A Completely
Different August
Unusual Activities Part II by LuluJones
Being bored is an insult to oneself.
~Jules Renard Does August leave you bored to tears with the long, hot, dog days of summer? Well, I gotta say if you're bored, it's your own fault. Of course, when you're not playing games ;o) there's an infinite number of things to do to keep you thoroughly entertained.
Yes, you have your usual summer concerts, festivals, beach and lake picnic days, reading, hobbies, gardening and your cool movie theater experiences. Those are a few of my favorite things but this article has a whole 'nother agenda goin' on and will tell you about some of the unique, outside-the-box (ok some would call bizarre) activities.
If you should find yourself near any of these places and events, and you're looking for something different, you might want to check 'em out.
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Humungous Fungus Fest Crystal Falls, Michigan USA
August 13 - 15
Several years ago a “humungus fungus” (a GIGANTIC mushroom) was discovered in the Crystal Falls area. It weighs roughly 11 tons and covers 37 acres. This makes it the largest mushroom (fungus) in the world. The Humungus Fungus is probably more than 1,500 years old. This festival is dedicated to this 'shroom. More info
International Regatta of Bathtubs Ave Cadoux, River Meuse, Dinant, Belgium
August 15 - 6:30pm to 11pm
Creative entertainment for the whole family. The fundamental rule of this nautical festival is that each craft must have at least one bathtub at its core. Often, it's hard to see the tub, but it must be an integral part of the design. Regatta rules also forbid motors, as well as the deliberate sinking of fellow competitors. Information: 0474/26 15 62.
La Tomatina Buñol, Spain
August 25
The festival for the local Patron Saint begins in the week leading up to La Tomatina. La Tomatina takes "Food Fight" to the level of Extreme and could possibly be THE world's biggest food fight! It's held on the last Wednesday in August every year in Buñol, Spain, thirty kilometres from Valencia. Info
| Elvis Week Graceland, TN USA
August 7 - 16
Graceland hosts Elvis Week, a tribute to the all around legacy of this larger-than-life American icon. Come for the music and the camaraderie experienced by porkchop-sporting and bell-bottomed impersonators from all over the world, who pack in by the droves. Info here.
Pig Festival (La Pourcailhade) Trie-sur-Baïse, France August 8 - 11am-midnight
Trie sur Baïse is one of the largest pig-raising areas of France and the proud owner of the last remaining traditional dedicated markets. The highlight of the festival, is the national pig imitation competition. This may seem far-fetched, but is in fact deadly serious - the squeals must correspond to a moment in the pig's life (birth squeal, feeding squeal, reproduction squeal). If your eardrums can take it, it is definitely worth discovering.Tel +33 (0) 5 62 35 50 05
Palio of Siena Siena, Itay
August 16
For the Siennese, the Palio horse-race around the Piazza del Campo is a matter of life and death. Daring, bravado, lunacy, bribery, poisoning and death-threats have all played their parts in the event since its inauguration in 1310. The race consists of bareback riders making three circuits of the main square and is over in 90 seconds, but it is preceded by five hours of flag-throwing acrobatics. For the locals, it is the culmination of an entire year's plotting and scheming. Tel: +39 0577 28 05 51
Tsukuba-san Gama Matsuri (Toad Festival) Tsukuba-shi, Japan (50km northeast of Tokyo) August
The annual Mount Tsukuba Toad Festival is a unique event held in honour of the many toads (gamo) that have died to be made into toad grease (gama-no-abura). Head to Mount Tsukuba to witness massive toad models being paraded around on sacred palanquins, vendors of toad grease calling out their wares and traditional music and dance performances. Tel:+81 (0) 3 5211 2171
Liar's Festival Moncrabeau, France August 3 - 10am to...
Tale-tellers, jokers, leg-pullers, wind-up merchants and bare-faced fibbers get together for an orgy of delusion, a feast of tall tales, the biggest congregation of shaggy dog stories since... the last liars' festival. Entrants from all over the world spin their yarns in turn. The best fibber is crowned king of the liars at the end of the event. Tel: +33 (0) 5 53 65 42 11
| Twins Festival (Festivale des Jumeaux) Pleucadeuc, France
August 15
This is Europe's biggest gathering of twins. The deputy mayor, himself the father of twin daughters, was the driving force behind this unusual event. Inspired by the fact that twins are particularly numerous in the region, he decided to make the town their meeting place. Tel: +33 (0) 2 97 26 92 27
Bilbao Strongman Contest Bilbao, Spain
August
Herculean Basques gather in Bilbao for the annual strongman games. Forming part of the celebrations for Aste Nagusia (Big Week in English and Semana Grande in Spanish) the games are a centrepiece of the daily celebrations of Bilbao's heritage. No-one has mastered the art of the fiesta quite like the Spanish and Bilbao's offering is no exception. The most eye-catching event is on the final day when teams of four men have to burrow a series of holes in a block of granite using nothing but willpower and a steel javelin. It has to be seen to be believed.
Motorcycle Mayhem Klampenborg, Denmark,
August 30
The Bakken Amusement Park, the oldest theme park in the world, is opened and closed each March and August with the help of thousands of bikers. Thousands of motorcyclists from bike clubs in Denmark and Sweden (taking advantage of the new bridge linking the two countries) gather together each year to celebrate the Bakken season, parading from Copenhagen's Klampenborg Station to the gates of the theme park in all their glory.. More info
Festival of the Bizarre (L'etrange festival) Paris, France
August 27 - Sept 9
"The only reality is that of the imagination," according to the Marquis de Sade. Specialising in bizarre films that explore all the quirks and dark recesses of the mind, the Etrange Festival at the Forum des Images in Paris is an excellent way to discover strange filmmakers and their disturbing films. Tel: +33 (0) 1 44 76 63 90
Burning Man
Black Rock City, Nevada USA
August 30 to Sept. 6
Black Rock City exists for only one week a year. It is also perhaps one of the best-designed cities in the world. It works wonderfully. It's safe enough for women to walk around naked. It's chock full of fantastic and real art. Info
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