Warei Taisai Festival and Uwajuma Ushi-Oni Matsuri, July 22-24

The Warei Taisai Festival and Uwajuma Ushi-Oni Matsuri is held from the 22 to 24 of July in the Ehime Prefecture in Japan.  The highlight of the festival takes place on the last night when groups of young men will carry portable shines to the local temple through the Sukagawa river.  They bring the shines there and perform a dance and then compete for the good luck charm located at the top of poles that have been inserted into the river bank.  Many people come to see the spectacle often arriving hours before to get the best seats.

During the day there is the parade of the Ushi-oni, Ogor headed cows.  Similar to the idea behind the dancing dragons many are familiar seeing from China, these are very large and have very long necks.  When they meet in the street there is a "fight" between them.  It is said that they help to drive away evil sprits but that seems to be a pretty standard thing for animals or effigies to do during festival time.  The Uni are also followed by children playing bamboo flutes.

During the other days there are street vendors and fireworks that are displayed.

Links:

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/attractions/event/traditionalevents/a35_fes_warei.html

http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Warei+Taisai

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uwajima_Ushi-oni_Festival