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This Michigan Town Was Named Most Unusual In The State

Every state has its fair share of captivating towns, ranging from bizarre, strange, and unique to quirky and completely unusual. According to Travel.Alot.com, there is an unusual town in every…

Friends on road trip looking at map for directions to most unusual town. Close up of female pointing at the map while man driving van in background.
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Every state has its fair share of captivating towns, ranging from bizarre, strange, and unique to quirky and completely unusual. According to Travel.Alot.com, there is an unusual town in every state worth exploring. The website highlighted the most unusual town in every state. Unusual towns with unique stories, traditions, and monuments that are overlooked by typical vacation destinations.

Hell was named the most unusual town in Michigan.

To discover the most unusual town in Michigan, a visit to Hell is a must according to the website. They even talked about how much the town takes pride in its name. "Residents have really embraced their enviable namesake, with Hell Hole Diner serving up devilishly delicious cuisine and the Hell Chapel of Love offering an unconventional wedding ceremony for couples who—quite literally—want to tie the knot in Hell," the website said.

Hell, located in Livingston County, started out as a grist mill and general store on the banks of what is now called Hell Creek. It was first settled in 1838 by George Reeves. According to GoToHellMi.com, Reeves' habit of paying the local farmers for their grain with home-distilled whiskey led many wives to comment "He's gone to Hell again." Apparently, this happened when wives questioned their husband's whereabouts during harvest time.

What makes Hell unusual?

This town is known for more than just its name. Hell has some cool stuff. You can go there and pick up your typical souvenirs. But you can also become "Mayor of Hell" for a day. There are several popular attractions in the area, such as the scattering yard where visitors can lay to rest cremated remains, the Crematory At Screams Ice Cream Shop, and the option to purchase a piece of Hell.

In Michigan, you can have a bit of fun and go to Paradise and Hell in one day by traveling roads spanning over 330 miles in about five hours. It would make for an amazing Michigan road trip.

Check out more unusual towns in other states here.

15 Unique Michigan Festivals You Need To Check Out

Festivals give people the feeling of joy. It's a chance for festival goers to get together, celebrate life and create memories. They even promote a sense of community pride.

Michigan has a lot to offer when it comes to festivals. Maybe, it's because Michigan has a lot to celebrate, like live music, beer, and food. Some festivals in Michigan focus on what some might find odd or unusual. From asparagus, bacon, and baby food to cereal Elvis and bologna.

If you have room on your festival bucket list, you may want to add these unique Michigan festivals.

Here’s a list of 15 unique Michigan festivals you need to check out.

Empire Asparagus Festival

This unique festival is located near Sleeping Bear Dunes in Empire. It has been happening since 1974. Featuring food and drink vendors, a display of the season’s largest asparagus, the crowning of an asparagus queen, and even an asparagus poetry contest. The Empire Asparagus Festival is scheduled for June 3.

Pizza Asparagus

National Asparagus Festival

There are two festivals in Michigan that celebrate asparagus. This National Festival is in Hart, which is in Oceana County. National Asparagus Festival is the longest-running asparagus festival in the country and 2023 marks the 50th festival. It takes place this year on June 20.

Man picking fresh asparagus in field, closeup

National Cereal Festival

Battle Creek is the home of the Kellogg’s brand and the National Cereal Festival. The festival features a variety of entertainment; live music, children’s activities, inflatables, and free cereal for attendees. This year’s event will take place on June 10.

Milk pouring into cereal

Outhouse Classic

The Outhouse Classic is a unique twist on outhouses. They are made of wood, crates, cardboard, and other items, put on skis, and then raced down Main Street by a pair of runners. Prizes are given in different categories to the teams with the best times. This event happens February annually in Trenary, Michigan.

Yale Bologna Festival

This 3-day festival takes place in Yale, located in St. Clair County. The Yale Bologna Festival has been a tradition since 1989. The festival includes outhouses races, a street dance, fireworks, and a parade down Main Street. The 33rd Yale Bologna Festival will take place this year July 28 through July 30.

frying bologna

Elvis Fest

Elvis Fest is a celebration of all things Elvis. The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll fans can see Elvis impersonators, dance to classic songs, and enjoy beer and food. This year’s venue will be the Wayne County Fairgrounds, Belleville on July 7 and July 8.

sequined jacket

Michigan Bacon Festival

This one-day festival is for those who love bacon. Michigan Bacon Festival has everything from bacon mac and cheese, bacon beer, to bacon donuts. The festival will take place on July 30 at Jackson Field in Lansing.

bacon wrapped corn on the cob

Old Town Scrapfest

Beautiful works of art from hundreds of pounds of scrap is created and displayed at Old Town Scrapfest in Lansing. The festival began as a scrap metal artwork competition and has grown into a full art festival that focuses on up-cycled and repurposed artwork. It has a scrap metal sculpture competition, eco-art booth vendors, family activities, live music, and food. Scrapfest is scheduled for July 14 and July 15.

Wooden and metal fish smiling

Mighty Uke Day

This one-day Ukulele festival takes place in East Lansing. It features workshops, lessons, and performances.

Friends walking in the park with ukelele

National Baby Food Festival

The national headquarters of Gerber Products Company is in Michigan. So, it makes sense that the state has a National Baby Food Festival in Fremont. It’s a celebration of baby health and nutrition. The festival features a baby crawl, a baby food-eating contest, a farmer’s market, a car show, and more. The weeklong event takes place annually the third week of July. The next National Baby Food Festival is happening on July 19 through July 22.

baby food

Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival

More than 50,000 people travel to New Baltimore for Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival. The festival has live entertainment, a Miss Bay-Rama Queens Pageant, fireworks, a parade, and kids day. The weeklong event is happening June 21 through June 25.

family eating cupcakes at fair

Festival of the Forks

Festival of the Forks is held in downtown Albion. It doesn’t celebrate forks. It’s a celebration of Albion’s food, music, diversity, healthy habits. This event will take place on the third weekend in September, the 15th through the 16th.

Chef handing out tortilla

Wizard of Oz Festival

The Wizard of Oz Festival in Ionia allows attendees to dress up like your favorite character and participate in arts and crafts, photo opportunities, a 5K race, movie screenings and more. According to the event Facebook page. It is scheduled for September 23, 2023.

Officer worker laying down in costume

Gizzard Festival

Gizzard Festival in Potterville is scheduled for June 8, 9, and 10 this year. Attendees can enter the gizzard eating contest, play in the corn hole tournament, or take line dancing lessons. The festival will also host its second annual Gizzard Fest Pageant.

Close up of french salad with gizzard

Humongous Fungus Festival

This two-day festival in August celebrates the mushrooms that grow in the community. Specifically, the 38-acre humongous fungus that was discovered nearly three decades ago. The Humongous Fungus Festival in Crystal Falls features food from local vendors, craft vendors, a mushroom cookoff, and guided walks identifying different types of mushrooms. This festival is scheduled for August 25 and August 26.

white mushrooms in green lawn field
Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.