The USA is renowned for its vibrant festival scene, drawing millions to events like Burning Man and Mardi Gras. But beyond these famous gatherings lies a collection of wonderfully weird festivals that offer a glimpse into America’s quirky heart. Get ready to explore ten of the strangest and most entertaining festivals the USA has to offer!
Avon Heritage Duck Tape Festival, Ohio
Every Father’s Day weekend, Avon, Ohio, the home of Duck Tape headquarters, celebrates all things duct tape. This festival features everything from carnival rides and live music to impressive Duck Tape sculptures, a parade with Duck Tape floats, and even a fashion show where participants wear outfits crafted entirely from duct tape. It’s a sticky situation you won’t want to miss!
Mike the Headless Chicken Festival, Colorado
Fruita, Colorado, honors the legendary Mike, a chicken that lived for 18 months without a head, during the first week of June. This quirky festival includes a 5K race, a disc golf tournament, a poultry show, and a competitive chicken wing eating contest. It’s a clucking good time!
Spam Jam, Hawaii
Hawaii’s love for Spam is no secret, and each year, thousands of Spam enthusiasts gather in Waikiki at the end of April to celebrate. Spam Jam features the canned meat cooked in every imaginable way, from Spam corn chowder to Spam flan. The festival also raises money and food donations for the Hawaii Food Bank. It’s a Spam-tastic event!
Underwater Music Festival, Florida
In the Lower Keys of Florida, music takes a dive at the Underwater Music Festival. Held at Looe Key Reef, this unique event aims to promote coral reef conservation. Divers enjoy water-themed tunes like “Yellow Submarine” played through underwater speakers, and many dress up in costumes and pose with whimsical instruments. It’s an immersive and melodious experience!
Frozen Dead Guy Days, Colorado
Originally in Nederland, Colorado, this festival now takes place in Estes Park, celebrating Bredo Morstoel, a frozen dead man stored cryogenically. Festival-goers participate in a coffin race, a hearse parade, and a frozen T-shirt contest. It’s a chillingly fun event with a quirky backstory!
Blobfest, Pennsylvania
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, pays homage to the classic sci-fi horror film The Blob with Blobfest. The highlight is a reenactment of the iconic scene where moviegoers flee the Colonial Theater in terror. The festival also features monster movie screenings, a Blob Ball, a short film contest, a street fair, and a costume contest. It’s a scary good time!
Roadkill Cook-Off, West Virginia
In Marlinton, West Virginia, the Autumn Harvest Festival includes a Roadkill Cook-Off where amateur chefs compete for cash prizes by cooking dishes featuring animals commonly found as roadkill. While the meat isn’t usually sourced from the roadside, the dishes often include unusual meats like squirrel, frog, armadillo, and raccoon. It’s an adventurous culinary experience!
Shrekfest, Wisconsin
What started as an online joke has become a real-life celebration of the movie Shrek. Shrekfest features Shrek-themed food and live music, a costume contest, a roar competition, an onion eating contest, and a screening of the movie. It’s an ogre-the-top event for fans of the green ogre!
Burning of Zozobra, New Mexico
Each year on the Friday of Labor Day weekend, a 50-foot marionette named Zozobra, meaning “anguish” in Spanish, is burned in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The event marks the beginning of Fiestas de Santa Fe, and Zozobra is stuffed with papers representing the past year’s woes, symbolizing a fresh start. It’s a cathartic and visually stunning spectacle!
Cow Chip Throw and Festival, Wisconsin
Menomonie, Wisconsin, hosts the Cow Chip Throw and Festival over Labor Day weekend, celebrating its pioneer roots. The main event involves hurling dried cow feces, with specific rules such as no gloves allowed. The festival also includes live music, a parade, a fun run, and an arts & crafts fair. It’s a truly unique and earthy experience!
These ten festivals offer a glimpse into the wonderfully weird side of American culture. From celebrating duct tape and headless chickens to hurling cow chips, these events provide unique and unforgettable experiences. So, next time you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, consider adding one of these quirky festivals to your travel itinerary!
Which of these wacky festivals tickles your fancy? Leave a comment below and let us know!
