Have you ever wondered where wacky ideas come from? Where in the wrinkly grey matter do they bud? Are they spontaneous sprouts right after you get watered with too much booze? Or maybe they need to be nourished well with sensual boost and time? Whichever way, thank God they are there for without these hilarious pranks life would definitely be too much in line. Just think, they say that we barely use 10 per cent of our brain capacity and yet it bubbles with crazy ideas that make the somewhat down to earth modern life so much livelier. What if we put more of those twisted neurons in use? Well, anyway, if you happen to be in a very sober minded and reasonable mode, see what happens if you let the frolics pop. Here are some examples of the most bizarre American festivals and events.

1. International Rotten Sneaker Contest

Apparently there are 250,000 sweat glands that dot each of your feet and can be very productive when it comes to the usually much unwelcome wetness. With the Odor Eaters expertise one cannot be mistaken. But this time, it’s sweat time, no time for embarrassment! Give your sneakers a very special wear-and-tear and make them the grimiest and grungiest footwear to ever tread the Earth. Wear off the soles, lose the laces and grommets, let your toes wiggle and don’t forget – offensive smell is essential. Raise your head high and proud for this time there are qualified specialists with di-stink-tive titles of “odorologists” to appreciate your effort at the annual International Rotten Sneaker Contest in Montpelier, Vermont. Held in March, no foot talc or baths before recommended!

_{Rotten sneakers anyone? Photo by claire.m}

2. Two Harbors Outhouse Race

One might think a privy is an intimate matter. Not in Two Harbors, Minnesota where every February you’re given a one-of-a-kind chance to display your outhouse creativity. Before you let your imagination bubble with images of how imaginative one can be in a toilet, let’s put it straight – Outhouse Classic is a race. Just use your DIY and a bit of design skills, put your very own privy together, fit it with a seat and a roll of toilet paper and ready … steady… flush! Similar events take place in Mackinaw City, Michigan, Conocully, Washington, and Trenary, Michigan.

_{Show your creative streak, too! Photo by Brian Rossow}

3. Emma Crawford Coffin Race

If morbid skeletons, half-rotten corpses and taking a peek inside a coffin make your heart beat faster head for Manitou Springs, Colorado, where every weekend prior to Halloween the town hosts some macabre events in memory of Emma Crawford. As the local lore goes, Emma came to Manitou to take advantage of the healing climate and fight her tuberculosis. In vain. She died and was buried atop the Red Mountain where she rested peacefully till one rainy summer which washed her coffin down the mountain and into the canyon below. As you can imagine that was enough of an incentive to start commemorating her death in a somewhat original way. Feel it yourself and join the crowds of mourners parading along the streets, racing their coffins and showing off their spooky costumes.

_{Emma, is that you? Photo by Lars Leber}

_{Memento mori. Photo by normreich}

4. Sidewalk Egg Frying Contest

To spice up you Route 66 ride pull over at Oatman, Arizona, which becomes pretty hot and sizzling every July 4th for its annual egg frying contest. Piece of cake, you might think. Not if you have to use solar heat to fry. It is a feast of creativity and DIY for the contestants who use anything from the humble aluminum foil and magnifying glasses to more sophisticated homegrown solar gadgets to get an egg fried in maximum 15 minutes. Bon appetit!

_{And becon? Photo by Dragan}

5. Burning Man Festival

There is an ephemeral city in Nevada desert that turns into the epicenter of shocking art and free-spirited minds for one week. Out-of-this-world installations, extraterrestrial sculptures and architectural experiments intermingle with naked body-painted humans and wacky vehicles. No tags, no labels attached – it’s the art and imagination that rule here, not the names and artists. Bizarre as it is, the Burning Man is a world-class event. Don’t waste your time if you want to be a part of it, after a week the city is disassembled and burned leaving the desert wilderness barren as it is before the festival starts.

_{Desert fauna or flora? Photo by light bloom}

_{Sand-proof merry-go-round. Photo by loupiote (Old Skool)}

A crazy world, isn’t it? Yet so compelling and irresistible.

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