America is full of festivals, contests, and competitions. Some are earnest, others completely wacky. Here are 12 that register high on our Outlandish Meter.
(Edited from Fodor’s wire)
When: July 7
Where: Eau Claire, in Southwest Michigan
How many times did your mother tell you not to play with your food? Well now you can show her who's boss when you bring home the trophy for the 34th annual Cherry Pit Spitting Contest. Qualifying Rounds start at 10 a.m. and the championships start at 1 p.m. If you're not into spitting, you can pick cherries, eat cherries, and celebrate all things cherry. www.treemendus-fruit.com/int.htm
Milk Carton Derby
When: July 7
Where: Southwest Corner of Seattle's Green Lake
More than 100 sea-faring vessels constructed of 50 half-gallon cartons take to the lake for this annual event. If you can't get your sea legs, there are numerous activities on shore to entertain. There's also the Canine Fashion Show. www.seafair.com
Talkeetna Moose Dropping Festival
When: July 14--15
Where: Talkeetna, Alaska
There are lots of events in this annual fundraiser, although no animals are dropped, despite the name. The festival does call for the handling, however, of some unpleasant animal byproducts. For instance, there's the Moose Drop Dropping Raffle and the Moose Poop Toss Game. There's also the Mountain Mother Contest on Sunday that highlights the strength and endurance of Alaskan Moms, who must compete in a variety of activities with a "baby" strapped to their backs. www.talkeetnahistoricalsociety.org/
Where: Pittsfield, Maine
For 35 years this New England town has been celebrating the incredible, edible egg -- brown eggs to be exact. This year's theme is "Staying Egg-Alive." There's an early-bird breakfast, which uses the world's largest frying pan, the "Egglympics," a chicken barbecue, and a whole lot more egg-tastic fun. http://eggfest.craftah.com/
Great Texas Mosquito Festival When: July 26--28
In addition to the world's largest mosquito -- a 26 ft. Texas mosquito complete with a cowboy hat, boots, gigantic wings and a big stinger -- there's a mosquito-calling contest, a dodge-ball sting tournament, and a contest for the best-looking Mosquito legs. Who will be crowned this year's Mr. or Ms. Mosquito Legs? You'll just have to buzz on by to find out. Don't forget your bug spray. http://mosquitofestival.com
Tug Fest When: August 9--11
Where: LeClaire, Iowa and Port Byron, Illinois
For 20 years, the town of LeClaire has taken on its rival across the river, Port Byron, in the annual Tug Fest. A 2,400-foot rope weighing 680 pounds is stretched across the Mississippi River and teams on either side of the river tug away for bragging rights. This year the tug takes place on Saturday, August 11 at 1 p.m.. The contest also includes live music, rides, and foods. As it stands, the score is Iowa 10, Illinois 9. Who will rule the river this year? www.tugfest.com; www.tugfest.org
---Alexis C. Kelly
Fodor's editors Maria Burwell, Sarah Cullen, Maggie Kelly, Heidi Johansen, and Adam Taplin contributed to this report
Do you know of any WackyFests? Let us know!
Wacky Summer Festivals in America
Find This Place! New England
The Family Road Trippers Scavenger Hunt! (Part 1)
This cattle pen is somewhere in New England. It was build in 1828 for $28.
The granite river rock walls are seven feet tall and 2-1/2 feet thick at the base. The circumference is 40 feet.
If you can find this place, email us a photo o0f your family standing in front of it and we'll mail you an official Family Road Tripper Barf Bag!
City Guide: Camden, Maine
Mid-coast Maine (Penobscot Bay in particular) is the most beautiful part of the state. Camden is family friendly town with loads of recrfeational and photo opportunities within a short drive.
Where the mountains seet the sea, Camden is a popular destination. The harbor, the architecture, the landscape, and recreational features are vast and varied; and the food is pretty darned good too (hint: Cappy's Chowder House).
With a river running through town and emptying into the harbor as a waterfall, there are some great photography choices (hint: footbrige in early evening). Many of the shops and boathouses are built on pilings that are set into the water.
There are parks within walking distance to town as well as a short drive away, where you'll find warm water fun on the many lakes and ponds.
You can also hike or drive, up one of the mountains in Camden Hills State Park for sensational vistas (hint: bring a tripod, and go during leaf-peeper season).
Camden is also especially dog-friendly
Ol' Ralf can swim, chase balls (or sticks) in the inner harbor, and get fresh water at one on many dog bowls put out by local businesses along the sidewalks. Poop-bag dispenser boxes are conveniently scattered around the parks, and there are even a couple of doggie boutiques.
The two hotels that are down town, the Lord Camden Inn and the Camden Riverhouse Inn and Suites, each have dog policies.
Other photo oportunities are numerous and varied too. Morning and evening light in the harbor and parks can be magical (I don't say that things are magical very often; it's just not a word I normally use, but the light at thosae times is pretty cool). The wiki map below shows some of the places we like (give me a few more days to get little photos in the map please), you can add your favorites too.
Walk the breakwater out to Rockland light house
This 1 mile round trip is a fun way to get a little excercise after dinner, a good photography opportunities, and a popular fishing spot. Kids love to run along breakwaters on top the rocks, and when they run this one, you can bet they'll be tired enough to go to bed without much guff! Visit Camden Hills State Park -- Auto road up Mount Battie, trails up Bald Rock Mountain and Maiden's Cliff, camping in the campground.
See the National toboggan Championship races at Camden Snow Bowl (or ski there)
Mariner's Grill -- A kid-friendly restaurant with "The best haddock sandwich I've ever had!" says Tinsley. And the cole slaw was "to die for". A nice quiet peaceful place to get away from the mob; the service was fast and friendly. The blueberry pancakes are awesome as well. And there's a deck overlooking the harbor.
Places to stay:
Camden Riverhouse Inn and Suites -- our favorite for the homey one bedroom suites.
Norembega Castle -- great place for a second (or first) honeymoon.
Lord Camden Inn -- haven't stayed there, but the balconies look over Main Street and the harbor. It could be a nice place to stay.
The Wrong Way to Do Family Roadtrips
A veritable How-Not To plan and execute a family road trip.
There's a stunning essay in the current issue of Newsweek: The Family Road Trip: Strangers in a Minivan It's ironic that we picked up the Newsweek at the front desk of the Residence Inn in Scarborough, ME in the middle of our annual early-summer family road trip across northern New England.
Tinsley read it first, and then handed the magazine to me muttering something like "I think you'll find this interesting".
They didn't start the kids young on road tripping. They started with teenagers on a 1,200 mile journey from New Jersey to Florida. We started our kids the minute they were born. Well, the month they were born. Tommy is now a true Knight of the Road. He sits back there in his happy road trip world grooving on the sights, yapping at us, and looking at his kid's atlas and other books. Lilly, (2 yrs old) is still going through the boot camp phase, sometimes she'll scream at us for an hour or two (as Tommy did), but she's developing her little road trip routine. Tommy used to scream at us too, but now he's a champ. The key is to do a lot of short trips with the youngsters to get them used to the routine.
They avoided America by sticking to I-95, no Scenic American Backroads, no local restaurants, no history lessons about the country they live in. Getting there is the best part. They didn't know this. They were looking for a way to get through the drive rather than looking for ways to make the drive great. If you take a different return route, getting back is just as cool.
They distanced themselves with electronic gear rather than interacting with each other. When Tommy got a DVD player for Christmas a couple of years ago, we thought that it was going to be a great addition the the family road trip gear pile. And for a while, it seemed like it was. While Tommy was wrapped up in Toy Story, March of the Penguins, or some crazy Superhero comic movie, Tinsley and I had the most wonderful conversations (note that the passenger parent wasn't watching a movie or tapping on a computer). But when we arrived at the hotel, or restaurant, Tommy was like a zombie. When we took away the DVD player, we got our son back.
She was too uptight about what her vision of the trip would be vs. the reality of it. Our rule #3 Don't Sweat the Schedule goes right along with Take What They Give You, Don't Try to do Too Much, and Let Sleeping Dogs Lay.
They severed the seat belt of their daughter. And then the author pats herself on the back for it because she used a low-tech tool (scissors) to do it. I can't believe this one, somehow the daughter got "inexplicably tangled in her seat belt. She was uncomfortable and started to panic." So they cut the seat belt. Nice move. Why not tell the girl to calm down, pull over at the next exit, and get her untangled?
In our Tips for Road Tripping with Kids series, we lay out a bunch of ways we've found success. I hope that these tips can help others avoid road trip hell as chronicled in Newsweek.
What do you think of this story?
9 Classic Northeastern Shore Towns
| This just in from Fodor's Travel Wire |
The towns chosen by Fodor's are the more upscale ones. Also check out Belfast, Maine (north of Camden), Old Orchard Beach, Maine for family fun, Mystic, CT, and The Cape Cod National Seashore. And the Moxie Festival in Lisbon Falls, ME July 13-157th or so...
9 Classic Northeastern Shore Towns
For Northeasterners, the lazy days of summer are best spent at "the shore" in one of the many small beach towns along the East Coast. Though the crowds can get thick, the vibe remains friendly and laid-back. Here are a few favorites -- starting with the jewel of the Jersey Shore and moving north to Maine's coast.
The southernmost point in New Jersey, believed to be the oldest beachfront resort in the country, is a National Historic Landmark. Cape May today retains more than 600 Victorian-era houses, built from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. Many have found new life as B&Bs, inns, and restaurants.
Eating Out: In a town with no shortage of good restaurants, Washington Inn reigns as the spot for a special dinner at the shore.
Sleeping In: Forget frumpy. For classy lodging, book a room well in advance at the Virginia Hotel. (photo, right)
Tip: The Cape May "diamonds" -- pebbles of pure, rounded quartz -- that wash up on the shore of Sunset Beach (within walking distance from the Cape May Lighthouse) are yours for the taking.
Southampton, New York
Like much of Long Island's Hamptons, Southampton is a magnet for affluent summer breakers from "the city" (New York, that is). The beaches, like the people that gather on them, are beautiful.
Eating Out: The small village of Water Mill, one mile east of Southampton, is proud of its star restaurant, Mirko's.
Sleeping In: The Hamptons are all about splurging -- a stay at The Inn at Box Farm is a worthwhile one.
Tip: For a fee, you can stretch out on Cooper's Beach, studying the sea in one direction and historic mansions -- including Calvin Klein's massive manse -- in the other. 268 Meadow Lane.
Montauk, New York
Twelve long miles of windswept road, aptly named the Napeague Stretch, separate Montauk from the Hamptons. Surrounded by water on three sides, Montauk is known for its distinct natural beauty and rustic, laid-back vibe.
Eating Out: Sidle up to the bar at Shagwong Tavern for something refreshing -- on a busy night you'll have to wait your turn to savor its delectable seafood fare.
Sleeping In: Bigger is better at the Montauk Manor.
Tip: The Montauk Trolley traverses the sights of Montauk---the village, the lighthouse, the harbor, and several parks -- on 90 minute tours from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day. Same-day-ticket holders are allowed all-day boarding privileges (15 stops), which makes this a great way to get around. Tours begin at the Chamber of Commerce, Main Street across from the village green.
Well-preserved Block Island, 12 miles off Rhode Island's Coast, boats 17 miles of sandy beaches. The Old Harbor area is the island's only village and visitors will find the majority of the island's inns and hotels here.
Eating Out: For something casual, head to Finn's, a local institution. If you're seeking something more formal, Eli's serves up delectable Italian.
Sleeping In: Guests can expect elaborate breakfasts and immaculate grounds at the Atlantic Inn.
Tip: The Greenway, a well-maintained trail system, meanders across the island, but some of the best hikes are along the beaches. You can hike around the entire island in about eight hours.
Newport, Rhode Island
Larger than most harbor towns, Newport is a haven for recreational sailors. For those not arriving by water, a boat tour of the harbor is a great way to get your feet wet.
Eating Out: Enjoy fine dining in a garage at Asterisk.
Sleeping In: The panoramic views are almost as expansive as the list of amenities on offer at Castle Hill and Resort.
Tip: Easton's Beach (also called First Beach) is the beginning of the Cliff Walk, a spectacular 3 1/2-mile path, which runs south along Newport's cliffs to Bailey's Beach. The promenade has views of sumptuous mansions on one side and the rocky coastline on the other.
Edgartown, Massachusetts
Once a well-to-do whaling port, Martha's Vineyard's Edgartown has managed to preserve the elegance of that wealthy era. 
Eating Out: For a special evening out, head to Alchemy for upscale French fare.
Sleeping In: Winnetu Inn and Resorts is a top hotel on the island for both couples and families. (photo, right)
Tip: While Edgartown's South Beach reigns as the town's most popular sandy strip, sunbathers in search of a little peace and quiet should head to Little Beach. From here you can look across and see the lighthouse at Cape Poge, at the northern tip of Chappaquiddick.
Nantucket Town, Massachusetts
The center of island activity, just as it has been since the early 1700s, Nantucket Town on the island of Nantucket consists of only a few square blocks of mostly historical buildings, lovingly restored inns, and boutiques and galleries leading up from the pretty harbor and waterfront, where the ferries dock.
Eating Out: Locals and visitors line-up outside of Black-Eyed Susan's for a chance to sample a menu that straddles the globe.
Sleeping In: A night's rest can be pretty pricey here; Seven Sea Street is a particularly good value.
Tip: The Steamship Authority runs car-and-passenger ferries to Nantucket year-round. The trip takes just over 2 hours. If you plan to bring a car in the summer or weekends in the fall, you must have a reservation. Book as far ahead as possible.
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Cape Cod's smallest town, Provincetown is a place of liberating creativity and substantial diversity. In the busy downtown, Portuguese-American fishermen mix with painters, poets, writers, whale-watching families, and gay and lesbian residents and visitors.
Eating Out: Re-fuel from an afternoon walk at Clem & Ursie's, a local favorite for laid-back dining---there are plenty of seafood favorites to go around.
Sleeping In: With fireplaces and whirlpool tubs in some rooms and an on-site full service spa, the Crowne Pointe Historic Inn makes for one of Provincetown's most refined stays.
Tip: Race Point Beach, one of the Cape Cod National Seashore beaches in Provincetown, has a wide swath of sand stretching far off into the distance around the point and Coast Guard station. Because of its position on a point facing north, the beach gets sun all day long, whereas the east coast beaches get fullest sun early in the day.
More than any other town along the Penobscot Bay, Camden is the perfect picture-postcard of a Maine coastal village. Exposed as such, the tiny town is uber-popular -- don't expect to be savoring that lobster roll down by the harbor solo.
Eating Out: Cappy's Chowder House is a local institution; a bowl of "chowdah" is an essential order.
Sleeping In: Check-in to Norumbega Inn, Maine's most photographed piece of real estate.
Tip: One of the town's biggest and most colorful annual events, Windjammer Weekend is the single largest gathering of windjammer ships in the world.
Photo Credits: (1) Courtesy of the Virginia Inn; (2) Block Island Beach, Matthew Pisani; (3) Courtesy of Winnetu Inn and Resorts; (4) Courtesy of Windjammer Weekend
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