Edit: Make sure you vote for the FINAL TEN in the awards, by looking at the post above. This section of the voting is now closed.
And now for part two of some of the most unusual and exciting events across England. Have a read and vote for who you think should make our shortlist! Or please make your suggestions on who you else think should be nominated!
Yorkshire
Great Knaresborough Bed Race
Knaresborough
11 June
Photo by Steve W
The 46th annual world famous Great Knaresborough Bed Race is a riot of colour and pageantry, eccentric entries and team endurance. Thousands gather to watch the decorated beds race through the streets and across the River Nidd up the muddy bank and towards the finish line.
http://www.knaresborough.co.uk/bedrace
Watch footage here.
Wakefield Festival of Food, Drink and Rhubarb
25 and 26 February
Rhubarb goes pop in the Rhubarb Triangle!
Visitors can actually hear rhubarb grow (or 'pop' as people know it) in candlelight on a tour of the Rhubarb Triangle (a nine-square mile triangle between Wakefield, Morley and Rothwell). This is part of the
Wakefield Festival of Food, Drink and Rhubarb, which celebrates all things rhubarb.
http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/CultureAndLeisure/RhubarbFestival/default.htm
Northwest:
The World's Biggest Liar Competition
Wasdale
18 November
Not for the gullible! The World's Biggest Liar Competition is home to some of the greatest; most creative lies and now attracts worldwide attention. Honest.
http://www.santonbridgeinn.com/liar/index.html
Mersey Ferries
Liverpool
Year round
Look at Liverpool from a different angle, with Mersey Ferries. There are three exciting tours including 'The Beatles Story' and the Spaceport at Seacombe! You can fully appreciate Liverpool's UNESCO World Heritage Waterfront than from the deck of a Mersey Ferry.
http://www.merseyferries.co.uk
Liverpool Football Club Tour
Liverpool
Year round
Go behind the scenes at Anfield, home of Liverpool Football Club. The all-new LFC stadium tour takes fans into never before seen areas including the directors' box and pressroom.
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/history/tour-and-museum
Childhood Homes Of John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Liverpool
Year round
Only in Liverpool can you discover the childhood homes of Lennon and McCartney – so take a trip down musical memory lane to National Trust properties Mendips and 20 Forthlin Road.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/beatles/
East of England:
Snail Racing
Norfolk
16 July
Ready Steady Slow!
Photo by © Tony Scase News Service Ltd
Forget horses, or dog racing – snail racing is where it's at. It's life at a slower pace, but don't let that put you off. Kidnap some snails from the garden and take part!
http://www.scase.co.uk/snailracing/
Eel Throwing
Ely
30 April
Eels, eels and more eels will be the flavour of the day on for Ely's Annual Eel Day. Based on the popular wellie-throwing games, children and parents alike can battle it out to see who can throw the handmade eel socks the furthest.
http://www.visitely.org.uk.
The Maldon Mud Race
Maldon, Essex
25 April
The Maldon Mud Race is a wacky fun race in which competitors compete to be the first to complete a 400-metre dash over the bed of the River Blackwater. The race is organised by the Lions and Rotary clubs of Maldon and raises money for charity.
http://www.maldonmudrace.com/
North East:
Tar Barl Ceremony
Allendale, Northumberland
New Year's Eve
The picturesque village of Allendale is filled with people on New Year's Eve who come to watch the spectacular pagan New Year procession when fancy-dressed local men, called Guisers, parade barrels of flaming tar around the village at midnight before throwing them on a bonfire to welcome in the New Year.
http://www.north-country.co.uk/tar-barrels.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsDJ_e1GlN8&feature=related
Shrovetide Football Game or 'Scoring the Hales'
Alnwick, Northumberland
Shrove Tuesday
In the pretty market town of Alnwick, a ball is thrown from the castle battlements at 2pm by the Duke of Alnwick, from which an epic game of football ensues, including river wading and trumpet blowing. Tackle someone if you dare!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGrXkSkeHfg&feature=PlayList&p=BC4D4D86A8128AB3&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=71
http://www.shrovetide.net - you need to feature this version of Shrovetide Football for a VERY unusual game!!!
Posted by: Wayne | 03/10/2011 at 10:50 PM