50 All-American, All-Wacky Festivals You Should Attend

Wondering where to travel this year? Why not make it an experience that will one-up everyone else’s story?

 

Here, in one place, the 50 strangest, funniest, most noteworthy festivals in the U.S., alphabetical and separated by state (because I’m that anal retentive)… enjoy!

 

(And, if you’d like to read my sarcastic and occasionally funny commentary on each festival, click through: Fantastic Festivals, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5)

 

Alabama

 

Christmas Village Festival, Irondale, AL

 

Alaska

 

Alaska State Fair, Palmer, AK

 

Arizona

 

Crawdad & Shrimp Festival, Camp Verde, AZ

Fourth Avenue Street Fair, Tucson, AZ

Ostrich Festival, Chandler, AZ

 

Arkansas

 

Pickle Fest, Atkins, AR

Toad Suck Daze Festival, Conway, AR

 

California

 

Garlic Festival, Gilroy, CA

Harvest Grape Stomp, Santa Rosa, CA

Jumping Frog Jubilee, Angels Camp, CA

World Pillow Fighting Contest, Fullerton, CA

 

Colorado

 

Headless Chicken Days, Fruita, CO

 

Delaware

 

World Championship Punkin Chunkin’, Nassau, DE

 

Florida

 

Frog Leg Festival, Fellsmere, FL

Rattlesnake Festival, San Antonio, FL

 

Hawaii

 

SPAM Jam, Waikiki, HI

 

Idaho

 

Face-to-Fish Day, Boise, ID

Port-Neuf Muzzleloaders Mountain Man Rendezvous, Pocatello, ID

 

Illinois

 

Taste of Chicago, Grant Park, IL

 

Michigan

 

Empire Asparagus Festival, Empire, MI

Gizzard Fest, Potterville, MI

Humungus Fungus Fest, Crystal Falls, MI

 

Mississippi

 

The Kudzo Festival, Holly Springs, MS

Slugburger Festival, Corinth, MS

 

Missouri

 

Typewriter Toss, Springfield, MO

 

Montana

 

Testicle Festival, Clinton, MT

 

New Mexico

 

UFO Festival, Roswell, NM

Whole Enchilada Fiesta, Las Cruces, NM

Zozobra, Santa Fe, NM

 

Ohio

 

All-American Soap Box Derby, Akron, OH

Banana Split Festival, Wilmington, OH

Duct Tape Festival, Avon, OH

Ox Roast, West Jefferson, OH

 

Oklahoma

 

World Cow Chip Throwing Championship, Beaver, Okla

 

South Carolina

 

Chitlin’ Strut, Salley, SC

Okra Strut Festival, Irmo, SC

Watermelon Festival, Hampton, SC

 

South Dakota

 

Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo, Mitchell, SD

Husband-Calling Competition, Brown County, SD

LifeLight Music Festival, Worthing, SD

 

Texas

 

Bob Wills Day, Turkey, TX

Dragon Boat, Kite, and Lantern Festival, Lake Carolyn, TX

Goat BBQ & Craft Show, Electra, TX

Mosquito Festival, Clute, TX

National Polka Fest, Ennis, TX

O. Henry Pun-Off, Austin, TX

Onion Fest, Weslaco, TX

 

Vermont

 

Rotten Sneaker Contest, Montpelier, VT

 

Wisconsin

 

Cheese Days, Colby, WI

 

Everywhere

 

Renaissance Festivals, everywhere

 

(All links were correct at the time this posted. If you find a broken link, please let me know in the comments – and tell us if you have a festival to add to the list!)

 

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