At the annual “Roadkill Cook-off” in Marlinton, West Virginia, chefs compete to see who can make the tastiest dishes with animals often found dead by the side of the road. Attendees wander stall to stall, indulging in fried venison wontons, snapping turtle stew, teriyaki-marinated bear, and (in case you missed breakfast) squirrel gravy over homemade biscuits.

According to the rules, the “ingredients” need not be actual roadkill; just the sorts of animals which might find themselves victims of traffic mishaps; such as an opossum, groundhog, deer, rabbit, crow, squirrel, or turkey. Contestants cannot precook the protein, however they must pre-clean and pre-skin everything. Visitors strolling the grounds may see snakes sizzling on barbecue grills or cast-iron kettles bubbling with black bear stew.

The first-place winner takes home bragging rights and $1,200. Who is brave enough to judge these unique dishes? Official rules state “All judges have been tested for cast-iron stomachs and have sworn under oath to have no vegetarian tendencies.” (They aren’t telling.)

The Roadkill Cook-off is part of Pocahontas County's Autumn Harvest Festival, which also features a beauty pageant where contestants compete for the Miss Roadkill crown.

Due to Covid-19, the 2020 Roadkill Cook-off has been bumped to September 25, 2021.

Don’t worry about overindulging on offbeat offerings; you can work off the calories at the Possum Trot 5k Run/Walk on the second day of the festival.

More Info: www.atlasobscura.com