by Blahb

Created on: April 09, 2009   Last Updated: May 05, 2009

From fairs celebrating things that grow below the soil to festivals that honor bottom-dwelling fish and furry critters that hang from trees, the South has some of the most unusual celebrations around.

Every first Saturday in August, the folks in Wasau, Fla. get together for some down-home marsupial goodness at the annual Wasau Funday and Possum Festival (Yes, they drop the "O"). The event takes place at the Possum Palace. Knowing where the Possum Palace is isn't necessary. If you can find the small town, just follow the morning parade and fun run along the possum painted roadways that lead you to the aroma of fair food and the sounds of hog callin'.

Although we visited every booth with possum on the menu, the vendors were always "sold out." I'm pretty sure that was their polite way of telling us it was on the board just for fun. If you're looking for live possums, there's a charity aucion at the main stage where you can bid to buy your very own possum. Instead of actual ownership, you get to hold it by it's tail and shake. Festival organizers say it doesn't harm the animal.

Somewhere around mid-October, fish and music lovers pile into Niceville, Fla. for the annual Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival. The event began in 1976 and now about 40,000 people consume about 10 tons of mullet during the three-day celebration. On top of the fried foods, the fest sports the best apple dumplings smothered in vanilla ice cream I've ever eaten. In the evening, country music stars like Sara Evans and Lonestar take the stage each year. Be sure to pick up your very own "Got Mullet?" T-shirt.

In late October is the Enterprise, Ala. Fall Festival. It might not sound too interesting, but it's the only celebration I know for an insect that wiped out one of the cash crops in the south - the boll weevil. During the weekend activities, visit the monument to the little bug and the museum set aside in its honor. There are tons of crafts to peruse and homemade jams and jellies to try.

Although it is technically not a festival, this year Andalusia, Ala. is hosting the 34th Annual World Championship Domino Tournament. International competitors come to try their hand at winning the official title each year. Novices and children are allowed to play, too. Alongside the tournament is a craft fair and pageant. About $750,000 in cash and trophies has been awarded to winners since 1976.

About half the peanuts in the United States are grown within 100 miles of Dothan, Ala. so it's fitting that's where they hold the Peanut Festival. You can sample peanuts in every fashion, ride amusement rides and listen to up-and-coming musical guests when the sun goes down. The festival is held at the beginning of November to celebrate the harvest season.

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