On the Boardwalk of Ocean City, New Jersey, dozens of hopefuls wait with nauseating anticipation to see if they will be the lucky girl to win the beauty contest this year. Okay, not really. It's a beauty contest for hermit crabs, and I doubt if the crabs care.
But that's irrelevant -- the spectators of this bizarre event care. The annual happening sees crabs dressed in elaborate costumes, vying for the Miss Crustacean crown, and while it might be an unconventional beauty contest, it's a fun way to spend a day. Oh, and it's free.
*August 1-5: Mission Mountain Testicle Festival
There are few better ways to prove your manhood than eating testicles, so if you have a chance to visit the Testy Festy, as it is affectionately known, I suggest you do. There's sure to be lots of whoopin' and hollerin' going down at the event, and the festival is adult-only so leave the little ones at home.I have a confession to make -- I've attended a testicle festival before (not this exact one) and they do not taste like chicken.Opt for prairie oysters drenched in gravy if you have a choice. Bleh.
*August 3-4: Sauna Bathing Championships
Some like it hot and if this is the case for you, perhaps you should see if you can outlast the regulars at Finland's Sauna Bathing Championships. It's not all relaxation though -- there are some rules. Every 30 seconds, the heat is increased, and posture is very important. Competitors must have their buttocks and thighs on the bench and they must remain upright. The last person in the sauna is the winner.
Although sitting on your bum in a small wooden room can hardly be called a sport, I guess its difficult enough to have earned a reputation as a world-famous challenge. Will we see it as the newest event at the next Olympics? Only time will tell.
*August 10-12: Puck Fair
Ireland's oldest festival, Puck Fair, pays homage to the revered King Puck, who incidentally happens to be a goat. o-kayyyy... And while most Kings only go through one coronation, King puck is one lucky ... erm .... kid, because it's his yearly coronation that this extremely popular festival revolves around.
The festival is like a walk back in time, what with its elaborate costumes and events like the horse fair -- but it still retains a modern feel with night markets, firework displays and more.
*August 11: Alpine Beard Contest
No, it's not a ZZ Top concert -- it's the Alpine Beard Contest and it celebrates the mountain man look in Chur, Switzerland every year. It's not every day that guys have the chance to be rewarded based on how long they can grow their beard, so enjoy it.
What I don't get is why they make those poor men keep their beards throughout the almost the whole hot summer--couldn't they have the contest in spring?
*August 12: UK Mobile Phone Throwing Festival
Though I'm sure many of us have thrown our cell phones in a fit of rage, here's a good reason to get a grip and save that rage for later -- you could break a world record for mobile phone throwing at the UK Mobile Phone Throwing Championships.
There's a small entry fee that gets you 3 throws, and when it's all over, your old phone can be put to good use by being recycled.
*August 12: Pig Festival in Trie-Sur-Baise, France
Though it seems like this festival belongs in the farming communities of the mid-west, it actually takes place in France. Swoon over swine while delighting your ears with the sounds of a pig squealing contest. Pig squealing is actually a bit of an art (who knew?) and competitors have obviously done their homework -- their squeals must match a certain event in the pigs life, such as birth or reproduction.
The event also offers dancing, live music and the rare chance to dress like a pig and not feel like a social outcast. Oh, and there are plenty of hot dogs, but considering the festival celebrates the pig, does it seem a bit wrong to be eating them?
*August 12-19: Huamantlada
Huamantlada is like a North American version of the famous Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, except it's a bit less organized. Whereas in Pamplona, the bulls are restricted to a certain area, the Bulls in the Mexican City of Huamantla are just set loose and free to plunder and pillage where ever they please.
Sounds like ... fun ...? If blood and gore is your idea of fun, that is. I think I'd rather head to the Running of the Nudes.
*August 15: Releasing of the Ducks
Each year in Mallorca, 350 ducks are released into the sea of C'an Picafort in the early afternoon.What makes this festival unusual is that immediately after they're released, people start jumping into the water to catch them again. Then, they're released again, hopefully unharmed although some have been known to end up in the bellies of their captors.
I may be stating the obvious here, but wouldn't it make more sense to just let them get away the first time? Oh, but I guess that's not nearly as fun ...
*August 18-19: Tofu Festival
Here's proof that those crazy vegetarians are taking over the world (kidding! only kidding!): LA's Tofu Festival. For anyone who feels they're are missing out by not being able to enter a hot dog or chili eating contest because they don't eat meat, you can test your frantic food eating skills by scarfing down some tasty bean curd as fast as you can. Yummy.
Afterwards, you can cool off with a refreshing beer at the beer gardens or enjoy the sites and sounds of live entertainment.
*August 24-25: Barnesville Potato Days
Comfort food meets sexy bar-brawling sport at the Barnesville Potato Days, where it's possible that bikini-clad women will duke it out in the ring amidst a sea of mashed potatoes. But it's more probable that it will be guys going at it in singlets. Even you can wrestle in mashed potatoes -- it's open to everyone and there's no entry fee.
If that's not your thing, how about a mashed potato eating contest? Or a mashed potato sculpting contest? There's even a Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head award given to the best looking couple. It's all about the spud at this annual event in Barnesville, Minnesota.
*August 27: World Bog Snorkeling Championships
Before there was Mountain Bike Bog Snorkeling (from July's unusual festivals) there was just plain, old-fashioned, run-of-the-mill bog snorkeling. Ok, so call me crazy but I don't think there's such thing as run-of-the-mill bog snorkeling. I mean, you're snorkeling, in a bog. Is that even safe? To me, bog is another word for toilet. The competition takes place in Wales, if you're interested.
Want more ideas? Check out July's festivals!
Got the inside track on an unusual festival? Let us know about it!
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