Garrat Elections

The Garrat Elections were a carnival of mock elections in 18th century Surrey, England. The events were organized around May 20, when a crowd of tens of thousands would travel from London, centred just 5 miles (8.0 km) away to take part.

People of the hamlet, not even a small neighbourhood at the time, Garrat in the parish of Wandsworth had met in a conclave and elected a (commons) president to exert authority over a small common. They felt that the president should hold the office of 'mayor' during the parliamentary period between general elections and be re-elected with the new one. The minor political spectacle aroused some amusement and locals ended up parodying the affair in their mock election.

More information on the Wikipedia page.