Unusual Festivals of the Landlocked States: Summer Edition

by leigh
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August 25, 2008

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Maybe it's the lack of a sea breeze, or the distance removed from the waves, but the residents of the landlocked states of America sometimes seem to have gone a bit crazy and small towns appear to be affected the worst. Inventing festivals ranging from the unique to the bizarre to the disturbing, locals and visitors flock to these events to explore a bit of what they call culture. Have a must-add festival I missed? Let me know!

When Do These Fine Events Occur?

April:
    SPAMARAMA – Austin, TX

May:
    Headless Chicken Festival – Fruita, CO

July:
    Roswell UFO Festival – Roswell, NM
    Testicle Festival – Clinton, MT

August:
    Cow Chip Throw – Prairie du Sac, WI
    Burning Man – Black Rock Desert, NV

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How could Roswell NOT have a UFO festival is really a better question. Tourism is good, and throwing a massive festival to celebrate aliens is probably a decent way to go about it. Seriously though, if I were an extraterrestrial and saw this going on below me, I’d probably just get pissed off and leave. This kind of thing just begs for all the crazies to come out of the woodwork.

UFO Festival

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Roswell, NM

Roswell is a city in Chaves County in the southeastern quarter of the state of New Mexico, USA. The population was 45,293 at the 2000 census. It is a center for irrigation farming, dairying, ranching, manufacturing, distribution, and petroleum production. It is also the home of New Mexico M... more »

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Roswell, NM".

Roswell is a city in Chaves County in the southeastern quarter of the state of New Mexico, USA. The population was 45,293 at the 2000 census. It is a center for irrigation farming, dairying, ranching, manufacturing, distribution, and petroleum production. It is also the home of New Mexico Military Institute, founded in 1891. Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located a few miles northeast of the city on the Pecos River.In the 1930s Roswell was a site for much of Robert Goddard's early rocketry work. It is also the birthplace of actress Demi Moore, musician John Denver and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith. A Golf Hall of Famer, Nancy Lopez, was raised in Roswell (though born in California). A Hall of Famer astronaut, sixth man on the moon Edgar Mitchell, went to school in Roswell. Roger Staubach (later of the Dallas Cowboys) played football at NMMI, and Lewis Lloyd (later of the Houston Rockets) played basketball there.Roswell is most popularly known for having its name attached to what is now called the 1947 Roswell UFO incident, even though the actual crash site was about 75 miles from Roswell. However, the investigation and debris recovery was handled by the local Roswell Army Air Field.

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Ramada Limited Roswell

2803 W 2nd,Highway 70/380, Roswell, NM 88201

Experience a comfortable rest at the Ramada Limited Roswell, as you travel through southeastern New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment . The Ramada Limited provides hotel lodging for Roswell and the surrounding communities of Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, Dexter, Lincoln, Hagerman, Artesia and Carlsbad. Roswell has long been known as the UFO and Alien Research center of the Southwest, and the Ramada Limited Roswell hotel is a great base from which to explore Alien Encounters and all the other numerous attractions of the area. Although well known for alien activity, Roswell has much more to offer to the inquisitive traveler. The Historic District, which contains the Historical Museum of Southeast New Mexico, provides a glimpse into a simpler era, long since gone-by. The New Mexico Military Institute provides a beautiful campus for strolling, and the General Douglas L. McBride Museum. Nearby Lincoln is the site of Billy the Kid's Great Escape and the commemorative museum is well worth a look. Although the area is rich in history of all kinds, the Ramada Limited Roswell features its very own attractions. The Ramada is set in a wonderfully quiet neighborhood, with easy highway access. We are just 2 miles from downtown, yet far enough away to be free of the usual congestion, noise, and chaos. The hotel is set around a large park-like courtyard and is centered by a full-sized sparkling Pool - which is enjoyed by both visiting families and business travelers alike. All guests also enjoy our complimentary Deluxe Continental Breakfast, fully equipped exercise room, game room, and guest laundry. All our rooms are larger than usual, contain a coffeemaker, free High Speed Internet Access, large selection of Cable TV channels featuring HBO and Cinemax, Iron and Board, and the new Ramada Signature Shower Experience with the Moen Revolution Showerhead and Citrus Ginger Spa Amenities. Many rooms also contain microwave and refrigerator. When your travel plans take you to the Land of Enchantment, we welcome you to the Ramada Limited Roswell, and look forward to creating a most memorable experience for you.

Features

coffee maker in room, vending machines, adjoining rooms, safe, continental breakfast, tennis, rv or truck parking, no smoking rooms facilities, laundry service, over sized rooms, tv with cable, barber beauty shop, overhead projector, conference facilities, copy service, guest laundromat, audio visual equipment, wheel chair access, ice machine, ironing board, modem lines in room, complimentary breakfast, playground, game room, indoor tennis, pool view, hairdryer in room, pets allowed, refrigerator, pool, air conditioned, tv remote control, truck parking, wake up service, connecting rooms, golf, bar lounge, free local telephone calls, free newspaper, laundry valet services, casino, iron, parking, outdoor tennis, fitness center, handicapped rooms facilities, am fm alarm clock, restaurants, sitting area, shops commercial services, free parking, front desk 24 hour, meeting facilities, microwave, fishing, express checkout, bus parking, skiing, safe deposit box, breakfast

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Established in honor of Mike, a chicken who wouldn’t die once his body was short a head, the Mike the Headless Chicken Festival celebrates chicken. There’s the 5k run-like-a-chicken event, rubber chicken football and a chicken dance contest. No, really, it’s a festival, check it out.

Headless Chicken Festival

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Fruita, CO

Fruita is a city in Mesa County, Colorado, United States. The population was 6,478 at the 2000 census. It is well known for nearby mountain bike and hiking trails.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Fruita, CO".

Fruita is a city in Mesa County, Colorado, United States. The population was 6,478 at the 2000 census. It is well known for nearby mountain bike and hiking trails.

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Comfort Inn Fruita

400 Jurassic Ave, Fruita, CO 81521-9535

Welcome to the Comfort Inn in Fruita, CO located west of Grand Junction near the Colorado National Monument. The Comfort Inn is just minutes from local attractions and shopping. Our beautifully appointed guestrooms include FREE wireless high-speed Internet access, hair dryers, irons, ironing boards, coffee makers, data ports and cable television. Enjoy our FREE deluxe breakfast, take a swim in the indoor pool and relax in the hot tub. Our friendly staff will make you feel at home during your stay.

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Austin, TX

Austin is the state capital of Texas and the county seat of Travis County. Situated in the region of Central Texas, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 16th-largest in the United States. As of the 2004 U.S. Census estimate, Austin had a population of 681,804. The city is the... more »

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Austin, TX".

Austin is the state capital of Texas and the county seat of Travis County. Situated in the region of Central Texas, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 16th-largest in the United States. As of the 2004 U.S. Census estimate, Austin had a population of 681,804. The city is the core cultural and economic center of the Austin–Round Rock metropolitan area with a population of 1.4 million.The first documented settlement of current day Austin occurred in 1835 and the site was named Waterloo in 1837. In 1839, Mirabeau B. Lamar renamed the city in honor of Stephen F. Austin. Its original name is honored by local businesses such as Waterloo Ice House and Waterloo Records. Austin is situated on the Colorado River and on the Balcones Fault, which in much of Austin runs roughly the same route as the MoPac expressway.Residents of Austin are known as Austinites and include a mix of university professors, students, politicians, lobbyists, and high-tech workers. The city is home to enough large sites of major technology corporations to have earned the nickname, "Silicon Hills". Austin's official slogan is The Live Music Capital of the World.

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Sheraton Austin Hotel

701 East 11th Street, Austin, TX 78701

Welcome to the Sheraton Austin Hotel! Featuring distinctively modern architecture and majestic views of downtown Austin, we combine the warm, friendly service with a prime location. more »

Welcome to the Sheraton Austin Hotel! Featuring distinctively modern architecture and majestic views of downtown Austin, we combine the warm, friendly service with a prime location. A landmark situated in the cultural heart of Austin, Texas, we are next door to the famed Capitol and just steps from the University of Texas, the allure of the Sixth Street/Warehouse District, and Austin burgeoning business district. Coming to town for a meeting? We offer over 17,000 square feet of flexible space as well as High Speed Internet Access for a great, memorable experience.Enjoy the comfort of the Sheraton Austin Hotel and connect with our friendly team, turning our familiar location into your future destination.

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Clinton, MT

Clinton is a census-designated place (CDP) in Missoula County, Montana, United States. The population was 549 at the 2000 census.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Clinton, MT".

Clinton is a census-designated place (CDP) in Missoula County, Montana, United States. The population was 549 at the 2000 census.

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Claiming the event somehow spawned from the burning of cow chips as fuel, the Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw and Festival is exactly what it sounds like. Contestants pick out their cow chip and try to toss it as far as they can. Other invents include a 10k and 5k run/walk and a craft fair. Not a bad mix for an event featuring dried feces.

Cow Chip Throw

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Prairie du Sac, WI

Prairie Du Sac, WI

Prairie du Sac is a village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,231 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Prairie du Sac, just north of Sauk City.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Prairie du Sac, WI".

Prairie du Sac is a village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,231 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Prairie du Sac, just north of Sauk City.

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Baymont Inn & Suites Madison West

8102 Excelsior Dr., Madison, WI 53717

Visiting Madison, Wisconsin on business? See why Entrepreneur stated "Baymont Inn" is the best hotel value. The Baymont Inn Madison WI features an added value. Located one hour from Milwaukee, WI and two hours from Chicago. The Baymont Madison offers business savings and is convenient to several business parks surrounding the Madison, WI area; Verona WI, Waunakee, Cross Plains WI, Mazomanie and New Glaurus Wisconsin. This Madison WI hotel is also located minutes from downtown Madison, WI, the WI State Capitol, the University of Wisconsin Madison, the UW Madison campus - Camp Randall Stadium, the Kohl Center, Monona Terrace Convention Center and the Alliant Energy Center. This hotel is the closest Madison WI hotel to the University Ridge Golf Course. This Madison, WI motel is less than one mile from the Greenway Station Middleton, WI shopping center and nearby the Middleton, Wisconsin business district. Also, Hilldale, West Town Mall Madison, Wisconsin shopping centers are within a close proximity. Stay at the Baymont Madison when you are traveling on business or pleasure and be sure to visit one of the many attractions surrounding the Madison, WI Dane County area. Within thirty-five miles from; House on the Rock WI, Fireside Theater, Cave of the Mounds, Tyrol Basin Ski and Snowboard Area, Taliesin Spring Green, the American Players Theater and the Wisconsin Dells. The Baymont Inn & Suites Madison WI offers lodging with free wireless high speed internet access along with free airport shuttle transportation to/from the Madison, WI Airport (Dane County Regional Airport). This Madison, motel offer's a variety of amenities. Overnight guest's will receive an upscale complimentary cont. breakfast buffet (including our new build your own weekday waffle station) and will end each evening with a complimentary drink in the hotel's Old Sauk Lounge. In addition, this Madison, Wisconsin hotel offers exceptional recreational opportunities. The oversized indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna, game room & fitness center offer the perfect retreat to the final minutes of a business day.

Features

truck parking, conference facilities, handicapped rooms facilities, wheel chair access, no smoking rooms facilities, guest laundromat, iron, pool view, continental breakfast, tv with cable, bus parking, am fm alarm clock, refrigerator, air conditioned, meeting facilities, business center, free parking, hairdryer in room, coffee maker in room, elevators, room service, modem lines in room, pool, connecting rooms, adjoining rooms, microwave, express checkout, front desk 24 hour, free newspaper, ironing board, laundry service, safe, breakfast, pets allowed, copy service, bar lounge, wake up service, free local telephone calls, game room, vending machines, rv or truck parking, tv remote control, ice machine, sitting area, free airport shuttle, jacuzzi, parking

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Way out in the desert, Burning Man forms annually as a celebration of art, music and counterculture. Attendees pride themselves on whatever it is that makes them unique, and virtually nothing is disallowed. The most unusual part of the festival is that attendees are required to be virtually self-sufficient, meaning that participants must bring their own shelter, food and water for the multi-day desert event. Honestly, I can’t describe it. Nobody can.

Burning Man

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