The Super Bowl
Every country has sporting events they go wild for, but America’s approach to watching the Super Bowl goes way beyond just donning a football jersey and making some snacks. Not only does the entire country grind to a halt to watch the match, but even the commercials that air during the event have their own anticipation, speculation and fandom.
Pig racing
A mainstay of county fairs, pig racing’s appeal is based solely on the fact that it’s fun to see animals that don’t usually race do so. No one is arguing the cuteness factor of piglets in little coloured bibs running as fast as they can on their tiny hooves, but some states even go so far as to have even smaller monkeys riding the pigs, which is just weird.
Pumpkin growing contests
Any competition that is accomplished over weeks and months instead of seconds or minutes has a less easy-to-understand appeal, but America’s infatuation with gourds of all kinds is truly baffling. Not only is fall heralded as pumpkin spice latte season, but photoshoots in pumpkin patches, pumpkin home decor and pumpkin growing competitions are all commonplace.
Butter statues
Marble sculptures are beautiful pieces of art that can last centuries with the right care. Ice sculptures are ephemeral, transient spectacles made all the more beautiful by the fact that they don’t last at all. Butter sculptures, on the other hand, are vaguely comical at best and slightly nauseating at worst. Yet they are a common sight at barn raisings and opening ceremonies of all kinds.
Dance marathons
Many people measure their fitness level and stamina against how many marathons they have run or the time in which they’ve managed to finish them. Dance marathons, which are common across the states, also take a lot of stamina, dedication and determination. However, they have the added stressor of requiring formalwear and high heels instead of running shoes and breathable neon tank tops.
Mooing contests
Yep, you read that right. At many county fairs and other rural celebrations, mooing competitions are the norm. Farmers, ranchers and other people with cattle-related expertise will do their best to perfectly emulate the cows they spend their time around, with the winner taking home a trophy and twelve months of slightly dubious bragging rights. In other words, winning makes them feel over the moo-n.
Hot dog-eating contests
Eating contests are one of America’s proudest national pastimes, with many bona fide celebrities emerging from this niche sport. While the people at the very top are concerned with breaking world records, settling old rivalries and beating personal bests, most people competing in hot dog-eating contests are looking to eat as many sausages and buns as possible without throwing up or passing out.
Pigeon rolling
Pigeon rolling is one of the most baffling and niche activities on this list, and it’s not exactly common throughout the entire United States of America. However, at Iowa’s annual state fair, you can take a break from eating cotton candy and playing Skee-Ball to roll pigeons competitively. Apparently, throwing one of the birds just right results in it rolling end over end – who knew?
Husband-calling contests
A variation on the grand tradition of cattle calling, the husband-calling contests found at many state and county fairs are exactly what they sound like. Women will step up to the mic and do their best approximation of calling their partner in from the fields for dinner, with winners going on to compete in regional and then national championships.
Beauty pageants
Beauty pageants are not an America-specific phenomenon, but the states do seem to go more all-in on the concept than many other places. Pageants are a huge spectacle, one that involves admissions essays, timed interviews and talent portions in addition to swimsuit modelling and evening gowns. Many even award university scholarships to the winners.
