days, celebrating its 29th year in 2009.

Highlights of this year’s Hemingway Days include:

• Commemoration of the 110th anniversary of Papa’s July 21 birth;
• Look-alike contest for white-bearded, stocky men resembling Hemingway;
• Awards ceremony for the literary competition directed by author and Hemingway granddaughter Lorian Hemingway;
• Readings and book signings by nationally acclaimed authors;
• One-man play exploring Hemingway’s life and motivations;
• Wacky “Running of the Bulls;”
• Three-day marlin tournament recalling Hemingway’s devotion to the deep-sea sport.

While vacationing in Key West during Hemingway Days, don’t miss the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum for a guided tour or the “Hemingway in Key West” exhibition at the Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House.

Check out the complete and up-to-date schedule of events. Of course, a visit to Key West during Hemingway Days isn’t complete without stopping into Sloppy Joe’s Bar for a refreshing beverage or two. It was Hemingway’s favorite.

Aquaman’s finny friends will love SeaWorld Orlando’s newest attraction called Manta. With top speed of 56 miles per hour and the sensation of flying, this roller coaster is Orlando’s hottest new attraction and giving Universal Orlando’s Rip Ride RockIT a run for the year’s best roller coaster.

Soar under the belly of a 12-foot-wide manta ray as it twists into a pretzel loop, spins and swoops in for a near-kiss with water. It’s a face-down, one-of-a-kind flying-type experience. Riders are seated and buckled in like any other roller coaster but once ready to roll, seats rotate forward and riders soar horizontally.

Those who don’t like to fly on the wild side will enjoy the 10 new aquariums part of the Manta experience. Within those tanks are more than 3,000 sea creatures to admire. SeaWorld is bragging how non-riders can be part of the thrilling experience unlike any other ride.

SeaWorld still has the family-favorite activities such as Shamu’s Believe show, Dolphin Cove to interact with dolphins (while keeping dry) and Stingray Lagoon to feed and touch graceful stingrays.  Check out the Orlando deals to book your vacation now.

Photo Credit: SeaWorld Orlando