11 Quirky Festivals in Texas You’ve Never Heard Of
In Texas, there are a number of astonishing events that are both eccentric and wholesome. Many of these Festivals are celebrated in small towns and are a way of bringing whole communities together to have a little friendly fun.
With creative names, and even more creative activities to partake in, you may want to put these towns on your radar and experience the magic that is Texas small town Festivals. These gatherings are a chance to celebrate local traditions or promote a cause. If you’re ready to dig into some truly Texan celebrations, read on.
Lamesa, Chicken Fried Steak Festival
Everyone loves chicken fried steak, but in Lamesa, there’s a whole festival for it. The event, held every April, includes a cook-off, a chicken fried steak dinner, and even a parade. A delicious tribute to a dish that’s been a Texas favorite for generations.
Clute, Great Texas Mosquito Festival
You read that right: a festival dedicated to the mosquito. The Texas Mosquito Festival is held in Clute every July and includes a giant mosquito mascot named Willie-Man-Chew. There’s a barbecue cook-off, a mosquito calling contest, and lots of bug spray. It reminds you to laugh at life’s little annoyances.
Wiener Dog Races, Buda
This event will steal your heart if you’re a dog lover. In the small town of Buda, dachshund wiener dogs race in a speed contest and show some determination. It’s both adorable and entertaining, with categories for both pros and amateurs.
Oatmeal Festival, Bertram
Every September, the community of Bertram and nearby Oatmeal pay homage to their shared namesake in a rather quirky way. Expect oatmeal cook-offs, a pet parade, and even a Miss Oatmeal pageant. It’s a very cute nod to small-town charm.
Terlingua, Terlingua International Chili Championship
The Terlingua International Chili Championship, chili cook-offs are held across the Lone Star state, but the one in Terlingua is the grandest of them all. Every November, thousands of people come to this remote desert town to taste the best bowls of chili you can imagine. It’s a competitive environment but with a strong sense of camaraderie.
Watermelon Thump, Luling
The Watermelon Thump in the small town of Luling celebrates all things watermelon. This June festival is a sweet ode to summer with everything from seed-spitting contests to the crowning of the Watermelon Queen. A highlight? This festival includes a giant watermelon auction, where prized melons sell for hundreds of dollars.
Bat Fest, Austin
Bat Fest is Austin’s celebration of its vibrant bat population. The festival, held every August, includes live music, food vendors, and the opportunity to watch 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats leave the Congress Avenue Bridge at sunset.
Cow Patty Bingo, Grandview
At this quirky event in Grandview, Bingo takes an agricultural twist. On a giant grid, you set loose a cow, and wherever it does its business in that grid, that square wins. It’s a funny way to get the community together and raise some funds.
Kolache Festival, Caldwell
Texas has a deep Czech heritage, and the Kolache Festival in Caldwell is a tasty example. It celebrates the Czech pastry with baking contests, folk music, and folk dances and is held every September. Have you never had a kolache? Here’s your chance.
Nederland hosts Frozen Dead Guy Days
A quirky winter celebration, Nederland’s version of Frozen Dead Guy Days is a quirky winter celebration, borrowed from a Colorado tradition, of coffin races, ice carving, and live music. It’s a cool way to get into the spirit of the season and have a laugh or two.
Sweetwater: Rattlesnake Roundup
This festival is not for the faint of heart — it celebrates Sweetwater’s history of rattlesnake hunting. There are snake-handling demonstrations, a rattlesnake-eating contest, and even classes on how to safely handle these slithery reptiles. It’s thrilling, it’s educational, and it’s nerve-wracking.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights
Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights
10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.
But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.
10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
