Scott

Can anyone suggest a an unusual event that might be worth planning a holiday around? Even if its only one day?

elvira

My family's Christmas.

Elizabeth

Elvira - I'll see your family Christmas and raise you my family Thanksgiving. <BR> <BR>But I digress. <BR> <BR>One of the most fascinating festivals is the "infiorata" festival in Spello (Umbria). It's a one day event (as part of the Corpus Domini festival - in May or June depending on when Easter falls) where the townspeople create the most amazing, HUGE murals made completely out of flower petals. Dozens of murals are created (8 feet by 12 feet) of images from the bible, artworks etc. My description cannot do it justice, but unfortunately I used to have a link to a great web site with lots of pictures but it seems to have gone. Follow this link to see just one of the murals - and then imagine dozens more: <BR> <BR>http://www.umbria.org/images/citta/foto/397.jpg <BR> <BR>Also, a lovely description of the murals can be found at: <BR> <BR>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv...1/italianp.htm <BR> <BR>I would definitely plan a holiday around this festival - it's amazing! <BR> <BR>

John

I should post this on the US forum but I think the annual combine harvester demolition derby in Lind, Washington, USA is worth a mention. Free clog dancing demonstration between heats, too. Watch out for flying Deere parts.

lola

How about the tomato festival in Spain? Don't remember where or when (some one here or at the Spanish tourist board can fill you in; it's the second most popular festival after Pamplona) All the shopkeepers close their doors as tons of ripe tomatoes are trucked in. Thousands of happy participants get there kicks by throwing tomatoes at each other, and by the end of the day the place looks like the world's largest pizza. Showers are available, and the tomato covered participants dance the night away, Probably dreaming of lettuce and virgin olive oil. Go figure!

Sjoerd

The "Oerol" festival on the island of Terschelling, the Netherlands. This year from 16 - 25 June. Lots of very special theatre groups and a great atmosphere. <BR>

I hate to

but ... <BR> <BR>I think they're planning a really big shindig in a certain district of Amsterdam or maybe it's on the Rieperbahn in Hamburg... <BR> <BR>...when Bill Clinton is no longer a resident at 1600 Pennsylvania.

elvira

John, I thought New England was the only place that had farm-related sporting events. For a weird event, check out any county fair for a tractor pull or horse draw. <BR> <BR>Seriously (if anyone can be about this topic): the tomato fight is in Bunol (Valencia) Spain the last Wednesday in August. <BR>Isn't there a Lemon Festival in Provence somewhere, like Nice or Avignon? <BR>There's always running with the bulls in Pamplona. <BR>In Perpignan, there's a religious parade where guys dress up in red robes and pointed hoods and there are all sorts of things going on around that. <BR> <BR>There's always the Apprentice Boys Parade in Derry...

John

Clattering and semi-disabled American combines aside, for an interesting European festival (I think some would bridle at "bizarre"), howsabout Up-Helly-Aa in January in Shetland? Dress up like Vikings, burn a boat, pillage a bit, then back to the sheep. <BR>http://www.shetlandtoday.co.uk/uphely00.htm <BR>Sheila, been there?

KT

For those of you who enjoy getting pelted by fruit,the oranges fly at the carnaval in Binche, Belgium. <BR> <BR>If you prefer something meatier, there's always the festival somewhere in Belgium (I forget where exactly) where they throw cats (formerly live -- now just stuffed toys). <BR> <BR>Oh, those wild and crazy Belgians!

lola

Oh, and don't forget the summer-long tango festival in Finland, the highlight of the year. The Finns love to tango.

elvira

If you want to visit another weird AMERICAN festival, check out: <BR>www.burningman.com <BR> <BR>

Russ

Ivrea Italy has an orange festival in which the crowds are pelted with oranges from the parade down its main street. This is a 3 day event, so I'm sure there is more to it than this. Somewhere along the line there is a procession carrying the Madonna. Perhaps someone familiar with this event could fill in the details, starting with when.

Karen

Here in Central PA, we take tractor pulls for granted! At the Union County West End Fair every August, you can participate in a cow pie throwing contest (you have to bring your own cow pie). My brother-in-law was champion one year. We also have the McClure Bean Soup, where they annually commemorate a famous Civil War campout where the troops made bean soup by ... you guessed it, making bean soup. I guess the U.S. can be pretty bizarre too!

topper

topper

J.M.

K.T. ------the Cat Festival is in Ypres, Belgium. Just took place in May, I think and next one is in three years.

cherie

Here in Hooterville (it seems like Hooterville, anyway), tractor pulls are for the feeble, however, over in Monterey,Ca., they have the Monterey Squidfest. You just aren't livin' right until you try squid ice cream....Beats to heck that Festival in Gilroy (Garlic ice cream isn't as good.)

Thyra

I just read an article about a Cheese Rolling Festival in the U.K. It's a hundreds year old festival where all the locals get together, have a few pints at their local pub then go up to this hillside and take huge rolls of cheese push them down this hill, and try to catch them, or beat them or maybe they just race them... Apparently Cheese rolling is a dangerous sport because several local people have broken bones and sustained injuries doing this, I guess you get a prize if you actually capture the cheese. I read about it in, of all places last months Travel and Leisure Magazine.