Image by CooterfestImage by 20090508-cooter.jpg

No, this festival has nothing to do with getting cooties, but it has everything to do with turtles.

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Cooterfest is Allendale County's annual celebration of turtles (Allendale County is landlocked so they aren't celebrating the sea turtle variety).

Mind you, this is no educational session: The festival offers up bike shows, parades, turtle races ($1,000 for the fastest turtle), beer gardens, and more.

Here's all about the festival from their Web site:

Cooter is just a neat nickname for what you Yankees ( folks who live above Columbia) call a turtle...We call 'em Cooters here in Allendale, South Carolina! Now with that out of the way, here is what you have to look forward to this Friday and Saturday.

Friday- Street Dances with three different bands, and great carnival rides and several types of food. From Skins to p-nuts, to sausage dogs, to turkey legs, ribs, you name it you can find it.

Saturday- Booths open 9am, parade 11am, bike show, gospel music, R&B music, old school, country rock, beer gardens, elvis, food, fire fighters competition and much more........

Don't Forget- Saturday 2pm, The Carolina Cooter Race- presented by Alltel. 1000.00 for the worlds fastest cooter.

If you are new and wondering where to watch the cooter race, the carolina cooter race is on the north end of the festival. The main stage area, bike show, cooter race, kids bungee are all located around the Allendale County Courthouse on highway 278. Just look for signs..

Don't forget to get your cooter fest merchandise at the festival. You can even order online just click cooter stuff !

Learn more about the festival on their Web site, be sure to check out the full calendar of events. -- And don't forget the pictures.