| August Onam, Kerala
With spectacular firework displays, ornately decorated elephants, fiercely competitive boat races, kaikottikali dancers and craft fairs, this 10-day celebration, culminating on the 27th, aims to showcase the southern Indian state. While increasingly popular, it is still a mostly local bash, involving Hindus, Muslims and Christians.
Also consider: Barbados Crop Over. This celebration of the sugar-cane harvest is now one of the Caribbean’s best parties, with calypso contests and parades. This starts in July, reaching its climax on August 9 or 10.
September Galway Oyster Festival
Okay, it’s a toss-up between this event, usually staged on the last weekend in September (27-30 this year), and the earlier, more local Clarenbridge Oyster Festival. Other way, September in Co Galway is all about the return of the native mollusc to edibility. Slicker is the main festival, with parades, beauty pageants and the World Oyster Opening Championship (potentially very bloody — those shells are sharp), traditional music and grand ticket-only dinners. The Clarenbridge one, centred on pub/restaurants such as Paddy Burkes and Moran’s of the Weir, is more intimate and less crowded.
Also consider: Ludlow Marches Food and Drink Festival, Shropshire (September 7-9).
A celebration of the lovely town’s elevation to gastro-haven, with a slow-food marquee, a huge food fair and a real-ale trail.
October Festival of the Wind, Corsica
Timed for the arrival of the mistral at the end of October, Le Festival du Vent is a mix of serious seminars, on topics such as wind power and global warming, and a slew of wind-related activities (kites, balloons, hang-gliding, windmills), craft fairs and a huge amount of children’s entertainment. Dates have yet to be confirmed; It’s a real family affair, so a house rental is the best bet. Villa Davia, in Calvi, sleeps eight (with two extra bunks for children) in four bedrooms.
Also consider: Moloka’i Hoe Outrigger Canoe Championship, Hawaii.
Watch teams of excessively muscular men compete in the state’s official sport, with daring mid-ocean crew changes. Dates for 2007 have yet to be confirmed. A 10-night package at the Hilton costs £1,655pp, room-only, including flights.
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