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The Great Texas Mosquito Festival
Clute, Texas
When: late July [check for this year's dates]
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. 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.
For More Information:
• visit http://www.mosquitofestival.com/
Photo courtesy The Great Texas Mosquito Festival
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Corpus Christi
