Small towns are home to local flavors, interesting characters, and cultural pride. Add these elements together, and they collide into incredible unique festivals. These events strengthen communities, boost tourism, and increase revenue for local businesses in historic downtown districts.

We asked our colleagues at Main Street America, a member of the National Trust family of companies, to share their favorite quirky festivals happening at Main Streets across the country. We hope you’ll visit one as it’s sure to be a memorable experience.

Beaufort Water Festival (Beaufort, South Carolina)

Main Street Beaufort

The annual festival promises “10 incredible days of Lowcountry fun and memories that last a lifetime.” This year, it’s July 17-26. There are seafood boils, air shows, concerts, kids' activities, raft races, ski shows, boat parades, and a bed race. Yes, you read that correctly: teams of people race on beds. Over the decades, the tradition has changed from actual beds fitted with wheels to gurneys. Teams usually dress up, and it's quite a sight to see the madcap dash down the street.

Dog Days of Summer (Encinitas, California)

Cardiff 101 Main Street

Don’t miss this totally pawsome celebration of canines on August 2. If your dog is a hound for attention, sign them up for a contest, which includes events like “Best Looking,” “Best Trick,” and “Ice Cream Eating.” Don’t have a pooch? Take a look down “Rescue Row” to adopt your next best friend.

National Lentil Festival (Pullman, Washington)

Downtown Pullman Association

Did you know that the Palouse region (an area of eastern Washington/northern Idaho) was once known as the “Lentil Capital of the World”? It grew 98 percent of the nation's lentils in 1989. Every year since, this town has been celebrating the legume. There is a parade, live music, craft vendors, sporting events, and a lentil cookoff. This year, the festival takes place on August 22.

Bee More Festival (Atmore, Alabama)

Main Street Atmore

This small historic town in Southwest Alabama will be buzzing on August 29 during its summer festival celebrating bees and pollinators. Local beekeepers will host interactive educational booths and sell honey. Live music takes place at Boxcar Willie, a boxcar turned stage, a nod to the importance of the railroads to the history of the town.

International Camel & Ostrich Races (Virginia City, Nevada)

Virginia City Tourism Commission

Camels once helped carry salt to the mines in Virginia City back in the 1860s; however, they quickly became unfashionable as they tended to scare horses and mules. According to popular legend, a humor article written in 1959 by an editor of the local paper reported that the town hosted camel races. It fooled the editors of The San Francisco Chronicle, who reprinted the story. Realizing they were hornswoggled, these big city editors borrowed camels from the San Francisco Zoo and challenged Virginia City to a race. They hosted a race, and it's now in its 67th year! Visit on September 11-13 to watch professional and amateur jockeys gallop, swerve, and falter their way across the finish line. The races have expanded to include not only camels, but also zebras, ostriches, and emus.

Annual Fondue Fest (Fond du Lac, Wisconsin)

Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership

Wisconsin is known for its cheese, and there’s no cheddar way to celebrate than at Fond du Lac’s Fondue Fest on September 12. There’s cheese and chocolate fondue tastings, music, family fun, and fondue speed eating contests. It’s a gouda time!

Meat Pie Festival (Natchitoches, Louisiana)

Natchitoches Main Street

It all began in 2002, when Natchitoches realized it was one of the last communities in Louisiana without a dedicated food festival. The Natchitoches meat pie was an obvious choice; in fact, it is the Official Meat Pie of the state. Like many Louisiana dishes, the meat pie is a blend of various cultures. Join the festivities on September 18-19.