The Great Texas Mosquito Festival
Clute, Texas

When: late July

Where: Clute Municipal Park in Clute, Texas.

Slather on some repellent and join the swarm of over 18,000 people who gather annually for a festival celebrating the state's favorite summertime pest, the mosquito.

Contests: Folks just itchin' for a little friendly competition can race on over to the Mosquito Chase 5K Run, or take aim at the Dodge Ball Sting Tournament, which offers both youth and adult divisions. Athletic festival attendees will get revved up over the Century Buzz Bike & Skate Tour, while those looking for leisurely, Lone Star-themed activities can sign up for doubles horseshoe and washers pitching contests, while those over 60 can battle to be the first to yell "Bingo!" during high-spirited rounds of the all-American game.

The insect-themed itinerary of events continues with the Mosquito Legs Contest, where festival-goers can parade those pesky bug bites in front of an appreciative crowd who also cheer on the contestants doing their best to round up the pervasive pests in a Mosquito Calling Contest.

Connoisseurs of Texas cuisine have an event they can sink their teeth into as backyard barbecuers transform into gods of the grill during the BBQ & Fajita Cook-off. Awards will be handed out for best brisket, pork, spare ribs, chicken, beef fajita and overall.

Music: No festival is complete without some Texas tunes, and throughout the event acts on the main stage will set the mood for merriment with Tejano and country hits.

Children's Activities: Pint-sized skeeters can meet a new furry friend at the petting zoo, dream of riding the range during a pony ride, or hop on a carousel horse at the carnival, which offers a variety of entertainment for young festival-goers, including the Gladiator playland and mini-cars, helicopters and motorcycles. Kids can also hunt for buried treasure in the haystack dive, and before heading home every family should pose for a photo beside Willie-Man-Chew, the festival's 26-foot-tall mosquito mascot.

Tweens and teens will enjoy the carnival thrill rides, ranging from the hair-raising hurricane and scream-producing sizzler to a spine-tingling ride through a spook house. A number of games, including close and long range basketball and pool tables are also set up for hours of amusement.