Contests, Races and Other Competitions
Miss Omak Stampede
I was unaware until just now that some Western rodeo-style events are called "stampedes." It seems like bad karma to name your event after a disaster. But in any case, The Omak Stampede has elected a queen since 1935. They also conduct the "Suicide Race."From Wikipedia:
The Omak Stampede, which operates the Suicide Race, has been hosted at a local rodeo facility, the Stampede Arena—renovated in 2009[102]—since 1933.[103][104] The Omak Stampede occurs annually on the second weekend of August. During the event, the city has an estimated population of approximately 30,000 people.[105][106] As part of the Suicide Race, horses and riders run down Suicide Hill—a 62-degree slope that runs for 225 feet (69 m) to the Okanogan River.[107] Horses must pass a veterinarian examination to ensure they are physically healthy, and a swim test to ensure they can cross the river, to demonstrate their ability to run the race and navigate the river.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Apr 11, 2025 -
Comments (0)
Category: Animals, Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Contests, Races and Other Competitions, Parades and Festivals, Regionalism, Twentieth Century, Twenty-first Century
Miss Optometry of 1957 and 1958
Some eight years ago, WU presented you with Miss Optometery of 1956. But now, advances in newspaper archives have allowed us to find two more winners of this coveted title.NOTE: Miss 1958 is "Nan" Peterson, not "Man."
Posted By: Paul - Tue Mar 18, 2025 -
Comments (2)
Category: Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Contests, Races and Other Competitions, 1950s, Eyes and Vision
Miss Paper Cup
Posted By: Paul - Sat Mar 08, 2025 -
Comments (1)
Category: Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Contests, Races and Other Competitions, 1950s
The Outdoors Girl of Canada
The earliest reference I find is the one below, from 1955. The latest is from 1989. A respectable 40-year run. But too few pictures of the winners!
Posted By: Paul - Mon Sep 02, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Contests, Races and Other Competitions, Nature, Day Camps, Away Camps, Outdoor Activities and Recreational Retreats, 1950s, 1980s, North America
Intermarket Basket-Carrying Derby
Posted By: Paul - Wed Jun 12, 2024 -
Comments (0)
Category: Contests, Races and Other Competitions, Tradesmen, Manual Laborers, and Skilled Workers, 1930s
Cold Sore Diamond Lips
There's just a few days left to enter to win a "one-of-a-kind pair of diamond lips" in a contest sponsored by the makers of Abreva Cold Sore Cream. The lips are made of "197 lab grown diamonds sculpted and set within white gold," and one red ruby "to mark the cold sore experience."The company notes that if you currently have a cold sore on your lips you should wait until "after they've healed" to wear the diamond lips.
More info: prnewswire.com
Posted By: Alex - Wed Feb 21, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Contests, Races and Other Competitions, Jewelry, Kitsch and Collectibles
Queen of the Friendship Festival
Posted By: Paul - Sat Jan 13, 2024 -
Comments (0)
Category: Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Contests, Races and Other Competitions, Friends, Partners, Co-Workers and Other Associates, 1950s
Miss Flame
There appear to be literally dozens of different "Miss Flames" across the USA. I can't sort them out. But I will say that it's rather odd to bear a title that represents the enemy of the group--firemen--conferring the title!
Posted By: Paul - Mon Dec 18, 2023 -
Comments (1)
Category: Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Contests, Races and Other Competitions, Destruction, Firefighting, Arson, Wildfires, Infernos and Other Conflagrations
Annual Whistling Contest
Learn more at their website.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Jul 29, 2023 -
Comments (0)
Category: Contests, Races and Other Competitions, Human Marvels, Music
Sydna Yokley, Rodeo Prodigy
Sydna--seen here in a 1939 LIFE magazine feature--debuted on the rodeo circuit at age 12. She had an outstanding career (see her FIND A GRAVE obit) but died young--under the hooves of her favorite horse.
A nice write-up of her life here.
A 1977 retrospective feature here.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Apr 13, 2023 -
Comments (4)
Category: Animals, Contests, Races and Other Competitions, Regionalism, Sports, North America, Twentieth Century
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Contact Us |