Quirky get away
February 20, 2019 9:05 PM Subscribe
What is an amazing, strange, eccentric festival, conference, activity happening in your town in the next 3 - 4 months that is not well known or easily found through a google search?
I got bumped from a flight last year, and got a pretty nice voucher that should cover a ticket to almost anywhere in the continental US.
I'd like to go have a local experience somewhere that I could not find out about through typical channels.
For example, I love local, DIY, alternative music. Is there a really wild, underground music festival that happens in your town?
Other interests include story telling, social justice activism, genealogy, comic books, atheism, gay culture, and Marie Kondo.
But really, would be open to any topic as long as the event is local, eccentric, and amazing.
The voucher is good for another 6 months.
I got bumped from a flight last year, and got a pretty nice voucher that should cover a ticket to almost anywhere in the continental US.
I'd like to go have a local experience somewhere that I could not find out about through typical channels.
For example, I love local, DIY, alternative music. Is there a really wild, underground music festival that happens in your town?
Other interests include story telling, social justice activism, genealogy, comic books, atheism, gay culture, and Marie Kondo.
But really, would be open to any topic as long as the event is local, eccentric, and amazing.
The voucher is good for another 6 months.
Sierra Storytelling Festival, though disclaimer: it's gonna be a few hours drive from the nearest major airport (Sacramento) through the mountains to get to it. It's a cute little outdoor festival in July.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:33 PM on February 20, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:33 PM on February 20, 2019 [4 favorites]
This isn't local to me, but I often make the half-day car trip to attend. Every September and April, the Riverside Drive-In in Vandergrift, PA, just outside of Pittsburgh, hosts the Drive-In Super Monster-Rama. (Link goes to their Facebook page.)
Over the course of two nights, they show 8 vintage horror movies. You can camp overnight right inside the drive-in. There's usually a raffle for movie swag. The drive-in has been running since the 1950s, and the concession stand has some pretty amazing food (pierogie pizza!).
This September, we took a side trip to Kennywood Park, and saw so much cool local stuff en route.
So, you would have to fly into Pittsburgh and then rent a car. Don't know if that makes it a no-go for you or not.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:38 PM on February 20, 2019 [4 favorites]
Over the course of two nights, they show 8 vintage horror movies. You can camp overnight right inside the drive-in. There's usually a raffle for movie swag. The drive-in has been running since the 1950s, and the concession stand has some pretty amazing food (pierogie pizza!).
This September, we took a side trip to Kennywood Park, and saw so much cool local stuff en route.
So, you would have to fly into Pittsburgh and then rent a car. Don't know if that makes it a no-go for you or not.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:38 PM on February 20, 2019 [4 favorites]
Self-linking time!
Depending on how quirky you are, Ephemerisle near Stockton CA is probably the weirdest temporary autonomous zone in the West Coast. We camp on water (not on shore) for a week.
It's midway between a very large private party (like 600 people) and a very small festival not officially organized by anyone. The camping is very rough. It's an event for people who think Burning Man is far too easy.
Also I'm one of the people who helps not organize it. Ignore everything on the internet about the connection to seasteading and libertarians, they're mostly a very small minority at the event these days and it's more of a Burner (and liberal) crowd of DIYers.
Photos:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/U7s31zVCZAQp9n4V7
Videos from various years past:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgQf8WjEN-Q&t=90s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOWR26_uPOc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG_ITYgChow
If that's too complicated, weird, dangerous, not accessible to people who don't already know someone, Camp Tipsy sort of started as a parody of Ephemerisle and has been very successful ever since as it's own pretty amazing Weird San Francisco thing. It's a couple of hours from SF.
posted by twoplussix at 11:15 PM on February 20, 2019 [5 favorites]
Depending on how quirky you are, Ephemerisle near Stockton CA is probably the weirdest temporary autonomous zone in the West Coast. We camp on water (not on shore) for a week.
It's midway between a very large private party (like 600 people) and a very small festival not officially organized by anyone. The camping is very rough. It's an event for people who think Burning Man is far too easy.
Also I'm one of the people who helps not organize it. Ignore everything on the internet about the connection to seasteading and libertarians, they're mostly a very small minority at the event these days and it's more of a Burner (and liberal) crowd of DIYers.
Photos:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/U7s31zVCZAQp9n4V7
Videos from various years past:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgQf8WjEN-Q&t=90s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOWR26_uPOc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG_ITYgChow
If that's too complicated, weird, dangerous, not accessible to people who don't already know someone, Camp Tipsy sort of started as a parody of Ephemerisle and has been very successful ever since as it's own pretty amazing Weird San Francisco thing. It's a couple of hours from SF.
posted by twoplussix at 11:15 PM on February 20, 2019 [5 favorites]
Honk, TX is a community festival of adult marching bands from all over the world in Austin,TX at the end of March. The marching bands are extremely adorable, and Austin is a spectacular town that time of year
posted by wowenthusiast at 12:39 AM on February 21, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by wowenthusiast at 12:39 AM on February 21, 2019 [5 favorites]
Maybe outside your timeframe though: Bluegrass Festival on the Green in historic Frankfort, Illinois is in July this year. Frankfort is about an hour southwest of Chicago.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 4:41 AM on February 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by SuperSquirrel at 4:41 AM on February 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Reggae rise up in st Petersburg is March 15-17 and is amazing. One of the largest reggae fests anywhere and it's at a waterfront park. Come on down!!
posted by chasles at 4:50 AM on February 21, 2019
posted by chasles at 4:50 AM on February 21, 2019
The Houston Art Car Parade is so much fun. One of the things I miss most about living in Texas. This year it's April 13th.
posted by backwards compatible at 5:19 AM on February 21, 2019
posted by backwards compatible at 5:19 AM on February 21, 2019
The Kinetic Races in Eureka, CA are absolutely wonderful. It's such a cool place to visit and a great community. This event takes place over Memorial Day weekend.
posted by belau at 6:09 AM on February 21, 2019
posted by belau at 6:09 AM on February 21, 2019
Piedmont Earthskills is a 5-day gathering for sharing traditional skills, from plant identification to basketmaking to storytelling, in central NC.
posted by toastedcheese at 6:41 AM on February 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by toastedcheese at 6:41 AM on February 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Do you like Roots music? Consider Uncle Dave Macon Days in beautiful Murfreesboro, Tennessee! It's in July if that's not too far out.
posted by jquinby at 7:21 AM on February 21, 2019
posted by jquinby at 7:21 AM on February 21, 2019
Frozen Dead Guy Days is a weird little mountain town thing to do. You'd fly into Denver and then rent a car or hitch a ride to Nederland.
A little more mainstream perhaps, but fun, is the Denver Independent Comics & Art Expo. It's newer and more indie than the now-huge Comic Con that we have. Last year I went to a talk by the creators of Meow Wolf, did some painting, and met a ton of indie comic-creators.
posted by sugarbomb at 9:12 AM on February 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
A little more mainstream perhaps, but fun, is the Denver Independent Comics & Art Expo. It's newer and more indie than the now-huge Comic Con that we have. Last year I went to a talk by the creators of Meow Wolf, did some painting, and met a ton of indie comic-creators.
posted by sugarbomb at 9:12 AM on February 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
All-Species Day in Montpelier, Vermont.
posted by baseballpajamas at 9:31 AM on February 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by baseballpajamas at 9:31 AM on February 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Picklesburgh is held on one of Pittsburgh's many bridges. Dates for 2019 aren't set yet, but it looks like it's a late-summer thing. (@ Instagram)
posted by booth at 9:48 AM on February 21, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by booth at 9:48 AM on February 21, 2019 [4 favorites]
You should come to SF for Bring Your Own Big Wheel.
posted by allkindsoftime at 10:03 AM on February 21, 2019
posted by allkindsoftime at 10:03 AM on February 21, 2019
Rockland, ME has a Lobster fest in August.
There are various lobster boat races in Maine.
The New England Folk Festival (NEFFA) is in April near Boston. Excellent musicians, dances, workshops, performances at a festival that is incredibly well-run. If the Neffa organizers ran the world, it would be peaceful, fun, and on time.
posted by theora55 at 11:15 AM on February 21, 2019
There are various lobster boat races in Maine.
The New England Folk Festival (NEFFA) is in April near Boston. Excellent musicians, dances, workshops, performances at a festival that is incredibly well-run. If the Neffa organizers ran the world, it would be peaceful, fun, and on time.
posted by theora55 at 11:15 AM on February 21, 2019
How about the Kerrville Folk Festival? It’s held in Kerrville, out TX 16 NW of San Antonio. Used to be on the campus of Schreiner College (now Univ.) but now is held at Quiet Valley Ranch just South of town. The longest running music festival in the US, great for country, Texas roots, Western swing, folk, bluegrass, etc. Lots and lots of acts; the festival runs for 19 (!) days this year, from May 23 to June 9. The festival has been the springboard for many famous performers (Steve Earle, Tish Hinojosa, Lyle Lovett, etc.) but not just TX performers. See the Wikipedia entry (not up to date). You can camp at the ranch, stay in Kerrville, or split time between the festival, San Antonio, and Austin for a little more Hill Country diversity. If you’re a musician, there are lots of workshops. Plus, Kerrville in[s in the Hill Country, so great touring, bicycling, and wine.
(If you camp, the fire ants and rattlesnakes are no extra charge.)
posted by sudogeek at 11:57 AM on February 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
(If you camp, the fire ants and rattlesnakes are no extra charge.)
posted by sudogeek at 11:57 AM on February 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
You could also jump on a plane today and see the Fisher Poets.
posted by OneSmartMonkey at 12:52 PM on February 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by OneSmartMonkey at 12:52 PM on February 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
You might enjoy Moogfest and/or Audio Under the Stars in Durham, NC.
posted by melodykramer at 2:02 PM on February 21, 2019
posted by melodykramer at 2:02 PM on February 21, 2019
Response by poster: Just a quick note to say a lot of these sound great, and are exactly the kinds of things I was looking for. Thanks to everyone who has commented. Keep them coming. The more local and the more quirky the better. BYO Big Wheel and the adult marching band gathering near Austin are my favs so far.
posted by hworth at 5:05 PM on February 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by hworth at 5:05 PM on February 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Picklesburgh is held on one of Pittsburgh's many bridges. Dates for 2019 aren't set yet, but it looks like it's a late-summer thing. (@ Instagram)
OMG when I was in Pittsburgh last September there were signs all over for the Pierogi Festival and the Peanut Butter Festival. And I had to go home!! Is Pittsburgh just awesome food festivals all year 'round?
posted by The Underpants Monster at 5:28 PM on February 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
OMG when I was in Pittsburgh last September there were signs all over for the Pierogi Festival and the Peanut Butter Festival. And I had to go home!! Is Pittsburgh just awesome food festivals all year 'round?
posted by The Underpants Monster at 5:28 PM on February 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
Well, it's not my town but it's nearby: the Grantsburg Annual World Championship Snowmobile Watercross July 19-21 this year. Snowmobile racing on the lake (which is, of course, not frozen in July), street dance, fireworks, etc. If you've never seen a snowmobile shooting over the water, you'll be unable to make that claim after attending!
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 6:22 PM on February 21, 2019
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 6:22 PM on February 21, 2019
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by OneSmartMonkey at 9:24 PM on February 20, 2019 [1 favorite]