A Little Bit Wild, A Lot More Wacky
Let the Wild and Wacky games begin! Image from America’s Wild and Wacky.
If there is one thing we’ve learned at Smithsonian Channel it’s that everyone has a story to tell. From moving stories to inspirational stories, to historical stories and even weird stories, we’ve covered them all. And yet the antics of the crafty and wildly entertaining individuals who plan one-of-a-kind festivals across the country, as featured in our series America’s Wild and Wacky, never cease to amaze.
The series highlights the annual festivals around the country that routinely draw a crowd and beckon you to hit the road for a good ol’ cross-country road trip. Each state seems to top the next with its out of the ordinary events. Just when you think a West Virginia roadkill cook-off is the wackiest thing you’ve ever seen, it’s time for the Nederland, Colorado Coffin Race, where you just might find yourself in a heated race against Elvis. The Spamarama festival in Austin, Texas sounds like a truly unique experience and the creative folks that gather at the San Francisco, California Art Car Fest are just too wild to pass up.
Just how many more wacky celebrations can your fellow Americans dream up? Plenty! I could list them all, but I think I only need to mention one main event to grab your attention: The Mud Hole Belly Flop Competition at the Summer Redneck Games in Dublin, Georgia. Seriously, the show airs this month and you know you want to find out what that’s all about.
I’ve been to a fair share of Apple Festivals around my area, but after watching these shows I feel like I might be missing out. Leave a comment and let us know if your town has a wacky festival of its own. If you’ve been to one of the wild gatherings featured in America’s Wild and Wacky, you must share your experience. I would love to know how you judge one of these events!!
CLICK HERE to watch a full episode of America Wild and Wacky.
No, your eyes do not deceive you. That sign really says “frozen dead guy days.”
Image uploaded to Flickr by Zen Curmudgeon.
Tags: America Wild & Wacky, Festival, Smithsonian Channel, SPAM
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:10 pm
I am chairman of the New England Regional Chili Cook Off. It is May 1,2010 in Somers,CT. a sleepy little town on the CT/MA border.
Back in the 80’s I had cooked at the NERCC and always had a dream to be the chairman. My wife Kat and I learned 4 years ago that the sanction was up for grabs. We called the Executive Director and asked about it. She gave it to us but I think she had reservations.
The first year we did it on $1,500 budget. We raised $14k for our food shelf.The next year our budget was bigger and gets bigger every year. In three years we’ve helped raise $$7k and 4 tons of canned goods.
My dream was realized. We get to see our friends from all over the country and our kids and grand kids come. It’s a special and magical day as so many people come together to make things work.
This year is our 4th year of the 35th annual NERCC and we continue to bring the Chili tradition back to our area.
We are now the biggest International Chili Society sanctioned chili cook off in New England and the 5th largest in the world.
Dreams do come true I guess….now if I could just grow hair on my balding head!