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Grab a Beer,
Get Some Mud
'n Get 'er Done -
The Redneck Games
by Nancy Reid
You'll need plenty of beer, some
kind of motor driven implement you
want to wreck (a lawn mower will do)
a sense of humor and the ability to
let your butt crack hang
out--everyone is welcome--even
Yankees.
Back in
1996 the Olympic Games went to
Atlanta, Georgia. Comments were made
by the media, along the lines of can
a bunch of rednecks host the Olympic
Games? Mac Davis, the General
Manager and afternoon DJ of Y96,
took offense. He got his crew
together, and made the most of the
stereotype--voila! The Redneck
Games!
What do
they do at the Redneck Games? The
games call for dexterity, focus, and
exhibitionistic personalities. There
is the cigarette flip, bobbing for
pig's trotters, watermelon seed
spitting, horseshoes played with
toilet seats, mud pit belly
flopping, dumpster diving, hubcap
hurling, zapping bugs with a
spitball, wet T-shirt and big hair
contests, and the armpit serenade. A
coveted trophy, a half crushed,
empty beer can mounted just like any
other trophy, is awarded for every
event.
The games have grown from the 5,000 attendees
at the first games, to over 95,000
beer drinking, mud loving, proud
people dressed like Larry the Cable
Guy, or barely dressed at all. Each
of the events has a following of
fans who rout for their favorite
competitor and there have been some
amazing accomplishments like a 12
year old boy who played the entire
song, "Dixie," with his armpit.
No games
are complete without an opening
ceremony--and the Redneck Games are
no different. The Ceremonial Grill
must be lit before the games can
begin. This honor has been bestowed
on a local toothless, overall clad,
asphalt technician name L-Bow. With
a propane torch adorned with the
aluminum from a 6 pack of Budweiser,
L-Bow proudly leads the competitors
in the field, lights the BBQ Grill,
and yells, "Let the gas begin!"
L-Bow is
a redneck nickname, and all rednecks
have nicknames. L-Bow got his by way
of his talent for putting his bottom
lip up over his nose. Apparently he
was doing this one day and was told
by another redneck, "You just plain
ugly from your elbow down to your
ass." L-Bow responded, "Well, you
sure ain't going to call me ass, so
I'll just take elbow." The name
stuck and he is the official mascot
of the Redneck Games.The Redneck
Games are not just another good
time, they are actually a
fundraising event, with every penny
going to local charities. The
official games are held every July
in East Dublin, Georgia--but there
are also games in Texas and in
Canada.
So, take
a minute to relax, definitely get
some beer, and watch the fun! If you
are wondering what in the heck those
ducks are over in the blue column,
those are redneck rubber duck party
favors, just in case you ever want
to throw a redneck party. If you do
get that feeling, be careful--you
just might be a redneck!
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