Do you have weird ass "Festivals" around where you live?

skeeter_01 · 07-14-2012, 12:33 PM

We sure do here! Take this weekend for example, it's the "Elvis Fest" in the 'Depot Town' area of beautiful downtown Ypsilanti (the "Y" is silent) Michigan. Depot Town is kinda the little area most towns have, that has like cool places to eat and drink and little touristy shops. Imagine being down there and hundreds of Elvis impersonators wandering around, sitting in the outside bars. LoL!!

http://mielvisfest.org/

Meanwhile, in downtown Ann Arbor next weekend, it's the 53 annual Ann Arbor Art Fair. It boasts being "The only juried art fair in the world". It brings about 150,000 visitors to Ann Arbor. People ask every year, "Are you going to the Art Fair?" I tell them "HELL NO!!" LoL!! I grew up in Ann Arbor, I know the insanity that is Art Fair! I stay far, FAR away from downtown Ann Arbor during Art Fair.

Even so, I really can't avoid it. I work in the ER at U of M hospital and we get quite a few folks from the Art Fair. Since it's ALWAYS the hottest week of the year, we usually get our fair share of heat strokes and dehydration.

http://artfairs.visitannarbor.org/

And there's a ton more scheduled for a 50 mile radius of me every weekend through Halloween!

I usually end up at the Art Fair about once every 5 or 6 years. I go for the food court..they have GREAT food vendors! I don't go to many of the hundreds of festivals around me though, too damn many people!

And I just have to say this, please forgive me for yelling!

DOGS DO NOT BELONG AT THESE EVENTS!!

OK, I feel better! LoL!! So how about anyone else? Any weird assed festivals around you? Ya goin'?
skeet

Beloved · 07-14-2012, 02:01 PM

Not sure if this is weird enough but we have this coming up nearby.

http://www.solarfest.org/

It's about renewable energy but I've been told it's also a big hippie gathering. I haven't been.

clay · 07-14-2012, 02:12 PM

http://bftwaterfestival.com/

I have gone ONE time! It is a MADHOUSE! The whole main street, Bay Street is closed off, as are several blocks around it!
There are bed races down Bay Street. Raft races, an air show, a water skier show, a kids fishing tourney, and bands, a street dance, and a whole host of other activities. It is on the downtown waterfront & Marina.
There is a new theme every year, an artist designs the art for that year, and along with the log, is printed on memorabilia.
There are vendors out in the park area...who are set up for the first 6 days, then have to tear down and move completely for the Lowcountry supper, then re set back up Fri am for 2.5 more days.
BUT it is a HUGE success as it is in its 57th year!!

Sparkle · 07-14-2012, 02:34 PM

This festival is near-by...it is pretty weird, and also awesome. (and quite tasty! though I wasn't impressed with the garlic ice cream

)

http://garlicandarts.org/

The North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival.

"The North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival is a celebration of the artistic, agricultural and cultural bounty of the region. The purpose of the festival is to unite North Quabbin people whose livelihoods are connected to the land and the arts, and to invite both local residents and those who do not live in the region to experience the richness of an area that is often overlooked.

The festival emphasizes what is homegrown, handmade and high quality, as well as what helps preserve and support the environment and the community. Everyone involved – organizers, exhibitors, volunteers, performers, attendees, a supportive community – makes the festival what it is: an engaging, fun and educational celebration for all ages."

Hollylane · 07-14-2012, 02:53 PM

Weird because of some of the entertaining Brownsmead natives and transplants...I nominate The Brownsmead Cornfeed.

All you can eat corn on the cob dinner held at the Brownsmead Grange Hall. Everyone digs out their best corn utensils, dishes, and bibs. Condiments on the table can include: Butter, chile powder, Tapatio sauce, lemon pepper, Parmesan cheese, etc....

Hollylane · 07-14-2012, 02:58 PM

Oh...and I forgot Portland's Naked Bike Ride...

cinnamongrrl · 07-14-2012, 03:08 PM

im SOO glad this topic came up! We have a couple that raise eyebrows like the asparagus festival....but the one that amuses me most is the cow flop festival...they fence off the common in a little neighboring town, put a herd of cows on the common, and you "buy" a square of the common and if a cow ummm "flops" on your square....you win!

My daughter has won prizes...i never have.... Life in a tiny new england town my friends

we have to amuse ourselves somehow.....

Jett · 07-14-2012, 03:14 PM

You mean like the Rutabaga Fest or Catfish Days... yes then, we sure do. Not actually in my city, but the surrounding smaller communities have some odd things they like to "celebrate".

Ah well, what can ya do... xD

Miss Scarlett · 07-14-2012, 03:19 PM

Next weekend is the Watermelon Festival over in Pageland...

http://pagelandwatermelonfestival.com/

skeeter_01 · 07-14-2012, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollylane

Oh...and I forgot Portland's Naked Bike Ride...

LoL!! Now THAT festival I may come out of hiding and lead the cheering section! Can you see it? Bikers by the dozens being blown off their bikes due to the gale force winds that are being generated by the cheering section doing the WAVE!! LoL!!

Scuba · 07-14-2012, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollylane

Weird because of some of the entertaining Brownsmead natives and transplants...I nominate The Brownsmead Cornfeed.

All you can eat corn on the cob dinner held at the Brownsmead Grange Hall. Everyone digs out their best corn utensils, dishes, and bibs. Condiments on the table can include: Butter, chile powder, Tapatio sauce, lemon pepper, Parmesan cheese, etc....

Weird yet oddly enticing

Blade · 04-28-2018, 08:05 PM

Boll Weevil festival

Why any town would have a festival named this is a mystery to me. A festival should be in celebration of something.

Chad · 04-28-2018, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blade

Boll Weevil festival

Why any town would have a festival named this is a mystery to me. A festival should be in celebration of something.

That is an odd festival. Haha!

homoe · 04-29-2018, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollylane

Oh...and I forgot Portland's Naked Bike Ride...

Is this still held? Fremont Solstice Parade Nude Bike Ride seems very similar

FireSignFemme · 04-29-2018, 01:06 PM

The National Lentil Festival. From left to right here are your hosts
Tase T. Lentil and Dan D. Pea -

clay · 04-29-2018, 02:31 PM

IN Salley,SC they have the annual Chitlin Strut.

Ridgeland,SC has the annual Gopher Festival...

One town I can't recall has an annual okra festival.... LOVE me some good fried okra

introverted1 · 04-29-2018, 04:47 PM

One of the weirdest festivals I've been to in Wisconsin is Mayfly days in Lacrosse. It's a celebration of the mass hatching of millions of Mayflies in the area.

The swarms are so huge, they actually show up on radar.

introverted1 · 04-29-2018, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeeter_01

We sure do here! Take this weekend for example, it's the "Elvis Fest" in the 'Depot Town' area of beautiful downtown Ypsilanti (the "Y" is silent) Michigan. Depot Town is kinda the little area most towns have, that has like cool places to eat and drink and little touristy shops. Imagine being down there and hundreds of Elvis impersonators wandering around, sitting in the outside bars. LoL!!

http://mielvisfest.org/

Meanwhile, in downtown Ann Arbor next weekend, it's the 53 annual Ann Arbor Art Fair. It boasts being "The only juried art fair in the world". It brings about 150,000 visitors to Ann Arbor. People ask every year, "Are you going to the Art Fair?" I tell them "HELL NO!!" LoL!! I grew up in Ann Arbor, I know the insanity that is Art Fair! I stay far, FAR away from downtown Ann Arbor during Art Fair.

Even so, I really can't avoid it. I work in the ER at U of M hospital and we get quite a few folks from the Art Fair. Since it's ALWAYS the hottest week of the year, we usually get our fair share of heat strokes and dehydration.

http://artfairs.visitannarbor.org/

And there's a ton more scheduled for a 50 mile radius of me every weekend through Halloween!

I usually end up at the Art Fair about once every 5 or 6 years. I go for the food court..they have GREAT food vendors! I don't go to many of the hundreds of festivals around me though, too damn many people!

And I just have to say this, please forgive me for yelling!

DOGS DO NOT BELONG AT THESE EVENTS!!

OK, I feel better! LoL!! So how about anyone else? Any weird assed festivals around you? Ya goin'?
skeet

Skeeter, your art fair sounds like our Art Fair on the Square. Always the hottest weekend of the summer, wall to wall people all weekend long.

Blade · 04-29-2018, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clay

IN Salley,SC they have the annual Chitlin Strut.

Ridgeland,SC has the annual Gopher Festival...

One town I can't recall has an annual okra festival.... LOVE me some good fried okra

I don't know about now, but when I was growing up and they had the chitlin strut they did not cook the chitlins in Wagner-Sally I guess cuz they stink so bad cooking they wouldn't have any visitors LOL

homoe · 07-11-2018, 09:48 AM

National Lentil Festival August 17th & 18th Pullman WA

I guess if you love Lentils this may be right up your alley then. They have a demo stage, legendary cook-off contest, etc etc...

Lentils who knew

07-14-2012, 12:33 PM	#1
skeeter_01 Member How Do You Identify?: stone butch Preferred Pronoun?: Hey you! Relationship Status: Sleeping single in a double bed.. Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: ann arbor, michigan Posts: 195 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 288 Thanked 477 Times in 130 Posts Rep Power: 3007276	Do you have weird ass "Festivals" around where you live? We sure do here! Take this weekend for example, it's the "Elvis Fest" in the 'Depot Town' area of beautiful downtown Ypsilanti (the "Y" is silent) Michigan. Depot Town is kinda the little area most towns have, that has like cool places to eat and drink and little touristy shops. Imagine being down there and hundreds of Elvis impersonators wandering around, sitting in the outside bars. LoL!! http://mielvisfest.org/ Meanwhile, in downtown Ann Arbor next weekend, it's the 53 annual Ann Arbor Art Fair. It boasts being "The only juried art fair in the world". It brings about 150,000 visitors to Ann Arbor. People ask every year, "Are you going to the Art Fair?" I tell them "HELL NO!!" LoL!! I grew up in Ann Arbor, I know the *insanity* that is Art Fair! I stay far, FAR away from downtown Ann Arbor during Art Fair. Even so, I really can't avoid it. I work in the ER at U of M hospital and we get quite a few folks from the Art Fair. Since it's ALWAYS the hottest week of the year, we usually get our fair share of heat strokes and dehydration. http://artfairs.visitannarbor.org/ And there's a ton more scheduled for a 50 mile radius of me every weekend through Halloween! I usually end up at the Art Fair about once every 5 or 6 years. I go for the food court..they have GREAT food vendors! I don't go to many of the hundreds of festivals around me though, too damn many people! And I just have to say this, please forgive me for yelling! DOGS DO NOT BELONG AT THESE EVENTS!! OK, I feel better! LoL!! So how about anyone else? Any weird assed festivals around you? Ya goin'? skeet __________________ Texting while driving is a real KILLER!!! ‎"It takes hundreds of nuts to hold a car together...but it takes only one nut to scatter them all over the highway..." Jeff PARAMEDIC

07-14-2012, 02:12 PM	#3
clay Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Butch (Silver Fox) Dom Daddi Preferred Pronoun?: 50 Shades of Clay Darker & Deeper Relationship Status: married to my forever Join Date: May 2011 Location: salt air & sandy beaches Posts: 13,136 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 97,020 Thanked 31,674 Times in 7,748 Posts Rep Power: 21474864	why, yes. Yes, we do! http://bftwaterfestival.com/ I have gone ONE time! It is a MADHOUSE! The whole main street, Bay Street is closed off, as are several blocks around it! There are bed races down Bay Street. Raft races, an air show, a water skier show, a kids fishing tourney, and bands, a street dance, and a whole host of other activities. It is on the downtown waterfront & Marina. There is a new theme every year, an artist designs the art for that year, and along with the log, is printed on memorabilia. There are vendors out in the park area...who are set up for the first 6 days, then have to tear down and move completely for the Lowcountry supper, then re set back up Fri am for 2.5 more days. BUT it is a HUGE success as it is in its 57th year!! __________________ To find someone who will love you for no reason, and to shower that person with reasons, that is the ultimate happiness. ~Robert Brault

07-14-2012, 02:34 PM	#4
Sparkle Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, please Relationship Status: Loved Up Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Western MA Posts: 2,183 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,001 Thanked 6,555 Times in 1,553 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	This festival is near-by...it is pretty weird, and also awesome. (and quite tasty! though I wasn't impressed with the garlic ice cream ) http://garlicandarts.org/ The North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival. "The North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival is a celebration of the artistic, agricultural and cultural bounty of the region. The purpose of the festival is to unite North Quabbin people whose livelihoods are connected to the land and the arts, and to invite both local residents and those who do not live in the region to experience the richness of an area that is often overlooked. The festival emphasizes what is homegrown, handmade and high quality, as well as what helps preserve and support the environment and the community. Everyone involved – organizers, exhibitors, volunteers, performers, attendees, a supportive community – makes the festival what it is: an engaging, fun and educational celebration for all ages." __________________ I am made of stars

07-14-2012, 03:14 PM	#8
Jett Member How Do You Identify?: Hardcore bullheaded grown-ass Tomboy Preferred Pronoun?: She Relationship Status: she loves my shaggy hair Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The backroom of a night cafe plotting world domination Posts: 1,028 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,054 Thanked 3,299 Times in 568 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	You mean like the Rutabaga Fest or Catfish Days... yes then, we sure do. Not actually in my city, but the surrounding smaller communities have some odd things they like to "celebrate". Ah well, what can ya do... xD __________________ .......... In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. ~Albert Camus

04-28-2018, 08:05 PM	#12
Blade Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: TG Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: once in a while someone amazing comes along...and here I am! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Down on the farm Posts: 5,501 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,855 Thanked 14,415 Times in 4,058 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Boll Weevil festival Why any town would have a festival named this is a mystery to me. A festival should be in celebration of something. __________________ Yeah so what if I'm triple dipped in awesome sauce? The best way to predict the future, is to create it.

07-14-2012, 02:01 PM	#2
Beloved Member How Do You Identify?: alive Preferred Pronoun?: um Relationship Status: married Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: on the stars Posts: 460 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,415 Thanked 1,653 Times in 298 Posts Rep Power: 19348703	Not sure if this is weird enough but we have this coming up nearby. http://www.solarfest.org/ It's about renewable energy but I've been told it's also a big hippie gathering. I haven't been.

07-14-2012, 02:53 PM	#5
Hollylane Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: . Preferred Pronoun?: . Relationship Status: . Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: . Posts: 11,495 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 34,694 Thanked 26,359 Times in 5,875 Posts Rep Power: 21474862	Weird because of some of the entertaining Brownsmead natives and transplants...I nominate The Brownsmead Cornfeed. All you can eat corn on the cob dinner held at the Brownsmead Grange Hall. Everyone digs out their best corn utensils, dishes, and bibs. Condiments on the table can include: Butter, chile powder, Tapatio sauce, lemon pepper, Parmesan cheese, etc....

07-14-2012, 02:58 PM	#6
Hollylane Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: . Preferred Pronoun?: . Relationship Status: . Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: . Posts: 11,495 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 34,694 Thanked 26,359 Times in 5,875 Posts Rep Power: 21474862	Oh...and I forgot Portland's Naked Bike Ride...

07-14-2012, 03:08 PM	#7
cinnamongrrl Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: cleverly disguised as a responsible adult* Preferred Pronoun?: wild woman Relationship Status: No, thank you. Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Home in NC..gonna dig in like a tick this time… Posts: 7,660 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 15,227 Thanked 27,596 Times in 6,955 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	im SOO glad this topic came up! We have a couple that raise eyebrows like the asparagus festival....but the one that amuses me most is the cow flop festival...they fence off the common in a little neighboring town, put a herd of cows on the common, and you "buy" a square of the common and if a cow ummm "flops" on your square....you win! My daughter has won prizes...i never have.... Life in a tiny new england town my friends we have to amuse ourselves somehow.....

07-14-2012, 03:19 PM	#9
Miss Scarlett Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Relationship Status: . Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: . Posts: 5,530 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,478 Thanked 12,947 Times in 3,419 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Next weekend is the Watermelon Festival over in Pageland... http://pagelandwatermelonfestival.com/

04-29-2018, 01:06 PM	#15
FireSignFemme Senior Member How Do You Identify?: N/A Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: WA Posts: 4,434 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 37,962 Thanked 10,303 Times in 3,146 Posts Rep Power: 21474849	About 2 Hrs Away We Have The National Lentil Festival. From left to right here are your hosts Tase T. Lentil and Dan D. Pea -

04-29-2018, 02:31 PM	#16
clay Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Butch (Silver Fox) Dom Daddi Preferred Pronoun?: 50 Shades of Clay Darker & Deeper Relationship Status: married to my forever Join Date: May 2011 Location: salt air & sandy beaches Posts: 13,136 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 97,020 Thanked 31,674 Times in 7,748 Posts Rep Power: 21474864	a couple in SC IN Salley,SC they have the annual Chitlin Strut. Ridgeland,SC has the annual Gopher Festival... One town I can't recall has an annual okra festival.... LOVE me some good fried okra __________________ To find someone who will love you for no reason, and to shower that person with reasons, that is the ultimate happiness. ~Robert Brault

04-29-2018, 04:47 PM	#17
introverted1 Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: introville Posts: 250 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 422 Thanked 740 Times in 212 Posts Rep Power: 7058202	One of the weirdest festivals I've been to in Wisconsin is Mayfly days in Lacrosse. It's a celebration of the mass hatching of millions of Mayflies in the area. The swarms are so huge, they actually show up on radar.

07-11-2018, 09:48 AM	#20
homoe Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: ..... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 30 minute ferry ride from Seattle Posts: 38,565 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 20,811 Thanked 33,558 Times in 14,919 Posts Rep Power: 21474890	Lentils???? National Lentil Festival August 17th & 18th Pullman WA I guess if you love Lentils this may be right up your alley then. They have a demo stage, legendary cook-off contest, etc etc... Lentils who knew