The 2012 Summer Redneck Games
Ah, good old rednecks. Buck-toothed simpletons, uncivilised yokels, rootin’ tootin’ rednecks have created a games to rival the olympics… The 2012 Summer Redneck Games
A Sporting Showpiece in True Southern Style
Whatever cliche comes to mind when you picture the BBQ-loving, corn-chewing, mullet-sporting, beer-swilling sports fans from the USA’s southern states, they sure know how to laugh at themselves. Sick of the endless jokes ahead of the Olympics being held in Atlanta, Georgia, back in 1996, some self-proclaimed rednecks took it upon themselves to have a bit of fun with it, sticking it to the stereotypes by organising their own rival sporting showpiece in true southern style.
Still going strong, the Redneck Games will give you a chance to forget all about Tom Daly, Jessica Ennis or Usain Bolt, this is where people’s champions are really made.
Playing up to all the corny banalities, rabble-rousing organisers put together their own sporting schedule for the proud, local yokels to compete in – bobbing for pigs’ feet, hurling hubcabs, flipping cigarettes and throwing ‘redneck horsehoes’ (toilet seats to the rest of us).
The games went from strength to strength since their formation in 1996, having attracted 5,000 visitors at the first time of asking, 10 times more than was expected, and it has now become an annual addition to the Georgia calendar and attracting widespread attention from across the globe.
Held every year since in the grandly titled ‘city’ of East Dublin, Georgia, a city which boasts a population of 2,500 people, it welcomes visitors from all across the USA to join in the self-depracating silliness as an early alternative to the Olympics.
But forget the Olympic Torch, the redneck sporting hopefuls like to kick it off in their own flaming style by sparking up the Ceremonial Grill. Keeping it classy, more events include the feminists’ favourite of a wet t shirt contest, while Vidal Sassoon would be turning in his grave at the sight of locals proudly parading their botch job barnets in the big hair contest. Forget the high diving, the mud pit belly flop is how to make a splash at these games, while competitors hit the right notes in style during the armpit serenade.
You can forget the gold medals or expensive trophies too, winners in the events are rewarded with a slightly crushed beer mounted beer can to hold aloft with pride. Colourful, boozy and downright dirty, these are the games, redneck style.
About the Author
Adrian Simpson Adrian Simpson is a writer and TV presenter with a profound love of the outdoors. His family, snow, sea, brewing, vinyl, guitars and VW buses mean the world to him.
