Bugs, Spam and, er, testicles: These are the world's weirdest food festivals

By Daisy Carrington, for CNN

Updated 1332 GMT (2132 HKT) August 20, 2013

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A one-day insect festival sponsored by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Bugfest attracts 25,000 visitors a year and serves up a range of creepy, crawly dishes. This year's festival theme is scorpions.
Photos: The world's weirdest food festivals
Bugfest – A one-day insect festival sponsored by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Bugfest attracts 25,000 visitors a year and serves up a range of creepy, crawly dishes. This year's festival theme is scorpions.
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In a bid to woo tourists, Thailand's Lopburi province started up the annual Monkey Buffet Festival. Last year, more than 4,400 pounds of fruit and vegetables (and the odd soda) was served up to the region's primates.
Photos: The world's weirdest food festivals
Monkey buffet – In a bid to woo tourists, Thailand's Lopburi province started up the annual Monkey Buffet Festival. Last year, more than 4,400 pounds of fruit and vegetables (and the odd soda) was served up to the region's primates.
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At the Räbechilbi Turnip Festival in Switzerland, locals create elaborate floats using 40 tons of hallowed out turnips. Creations include replicas of ships, animals and pop divas.
Photos: The world's weirdest food festivals
Turnip fest – At the Räbechilbi Turnip Festival in Switzerland, locals create elaborate floats using 40 tons of hallowed out turnips. Creations include replicas of ships, animals and pop divas.
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Brits observe the first day of Lent with Pancake Day, and often celebrate the occasion with pancake races. Each year, members from the British houses of Parliament host their own race to raise awareness for charity.
Photos: The world's weirdest food festivals
Pancake Day – Brits observe the first day of Lent with Pancake Day, and often celebrate the occasion with pancake races. Each year, members from the British houses of Parliament host their own race to raise awareness for charity.
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Mashed Potato wrestling is one of the most popular activities at Potato Days, a two-day celebration of the humble spud that takes place in Barnesville, Minnesota.
Photos: The world's weirdest food festivals
Potato wrestling – Mashed Potato wrestling is one of the most popular activities at Potato Days, a two-day celebration of the humble spud that takes place in Barnesville, Minnesota.
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Octoberfest, Munich's ode to beer, may be the largest food and drink festival in the world. The 16-day event attracts upwards of six million visitors each year.
Photos: The world's weirdest food festivals
An ode to beer – Octoberfest, Munich's ode to beer, may be the largest food and drink festival in the world. The 16-day event attracts upwards of six million visitors each year.
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Abbeville, Louisiana celebrates its French roots with the Giant Omelette Celebration, a tradition imported from Bessieres, France. The festival supposedly originates from when Napolean stopped through the town and ordered the villagers use every egg to feed his army.
Photos: The world's weirdest food festivals
Giant omelette – Abbeville, Louisiana celebrates its French roots with the Giant Omelette Celebration, a tradition imported from Bessieres, France. The festival supposedly originates from when Napolean stopped through the town and ordered the villagers use every egg to feed his army.
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Visitors to West Virginia's Roadkill Cook-off can sample a range of exotic animal dishes (many freshly peeled off the road). Last year's winners of the cook-off (pictured) won with a dish called Stuffed Bear-Ron-A-Soar-Us.
Photos: The world's weirdest food festivals
Road-kill grill – Visitors to West Virginia's Roadkill Cook-off can sample a range of exotic animal dishes (many freshly peeled off the road). Last year's winners of the cook-off (pictured) won with a dish called Stuffed Bear-Ron-A-Soar-Us.
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Hawaii is the U.S.'s largest consumer of Spam. To celebrate the pink meat, the city of Waikiki hosts the annual Spam Jam -- a celebration of all things Spam-related. The mascot, Spammy, entertains the kids.
Photos: The world's weirdest food festivals
Spam Jam – Hawaii is the U.S.'s largest consumer of Spam. To celebrate the pink meat, the city of Waikiki hosts the annual Spam Jam -- a celebration of all things Spam-related. The mascot, Spammy, entertains the kids.
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