These images aren’t of pop culture statues being erected to spruce up city street corners in Ecuador, they’re giant effigies known as “años viejos”, many of which feature fan fav characters, that are burned to celebrate the coming of the new year.

Ricardo Bohorquez has taken some amazing pics of the effigies being built, many with people in the frame to show their massive scale, and I only wish there was a part 2 to this article showing them all going up in flames!

Link –via ComicsAlliance

Made using millions of flower petals, the flower carpets of the Gionzano Infiorata, a flower festival unique in the world, cover an entire street. If you’re in Rome, in the second week of June, this is a must-see.

The Genzano Infiorata is a flower festival that can be traced back to 1778. Every year, local artists cover an entire street (Via Belardi) with intricate flower carpets, inspired by famous artworks, religious paintings or geometrical shapes. The flower carpets are made by talented local artists who have to stick to a previously agreed upon theme, like ‘The Colors of Michelangelo’ or ‘The Designs of Bernini’.

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From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by jupaneanu.

Summer is almost upon us, and with it, comes the strange and wonderful food festivals around the country. Cheese, watermelon… pierogi?  I’m all over that one. Yum, pierogi!

Brynn Mannino of Woman’s Day has a list of 12 of the most spectacular summer food festivals in the States. Take, for instance, the Pierogi Fest in Whiting, Indiana:

Celebrate everyone’s favorite potato dumplings at the Pierogi Fest in Whiting, Indiana, beginning July 24th. What started as a way to honor the Eastern European heritage of many in the nearby communities has grown into an event that has been featured on The Food Network and in the pages of Bon Appetit magazine. Fun-filled activities include a pierogi eating contest, a pierogi toss and a polka parade! Last year’s festival even featured the “World’s Largest Pierogi,” which was made with 27 lbs of flour, 18 eggs, 58 potatoes, two gallons of water, “too much” butter and “lots o’ onions.” Total weight? 92 lbs!

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From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by ahammel.