5 Fall Festivals That Are Uniquely Quirky

Fall festivals are annual rituals for thousands of small towns throughout the country and serve to drive local economic growth, build community identity and preserve shared cultural traditions. Fall festivals come in many shapes and sizes, but most have one thing in common: local cuisine is showcased.

These five fall festivals, ranging from mule and worm races to garlic chocolate chip cookies demonstrations, are among the quirkiest in the country:

Benson Mule Days, Benson, NC

Sept. 24-27

Benson Mule Days returns for its 77th year, bringing four days of mule races, jumping competitions, rodeos, wagon rides, live music and one of North Carolina's largest parades. The festival began in 1949 as a way to honor local farmers and the mules that worked alongside them. Today, it draws between 20,000 and 30,000 people each year while staying closely tied to the agricultural traditions that inspired it. The town of Benson swells in size as residents and visitors from across the country descend upon the town for a week to celebrate its equine history. Think mules and horses filling the streets, cowboy boots and hats, carnival lights, live country and bluegrass music, rodeos, street dancing, food vendors and a huge parade, all rooted in Benson's agricultural heritage and community traditions. It feels nostalgic, energetic, a little quirky, and unmistakably JoCo. Over half of attendees are out-of-market. At 52%, these visitors are bringing outside dollars into Benson, spending on gas, food, lodging and retail that would not otherwise occur in Johnston County, resulting in a 5-year out-of-market spending estimate of $3.9M to $5.2M for Benson alone. Visitors can enjoy such activities as: paddling, and horseback riding trails; hiking through History at Bentonville Battlefield; a Tour and Tasting at Broadslab Distillery; travel along the JoCo BBQ Trail and the Red Hot Dog Trail. For over 75 years, this 4-day festival has been packed full of mule events that celebrate the "beast of burden" and the historic role of mules in rural farming. It's a heartfelt tribute to the hardworking mules that have served the community for generations.

Woolly Worm Festival, Banner Elk, NC

Oct. 17-18

Forget pumpkins. In the Blue Ridge Mountains, woolly worms are the stars of fall. The annual Woolly Worm Festival draws more than 20,000 visitors for two days of crafts, food, live entertainment and, most importantly, competitive caterpillar racing. The festival's signature event pits woolly worms against one another on strings, with the winning worm earning $1,000 The 49th annual festival takes place at the Historic Banner Elk Elementary School. Beyond the fun, the event has a strong community mission: proceeds stay in Avery County, supporting the local school system, youth organizations and the health and vitality of area businesses through the event's producer, the Avery County Chamber of Commerce. For nearly 50 years the town of Banner Elk has welcomed both old and new friends to the annual Woolly Worm Festival. This family event is co-hosted by the Avery County Chamber of Commerce and the Banner Elk Kiwanis Club and welcomes people to the community to make family memories, the chance to earn the prestigious honor of predicting the high country winter weather and win the $1,000 bounty. The woolly worm race is three feet of nylon from mark to mark. There's as many theories about what makes a good-running worm as there are worm trainers who enter the race.

Trailing of the Sheep Festival, Ketchum, ID

Oct. 7-11

The 30th Annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival , has expanded greatly from its humble beginnings, yet the goals and objectives of the Festival remain the same; preserving the stories and history of sheep ranchers and herders, celebrating the rich cultures of the past and present. Each fall, the Trailing of the Sheep Festival honors the 150 year annual tradition of moving sheep ('trailing') from high mountain summer pastures down through the Valley to traditional winter grazing and lambing areas in the south. The Festival celebrates the people, arts, cultures and traditions of Idaho's sheep ranching families, highlighting the principal contributors – the Basques, Scottish and Peruvians.

Festival Highlights include:

• Big Sheep Parade with over 1,200 sheep trailing down Main Street in Ketchum, Idaho.

• National Qualifying Sheepdog Trials featuring eighty of the country's most talented border collies, and other trained herding breeds, with their handlers competing for top awards.

• Sheep Folklife Fair featuring Basque, Scottish and Peruvian dancers and musicians, sheep shearing demonstrations, over eighty sheep and wool product vendors and children's activities.

• Sheep Tales Gathering featuring "A Taste of Basque: Then to Now & There to Here." Acclaimed Boise chef Dan Ansotegui, along with two of his Basque chef colleagues, will present the story of Basque food, from the old country to the hybrid servings in the boarding houses for the Basque sheep herders, to the "American Basque" or modern Basque foods of today.

The Hudson Valley Garlic Festival, Saugerties, NY

Sept. 26, 27

For over 30 years, thousands of garlic lovers have gathered to experience the flavors and creativity inspired by one unforgettable ingredient. The Hudson Valley Garlic Festival begins with the unmistakable aroma of garlic and then expands into far more than most visitors expect. The festival welcomes over 30,000 attendees and features over 250 vendors. Over 50 garlic growers from throughout the Northeast offer an impressive variety of freshly harvested garlic, while food vendors serve everything from familiar festival favorites to adventurous garlic-inspired dishes. Visitors may encounter garlic sausage, garlic fries, garlic pickles, garlic sauces, garlic ice cream and many other imaginative creations. The festival also features a large selection of regional craft vendors, live music and entertainment, chef demonstrations, educational presentations, and activities for children. Guests can speak directly with the farmers who grow the garlic, learn how different varieties are cultivated and used, and discover just how diverse garlic can be. What makes the festival especially distinctive is its strong sense of place and community. For 30 years running, the event has been organized entirely by volunteers through the Kiwanis Club of Saugerties. Proceeds are returned to children's activities, charitable organizations, and community programs in Saugerties and the surrounding Hudson Valley. What began as a local harvest celebration has grown into a beloved fall tradition that welcomes visitors from across the region and beyond. The Festival continues to be a fun celebration of the harvest of what garlic aficionados lovingly refer to as the "stinking rose."

Rolley Hole Marbles Championship & Festival, Hilham, TN

Sept. 19

Occurring within the meteorological fall, (Sept. 1 thru Nov. 30) Standing Stone State Park will host the 43rd Annual National Rolley Hole Marbles Championship & Festival , drawing some of the country's best players to Tennessee where they will match wit and skills in what is known as the Super Bowl of marbles, a folk marble game played on a smooth dirt yard. This unique festival draws top national players who use handmade flint marbles while executing strategy, defense, and powerful shots in attempts to become champions. Beyond the main tournament, visitors can enjoy additional marble tournaments (youth and adult), flint and glass marble-making demonstrations, swap meets and various children's activities. The day is packed with food vendors and incredible live bluegrass and old-time music. Recognized globally by various sources over the years, this award-winning event perfectly blends local heritage with family fun. This one-of-a-kind event, known to many as "the world's most challenging marble tournament, where only the finest players in the world dare to compete," attracts players from different states and countries.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com