Buzzard Day

Hinckley, Ohio is a small town with a bizarre holiday: Buzzard Day. The legend of this festival stretches back nearly 200 years, to the great Hinckley Hunt of 1818. Hinckley was a new settlement and the menfolk decided a massive extermination of any and all nearby predatory animals was necessary for their safety and survival. Because of a sudden freeze, they were forced to leave behind piles of rotting bear, wolf, and bobcat carcasses all winter. But when those rotting corpses thawed in the spring, magic happened: flocks of turkey vultures descended upon the small town to devour the fetid flesh.

To this day, buzzards still return to Hinckley on March 15th. The following Sunday is affectionately known as "Buzzard Sunday" and draws a crowd of thousands to the local elementary school for all you can eat pancakes, games, and crafts. Admission includes breakfast, games (and prizes!).