1) Great Texas Mosquito Festival, June 26-28 in Clute, Texas

Presided over by festival mascot Willie-Man-Chew - the world's largest mosquito, standing at eight meters tall - some 13,000 attendees will find themselves bitten by the bug for summertime fun at this al-fresco fiesta.

Thick-skinned contestants can vie to summon a bevy of bugs in the mosquito calling competition, or simply strut their stuff in a mosquito legs contest. A big- time BBQ cook-off competition will serve up proof that the delicacies at this event are not the attendees. Admission is US$5 (HK$39) to US$15 for adults.

2) Slugburger Festival, July 12-14 in Corinth, Mississippi

Now in its 25th year, the annual Slugburger Festival pays tribute to Corinth's local culinary delight.

Comprising a deep-fried patty of beef and soy meal, the slugburger may be an acquired taste - but fervent fans of the unique sliders will be in their element at this three-day celebration.

This year's festivities include the inaugural World Slugburger Eating Championship, in addition to a Slug Idol talent contest, carnival rides and more. General admission is free of charge on Thursday, US$6 on Friday and US$10 on Saturday.

3) Mattoon Bagelfest, July 19-21 in Mattoon, Illinois

This town calls itself the "bagel capital of the world," thanks to the Lender's bagel factory situated there. This year's events include the largest free bagel breakfast in the world, at which 10,000 bagels are consumed. Dough-themed delights include a bagel bow-wow contest, featuring canines competing for the best costume trophy, and a parade featuring bagel-bedecked entries. General admission is free of charge.

4) Humungus Fungus Fest, August 3-5, Crystal Falls, Michigan

This fungus-filled fete honors the largest mushroom in the world, which weighs in at about 11 tonnes and lies beneath the ground, just south of this town.

Earth-enthusiasts can get their fill of mouthwatering mold at the mushroom cook off, or nosh on a slice of the world's largest mushroom pizza.

Attendees can compete in the Strong Man Contest, in which tires are tossed and kegs are catapulted. Free of charge.

5) Wausau Possum Festival, August 4, Wausau, Florida

Now in its 43rd year, the festival pays homage to the modest marsupial's role as a food source during the Great Depression. Crowds of up to 5,000 visitors descend on this small town (population 400), for a taste of down- home family fun - not to mention, the possum hash, which is always a sellout.

Eclectic events include a five- kilometer Possum Trot, a Possum King and Queen Pageant, and a possum auction - although the highest bidder will only be granted a brief audience with the cuddly critter, before its release. Free of charge.

6) Hope Watermelon Festival, August 9-11 in Hope, Arkansas

The three days of fruity fun draw crowds of some 50,000 visitors. Juicy shenanigans include a seed-spitting contest and a watermelon eating competition, which sees competitors vie to devour an eighth of a melon, down to the rind - seeds and all. Even the local politicians get stuck in, in the "politically correct watermelon eating" heat.

Awe-inspiring watermelons will also be on display, with some supersize specimens tipping the scales at close to 90 kilograms. Free of charge.

7) Batfest, August 25 in Austin, Texas

Now in its eighth year, this festival celebrates the two million Mexican Free Tail Bats which take up seasonal residence beneath Austin's Congress Street Bridge, forming the world's largest urban bat colony.

The batty event has proved to be a soaring success, with 40,000 attendees - and while the stars of the show are undoubtedly the winged wonders, lower- altitude activities include a bat costume contest, bat education sessions and live music. Free of charge.

8) Cream Cheese Festival, September 15 in Lowville, New York

With milk tray relays and a cream cheese toss included in this late-summer shindig's scrumptious spread of events, attendees can even while away the afternoon playing cream cheese bingo.

Travelers can also sample a piece of the nation's largest cheesecake, or fill their faces in an all-you-can-eat contest - and once appetites are appeased, enjoy the cream of the crop of local music acts. General admission is free of charge.

9) World Chicken Festival, September 27-30 in London, Kentucky

Home to the very first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant, Laurel County throws a poultry party featuring a hot wing eating contest, a clucking competition, and the famous Chicken Scratch, in which children dig through 270 kg of flour in search of cash.

And, with crowds of up to 150,000 attendees, chicken meals are in plentiful supply, thanks to the world's largest stainless steel skillet.

With a diameter of three meters, the hefty pan can cook 600 chicken quarters at one time. General admission is free of charge.

REUTERS