If you're looking for a deal, grab your keys and check out the endless stalls at the World's Largest Yard Sale, an 824-mile-long collection of "antique furniture, glassware, knickknacks, and fresh produce." Each year in early June, thousands of families clean out their garages in preparation for the Historic National Road Yard Sale along U.S. 40, which runs through Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
From dawn to dusk, you can sift through old records, dirty socks, mumus, and baseball cards, hoping to unearth that bowling pin-shaped cribbage board you've been looking for. Haggling is allowed. BO is not.
* June 1-3: Texas Scottish Highland Festival
Finally! A reason to wear your kilt! During the first weekend of every June, the Texas Scottish Highlands Festival, one of the largest Scottish gatherings in the US, is staged. I recommend trying Scottish eggs; you're on your own in terms of haggis.
In addition to lots of Celtic music (including a solo bagpiping contest), the event features the world's largest pub tent (at 9000 square feet!), Scottish athletics -- think: caber toss, weight throw, hammer throw, and sheaf toss -- Scottish Country Dancing, a Bonniest Knee's Contest, a Scotch Whisky Tasting and Seminar, a Shortbread Contest, and Falconry Demonstrations. If you go, prepare to be greeted with "Ceud Mile Failte" ("100,000 Welcomes"). * June 1-3: Wisconsin Cheese Festival
The first weekend of every June, Little Chute, Wisconsin, throws a very big party. And, shoot, it sounds good.
Events scheduled for the 19th Annual Wisconsin Cheese Festival include a cheese curd eating competition, cheese cake contest, cheese carving demo, free cheese tasting, the Big Cheese Parade, Big Cheese Breakfast, and carnival rides. If you look carefully, you may even find some crackers.
* June 8-9: The Baby-Jumping Festival of Calacho, Spain
In celebration of the Catholic festival of Corpus Christi, grown men leap over newborns, with full parental consent. Donning scary, vaguely Elvis-like costumes and wielding whips and truncheons, the men attempt to "cleanse" the babies of evil.The town has observed the strange practice (called El Colacho) since 1620, and any onlookers who seem to be in need of a quick exorcism are pulled into the event, as well -- so look normal, by God! And leave your babies with the sitter.
* June 9-10: Blue Ridge BBQ FestivalDuring the Blue Ridge BBQ Festival, more than 90 teams gather in Tryon, North Carolina to compete for $20,000 and a spot in the national championship in Kansas City, Missouri. A few lucky spectators -- that could be you! -- get to eat their trial efforts.
Begun in 1994, the judges pride themselves on their objectivity: they even fly themselves to the event at their own expense. Think you know good BBQ? The judges rate taste/tenderness as the most important quality of the food. No, this is not the time to try to shill your mama's homemade moppin'-up sauce.
* June 12: Procession of the Unmarried Woman
On the 12th evening of each June, unmarried women eager to find a husband dress in white robes and walk through Italy's tiny village of Palestrina.
Held in honor of St Anthony of Padua, dressing in long cover-ups and praying to the patron of spinsters for a husband may sound somewhat demeaning, but this tradition, known as the Procession of the Unmarried Woman, has been observed for centuries. Think of it as a low-tech version of HOT or NOT -- but with lots of spaghetti nearby.
* June 16: The Hollerin' Contest
All 49 residents of Spivey's Corner, North Carolina turn out for this annual event -- held the third weekend in June -- to celebrate the art of hollerin'. During the yowling good time, participants showcase their "hollerin' style" in any of 5 contests, including the Junior Hollerin' Contest, the Ladies Callin' Contest and, of course, the (men's only) National Hollerin' Contest.
Also featuring pageants and games -- think: a biggest bell pepper contest, a watermelon roll, and a square-dancing jamboree -- the event draws an international crowd. Sounds like a knee-slapping good time. Yee-haw!
* June 23: Coney Island Mermaid Parade
Founded in 1983, the Mermaid Parade is an annual event staged New York Style. Simultaneously honoring Coney Island's historic Mardi Gras (circa, 1903-54), while celebrating the sand, sea, salt air, and the beginning of summer, participants dress as Mermaids, sea creatures, lighthouses, Coney Island post cards, amusement rides, antique cars, and more. Apparently, the primary reason for the fun is the goofy costumes -- or lack thereof.
The Memaid Parade is followed by the Mermaid Parade Ball, featuring live music, sideshow acts, and burlesque shows.
Chester's spectacular Midsummer Watch Parade, with its giants, beasts, animated tableaux and costumed characters, is one of the oldest and most colorful events in the UK. Dating from 1498, the Parade -- staged during the fourth weekend in June -- features the rather-amusing-but-vaguely-scary-at-the-same-time Chester family of giants.
In the early days, the Parade also featured giant Beasts including a Unicorn, an Elephant, a Camel, and a Dragon. Originally the Dragon was beaten by six naked boys, but this practice was banned inexplicably in the 16th century. If you figure out why, you let us know, 'kay?
* June 30: World Naked Bike Ride Day
On June 30th, World Naked Bike Ride organizers are staging a, um, World Naked Bike Ride to protest oil dependency and car culture. To shine a big farmer's tan of a spotlight on indecent exposure to automobile emissions and to celebrate the power and individuality of our bodies, the event encourages painting your body, painting your bike, painting the town, and other creative expression. If the World Naked Bike Ride sounds like something that oils your chain, check the list of locations, stock up on sunscreen, and plan a trip. Dude's tat says it all; "Born nude. Ride nude. Live free." Right on. Now get pedaling!
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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