By Pamela Dell
We Americans can be a strange lot and there's no better time to observe our cultural oddities than in the fall. For some reason — maybe the shorter days, the colder weather, or Halloween being smack in the middle of the season — lots of communities go in for off-the-wall fun in the fall.
As proof of this theory, we offer this collection of odd events taking place across the country this autumn, from a coffin race in Colorado to a New Jersey "quiet" festival that kicks off with a yawn-along.
12th Annual Emma Crawford
Coffin Race
October 28, 2006
Manitou Springs, CO
Photo: Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
Poor Emma Crawford. After dying young in Manitou Springs in 1890, she was buried at the top of Colorado's Red Mountain. But she was not to stay there. Mother Nature was more powerful than the granite peak, and years of bad weather eventually unleashed Emma from her not-so-eternal resting place. Down the hill she sped — the nameplate from her coffin was found a few decades later near the foot of the mountain, along with her bones, thus inspiring today's annual coffin races in her name. Mark the date for this choice Halloween happening.
Aside from a 5K race, a Children's Fun Run, and a Best Emma contest, the day's events are coffin-centric to be sure. If the muse strikes, you can gussy up a pine box and enter the coffin parade, best-coffin competition, and the coffin race down Manitou's main street. Oh, and don't miss out on Emma's Favorite Haunts — a ghost-infested walking tour by lamplight, an appropriate end...to the night. Coffin race registration forms available closer to the date at manitousprings.org. More details about the event can also be found at the site or by calling (719) 685-5089
or (800) 642-2567.
Giant Omelette Festival
November 4–5,
2006
Abbeville, LA
Photo: giantomelette.org
What do you get when you combine, among other things, 5,000 eggs, 52 pounds of butter, 6-1/4 gallons of milk, plenty of pepper sauce, and a heap of crawfish tails? You get the world's largest Cajun omelette, that's what! And you'll find it in Abbeville, Louisiana — one day a year.
The town has been celebrating its French roots by staging the Giant Omelette Festival since 1984. Legend has it that Napoleon once ordered a small French village to round up all its eggs to make a mega-omelette for his troops. Today, Abbeville's humongous egg dish feeds festival-goers on the house.
The weekend includes a parade (complete with legions of chefs toting all those ingredients), an antique car show, a craft show, a motorcycle poker run through scenic countryside, and plenty for the kids to do, too. Definitely worth the experience if you're anywhere near Lafayette, LA — Abbeville is just an egg's toss away. More info: giantomelette.org (where you'll also find the complete recipe for the giant omelette) or (337) 893-0013.
The Quiet Festival
November 17–18, 2006
Ocean City, NJ
Photo: Donald B. Kravitz, DBKphoto
Ears overtaxed by the world's chaotic cacophony? Then retreat to Ocean City's 13th annual Quiet Festival, a two-day celebration of all things natural (and quiet!) — with a built-in sense of humor. Events kick off Friday morning with a Yawn-Along, at which a group of "semi-professional yawners" will yawn to the tune of Beautiful Dreamer.
Also on the agenda are open poetry readings, mimes, face painting, storytellers, folksingers, and a nature walk. Not quiet enough? You can also indulge in paper-airplane flying, pinecone appreciation, leaf squeezing, pet-petting, shell listening, and feather and pin dropping. One of the highlights may be Friday's lunch at the local Chatterbox Restaurant, where, according to festival organizers, "no chattering will be permitted, but quiet, meaningful talk will be encouraged." More information at (609) 525-9300.
More off-the-wall ways to celebrate the season
Hick Festival
Sept. 2–4 2006
Parsons, WV
Who knew the word ‘hick' came from the old-time nickname for loggers — wood hicks? Spend Labor Day competing in numerous hick pastimes, such as axe throwing, wood chopping, horse pulling, and more. Also included are fiddle and banjo playing and plenty of kids' events.
More info: (304) 478-3747.
Big Whopper Liar's Contest
Sept. 16, 2006
New Harmony, IN
"Storytellers" compete on this Saturday evening to see who can fabricate the most outrageous tall tale in 2–4 minutes. Audience vote determines the winner. It's a hoot!
More info: (618) 395-8491.
The Woolly Worm Festival
Oct. 21–22, 2006
Banner Elk, NC
Contestants enter their Woolly Bear caterpillars in multiple races. Ultimate winner takes home a sizable prize, while the winning worm is used to predict what kind of weather the coming snow season will bring.
More information
at banner-elk.com.
World Championship Duck Calling Contest
Nov. 24–25
Stuttgart, AR
Part of the city's Wings over the Prairie Festival, Nov. 21–25. See how well you can imitate a mallard at this lively event in the "Rice and Duck Capital of the World." More info: stuttgartarkansas.com or
(870) 673-1602.
