Unique festivals around the world this August
With an endless array of weird and wacky festivals worldwide here are some of the interesting events coming up in August.
Elvis Week – Memphis, Tennessee, USA
On the anniversary of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s death, Elvis impersonators and fans alike converge on his hometown of Memphis to celebrate the music, movies and the legacy of Elvis Presley.
Events take place right through the week from August 10-17, with concerts, a candlelit vigil, Elvis tribute contests to find the best impersonator and even events taking place inside the stars renowned mansion, Graceland.
Sideburns, a perfectly styled quiff and a Hawaiian shirt are not essentials however they may help you fit in.
For tickets and more information visit www.graceland.com/elvisweek
La Tomatina – Bu√±ol, Spain
Join thousands of revellers as you get pelted with tomatoes – no this isn’t a form of punishment it is the tomato-throwing festival in the small town of Bu√±ol in eastern Spain which began in 1945.
Some 140 tonnes of ripe red tomatoes are brought into town for the battle which centres around Plaza del Pueblo and sees every participant launching handfuls of squished tomatoes at each other and the crowds dripping with red juice by the end of the day.
The tomato throwing last one hour, with participants encouraged to wear goggles.
The event is held on the last Wednesday of every August, however a week before the great tomato fight Buñol hosts a paella cook off and various festivities and fireworks, so be sure to arrive before the event so you can experience the full schedule surrounding the main event.
Amsterdam Gay Pride – Amsterdam
A weekend full of celebrations and pride parades will take place in the centre of Amsterdam from August 1-3.
The must see event is the canal parade, where 80 extravagant styled boats with hundreds of costumed revellers will make their way from the beginning of the Prinsengracht at the Westerdok harbour through the city.
The 10th International Drag Queen Olympics will also be held as part of the gay pride festival; with the traditional sports such as the 100m stiletto sprint and handbag toss just some of the competitions on show.
Street parties, art, sport and music events are just some of the other activities on the calendar and one of the busiest weekends of the year in Amsterdam.
La Pourcailhade – Trie-sur-Ba√Øse, France
A festival dedicated to the pig – yep that’s right each August a festival is held to honour the hog, in one of the largest pig-rearing areas in France.
The day festival is held the second Sunday in August, with the event calendar filled with unique events such as piglet races, a pork sausage-eating contest and a competition for the best piggy outfit.
Alongside the music, dancing and array of pork on offer the highlight of the day is the national pig imitation competition.
This is more than just the simple oink impersonation, with contestants performing the sounds of the various stages of a pig’s life cycle.
This year’s event will be held on August 10.
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