Strange Americana

America is a land of diversity, where each state proudly flaunts its own unique quirks and traditions. Forget the sanitized versions from history books and tourist brochures; the real essence of these states is found in their strange customs, peculiar slang, and unofficial mottos that often tell a more accurate story than the official ones. From bizarre festivals that boggle the mind to outdated laws that are still on the books, there’s no shortage of oddities that make the United States, well, uniquely united.

Since the 4th of July is fast approaching, we thought it would be a good time to explore the offbeat side of some American states. We’ll discover why some states hold coffin races while others celebrate the bizarre with annual festivals and contests. We’ll look at some states real mottos along with ones that perhaps should have been, reflecting more the true spirit (and sometimes quirkiness) of their people. Things that can leave outsiders scratching their heads, wondering if they’ve stumbled into a different country altogether.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler, a trivia buff, or just someone who enjoys a good laugh at the expense of regional eccentricities, we hope this exploration of somewhat strange Americana will be both enlightening and entertaining. Buckle up, because we’re about to embark on a road trip through the peculiar, wild, and wonderfully weird traditions that make each state a character all its own.

Weird Colorado - Frozen Dead Guy Days:

Estes Park, Colorado, celebrates a bizarre annual tradition that sounds both a bit unsettling and fun. Frozen Dead Guy Days is three-day festival that includes a race in which teams each carry a coffin with a live person inside through a snowy obstacle course. There's live music, a salmon toss (cause why wouldn’t ya?), and a festive parade of hearses, all done in honor of a very famous frozen dead guy, Bredo Morstoel.

Grandpa Bredo Morstoel led a serene life in Norway, reveling in painting, fishing, skiing, and hiking. But after his death in 1989, Grandpa Bredo’s story took a wild turn. Instead of a typical burial, he was packed in dry ice and sent on a transatlantic journey to a cryonics facility in California, then to Colorado to be with his cryo-enthusiast daughter Aud, and grandson Trygve, who stored him in a shed. Legal hiccups and a pesky visa issue for Trygve left Grandpa nearly homeless, but some advocacy towards Nederland laws got around it being illegal to store a frozen human or animal in one’s home, and allowed Bredo to be grandfathered in, letting him stay frozen in his frigid abode.

Fast forward to 2023, and Grandpa Bredo got an upgrade. With Trygve’s permission, a team transported Bredo to The Stanley Hotel’s icehouse in Estes Park, dunking him head-first in liquid nitrogen. His new residence? The world’s only museum dedicated to cryonics, where Grandpa Bredo, now a global sensation, continues to chill in style.

Speaking of Colorado – A couple of laws still on the books:

·      In Vail, it is illegal to collide with obstacles on a ski slope. (Not to mention dangerous)

·      In Sterling, it’s illegal for a cat to run loose without a taillight.

·      In Westminster, it’s illegal to get lost while driving your car in town between the hours of 9pm and 4am.

·      In Cripple Creek, it’s illegal to bring your horse or mule above the first floor in any building.

Colorado official state motto: Nothing without providence.

Colorado unofficial state motto: Only place you can legally own a weed farm and a machine gun.

Weird Oregon – The Last Blockbuster:

As of 2019, the Blockbuster video store in Bend, Oregon, became the last one of its kind. The Blockbuster Corporation had filed for bankruptcy nearly a decade earlier, after the massive decline of video rentals and sales brought on by the rise of streaming services. Slowly, over time, only one was left standing.

In Bend, the lone store has adapted to social and economic changes. After being featured in the Netflix documentary The Last Blockbuster in 2020, interest in the store increased. In 2021, Netflix ordered a follow-up series of sorts – one set in the store starring Randall Park. The business also sells merchandise, brings in overnight guests as an Airbnb,

and enjoys general support from steadfast Blockbuster loyalists.

Speaking of Oregon – A couple of laws still on the books:

·      In Klamath River, it’s illegal to walk down a sidewalk and knock a snakes head off with your cane. (Though, we have to admit, it would be pretty impressive to see)

·      In Portland, it’s illegal for people to whistle when they’re underwater.

·      In Stanfield, it’s illegal for animals to have sex in the city limits.

·      In Marion, ministers are (thankfully) forbidden from eating garlic or onions before delivering a sermon.

Oregon official state motto: She flies with her own wings.

Oregon unofficial state motto: We have almost as many Californians as California.

Weird Illinois – No Pants Subway Ride:

Every January, Chicago , Illinois jumps on the bandwagon for "No Pants Subway Ride Day," a cheeky celebration that was started in New York City in 2002 by the group “Improv Everywhere”. Participants nonchalantly board trains in their winter gear - coats, scarves, hats - but conspicuously sans pants, aiming to bewilder and entertain unsuspecting commuters.

The objective? To inject a bit of absurdity into the mundane, all while keeping a straight face. It's a day for those who relish a good public prank and have a flair for the unexpected.

In Chicago, the event takes on a life of its own. Participants, undeterred by the biting cold, gather to plot their pantless routes and later swap stories of bewildered onlookers.

The turnout is impressive, showcasing a shared sense of humor and community spirit among those bold enough to bare their legs and more in January. "No Pants Subway Ride Day" has cemented itself as a beloved, irreverent tradition that brings a dash of whimsy to the daily grind.

Speaking of Illinois – A couple of laws still on the books:

·      In Illinois, dogs can legally serve as wedding witnesses – and can sign the marriage license by way of a paw print.

·      In the city of Normal, it’s illegal to make faces at dogs, even if it’s yours.

·      In Chicago, it’s illegal to go fishing in your pajamas.

·      In Cicero, it’s illegal to hum on public streets on Sundays.

Illinois official state motto: State sovereignty, national union.

Illinois unofficial state motto: If it ain’t Chicago, it’s corn.

Weird Wyoming – An AI bot could become Mayor of Cheyenne:

Recently, Victor Miller announced his candidacy for mayor of Cheyenne, Wyoming. In announcing his candidacy, he boldly declared he wouldn't be making any decisions himself. Instead, he'd defer to chatbot VIC, the Virtual Integrated Citizen. Miller admitted, “This entity is way smarter than me and definitely better than some of the public servants out there.” He added, “VIC will call the shots, and I'll just be its ‘meat puppet’ attending meetings and signing papers.” After filing his candidacy papers, Miller informed the chatbot, which, to no one's surprise, named itself the Virtual Integrated Citizen.

This development raises a slew of questions. Are American’s so desperate for decent candidates that a chatbot is the best option? And who in their right mind would vote for someone proudly calling themselves a “meat puppet” to a virtual entity? It seems like the future of Cheyenne's leadership might just be a digital dystopia.

Speaking of Wyoming – A couple of laws still on the books:

·      It is illegal to take, wound, or destroy any fish in Wyoming with the use of a firearm.

·      In Newcastle, it’s illegal to make love in a freezer. (Not to mention damn chilly!)

·      Photographing pollution in Wyoming is illegal.

·      It is illegal to take a picture of a rabbit from January to April without an official permit.

Wyoming official state motto: Equal rights and let weapons yield to the toga.

Wyoming unofficial state motto: We have an elevator.

Weird Missouri – The Annual Testicle Festival:

Every year, Missouri throws a bash like no other: the Testicle Festival, a rollicking tribute to the most underappreciated of culinary delights - animal testicles. From cattle to turkey, these juicy gems are fried, boiled, and grilled to perfection, served up alongside a smorgasbord of other dishes for the adventurous eater. The festival isn't just about gobbling gonads; it's a full-on carnival extravaganza, complete with rides, games, and more deep-fried delicacies than you can shake a stick at.

The origins of this nutty celebration are as curious as the menu. Legend has it that farmers, looking for a way to utilize every part of their livestock, started frying up testicles and found they had a surprisingly dedicated following. What began as a quirky local tradition has ballooned into a full-blown festival, drawing crowds who revel in the absurdity and, yes, the flavor. Whether you're there for the culinary adventure or just the carnival atmosphere, the Testicle Festival promises a ball of a time for all who attend.

Speaking of Missouri – A couple of laws still on the books:

·      In Missouri, it’s illegal to drive around with an uncaged bear in your car.

·      In Missouri, it’s illegal to worry squirrels.

·      In St. Louis City, it’s illegal for an on-duty firefighter to rescue a woman who is nude or wearing a nightgown. In order for her to be rescued, she must be fully clothed.

·      In Missouri, there is a law that states that any dwelling that houses four or more unrelated females is considered a brothel, making it fall under the category of illegal sex work.

Missouri official state motto: The welfare of the people is the highest law.

Missouri unofficial state motto: Missouri loves company.

Weird Oklahoma – Annual Sucker Day:

Every year, the fine folks of Wetumka, Oklahoma, gather to celebrate one of the most delightfully bizarre festivals around: “Sucker Day”. Named both for gullible folks and for the slippery, not-so-gourmet fish, this event is a quirky homage to culinary oddities and small-town charm. The festival's history is rooted in a classic scam. Back in 1950, a con artist convinced the townspeople to invest in a circus that never came, leaving them with nothing but sucker fish for consolation. Rather than wallow in their suckerhood, Wetumka turned the tables and threw a party, creating a unique tradition that has endured for decades.

Sucker Day is now a rollicking celebration of all things fishy, featuring fried sucker fish as the main attraction. The festival includes parades, live music, and the Sucker Day Poker Run, part poker game, part road rally where participants hop on their motorcycles, cars, or even bicycles, and embark on a journey to various checkpoints scattered around Wetumka. At each checkpoint, riders draw a playing card, and the goal is to end up with the best poker hand by the time they reach the final stop. It's a day of irreverent fun, where the town comes together to laugh at their history and revel in their unique brand of community spirit.

Speaking of Oklahoma – A couple of laws still on the books:

·      In Oklahoma City, it’s illegal to tip over a casket when paying one’s respects at a funeral. (Not to mention downright rude).

·      It’s illegal to have a fish in a fishbowl when riding on a bus.

·      In Tulsa, it’s illegal to open a bottle of soda on your own. It’s required to have the supervision of a licensed engineer to do this.

·      It is illegal in the state of Oklahoma to take a bite out of another individual’s hamburger.

Oklahoma official state motto: Hard work conquers all things.

Oklahoma unofficial state motto: Ever seen a house fly?

Weird Florida – Annual Mullet Toss:

No, it's not a contest to toss someone sporting a mullet. The community of Perdido Key gets together every year to hold a festival in which contestants standing in a 10-foot circle in Florida try to throw a mullet fish across the state line into Alabama. There’s a $20 entrance fee to throw the mullet and apparently, hotels are booked years in advance for this somewhat odd event.

We’re assured that the mullets are not alive when being thrown. No gloves or sand is allowed on your mullet, which must be picked out of a water bucket. After throwing, the thrower must retrieve their mullet and toss it back into the bucket.

After the event, the tossed mullets are taken to the local alligator farm and tossed a second, and last time to the alligators.

Speaking of Florida – A couple of laws still on the books:

·      It’s illegal in the state of Florida to sing in a bathing suit.

·      It’s illegal for an unmarried woman to go parachuting on a Sunday.

·      It’s illegal for men to wear a strapless gown in public. (Doesn’t say anything about any other style of gown however.)

·      In Tampa, it’s illegal to eat cottage cheese after 6pm on a Sunday.

Florida official state motto: In God We Trust.

Florida unofficial state motto: The further north you travel, the more southern we get.

Weird Indiana – Annual Corn Festival:

Way back in 1957, someone in the small town of Sullivan, Indiana evidently thought, “Hey, we grow a heck of a lot of corn here. Why not throw a party for it?” And thus, the Sullivan County Corn Festival was born – a celebration of all things corny and Indiana.

You've got corn eating contests (who can chomp the cob fastest), corn shucking competitions (fingers crossed for no accidents), a cornhole tournament (the game with bean bags), there’s even the popping - um, make that crowning – of the Corn Queen. There's a parade where floats are decorated with corn motifs, and sometimes even people dress up as giant ears of corn.

It's like Halloween, but instead of ghosts, you've got kernels haunting your dreams. And then there’s the butter-slicked corn on the cob. It flows like golden rivers through the streets. And forget cotton candy when you can have corn in every form imaginable? In summary, the Sullivan Corn Festival is Indiana's way of saying, "Corn isn’t just for livestock and popcorn anymore!" It's quirky, it's corny (literally), and it's a must-see for anyone who wants to experience the heart and soul of small-town America's obsession with a humble yellow vegetable.

Speaking of Indiana – A couple of laws still on the books:

·      Mustaches are illegal if the bearer has a tendency to habitually kiss other humans.

·      In Elkhart, it is illegal for barbers to cut off children’s ears. (We actually think this oughta be a law in all 50 states.)

·      It’s against the law to catch a fish with a crossbow. (There are of course exceptions. One may use a crossbow to catch “Asian carp, bowfin, common carp, gar, shad, and suckers from streams, rivers and non-flowing waters.” But nothing else!)

·      In South Bend, it’s illegal to force a monkey to smoke a cigarette. (We know what you’re thinking, “There go my weekend plans”).

Indiana official state motto: The crossroads of America.

Indiana unofficial state motto: Wait, you stayed?

Weird New Jersey – The Asbury Park Zombie Walk:

This unusual event holds the Guinness World Record for the largest zombie walk.

What is a zombie walk you may legitimately ask? A Zombie Walk is an organized gathering of people who dress up in zombie costumes and then converge quickly in a public area to surprise the living.

Participants arrive at a pre-determined time (often at a hidden location), then emerge as a group to creep in a somewhat orderly fashion through shocked and amused crowds, towards a final destination (usually a cemetery, club, bar or after party). During the Walk, all participants are encouraged to remain in character as zombies, lurching, shambling, dragging limbs and communicating only in a zombie-like manner (such as grunting, groaning, moaning and slurred calls for “brains”.

Zombie Walks are free events featuring makeup artists, zombie vendors, and a fun-filled undead atmosphere.

Speaking of New Jersey – A couple of laws still on the books:

·      It’s illegal in the state of New Jersey to raise chickens in bottles.

·      It’s illegal to wear a bullet-proof vest while committing a murder. (Seems a bit like overkill to us).

·      It’s against the law for a man to knit during the fishing season.

·      In Bernards Township it’s illegal for residents to frown.

New Jersey official state motto: Liberty and prosperity.

New Jersey unofficial state motto: I got your motto right here.

Weird Rhode Island – The Big Blue Bug:

Providence’s take on the Statue of Liberty or the Eiffel Tower, the Big Blue Bug welcomes Rhode Islanders and perplexed visitors alike to the city from the roof of a pest control company that he helped bring to prominence.

Claimed to be the world’s largest artificial bug at 928 times the size of an actual termite, the blue, 58-foot-long, fiberglass termite was built in 1980 as a marketing ploy for the company it sits on top of, New England Pest Control (now Big Blue Bug Solutions). Since then, however, it’s come to represent not just a pest extermination company, but the character of its city and state. It’s even got its own billboard.

A contest was held to name the insect with the winning suggestion being “Nibbles Woodaway”. Nibbles has become an icon, a beacon of bug-dom, and an oversized reminder that even the smallest creatures can dream big.

What this Big Blue Bug says about the character of Rhode Island is another story altogether, but Rhode Islanders revel in seeing the Bug dressed up for different holidays and seasons (reindeer antlers for Christmas, bunny ears for Easter, and even a mask during the Covid pandemic).

So, the next time you’re in Providence, look up and give a nod to Nibbles Woodaway – the Big Blue Bug who put Rhode Island on the map for something other than clams and coffee milk.

Speaking of Rhode Island – A couple of laws still on the books:

·      It’s illegal to intentionally bite off someone’s limb in Rhode Island. (Hopefully we’ll never get to know what was going on in Rhode Island that created the need to clearly make biting off someone’s limb illegal….)

·      In Providence, it’s illegal for a store to sell a toothbrush and toothpaste to the same customer on a Sunday.

·      Again, in Providence, it’s illegal to wear transparent clothing.

·      It’s illegal to steal a stone wall in Rhode Island. (Not to mention probably really difficult).

Rhode Island official state motto: Hope

Rhode Island unofficial state motto: The New Jersey of New England

But now we’ve come to the end of our wild ride through the backroads and byways of some of America’s strangest traditions. From the frozen remains of Grandpa Bredo chilling in Colorado to the bizarre allure of the Testicle Festival in Missouri, these quirky customs and truly bizarre laws paint a picture of a country that’s as wonderfully weird as it is vast. These are the things that don’t make it into the tourist brochures but speak volumes about the true character of the places we’ve visited.

But it’s about so much more than the odd festivals or the peculiar laws still on the books. It’s about a spirit of community, a sense of humor, a willingness to embrace the absurd, and to laugh at ourselves. Whether it’s dressing up a giant blue termite in Rhode Island or tossing mullets across state lines in Florida, these traditions are a testament to the unique, unpolished charm of the American spirit.

So, as we close the book on this chapter of strange Americana, remember: the beauty of this country isn’t just in its grand landmarks and sweeping vistas. It’s in the little things, the local quirks, and the traditions that make each state a character - filled with characters - all its own. So, join us as we raise a glass to the weird, the wonderful, and the wildly unconventional. Because at the end of the day, that’s what makes America America.

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