Categories: Travel & Events; Humor

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Unusual Festivals of the Landlocked States: Winter Edition

By leigh
updated 6 days ago

Cabin fever hits hard in the center of the country. How do people deal with it? By throwing fruitcake, rolling coffins, pushing outhouses and participating in any number of other equally embarrassing events. Here are some of the top ways to get out and see how crazy they've really gone. Did I miss one? Give me the details!

But When Does All This Happen?

January:
    Fruitcake Toss – Manitou Springs, CO
    Oatmeal Festival – Lafayette, CO

February:
    Outhouse Classic Race – Trenary, MI

March:
    Frozen Dead Guy Days – Nederland, CO

The last of these festivals in 2008 have passed, it’s time to start planning ahead for 2009!

Unusual Summer Festivals

Check out these fringe summer activities for even more entertainment.

Extreme Cabin Fever

Outhouse Classic Race - Trenary, MI

Takes place annually in February.
Next occurs: February 28, 2009

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Bathrooms on skis. What could go wrong?

Outhouse Racing

Participants build and decorate their own outhouses, christening them with names like the “Explosive Crapper” and the “Sesame Street Can.” Attached to a pair of skis, they are pushed for a distance, with prizes like Furthest Traveled, Best Presentation and Most Humorous.

Trenary, MI

Trenary, MI

Where to Stay

The town is really small, staying in Munising is the generally best option available.

Days Inn Munising

M 28 East, Munising, MI 49862

Days Inn Munising has 59 luxury units; 3 suites 2 with kitchenettes. Located in town within a 2 block area are 4 exce...
Days Inn Munising has 59 luxury units; 3 suites 2 with kitchenettes. Located in town within a 2 block area are 4 excellent restaurants, business district gas, party store, laundry facilities, car wash, grocery store, and many fine gift shops. Winter area sports include many groomed, tracked cross country ski trails from beginner to expert skier with rentals available, an indoor ice arena with rentals available, and over 250 miles of beautifully groomed snowmobile trails that start right at the Inns door. No traveling necessary. Rentals for snowmobiling are also available from area merchants. After a fun filled day in the snow come back and relax by our pool or warm up in our sauna or hot tub. Since you are right in town you are only a short walk from area businesses. Summer has scuba diving in Algu Underwater Preserve, there is Grand Island to explore with many attractions. Pictured Rocks National Park, hiking trails, Lake Superior swimming from a beautiful white sand beach, Pictured Rock boat tours, shipwreck tours, an abundance of Waterfalls, and many other natural beauties. Fall brings the surrounding hills alive with breathtaking color for color tours. This is a four season wonderland and we are the place to see it from.

Outhouse Race

Don’t believe me? Fine, here’s a video.

Not Festival-Worthy

Oatmeal Festival - Lafayette, CO

Takes place annually in January.
Next occurs: January 10, 2009

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The oatmeal box loves you.

Oatmeal Festival

Lafayette’s special festival has a 5k walk/run, oatmeal recipe competitions and
the largest oatmeal toppings bar in the world. Turns out marshmallows
are an oatmeal topping, as is chocolate. I didn’t know that. Truthfully
I’m not sure that oatmeal is ever an excuse to celebrate, but that’s
open for discussion.

Lafayette, CO

Lafayette, CO

Yeah, I grew up here (well, just the teen years). I’m not particularly proud of it.

Yeah, I grew up here (well, just the teen years). I’m not particularly proud of it.

Where to Stay

Lafayette has no hotels of its own. The best (and most
scenic) bet is to stay in Boulder and make the eight mile drive east to
town.

Courtyard by Marriott Boulder

4710 Pearl East Circle, Boulder, CO 80301

The Boulder Courtyard surrounds travelers with conveniences that make business and pleasure travel easy. Relax and g...
The Boulder Courtyard surrounds travelers with conveniences that make business and pleasure travel easy. Relax and get ready for the day ahead in one of our 149 spacious and comfortable guestrooms.
 

Only in Colorado

Frozen Dead Guy Days - Nederland, CO

Takes place annually in March.
Next occurs: March 6-8, 2009.

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That’s right, it’s a racing coffin.

Frozen Dead Guy Days

Cryogenics is good and all, but cryogenic freezing taking place in a mountainous ice shed is even better. Bredo Morstoel has been resting in a Tuff Shed since 1989. Maybe one day he’ll be brought back but until then, Frozen Dead Guy Days celebrates life, reanimation and winter with events like the Charity Polar Plunge, Coffin Races and the Frozen T-shirt Contest.

Nederland, CO

Nederland, CO

Nederland is a scenic mountain town in Boulder County, Colorado, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town popul...
Nederland is a scenic mountain town in Boulder County, Colorado, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 1,394.Nederland began its history as the site of the mill for silver ore from the rich mines at Caribou (now a ghost town five miles away) and, during World War I, for tungsten ore from surrounding mines. Today it is better known as a gateway to outdoor recreation in the nearby Indian Peaks and the new James Peak Wilderness Areas. Nederland is also located 15 miles west of Boulder.On Barker Reservoir within Roosevelt National Forest, Nederland hosts two major events every year: The Nederland Music & Arts Festival and also Frozen Dead Guy Days.

Where to Stay

Pretty much the only place in town for visitors. Or stay in Boulder.

Best Western Lodge at Nederland

55 Lakeview Drive,P. O. Box 1698, Nederland, CO 80466

The Best Western Lodge at Nederland was completed in 1994 and offers a unique lodging experience for anyone coming to...
The Best Western Lodge at Nederland was completed in 1994 and offers a unique lodging experience for anyone coming to the Denver/Boulder metro area. This natural log structure is built around expansive rooms, hand-made log furniture, freestanding gas fireplaces and original art work that may be purchased from local artisans. We offer a relaxing alternative to the fast paced city. We are also just three miles away from Eldora Mountain Resort.

Winter Wonderland Insanity

Toss Your Food

Fruitcake Toss - Manitou Springs, CO

Takes place annually in January.
Next occurs: January 3, 2009

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Preparing for the fruitcake launch.

Great Fruitcake Toss

That’s right, projectile fruitcakings. Yes, that’s not a word, but there’s really no other way to describe a festival centered around throwing heavy lumps of fruit and dough. There are games like Catch the Fruitcake and the Kids Great Fruitcake Performance.

Manitou Springs, CO

Manitou Springs, CO

Manitou Springs is a city in El Paso County, Colorado, west of Colorado Springs along Ute Pass. The population was 4,...
Manitou Springs is a city in El Paso County, Colorado, west of Colorado Springs along Ute Pass. The population was 4,980 at the 2000 census.

Where to Stay

Comfort Inn Manitou Springs

45 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, CO 80829

Welcome to the Comfort Inn Manitou Springs, CO. Located at the foot of the Historic Pikes Peak in Manitou Springs an...
Welcome to the Comfort Inn Manitou Springs, CO. Located at the foot of the Historic Pikes Peak in Manitou Springs and nearby attractions. All guestrooms include free wireless high speed Internet, hair dryers, iron and ironing board and coffee maker. Suites, balcony and Jacuzzi rooms available. If traveling on business or pleasure the staff at the Comfort Inn will make you feel at home during your stay. Hotel is one hundred percent smoke free.
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