World's Largest Catsup Bottle - Collinsville, Illinois

10 Wacky Summer Festivals

Find a fun celebration to travel to one weekend

By Rob Flowers
June 07, 2010 ©WomansDay.com

Are you looking for some weekend fun this summer? You could head down to the same old local food or crafts fest that you’ve been to countless times before. But why not find a festivity with a quirkier twist instead?
Check out our list of 10 out-of-the-ordinary festivals throughout the United States, celebrating everything from pesky insects to extraterrestrials, to find your next road trip destination.

World's Largest Catsup Bottle Festival, Collinsville, Illinois - July 11, 2010
    A town that also boasts a horseradish festival definitely needs one devoted to their unique landmark: the world’s largest catsup bottle.
    The 170-foot-tall water tower was built in 1949 for the Brooks catsup plant, and every July residents celebrate it. At the festival, you can view the “World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of the World’s Largest Things,” and also attend the crowning of Little Princess Tomato and Sir Catsup. Fun activities include a hula hoop contest, water balloon toss and a hot-dog-smothered-in-ketchup–eating contest.
    At the height of the festivities, everyone sings “Happy Birthday” to the bottle, blows out the candles and gets a slice of birthday cake. Visit CatsupBottleFestival.com for more information.

Some of OUR favorites on the list include the Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois; the National Baby Food Festival in Fremont, Michigan; National Tom Sawyer Days in Hannibal, Missouri; the Great Texas Mosquito Festival in Clute, Texas; and the Roswell UFO Festival in Roswell, New Mexico.