The Most Bizarre Festivals In The Country
America is home to lots of strange festivals and celebrations, but few are as unique and mind-boggling as these!
Shrekfest, Wisconsin
What started as a joke Facebook event has blossomed into one of America’s coolest festivals—welcome to Shrekfest! When the festival’s co-founders discovered their online prank was gaining real traction, they decided to bring the swampy fun to life.
The very first Shrekfest kicked off in a park back in 2014, and ever since, it’s been a celebration straight out of the swamp—complete with ogres, green fun, and plenty of fairy-tale mischief!
Aaron of L.A. Photography, Shutterstock
Shrekfest, Wisconsin (cont’d)
Since its modest beginnings, Shrekfest has grown into a popular festival. People can dress up, indulge in Shrek-themed food, and compete in ogre-ish competitions, like roaring contests and an onion eating contest.
There’s also a screening of the beloved movie.
Aaron of L.A. Photography, Shutterstock
Avon Heritage Duck Tape Festival, Ohio
Duct tape has been the saving grace in many a-mishap, so naturally, people came up with a festival to pay homage to the beloved adhesive.
Every year on Father’s Day weekend, the makers of one of the most recognizable duct tape brands, Duck Tape, host a grand celebration.
Avon Heritage Duck Tape Festival, Ohio (cont’d)
In addition to familiar festivities, like carnival rides, concessions, and live music, this festival puts Duck Tape front and center.
There are huge sculptures made out of Duck Tape, and a parade featuring Duck Tape floats. There’s even a fashion show, where people wear clothes made from the all-purpose adhesive.
The Burning of Zozobra, New Mexico
Feeling weighed down by bad vibes? The Burning of Zozobra in Santa Fe is the ultimate way to torch your troubles away.
Every Labor Day weekend, locals build and set fire to a towering 50-foot giant called Zozobra—Spanish for gloom or anguish—turning your worries to smoke and ash in one fiery celebration!
The Burning of Zozobra, New Mexico (cont’d)
The Zozobra is built from wood, wire, and cloth. Its arms and head can move, making it one of the world’s largest marionettes.
People can stuff the Zozobra with paper that represents their misfortune, for example, traffic tickets or divorce papers. When the effigy is burned, all the worries from the past year are burned with it.
Roadkill Cook-Off, West Virginia
It may not sound too appealing, but don’t worry—most of the food at this festival isn’t actually from the side of the road.
The Roadkill Cook-Off is part of the Autumn Harvest Festival in Marlington, and chefs gather to make dishes featuring animals that are often seen as roadkill.
Roadkill Cook-Off, West Virginia (cont’d)
Squirrel, possum, raccoon, and armadillo are common ingredients in the cook-off, but there are also lots of familiar meats, like rabbit and venison.
Visitors can try all the dishes and choose who serves up the best meal. The chefs compete for cash prizes, with the winner receiving a $1,200 grand prize.
Mike the Headless Chicken Festival, Colorado
Back in 1945, Lloyd Olsen chopped off one of his chickens’ heads for dinner—but the bird wasn’t quite done yet. Somehow, the blade missed the jugular vein and brain stem, and a blood clot kept Mike the chicken alive…for another 18 months!
Lloyd fed Mike with an eyedropper, turning the headless chicken into a legendary feathered survivor. Talk about a cluckin’ miracle!
Mike the Headless Chicken Festival, Colorado (cont’d)
Since 1999, the town of Fruit has held an annual festival to celebrate the life of Mike the Headless Chicken.
While there is a chicken wing eating contest and a poultry show at the festival, the main events are the 5k race and disc golf tournament.
Underwater Music Festival, Florida
This is definitely of the country’s quirkier festivals, but it’s also for a good cause.
Held each year in the Lower Keys, the Underwater Music Festival encourages people to appreciate and care for the local coral reef.
Underwater Music Festival, Florida (cont’d)
Divers and snorkelers can swim with beautiful marine life while enjoying the underwater music, which is shared via speakers attached to the underside of boats.
Many people like to dress up in fun costumes and bring their own instruments to strike a cool pose.
World’s Ugliest Dog Contest, California
Every dog has its day, but for the scruffy, quirky, and downright odd pups, their spotlight shines brightest every June at the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest.
Held in Petaluma, this festival is exactly what it sounds like—celebrating the lovable “ugly” dogs with plenty of laughs, cheers, and heartwarming moments that prove beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.
Don McCullough, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
World’s Ugliest Dog Contest, California (cont’d)
Any dog is welcome to have their moment in the spotlight with a walk down the Red Carpet. There’s also a Faux Paw Fashion Show which is also open to all dogs.
The festival is already one that tugs on the heartstrings, but it’s even better knowing that it gives some ugly pooches a shot at finding their forever home.
Spam Jam, Hawaii
Hawaiians love spam, so much so that they go through 7 million cans of the stuff every year. They’ve also dedicated a festival to the divisive meat product.
Spam Jam, Hawaii (cont’d)
Each year at the end of April, people come together for the Spam Jam, where spam is cooked up in more ways than you can imagine.
There’s spam corn chowder, spam pizza, even spam flan for dessert. It’s one of the country’s tastier festivals, and much of the proceeds go to support the Hawaiian Food Bank.
BugFest, North Carolina
Not for the faint of heart, BugFest is one of America’s quirkiest festivals—and it draws a whopping 25,000 bug enthusiasts every September in Raleigh.
Since 1997, this one-day celebration has been buzzing with insect exhibits, beekeeping demos, roach races, and even a flea circus. It’s a creepy-crawly good time you won’t forget!
Ark. Agricultural Experiment Station, Flickr
BugFest, North Carolina (cont’d)
At Café Insect, people can also try out bug-themed food which often includes real ants, worms, and other critters.
Some of the best dishes include the Quivering Wax Worm Quiche, Three Bug Salad, and Cantonese Crickets over rice.
Ark. Agricultural Experiment Station, Flickr
Frozen Dead Guy Days, Colorado
This macabre festival was created in 2002, to honor Bredo Morstoel, whose frozen body is held in the town of Nederland.
Morstoel perished in Norway in 1989 and his body was put on dry ice to be shipped to the US. The responsibility of storing the frozen body passed to Morstoel’s grandson and then his daughter.
Frozen Dead Guy Days, Colorado (cont’d)
Now, a man named Bo Shaffer keeps the body frozen in a shed and a festival to celebrate the cadaver takes place each year in March.
Death and ice-themed activities are the features here, with the frozen T-shirt contest, hearse parade, and coffin march being most popular among tourists.
Blobfest, Pennsylvania
Inspired by the classic 1958 sci-fi horror flick The Blob, this quirky festival lets fans relive the chaos when the gooey creature oozes into a theater and sends everyone running for their lives.
Every July, Phoenixville turns into a real-life Blob invasion, with a three-day festival where movie lovers get to scream, run, and celebrate the slimy icon in style!
Pennsylvania Center for the Book
Blobfest, Pennsylvania (cont’d)
The run-out is the most popular event at the festival, so tickets sell out fast.
However, there’s lot of room to watch the spectacle, and many other cool Blob-themed events, like a costume contest and street fair.
Cow Chip Throw And Festival, Wisconsin
This one’s a bit gross, but also a whole lot of fun. Taking place during Labor Day weekend, this festival features a parade, an arts and crafts fair, and lots of live music.
But the main even it the cow chip throw, where people toss dried cow dung.
Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Cow Chip Throw And Festival, Wisconsin (cont’d)
The cow chip throw pays homage to the pioneers who would burn the chips to keep warm during winter.
People compete to throw their chip the farthest. In 1991, a man named Greg Neumaier set the record for the farthest throw, tossing his chip an incredible 248 feet.
Contraband Days Pirate Festival, Louisiana
Legend has it that the infamous pirate Jean Lafitte buried his treasure somewhere along the shores of Lake Charles.
No one’s uncovered the loot yet, but since 1958, the Contraband Days Pirate Festival has kept the pirate spirit alive—drawing over 100,000 swashbuckling visitors every year to celebrate adventure, mystery, and good old-fashioned fun!
Contraband Days Pirate Festival, Louisiana (cont’d)
There are almost 100 different events to take part in at the festival, but its carnival and sailboat regatta are two of the main draws.
The arm wrestling competition is also fun, and few people can resist the hilarious sight of the town’s mayor being made to walk the plank.
Rattlesnake Roundup, Texas
Welcome to the “biggest party in Texas”. Each May, famous country and Tejano artists take center stage for the Rattlesnake Roundup—and true to the festivals, name they’re joined by tons of snakes.
Rattlesnake Roundup, Texas (cont’d)
Snakes shows where daredevils handle poisonous rattlesnakes and snake twirling acts are the most popular shows.
Visitors can also win a prize for bringing the longest and smallest rattlesnake, or for bringing the most nonvenomous snakes to the festival. There’s also a carnival and lots of arts and crafts.
Barnesville Potato Days, Minnesota
Every late August, about 14,000 fans of the humble spud gather in the tiny town of Barnesville to celebrate all things potato.
From a mouthwatering Potato Salad Cook-Off to the quirky Miss Tator Tot pageant, this festival proves there’s no limit to the love (and creativity) inspired by this versatile veggie!
Barnesville Potato Days, Minnesota (cont’d)
Other cool events include mashed potato wrestling and the French Fry Feed, where visitors can get as many free fries as they want.
Of course, there’s also lots of food to sample, like potato sausage, Norwegian lefse, and traditional German potato dumplings. This unique festival has been a hit with travelers since 1938.
Faux Film Festival, Oregon
For surreal theater experience, head over to the Faux Film Festival. Fake commercials, movie trailers, and mockumentaries are the attractions at this festival which takes place every March.
Heritage Vancouver Society, Flickr
Faux Film Festival, Oregon (cont’d)
Viewings are held in the historic Hollywood Theatre and the festival showcases a variety goofy flicks. Examples include the classic It Came from the Lint Trap and The Lady from Sockholm, a sock puppet film noir.
Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Secret City Festival, Tennessee
Every June, the Secret City Festival draws history buffs and curious visitors for one of America’s biggest WWII re-enactments.
Set in Oak Ridge—the “Secret City” where groundbreaking atomic bomb research took place during the 1940s—the festival honors the town’s pivotal role in history with thrilling performances and educational events.
Secret City Festival, Tennessee (cont’d)
During the festival, visitors can tour sites of the Manhattan Project and look at where the explosive was created.
The re-enactment, which features tanks, motorcycles, and other old military gear attracts about 20,000 people each year.
Lebowski Fest, Kentucky
Pop culture has a way of inspiring strange things, as highlighted by the popularity of the Lebowski Fest.
The festival was inspired by the much-loved movie The Big Lebowski and gives visitors a chance to put on their best impression of The Dude.
Joe Poletta, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Lebowski Fest, Kentucky (cont’d)
In addition to a screening of the movie, visitors can take part in unlimited bowling and a costume contest to see who is the best The Dude.
Lebowski Fest began in 2002, and though the original festival is in Kentucky, there have been renditions in several other cities, like New York, Seattle, and even London, England.
UFO Festival, New Mexico
Whether you’re a true believer or just here for the fun, Roswell’s UFO Festival is an out-of-this-world experience.
Every July, the city famous for its UFO sightings comes alive with celebrations, costumes, and plenty of alien-themed excitement for everyone to enjoy!
UFO Festival, New Mexico (cont’d)
Visitors can learn about the history of UFO activity in Roswell and tour the city’s UFO Museum. There’s also an extraterrestrial-themed parade and showcases from guest speakers who’ve had experiences with aliens.
Humongous Fungus Fest, Michigan (cont’d)
Welcome to one of America’s coolest foodie events. For more than 30 years, tourists from around the world have gathered to celebrate a 200,000-pound shoestring mushroom.
It’s the largest and oldest living organism in the world.
Humongous Fungus Fest, Michigan (cont’d)
The mushroom takes up 38 acres of land and is anywhere from 1,500 to 10,000 years old. Mushroom-inspired foods are the attraction at this three-day festival, which also showcases the world’s largest mushroom pizza.
The Mr. Fungi ‘Beard’y Pageant and mushroom Swiss burger grill-out are also quite popular.
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