The 9 Most Bizarre Labor Day Traditions You’ve Never Heard Of

Labor Day is a time for barbecues, parades, and saying goodbye to summer. But beyond the typical celebrations, some communities and individuals have taken their Labor Day festivities to a whole new level. From the quirky to the downright bizarre, here are nine Labor Day traditions that you’ve probably never heard of—and might not believe actually exist!

1. The Mattress Races of Colorado

Yes, you read that right—mattress races. In Manitou Springs, Colorado, participants race down a hill while riding mattresses on wheels. Teams decorate their mattresses and compete for the fastest time, all while trying to avoid tipping over. It’s part celebration, part chaos, and all fun.

2. The Lobster Roll-Eating Contest in Maine

While most people enjoy a lobster roll or two during their Labor Day cookout, some take it to the extreme. In Maine, lobster roll-eating contests are a popular Labor Day tradition, with participants devouring as many rolls as they can in a set time. It’s a true test of stomach capacity and lobster love.

3. The Watermelon Seed Spitting Championship

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Every Labor Day, the town of Luling, Texas, hosts its annual Watermelon Thump, which includes the world-famous Watermelon Seed Spitting Championship. Contestants of all ages compete to see who can spit a watermelon seed the farthest. The current record? A whopping 75 feet, 2 inches!

4. The Great Zucchini Race in Vermont

In Montpelier, Vermont, residents celebrate Labor Day with a race unlike any other—the Great Zucchini Race. Participants carve zucchinis into race cars, attach wheels, and send them speeding down a track. It’s a fun and light-hearted event that puts those oversized garden veggies to good use.

5. The Rubber Ducky Regatta in Cincinnati

Cincinnati’s Labor Day weekend wouldn’t be complete without the Rubber Ducky Regatta. Thousands of rubber ducks are released into the Ohio River, and spectators watch as they “race” to the finish line. The event raises money for charity, making it a quirky tradition with a good cause.

6. The Bathtub Boat Race in Alaska

In Nome, Alaska, Labor Day means one thing: the Great Bathtub Boat Race. Participants race homemade boats made from bathtubs down the Bering Sea. Creativity is key, and while many boats make it to the finish line, some inevitably sink along the way, much to the delight of spectators.

7. The Labor Day Pumpkin Drop

In Morton, Illinois, the “Pumpkin Capital of the World,” Labor Day is celebrated with a giant pumpkin drop. A massive pumpkin is hoisted high into the air and then dropped onto a car or other large object, creating a spectacular mess. It’s a smashing good time that marks the start of pumpkin season.

8. The Bridge Walk in Michigan

Labor Day in Michigan is celebrated with the annual Mackinac Bridge Walk. Thousands of people walk the five-mile span of the bridge that connects Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. While walking a bridge might not seem bizarre, the sheer size of the event—drawing upwards of 40,000 participants—makes it a truly unique tradition.

9. The Labor Day Lawn Mower Parade

In Hillsboro, Wisconsin, Labor Day is celebrated with a parade of lawn mowers. Yes, lawn mowers. Residents decorate their mowers with flags, flowers, and quirky designs, then parade them down Main Street. It’s a small-town tradition that brings a whole new meaning to yard work.

These bizarre Labor Day traditions prove that Americans know how to celebrate the holiday in truly unique and unexpected ways. So, if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary this Labor Day, why not take inspiration from these offbeat festivities?

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