Welcome to the wacky world of American traditions! A land where imagination knows no bounds and bizarre is the new normal. From turkey pardoning to cheese rolling, the USA is a treasure trove of quirky customs. In this article, we’re highlighting 20 bizarre American traditions that will leave you scratching your head.
Groundhog Day
Every February 2nd, Americans turn to a groundhog to predict the weather. Yes, a groundhog. If it sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If not, spring is on the way! Hooray for meteorological rodents!
Presidential Turkey Pardon
Imagine being a turkey and getting an official pardon from the president of the United States. It happens every Thanksgiving. The pardoned turkey then retires to a life of leisure on a peaceful farm. It’s politics, poultry, and hilarity all in one.
According to whitehousehistory.org, “the modern turkey pardon did not become an annual tradition until the George H.W. Bush administration.”
World Championship Punkin Chunkin
This event takes your basic pumpkin carving contest and amps it up by about 1,000%. Participants use a wide variety of mechanical devices, from trebuchets to air cannons, to launch pumpkins across fields. It’s agricultural aerodynamics at its most entertaining.
The Great American Duck Race
Down in Deming, New Mexico, a quacky tradition unfolds every year. The Great American Duck Race sees participants racing their favorite waterfowl down a watery track. It’s a squawking good time and a feather in the cap for the winner.
Wife Carrying Championship
In this hysterical event, husbands literally carry their wives through an obstacle course that’s filled with mud, water, and other obstacles. The prize? The wife’s weight in beer. Clearly, this is what marital bliss looks like in competitive form.
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
Coney Island turns into a gladiator arena each Fourth of July, where brave souls vie for the title of Hot Dog Eating Champion. Contestants have 10 minutes to gobble as many hot dogs as possible, often devouring more than 70!
The BBC reports that this unusual tradition came about when “four European immigrants were arguing about who amongst them was more American. They decided to settle it with a hot dog eating contest.”
Cow Chip Throwing
Wisconsin takes recycling to a whole new level with its Cow Chip Throwing contest. Participants chuck dried cow dung discs across fields in a bovine-themed event that’s been around for over four decades. It’s sustainable and entertaining.
Roadkill Cooking Festival
West Virginia is home to a festival that takes culinary adventurism to new heights. The Roadkill Cooking Festival showcases dishes made from critters usually unfortunate enough to cross the road at the wrong time. Deliciously daring, and no animals are intentionally harmed.
The Great Texas Mosquito Festival
When life gives you mosquitos, Texas makes a festival. Complete with a mosquito-calling contest and other bug-themed games, the Great Texas Mosquito Festival is the perfect way to embrace the buzz and enjoy some boot-stomping fun.
Mule Day
Head down to Columbia, Tennessee, where mules are more than just pack animals; they’re celebrities! Mule Day includes mule races, beauty contests, and a grand parade. Bring your best braying voice for an unforgettable, mule-centric day out!
Outhouse Races
In the frigid temperatures of Michigan’s winter, teams put together outhouses mounted on skis and race them downhill. The spectacle is as hilarious as it sounds, combining speed, strategy, and the most comical form of plumbing on earth.
Spam Jam
Hawaii has a culinary fascination with the canned meat Spam, and even dedicates a festival to it. There are Spam cooking contests, Spam-inspired games, and artwork made entirely of Spam cans. It’s a Spam lover’s dream come true. The Guardian states that this is “the largest gathering of tinned pork enthusiasts on Earth.”
UFO Festival
Aliens land in Roswell, New Mexico, every year—or so they say. The UFO Festival celebrates everything extraterrestrial, complete with a costume contest, pet dress-up events, and even a UFO parade. It’s so good you’ll believe you’ve been abducted and taken to party planet.
Tossing of the Dead Carp
In Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, people gather each New Year’s to fling a dead carp for a distance. Originating from a quirky local fisherman’s tradition, the event has grown into an annual spectacle that has fans hooked, line and sinker.
Possum Drop
New York has its crystal ball, but Brasstown, North Carolina, has its possum. To ring in the New Year, a possum is gently lowered inside a transparent cage amidst fireworks and cheering crowds. It’s the possum’s moment to shine!
Jumping Frog Jubilee
This Calaveras County, California, event brings the frog-hopping community together for a jolly good race. Whether you’re a participant or a spectator, the Jumping Frog Jubilee is sure to make you leap with joy.
Bat Fest
Austin, Texas, is batty about bats, and it shows. Bat Fest celebrates these winged wonders with bat-watching, arts and crafts, and a bat costume contest. Whether you’re batty for bats or just looking for an offbeat time, this fest is a hit.
Paper Airplane Contest
North Carolina hosts an annual paper airplane contest, elevating childhood nostalgia to competitive heights. The furthest throw wins, so make sure to fold your plane to aerodynamic perfection.
Nalukataq Blanket Toss
In Alaska, the Inuit people have a tradition called the Nalukataq, where folks get tossed into the air on a blanket made of seal skins. The event celebrates the end of the whaling season and is a whale of a time for everyone involved.
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