Canadian Redneck Games

Getting There…

I’ve said it in the past, and I’m sure I’ll say it in the future, but driving to a festival or event can be a lot of fun! This is especially true if you have the travel time to enjoy the trip. This was the case on my trip to the Town of Minto, Harriston, and the Canadian Redneck Games. I wanted to get to the games by noon to see the parade. I thought I was pretty familiar with the route I was going to take, so I planned accordingly. Unfortunately I miscalculated and arrived in Harriston a half hour late! Needless to say I missed the parade. It was just finishing as I entered the town! I was unhappy with myself, but determined to have fun at the rest of the games! The Redneck Games are Canada’s answer to Jeff Foxworthy and associates! What I mean by this is that they are a little goofy but a lot of fun! Also, they don’t take themselves too seriously! Once I found the “Redneck Games” at the Harriston-Minto Community Centre and parked my car, I was greeted at the entrance and given my Canadian Redneck Games Schedule of Events card. It read like a laundry list of fun but “curious” activities, Hubcap Hurl, Bobbin’ for Pigs Feet, Mud Pit Belly Flop Contest, Farmer Comedian and Mud Pit Slip and Slid! I could see that it was going to be an interesting afternoon!

What’s It All About?

I passed through the gate and was almost run over by the “Redneck Games Shuttle Bus”, a four wheel all terrain vehicle! I later found out that it was being driven by Minto’s illustrious Mayor, Dave Anderson and that his passenger was Ontario’s new Revenue Minister, John Wilkinson! I am not sure why they were in such a hurry, perhaps, as John later put it, they were looking for “loose change”! Untouched, I started to explore the grounds. I was halfway along an open area when I noticed a gentleman walking towards me. It was the driver of the “Shuttle Bus”! I wanted some information about the “Games”, so I went up to him and asked him for information. It was then that he introduced himself as Dave Anderson, MAYOR of Minto. I was a little taken back, but continued with my questions! It turn out that Mayor Anderson was not the “terror” that I though, but actually a very warm and knowledgeable “Games volunteer"! Armed with this additional knowledge, I continued my explorations. The community centre grounds had been divided up into a number of activity areas. The first area I saw was the “Games Arena”. This was a large fenced off area with a huge Mud Pit in the centre! Just to the west of the “Games Arena” bleachers had been set up for the “Redneck” fans. On the other side of the arena there were two large tents, one for food and the other for “encouragement” (Beer Tent!). In the middle of the community centre grounds there was a large “trailer” stage. At the north end of the grounds was the “Fun” area. I think it was likely aimed at family visitors. A Mechanical Bull was in operation and a Water Blaster Maze was just being set up. I had just walked back to the bleachers when I noticed activity on the stage. Opening ceremonies of the Canadian Redneck Games were about to begin!

Let The Games Begin!

Mayor David Anderson walked up to the microphone and then welcomed everyone to the Redneck Games! (Click HERE for opening ceremonies video) He then introduced the Honourable John Wilkinson, Ontario Revenue Minister and invited him to say a few works of welcome from the Premier and the Government of Ontario. After his welcoming speech, both the Minister and Mayor walked with great dignity to the Games’ “TORCH”! A flame lighter was provided and the TORCH of the 2009 Canadian Redneck Games was lite! The Games were officially opened! The flame of the TORCH shone brightly. Everyone was amazed that a “toilet bowl” could look so beautiful!
The first contest was the “Hubcap Hurl”. All the participants were called to the “Games Arena”. Once everyone was accounted for and lined up, the Hubcap Hurl began. Each contestant had two turns to “Hurl”. Both men and women participated. (Click HERE for video of Hubcap Hurl) Once the last Hurl had been made, a winner was declared! He was then invited onto the stage to receive his trophy. After he was comfortably seated on the winners throne (still hot from the flame!), his prestigious trophy, an engraved toilet seat, was presented to him. The winner sat gracefully on the throne while photographers merrily snapped his picture for the morning news! With the “Hubcap Hurl” awards ceremony over, our attention became focused to the front of the stage. Kobbler Jay, the Eccentric Juggler, was about to begin his performance! (Kobbler Jay's website) I had seen Jay perform before and knew that everyone would love his act. He did not disappoint me or the others in the crowd! He balanced, juggled and ate fire, all to the delight and amazement of his audience! After Kobbler Jay’s performance, the participants for the next contest were called! (Click HERE to view video of Kobbler Jay)

Pigs Feet and Mud…

The second contest of the day was called “Bobbin’ for Pigs Feet”! I thought that that was just a name for some other type of activity until volunteers started carrying buckets of pigs’ feet! The prize for the winner was a photograph of the winner with “Carling Girls”! Several bowls of water were set up on a long table. There were two contestants to each timed run off. The idea of the event was for each contestant to start at a middle bowl and then work their way, in opposite directions, to the end of the table. One pig’s foot was dropped into the middle bowl of each contestant. Once the “gun” sounded, the contestants had to stick their head in the water, grab the foot with his/her teeth, take it to the next bowl in line, drop the foot in the bowl, stick his /her face in the bowl, grab the foot by the teeth and deposit the foot in the next bowl and so on. Boy, that was a long explanation! Believe me, it was a lot of fun to watch! (Click HERE to watch video of Bobbin' for Pigs Feet) Each contestant grabbed the raw pig’s foot with a varying degree of disgust! Winners were declared and photographs were taken and everyone, participants and onlookers, had a great time! The next activity to take place was a musical performance by Loco Zydeco. Loco Zydeco is a lively six member band that is based in Toronto (Loco Zydeco's website). Here is an excerpt from their website, “Winning over enthusiastic crowds with an energetic blend of contemporary and traditional Zydeco, LZ has created a unique take on Louisiana's most exciting musical export, in all its toe-tapping, hip-shaking glory.” Based on what I heard, my “toe” was certainly tapping! (Click HERE to watch video of Loco Zydeco) After the Loco Zydeco’ performance was over, another call for participant was made by the event’s MC. It was time for the “MUD PIT”! While I had been listening and tapping my feet to Loco Zydeco, I had also been watching two industrious volunteers preparing the “MUD PIT”! And when I say preparing, I mean that they were up to their waists in mud! It was a tough job and my guess is that they drew the “short straws”! With all the participants there and eager to “get dirty”, the first participant was called to the pit! Stripped down to his shorts, he carefully walked to the edge of the pit. There he took a big breathe and jumped, head first into the pit. He landed on his stomach with a thud and muddy water flew everywhere! I couldn’t believe the number of people who wanted to participant, both men and women! It certainly was a sight to behold! (Click HERE to watch video of the MUD PIT)
Unfortunately it was getting late and I had a very long trip home. I left the Canadian Redneck Games with tears of laughter running down my cheeks and a vision of mud soaked participants each congratulating one another on their "flop"!