1. National Mustard Day – Middleton, Wisconsin
In Middleton, Wisconsin, every first Saturday in August is dedicated to mustard, the beloved condiment we often take for granted. The National Mustard Day festival draws thousands of mustard enthusiasts who come to sample different varieties of mustard, from spicy to sweet. You’ll find contests like the Mustard Eating Championship, where brave participants scarf down hot dogs topped with mountains of mustard. The event also features a mustard-themed fashion show, and local vendors serve up mustard-inspired dishes that go far beyond the typical hot dog.
While mustard may seem like an odd thing to celebrate, this quirky festival has become a fun way to honor a staple of American cuisine. Whether you’re a fan of Dijon or yellow mustard, Middleton offers something to suit every taste. The festival also features live music, games, and a mustard seed-spitting contest, making it a family-friendly event with a whole lot of flavor.
2. The Great American Duck Race – Deming, New Mexico
For one weekend every August, Deming, New Mexico, turns into the epicenter of duck racing with the Great American Duck Race. Unlike traditional horse races, this event features real ducks racing around a track to claim victory. Participants pick out a duck, decorate it with a number, and watch as it waddles its way to the finish line. The race is more of a community event than a serious competition, though, as the real fun lies in the silliness of watching these feathery athletes compete.
In addition to the duck races, the festival includes a parade, carnival rides, and a unique duck-calling contest, where competitors mimic the sounds of ducks to see who can make the most convincing quack. The event is a family favorite, attracting visitors of all ages who come to enjoy the quirky charm of Deming’s beloved waterfowl race.
3. The International Lineman’s Rodeo – Bonner Springs, Kansas
The International Lineman’s Rodeo in Bonner Springs, Kansas, is a celebration of the unsung heroes of the electrical world—linemen. These brave workers who maintain power lines and restore electricity after storms gather each year to compete in a variety of challenges that test their skills. The rodeo includes events like climbing utility poles, speed climbing, and rescue scenarios. While you might expect rodeos to focus on cowboys, this one is dedicated to the high-flying, high-risk work that linemen do every day.
The competition is thrilling for those who work in the industry, but it’s also educational for the public, with demonstrations of linemen’s skills and safety practices. There’s also a family-friendly vibe, with live music and a parade of utility trucks. The International Lineman’s Rodeo has become an annual event that honors the men and women who keep the lights on.
4. The World’s Largest Ball of Twine Festival – Cawker City, Kansas
In Cawker City, Kansas, you’ll find a ball of twine so large, it’s celebrated every year with its own festival. The World’s Largest Ball of Twine Festival, held every August, brings together people from all over the world to admire the monstrous ball, which has been growing since 1953. What started as a hobby by a local farmer has evolved into a quirky landmark, and each year, visitors add more twine to the ball. The festival includes twine-related games, such as a twine-tugging contest and an “add-to-the-ball” event where people contribute their own spools of twine.
The celebration is a perfect example of small-town Americana, where the strangest things can attract crowds. Visitors also enjoy live music, a parade, and even a twine-themed beauty pageant. While it’s a strange concept, the sheer scale of the ball—and the fact that people keep coming back to see it grow—makes this festival a one-of-a-kind event.
5. The National Hollerin’ Contest – Spivey’s Corner, North Carolina
Every year in Spivey’s Corner, North Carolina, locals gather for the National Hollerin’ Contest to determine who can make the loudest and most distinctive holler. While yelling might seem like a strange thing to celebrate, this competition honors an age-old communication method that was once used to send messages across long distances in rural America. Contestants belt out everything from simple greetings to elaborate hollers, and the crowd judges based on volume, creativity, and clarity.
The festival is a bit of a throwback, celebrating a time when people relied on their voices to communicate across vast stretches of land. In addition to the hollerin’ contest, there’s a parade, live music, and plenty of Southern food to enjoy. The event draws a unique crowd each year, making it an unexpectedly loud, fun-filled day in the small town of Spivey’s Corner.
6. The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival – Woodburn, Oregon
In Woodburn, Oregon, the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival celebrates the beauty of tulips in an unexpected setting: a family-owned farm in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. This month-long festival, held every spring, showcases thousands of tulips in full bloom, with over 40 acres of colorful flowers to explore. Visitors can walk through fields, take photos, and enjoy the beauty of this striking floral display. The festival also offers tractor-pulled hayrides, live music, and plenty of food and local vendors selling artisan products.
While tulip festivals aren’t rare, the sheer scale and variety of flowers at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival make it stand out. It’s a great way to welcome the warmer weather, with stunning landscapes, plenty of family-friendly activities, and an atmosphere that celebrates nature’s beauty in a way you wouldn’t expect from a rural farm.