A Completely
Different July
Unusual Activities Part I by LuluJones
Being bored is an insult to oneself.
~Jules Renard Does July 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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World Pea Shooting Championships Witcham Cambridgeshire, England July 10
Accuracy, not distance, is the aim of this competition in Witcham, with contestants shooting a pea through a 12-inch tube, 12 feet towards a 12-inch target. Competition is fierce, and laser-guided shooters for specialists are not unknown, taking pea-shooting into the 21st century. More info
Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge Virginia Beach, VA
Saturday July 10
Various events including the Miss Curvaceous Crustacean Beauty Pageant, where decorated hermit crabs are judged on creativity and beauty. Preliminary races lead to the Crustacean 500, where the winner is awarded the Order of the Mercury Claw trophy! "Crabtestants" are placed in the middle of a track. At the sound of the starting pistol, crabs scurry to the outer circle. For more information call (757) 491-SUNN or visit their site.
World Toe Wrestling Championships Fenny Bentley, Derbyshire England July 24
Contestants sit opposite each other on the "Toedium" and, locking big toes, place their feet on a small wooden frame, imaginatively termed the "Toesrack". At the cry of "Toedown" they wrestle both right and left feet, in a straight knockout competition with the winner being the person who pushes his opponent's foot to the bookend on the side of the frame. It's a game of theatrics, awesome ankle power and, of course, plenty of ale and B&J's ice cream. Info
Lake Bangweulu Swamps and Sitatungas, Lake Bangweulu, Zambia ends 31 July
An incredible array of birds descends on the swamps that surround Lake Bangweulu in the centre of Zambia's northern region. It's a birdwatcher's paradise. Ugly but endearing shoebill storks, flamingos, pelicans, spoonbills, cranes, storks, ibises, ducks and geese can all be seen here. Info
| Mooning of Amtrak Laguna Niguel, CA All Day Saturday July 10 (and some Moonlight Mooning)
Long ago in 1979 at a bar called, Mugs Away Saloon, K.T.Smith told his buddies he'd buy a drink for all who would run outside to the rail road tracks and "moon" the next train, which many did. Somehow, this "tradition" has persisted though you don't get a free drink for exposing your bum. Apparently a lot people show up for this event. More info is here.
Darwin Beer Can Regatta Darwin, Australia July 11 (from their site) It has been noted that Australians have a fondness for beer, or grog as it's more affectionately known. It is also said that the people of Darwin have a particularly strong thirst, and this is demonstrated with some style at the Darwin Beer Can Regatta at Mindil Beach. This day of unruly events features concerts, dances, unusual contests and the main event: a regatta of boats built entirely out of beer cans. Visit their site for more info.
Lumberjack World Championships Hayward, WI July 23, 24, 25
The Lumberjack World Championships® showcase over 21 events competing for world records in events ranging from men’s and women’s logrolling, to chopping, to the exciting pole climb. Over 100 plus competitors’ vie for more than $50,000 in prize money, making this the largest payback for lumberjack competition in the world. See their site for more information.
World Pillow Fighting Championships Kenwood, CA July 4
Celebrate Independence Day a little differently this year by slinging pillows and smudge some mud around while you're at it. More info here The Stilt Dance Anguiano, Spain July 21-23
The rural town of Anguiano celebrates its patron saint day (Mary Magdalene) with a fiesta that for some takes place half a metre off the ground - the Danza de los Zancos (Stilt Dance). Info
Wife Carrying Championships Sonkajärvi, Finland July 2-3
The tradition of wife carrying has its origins buried deep in the bosom of an age old local practise - in this case, the 19th century custom of wife stealing. A sometimes piggy back breaking race where the winners receive a mix of cash, food, prizes, and (drum roll) they get to take home their wife's weight in beer!
Find out more but get out your Finish Dictionaries
Festival of the Sea Cascais, Portugal July 26 - August 11
Young fishermen spend the first part of the event strutting their stuff in front of the local ladies, then turn their attention to the bulls who are sent running along the beach. Anyone brave or foolhardy enough tries to grab onto the horns for the exciting prize of some dried codfish. Info
Moonlight Market Loches, France July 17
Avoid the blazing heat of the summer sun and do your shopping by the light of the moon. On two nights of the year, the darkened citadel of Loches (which once housed Joan of Arc) fills with stalls selling local produce and handicrafts.
Visitors can stumble across some shining examples of the highly-acclaimed local goats cheese, brochettes, reams of sausages, wild honey and a glorious host of crisp, dry Loire wines. Info | Tanabata Star Festival Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan July 7
Wish upon a star and roam streets festooned with colourful decorations during the lively traditional Tanabata Star Festival, inspired by a romantic legend. More info
Irish Coffee Championship Festival Foynes. Ireland July 16-18
The Irish Coffee Festival in Foynes is basically an excuse for a massive three-day street party. The extravaganza kicks off on Friday with a fashion show based around recyclable materials and a photographic exhibition by local schoolchildren. On Saturday, the Irish Coffee Championship takes place. On Sunday there is Parade in which more than 600 people participate. The theme this year is Druids, Dragons and Divas. On Sunday night an amazing display of fireworks explodes above the main festival stage. More info
Prune-Pit Spitters Festival
Sainte-Livrade-sur-Lot, France July
This festival may appear odd to outsiders, but not to the 6500 inhabitants of Sainte-Livrade-sur-Lot, who gather together each year to compete in the art of spitting prune pits. The region is renowned for its prunes, perhaps best served in eau de vie.
Around 100 participants take part, and there are separate competitions for adults and children. Info
Bearcreek Downs Pig Races Bearcreek, MT July
Carnivores rejoice! Spend a day or more eating charbroiled steak and watching and betting on pig races. This might not be my cup of tea but some of you might be dying to go to this event. Check it out here
Summer Redneck Games East Dublin, GA July 3
Watch locals compete in the Mud-Pit Belly Flop, where fully-clothed contestants plunge belly-first into a natural pool of red clay mud, Bobbing for Pig's Feet, the Hubcap Hurl, the Dumpster Dive (where contestants dive into a garbage-packed dumpster and try to find a holiday prize paper) and the Armpit Serenade. More info
Pipe-Smoking Championship Thisted, Denmark July 28
Each contestant is armed with a brand new pipe, two matches and three grams of tobacco. Whoever keeps his pipe burning for longest wins. 3 winners get a new pipe, the next five get tobacco, and everyone who lasts longer than half an hour gets a consolation prize that changes from year to year. There is also free beer available for participants. Info
Poryong Mud Festival
Poryong City, South Korea July
Mud packs are applied to the entire body. The mud from Poryong apparently contains important minerals which reduce wrinkles and remove excess oils from the skin surface. Aside from the general mud bathing, there are also plenty of other ceremonies taking place during the festival; Mud Body Painting Contests, a Mud Beauty Contest, Mud Massages and even a Mud Sculpture contest! Info
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