World's 10 Weirdest Festivals 2010

Boryeong Mud Festival Boryeong, South Korea July 2010 Boryeong City has mountains and beautiful beaches, but it's the mud which attracts some 1.5 million visitors each year. Every July, mud lovers from all over South Korea and beyond gather at Daecheaon Beach to bathe, wrestle, and massage themselves in the famed Boryeong mud, which is known for its therapeutic properties. This is very much a participation event, so if you're not up for getting dirty, you're probably best staying at home.

Red Neck Games East Dublin, Georgia July 10, 2010 What began as a joke back in 1996 has now become a major annual event, drawing almost 100,000 visitors each year. Sports include the 'Hubcap Hurl', the 'Bobbin' for Pig's Feet Fest', and 'Redneck Horseshoes' where toilet seats take the place of the shoes. All profit from the Redneck Games goes to local charities.

Moose Dropping Festival Talkeetna, Alaska July 2010 Celebrating Alaska State's official animal, every year this small subarctic town hauls numbered moose poop up into the air from a balloon and then drops it. If your piece of poop lands closest to the target you can win a prize of up to $1000. There's also live music, sports and jewellery made from moose dung. If you go, watch where you tread!

La Tomatina Buñol, Valencia August 2010 One of the worlds' biggest food fights, every August the industrial town of Buñol welcomes 20,000 visitors to throw over 150,000 tomatoes in one hour at La Tomatina festival. Experienced tomato lobbers strip down to their underwear and don goggles and ear protection in preparation of the battle. But remember, there are some rules to tomato fighting: tomatoes should be squashed before throwing and when the hour is up, all tomato weaponry must be laid down.

Testicle Festival Rock Creek Lodge, Clinton, MT, USA August 2010 Every autumn Montana throws the world's largest testicle festival where 15,000 gonad appreciators gather. Cow's balls, also known as 'Rocky Mountain Oysters' are breaded, marinated in beer and deep fried. Testicle Festival is not a family affair; all attendees must be 21 years of age, and be warned, testicles of cows are not the only balls that go on display.

Monkey Buffet Festival Lopburi, Thailand November 2010 In adoration of their primate population, ever year, about 600 monkeys are invited to dine on a massive table with a spread of over 3000kgs of fruit and veg. The festival is said to be held to thank the monkeys for their part in attracting tourists to the region. Funnily enough, the event itself attracts hundreds of tourists who turn up to see the monkeys being thanked for attracting the tourists, causing a never ending feedback loop of monkeys and tourists, which keeps the tourists, the monkeys, and the locals all very happy. The easiest way to get to Lop Buri is to take flights to Bangkok and then travel by train, which takes about three hours.

Tunarama Port Lincoln, South Australia January 2011 Those taking flights to Australia should check out Tunarama festival, which is held in honour of Port Lincoln's main industry: tuna fishing and tuna farming. The event offers such delights as the Slippery Pole Competition, the Tunarama street procession and the 'Blessing of the Fleet', but the highlight is the World Championship Tuna Toss which sees competitors attempting to fling a fish as far as they can.

Battle of the Oranges Ivrea, Italy February 2011 Every year in the town of Ivrea, in Turin, residents re-enact an ancient battle in medieval costume, armed only with the well-known medieval weapon: the orange. Nine teams of orange-throwers consisting of over 3000 combatants confront each other in a juicy battle whilst eating free beans to keep their energy levels up.

Holi Festival of Colours India March 2011 Marking the end of the winter gloom and rejoicing in the bloom of the spring time, Holi is a popular Hindu festival observed in India. As the name suggests it's all about colour, and people spend the day throwing coloured powder and water at each other. Consumption of drinks laced with bhang (cannabis) is also an intrinsic part of the Holi festivity which helps to further enhance the spirit of the occasion. Flights to India are popular at this time of year so should be booked in advance.

Penis Festival - Kanamara Matsuri Kawasaki, Japan April 2011 Only in Japan would a giant wooden penis measuring 2.5m long be carried upon the shoulders of local inhabitants to the adoration of cheering crowds. But that's exactly what happens at this annual Shinto Fertility festival held in Kawasaki each spring. Everything with a willy theme is on offer here: penis shaped sweets, phallus key rings, dong-shaped dumplings, even vegetables carved into various suggestive forms. Note: Penis festival should not be confused with Hadaka Matsuri - Naked Man festival - which is a completely different event altogether.

A true travel author, Jon loves nothing more than taking exciting journeys across the globe waiting for the next piece...