Quirky Canadian Festivals
Canada is a big mass of land where people of varying races have migrated to. Thus, it is now home to hundreds of different cultures and have quite a number of quirky festivals of its own.
Forget the rib festivals and carnival food — along with TripAtlas.com let us take you to a few extraordinary festivals that take place across Canada every summer:
1. Great Klondike International Outhouse Race in Dawson City, Yukon
This one tops the list for quirky. The Great Klondike International Outhouse Race is held each year during Labour Day Weekend along the streets of Dawson City, Yukon courtesy of the Klondike Visitors Association. The race took place for the first time in 1977.
2. Pumpkin Festival in Windsor, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is known not just for ice hockey, key. It's also known (or self-proclaimed) as the "pumpkin capital of the universe."
The Pumpkin Festival which takes place every year, offers pumpkin painting, pumpkin carving and a weigh-off to find the largest and heaviest pumpkins. The climax of this festival is the Pumpkin Regatta – where competitors make boats from giant pumpkins and race them across the river with paddles.
3. Spock Days/Galaxyfest in Vulcan, Alberta
There's no getting away from everything Star Trek-related in Vulcan, Alberta (considered as anada's Official Star Trek Capital). From its giant Star Trek Enterprise replica to its Space-Station Information Centre, its all about the annual Spock Days or Galaxyfest during the town's annual Star Trek Convention held in the month of June each year. During this festival, visitors from all over the country (and galaxy), descend into Vulcan for special screenings, celebrity meet and greets, events, tournaments and also many quirky-named drinks and dishes.
4. Icelandic Festival in Gimli, Manitoba
To commemorate its Icelandic culture and heritage, the Icelandic Festival – better known as "Islendingadagurinn" – takes place annually in Gimli, Manitoba around the end of July or beginning of August. There are midway rides and a pizza-eating contest – but more exciting is a living Viking encampment, Viking warfare and tactical demonstrations and the election of Fjallkona or "Maid of the Mountain" and her maids, who will represent Iceland and her children.
Be sure to see the New Iceland Heritage Museum, the Gimli Viking Village, or the giant 15-foot-tall Viking statue in Gimli.
5. Chocolate Fest in St. Stephen, New Brunswick
Then there's the Chocolate Fest in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. St Stephen is known as Canada's Chocolate Town, it being home to the Ganong Bros. Limited chocolate company (the oldest candy company in Canada). Chocolate Fest takes place over seven days to celebrate the town's "sweet" history with festivities such as chocolate-themed lunches, a chocolate chip cookie decorating contest, a candy treasure hunt, chocolate cocktail hour, a chocolate pudding eating contest, and more.
Be sure you don't miss the Chocolate Museum for more chocolate-making history from Ganong Bros Limited with samples during the tour when you're in St. Stephen.