Some call it the “Bomb Hammer Party” and the souvenirs can last you a lifetime. Each year the small Mexican town of San Juan de la Vega holds an Exploding Sledgehammer Festival. The unique festival celebrates the town’s namesake San Juanito, a 17th century ‘Mexican Robin Hood’ who skirmished with the town’s leaders. Every year on the Tuesday before Lent, participants tape a mixture of sulphur and chlorate to the end of sledge hammers. The bombs are then smashed against rail beams, creating an awesome explosion like fireworks. The festival is one of the most dangerous in the world. More than 50 bystanders were injured by shrapnel in 2008. Police and medics are posted throughout and tens of thousands of people show up to celebrate every year.
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