Festivals Featuring Nature's Inanimate Objects

California's got nature-- oh ya. And the simplest things in nature make for the most unusual celebrations: pinecones, tumbleweed, weeds and poison oak are all the subjects of festivals we've come to love each year in California.

Here's the dirty, low-down:

Pinecone Festival in Blue Jay: Up in the San Bernardino mountains grows some whopper pinecones. So why not have a festival to find the biggest, longest pinecone specimen?

Poison Oak Festival, Columbia: Each fall the public is invited to create centerpieces, best rash, best photo and best recipe using poison oak--no joke!

Tumbleweed Festival in Fellows: Each year the Derby Acres Tumbleweed Festival takes place at Tumbleweed Cafe, California 33, Fellows, CA. taftchamber.com

Weed Show, Twentynine Palms: People enter a competition with a new theme each year in which they must create an art piece utilizing weeds. The story of how this all got started is really great!

Dandelion Days in Jackson is an annual festival held on St. Patrick's Day. Sponsored by the local Lions Club, March 21st and 22nd, 2015, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., in Downtown Jackson. jacksonlionsclub.org

Bring a friend, make it a family event, enjoy the fresh mountain air! After the Festival visit nearby Lake Arrowhead, Running Springs and Big Bear. Event's record Coulter Cone 23 3/4" long, weighed 4lb 15 oz

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.