Strange-Con

Even if we've never been and/or have no interest in going, most of us know about Comic-Con and CES. These are huge conventions that see massive attendance numbers and media coverage. But did you know there are a lot more conventions out there, focused on all kinds of subjects and interests you never even considered? Like...

Lin-Con (The Association Of Lincoln Presenters)

Grow a beard, throw on your stovepipe hat and come celebrate America's 16th President.

Jim Hickcox, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons 

BronyCon

While a convention dedicated to LeBron James' son would be weird, BronyCon is even more surprising. Not so much that it's a convention in celebration of the My Little Pony TV franchise—but that one of the largest groups that attend these BronyCons are 18-35-year-old men.

Keith Survell, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

ALCON

The "AL" in ALCON is for Weird Al Yankovic. Yup, this two-day event is a celebration of the greatest song parodist of all time—and the man himself has even been known to show up and sign autographs.

Luke Harold, Wikimedia Commons

World Clown Association Convention

This celebration of everything clowns takes place in different locations every year—in 2019 it was in New Mexico and in 2017 it was in Thailand. Anyone with coulrophobia should obviously avoid this convention, wherever it may be.

Ann Fisher, Flickr

Sunshine State Eggfest

Tricked you–this isn't a festival about eggs, but rather a celebration of that much beloved barbecue grill, the Big Green Egg. If you don't have one then it might seem odd, but if you do then there's a good chance you understand what all the fuss is about.

Didriks, Flickr

Sideshow Convention

The carnival sideshow is a classic piece of Americana—and one that people gather to celebrate every year in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

MicroCon

Microphones, microwaves, microscopes....nope. Microcon is all about micronations. Started by the small self-declared nation of Molossia, this micro-convention is a place for delegates of other micronations to come and share their thoughts.

LuxorCZ, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

AnthroCon

While AnthroCon might not ring any bells, maybe "furries" does? People who like to play and socialize while dressed up as anthropomorphic animals have been gathering at AnthroCon every year since 1997.

Douglas Muth, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Vent Haven ConVENTion

Just so you know—in honor of this ConVENTion—our lips aren't moving as we tell you about this ventriloquist meetup that takes place every year in Cincinnati, Ohio.

5chw4r7z, Flickr

Lebowski Fest

Dudes everywhere abide by this yearly celebration of the Coen Brothers' cult classic.

Kim Nowacki, flickr

Twins Day Festival

Every year since 1976 in Twinsburg, Ohio, biological twins from across the country and the world gather to celebrate twin-ness. It's actually the largest assembly of twins on earth.

Kenneth Sponsler, Shutterstock

BlobFest

Yup, the 1958 sci-fi flick is what people come to BlobFest to celebrate.

Robert Trate, Flickr

PorcFest

This isn't a place for pig lovers. And although it's called The Porcupine Freedom Festival, it isn't dedicated to those who love the prickly animals. No, this week-long camping event in New Hampshire every year is a libertarian's dream—where other similarly-minded folks gather to celebrate their freedom, liberty, and freedom of speech.

FreeStateProjectNH, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

MerFest

MerFest attendees don't just love mermaids—they love being mermaids. This means costumes that include the iconic mermaid tails (which some have been known to spend thousands of dollars on). There are workshops to help you get better at holding your breath under water.

Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Elvis Festivals 

There are a whole bunch of festivals and conventions dedicated to the king.

The NRMA, Flickr

World Toilet Summit & Expo

We didn't do it on purpose—bringing up toilets right after talking about Elvis—but here we are. Backed by the World Toilet Organization, this convention takes place in different countries around the world and is—to quote the website—"the primary toilet-based and sanitation-driven conference in the world".

SuSanA Secretariat, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

International UFO Congress

Held every year in Laughlin, Nevada, the International UFO Congress is the largest UFO conference in the world—says the Guinness Book of World Records.

SMG2019, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

International Cake Exploration Societé Convention

The ICES takes their dedication to the "sugar arts" seriously and their annual convention brings together thousands of sugar artists from across the planet. They even have an on-site cake hospital where botched cakes can get the help they need.

Mesve79, Shutterstock

World Taxidermy Championships

Thousands of taxidermy experts and enthusiasts gather in Springfield to talk and share and learn taxidermy. It's also a great place to pick up fake fur, fake eyes, and molds for all your taxidermy needs.

James G. Milles, Flickr

Barbershop Quartet Convention

Exactly what it sounds like.

U.S. Navy photo, Wikimedia Commons

The Sunburst Convention Of Celebrity Impersonators

Orlando, Florida hosts celebrity impersonators every year and features talent showcases where the look-a-likes can show off their impersonation skills.

James H, Flickr

Celebrity Impersonators Convention

Not to be outdone, Las Vegas also holds an annual gathering of impersonators.

Library of Congress Collection, Picryl

ScareFest Horror And Paranormal Convention

Extend your Halloween celebrations for three days at the end of October or early November in Lexington, Kentucky.

AClockworkPink, Flickr

Wizard Of Oz Festival

It's called the Wizard of Oz Festival, but as much as it is a celebration of said film, it is even more focused on the woman at the center of it all—the iconic Judy Garland.

scrapkat1, Flickr

TattooFest

This gathering of tattoo artists and tattoo lovers takes place every year in Tampa Bay, USA and in Krakow, Poland.

Tony Alter, Flickr

Redhead Days Festival

The original festival of redheads began in the Netherlands in 2005. But a while back, Chicago took up the mantle in the United States and began their own celebration of gingers.

Redhead Days, Flickr

Paper Dolls Convention

This convention is no paper tiger.

pilllpat, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Tiki Oasis

The largest Tiki event in the world, Tiki Oasis "is a five-night, four-day live music event, including pool lounging, fashion shows, swanky suites, sunset dinners, disc jockeys, art exhibits, educational seminars, a bustling Tiki Marketplace, wedding options, tropical cocktails curated by top mixologists, and more!"

Rusty Blazenhoff, Flickr

Xena: Warrior Princess Convention

The show went off the air in 2001—and yet, there are still enough devoted fans of the series to warrant a convention.

TrixieVanS, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons