Season

Peanuts, crackerjacks and home runs: baseball stadiums are the stuff summer is made of. Luckily, there are 29 stadiums in the U.S., each ripe for a summer time visit. There are 5 ballparks, however, that stand out as their own kind of Mecca to fans.

Originally billed as the "International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race" in 1911, the Memorial Day weekend high-speed automobile race in Indiana soon became known as the "Indianapolis 500," "The Indy 500," or simply "The 500." The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, nicknamed "The Brickyard" because it once was paved with bricks, opened in 1909. The first 500-mile race took place in 1911.

The kids are out of school, you've got mounting vacation days, or you just need a break: It's summertime and we've got some summer vacation ideas for you. Whether you're a foodie looking for a warm weather lunch fix, a family in desperate need of some sunshine, or a couple looking to get away from it all, there's no better time to plan an escape than summer. So get that planning underway and look into these five fun summer vacation ideas that make everyone happy.

Also known as the Run for the Roses and the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports, the Kentucky Derby 2011 is coming up on May 7th. The longest continuous annual event in sports is held each year at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. This year's Derby is the 137th Run for the Roses, so named for the blanket of roses draped over the winning horse. If this is your first time attending the Kentucky Derby, or you're just going to a Derby party with friends, there are some important traditions you should know before you go.

Summer 2011 holidays begin with the Summer Solstice on June 21 (in the Northern Hemisphere), the longest day and shortest night of the year. Over the centuries, this day has been known as Midsummer, St. John's Day or Litha and was especially important in such ancient religions as Druidism and Wicca. Summer 2011 officially ends on September 21, when fall begins.