AnthroCon
One for the ‘it’s not harming anyone, so let them do what they want’ folder, AnthroCon (and its other similar counterparts) is a gathering of people who like to dress up as anthropomorphic animals and just sort of hang out. ‘Furries’, as they are known, insist it isn’t the hypersexual obsession that many people seem to think it is and instead is a way for people to truly be themselves.
It just turns out that ‘themselves’ is a giant bunny called Toodles.
Whatever floats ya boat.
Association of Lincoln Presenters
A small group of Abraham Lincoln impersonators meet up every year and…all look like Abraham Lincoln. Oh, and the odd Mary Lincoln will show up as well.
It’s essentially a historical appreciation society that likes to get really into their subject matter. Which proves that, as someone once said, ‘Whatever you are, be a good one.’
Sideshow Convention
The weird and wonderful flock to Wilkes-Barre, PA to bask in the absurdity of the carnival sideshow.
The Sideshow Gathering is the premier networking event for performers, fans, collectors, and historians. Attendees can expect to see sword swallowing, performers eating light bulbs and walking on glass.
As their website says itself, the performers “risk bodily harm for the sake of twisted entertainment.”
Sounds cool!
Sunshine State Eggfest
Disappointingly, this isn’t a celebration of all things egg related.
Instead, it revolves around a particular brand of barbeque grill that appears to inspire a serious cult following among its many owners. ‘The Big Green Egg’ grill has been in production since 1974 and, in an act of communal love, the annual event involves grilling competitions, product demonstrations and a lot of eating.
Sounds good to me.
MerFest
Do you like mermaids? Would you like to be a mermaid (albeit in a hotel swimming pool)?
Then Merfest is the convention for you! Up to a 1000 people have been known to gather to celebrate the mythical water dwelling creatures and boy, do they go all in!
Wearing tails that have been known to cost as much $4000, merfolk swim about, take workshops on holding your breath, and even have beauty pageants.
Unfortunately, due to the niche nature of this aquatic community meeting, MerFest meet ups are sporadically organised and thus becoming fewer and fewer in number.
A bit like actual mermaids. Probably.
BronyCon
Known officially as My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, this particular convention is a gathering of people who have an undying love for the children’s TV show My Little Pony. Despite the target demographic being young girls, the annual event is infamous for attracting a large proportion of its participants from the 18-35 male age range.
Attendees dress up as their favourite characters and embrace a culture of extreme friendliness and acceptance. Considering over 10,000 ‘Bronies’ show up almost every year, they must be doing something right!
BlobFest
Remember the 1958 sci-fi film The Blob? It had Steve McQueen in it! And the eponymous big, pink oozing blob monster!
Well for 3 days in Pennsylvania at The Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, you can relive the B-Movie classic! Fans attend screenings, participate in a street fair, and re-enact the iconic ‘running out of the theatre’ scene.
Cool!
ROFLCon
Sadly, this celebration of internet memes ended in 2012 but the fact it existed at all ( happening 3 times!) is something of peculiarity. Held at MIT (yes, that MIT), guest speakers included the TRON Guy, LeRoy Jenkins, and the man responsible for Keyboard Cat.
World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships
The city of Springfield, Illinois plays host to over 4,000 devotees to the art of taxidermy every year, and it seems only to be getting more popular. Taxidermists and their apprentices can buy everything from fake eyes, fake fur and, of course, the animal moulds necessary to create their impressive furry pieces.
Good Stuff…
The Santa Celebration
The International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas hold their annual celebration in Tampa, Florida. It’s essentially a Santa training camp where would be Santa’s brush up on all things related to impersonating the man in red. It is also a one stop shop for all your St.Nick fashion accessories, with vendors selling sleighs, suits and reindeer other Christmas related props.
Elvis Festival
Possibly the most common ‘wacky’ convention, it’s hard to find a city (never mind a country) that doesn’t have its own specific celebration of The King. And, to be fair, who doesn’t like dressing up like Elvis.
I know I do.
The Sunburst Convention of Celebrity Impersonators
A mass gathering of famous people’s lookalikes, this 4-day event revolves around several ‘showcases’ of each impersonators talents and is open to the general public.
Perfect if you need to prove to your boss that you do actually know Johnny Depp!
Lebowski Fest
Having just completed its 15th consecutive year, this ‘Gathering of the Dudes’ is an awesome celebration of the 1998 film The Big Lebowski.
Such is its success, many of the actors from the film (including the Dude himself, Jeff Bridges) have attended and the ‘movement’ has even inspired its own religion.
The Chive abides.
Vent Haven ConVENTion
This Cincinnati based shindig is the “the oldest and largest annual gathering of ventriloquists.” Lovers of the sleight of mouth can attend workshops, watch pros, and generally freak each other out with their wooden little buddies.
And this year is the 40th Anniversary! Cool!
Twin’s Day Festival
Held in Twinsburg, Ohio (I see what they did there), over 3000 sets of twins gather for an event which has been running since 1976. So, yes it’s their 40 Anniversary as well! 1976 was clearly a big year for setting up obscure conventions.
World Clown Association
Time for the nightmare fuel.
These brightly coloured performers come together and dance, sing, and generally rejoice in the age old art of clowning.
Both fun and/or terrifying, depending on your disposition.
Take theCHIVE everywhere! Download our app here!
