Strange Planet: Oddball Festivals and Competitions

The inevitable fate we face post-travel is trying to answer that well-meaning yet story-squashing query from friends and co-workers—“How was it?” Why settle for a blanket answer when you could tell tales of your shin-kicking, toilet seat-throwing, cheese-rolling good time? Thanks to The Jetpacker’s list of quirky (and possibly hazardous) competitions from around the world you can do just that, and fit some absurd athletic feats into your next itinerary.

If solving conflicts with rounds of rock, paper, scissors or running a marathon against a horse pique your interest, check out the whole list from The Jetpacker.

For 20 more odd and wonderful festivals– like North Carolina’s Woolly Worm Festival and the World Beard and Moustache Championships– visit National Geographic’s American Festivals Project online.

— Margaret J. Krauss