10 great places to celebrate animals

People are always looking for a reason to celebrate, and often, animals provide that reason, especially in fall, says Steve Schmader, head of the International Festivals & Events Association. "A lot of events are based on tradition and folklore, but people will find any excuse." He shares some favorite animal-themed gatherings with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.

Woolly Worm Festival

Banner Elk, N.C.

Local legend says that a caterpillar called the woolly worm can predict the severity of the coming winter -- if it has more black on its body than brown, expect chilly weather. The festival's built around woolly worm races, where more than 1,000 caterpillars race up a string. "Anyone can find a worm and enter a contest and blow on it to get it to climb," Schmader says. Oct. 20-21. 800-972-2183; woollyworm.com

Trailing of the Sheep Festival

Ketchum and Hailey, Idaho

For more than a century, shepherds have moved their flocks in October from mountainous summer pastures to lower winter grazing and lambing areas. In the last 20 years the traditional trailing has become a nationally recognized celebration, honoring the Old West with sheep dog trials, a parade and a lamb dine-around. "It's authentic, and they've figured out how to build an event around it. They're really sharing it," Schmader says. Oct. 11-14. 208-720-0585; trailingofthesheep.org

Alaska Bald Eagle Festival

Haines, Alaska

The national symbol gets its due at this annual Inside Passage celebration. Daily bus tours visit the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve where more than 3,000 eagles gather to feed on late-running salmon. Other activities: photography workshops and raptor demonstrations. Nov. 14-18. 907-766-3094; baldeagles.org/festival

Dana Point Festival of Whales

Dana Point, Calif.

This cetacean celebration centers on the gray whale which migrates from the Arctic to summer waters in Mexico every spring. You can see whale floats in a parade, and the real creatures on tour boat excursions. "It's built around whale migration so viewing is at a high-point," Schmader says. First two weekends of March. 800-290-3263; dpfestivalofwhales.com

Calaveras County Fair and Frog Jumping Jubilee

Angels Camp, Calif.

This small town in Central California's Gold Rush country gets hopping every spring, thanks to a Mark Twain story about a contest involving athletic amphibians. The public can enter frogs, hoping to break the record of 21 feet, 5 and 3/4 inches. "When you stop and think about it, that's a heck of a jump," Schmader says. May 16-19. 209-736-2561; frogtown.org

Woofstock

Toronto

The loyal canine gets his due at this decade-old festival that knows how to get its woof on. The gathering includes dress-up contests, but is more an excuse for a party rather than serious competition. "It's fun and frivolous." Schmader says. Americans can bring their dogs as long as they have vaccination records. The main event is in June, but Winter Woofstock, Nov. 17-18, is fun too. woofstock.ca

Monkey Buffet Festival

Lopburi, Thailand

Normally humans feast at festivals, but at this gathering, monkeys get to snack. The celebration, on the last Sunday of November, honors a legendary monkey king. Villagers create a huge buffet of stacked fruit that costs thousands of dollars, and then all is devoured by the area's 2,000 wild monkeys. "It's not just going out there and throwing bananas to them. This is how a community protects its history," Schmader says. tourismthailand.org

Pushkar Camel Fair

Rajasthan, India

This festival, which started as an annual gathering to trade livestock, has become a huge event, attracting tens of thousands of camels – and visitors. It includes camel competitions and silly contests. "This one has authenticity. It's a place people came to trade livestock," Schmader says. Nov. 18-27; incredibleindia.org

Puck Fair

Killorglin, County Kerry, Ireland

A wild mountain goat rules over this three-day agricultural festival. The animal, crowned King Puck, leads a parade through town and then is kept in a cage to watch the celebrations. But at the end he's released back into the wild. "He's fed very well and treated very well and he's made king of the town," Schmader says. puckfair.ie

San Fermin Festival (Running of the Bulls)

Pamplona, Spain

This famous and famously dangerous festival draws crowds every July to watch humans race ahead of bulls down narrow city streets. The activity, which has been condemned by animal rights groups, had its roots in the transport of the animals to a bull ring. But over years, young men would join the melee to prove their bravery. "It started as a real event, and it caught on and was formalized," Schmader says. pamplona.es