by Yvonne Moore

Created on: July 13, 2008   Last Updated: July 15, 2008

Headless Chicken Days and the Testicle Festival have drawn locals and gawkers to the small towns of Fruita, Colorado and Clinton, Montana for over 25 years. These celebrations are just two of many unique, weird and wacky festivals held across rural and urban America.

Dairy products seem to be a popular excuse for a celebration. Now in its 20th year, the town of Little Chute draws over 10,000 Midwesterners to their Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival. Besides a cheese carving contest and cheese eating competition, homemakers and chefs alike compete for the blue ribbon and $100 prize for the best cheesecake. Harvard, Illinois citizens prefer to celebrate milk. Dating back to 1924, this small town's event grew to 125,000 attendees within a decade. The schedule of events continues to grow. Yet the milk drinking contest, milk walk or run event, bed race and two wheeler competition remain the top favorites. The festival officially begins when the life size fiberglass cow, named Harmilda, surfaces on a float to start the two mile parade in the middle of downtown.

Hawaiians consume more Spam (a registered trademark by Hormel Foods) than in other parts of the country. Citizens of Waikiki are particularly proud of this claim to fame. Their annual festival, which honors this product, has some of the most notable restaurants serve up edible Spam creations to hungry participants. At the main stage, avid festival goers vie for the notability of serving as Mr. or Ms. Spam for the year. However, this craze is not limited to one state. Across the Pacific, Sacramento, California boasts the world's most famous Spam throwing and Spam eating contests at the yearly Isleton Festival.

In 1945, several Utah scientist claimed to know why a chicken whose head was cut off remained to live for 18 months. It did not take long for the story to travel around the country after "Life" magazine printed an article about the chicken. Farmer Lloyd Olsen, amazed at his poultry friend that he named Mike, decided to honor this legendary bird from that point forward. Fruita, Colorado is proud to be home of "Mike the Headless Chicken Festival." The celebratory atmosphere is known to convince even modest spectators to compete in the Chicken Dance, Chicken Scramble Obstacle Course, Egg Drop Contest or run like a headless chicken in the 5K race. Mike continues, sixty three years later, to attract thousands to the small town.

Not to be outdone, Spivey's Corner, North Carolina, population 49, celebrates the art of yelling. Contestants come from all over the U.S. to compete in the town's "National Hollerin' Contest." Additionally, awards are given for the best holler in the ladies division, junior, teen and conch shell blowin' competitions. To enter contestants only need confidence that they can holler as good, if not better, than their neighbor. The event, now in its 40th year, has no problem obtaining local and national sponsors to cover expenses. The all day family affair offers other entertainment, such as an antique farm equipment show and toy tractor exhibit.

The Testicle Festival in Montana is not for everyone. Those age 21 or older are allowed to attend this wacky five day annual celebration. The festival sells roughly two tons of protein laden meat each year to 10,000 or more people. It is claimed that bull testicles, better known as Rocky Mountain Oysters, taste like chicken when deep fried. There are other activities that draw the enormous crowds. Men, and possibly women, compete in the annual Hairy Chest Contest and Bull Chip Throwing Contest.

Thank goodness we live in the land of the free and home of the brave. Mike's bravery to live and the freedom to eat testicles certainly add some spice to life here in the U.S.

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