This year marked the 20th anniversary of Honfest, one of Baltimore's coolest summertime traditions.
Honfest is held every year in the Hampden area of Baltimore.
Hampden is a quiet residential neighborhood. During Honfest its populated by princesses and their ferrets ...
... rockabilly weirdos ...
... and, of course, Hons.
SO. MANY. HONS.
What's a Hon, you ask?
Hons are a Baltimore subculture originating in white working class areas during the 1950s and 60s. The word is short for "honey." Filmmaker John Waters’ entire catalogue is basically a love letter to Hon culture.
Hons generally have beehive hairdos. The bigger, the better obviously.
Hons are very fond of housecoats, particularly brightly colored ones.
Wearing hair curlers, sometimes made from beer cans, is a thing …
... as is leopard print.
Seriously. They love leopard print.
there are adorable little Hons ...
... and Hons with fashionable parasols.
If Hons had their own state, Pink Flamingos would be their state bird.
Hons are very patriotic.
They REALLY love America.
But Hons don't love anything more than their hairspray.
Honfest draws Hon lovers from around the country every year.
Obviously, there are dancing Hons.
... and of course, lots of booty shaking Hons!
Everybody gets dressed up and looks amazing
This Ravens superfan has so much swagger, even Elvis is stunned.
It's Baltimore, so everybody rocks the brown paper bag coozie.
The Hons that publicly drink 40s in a paper bag together, stay together, you guys!
There's street food of course. Hons LOVE funnel cake!
And Pit Beef, a specialty of Baltimore that is absolutely delicious.
No street festival worth its weight is complete without a Glamour Lounge.
Check out these Hons gettin' their beehives did!
But the big event during Honfest is the annual Best Hon competition, which features dozens of the most amazing Hons in the country.
There's a talent competition which is amazing.
Some Hons play musical instruments.
Others provide tips for dressing your favorite Maryland Blue Crab stuffed animal like a Hon.
And some shower the crowd in Natty Boh, which everyone knows is the beer of choice for all Hons.
Meet Stacy Hurley, a Baltimore native and this year's winner of the Best Hon competition! She learned her Hon kungfu from her mother and grandmother.
Asked what makes a good Hon, Hurley said, “Personality, the love of Baltimore, having a good temporary accent ... being able to bring people together.”
And why should you want to be a Hon? “Because we’re awesome, Hon, and we look beautiful all the time, and we’re pretty, Hon!”
Basically, Hons are beautiful, hilarious folks who're super friendly and love to have a good time.
And trust Santa, even if they're being naughty, every Hon is still really nice!
