Super American Festival!!

Metropolis, IL

Superman Celebration

Who lives in Metropolis? Superman does and if you visit this town you will believe it. You will find the Superman Museum, a giant statue of Superman, and a new statue of Lois Lane. The recently installed Lois Lane statue honors the town’s First Lady, actress Noel Neill. Neill became famous for her role as Lois Lane in the 1950’s Superman TV series. For the past 30 years, Metropolis has hosted the “Superman Celebration” honoring the famous “Man of Steel”. This four day festival includes plenty of fun for everyone. There is a carnival, live entertainment, food, and a Superman costume contest with the winner taking home a $1,000 prize. You will also enjoy a pageant for super girls, super boys, and super dogs. Another great attraction is the celebrity autograph sessions featuring many famous stars of Superman movies and television. Yes, if you are lucky, you can even get a picture and an autograph with Noel Neill, the real Lois Lane!

Ragtime in Missouri

Sedalia, Missouri

Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival

If you remember the music from the movie “The Sting” starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, you have heard the music of Scott Joplin. Joplin was a famous ragtime black musician and composer in the early 1900’s. His music is world renowned and Sedalia, MO was his birthplace. In 1899, Joplin became famous for his musical piece “Maple Leaf Rag”. Within six months Maple Leaf Rag sold over 75,000 copies. However, as the music scene changed so did Joplin’s fame and fortune. In 1917, he died nearly penniless and all but forgotten. In his honor, the community hosts this festival each year. If you would like to enjoy the music or learn an early 20th century dance, this is your venue. Many famous musicians display their talent throughout these days and draw more than 6,000 visitors to this festival.

It was an Accident - Maryland

Accident, MD – It was an accident!

In the early 1700’s, George Deakins was given over 600 acres of land in this area by King George II of England. Deakins wanted to plat the land to establish a town. He hired two surveyors and instructed each of them to choose the best location for the town. Deakins and the town citizens studied the findings of both surveyors. To their surprise, each surveyor had chosen the same tree and area of land to plat for their new community. Deakins and the citizens exclaimed this must be an “accident”! Because of this coincidence, both Deakins and the citizens agreed that “accident” surely must be the name for their town. Shortly afterwards, the town became known as “Accident”. Throughout the evolution of naming America’s new towns we find fate, superstition or just plain accidents are responsible for the some of our community names.

The Crook in Colorado - Crook, Colorado

Born in Ohio in 1828, George Crook rose quickly to success in his military career. Crook started his military career in 1852 and just ten years later became a brigadier general during the Civil War. He led many successful campaigns for General Ulysses S. Grant in the defeat of the Confederacy. After the Civil War, General Crook led campaigns against the Apaches and Paiutes bringing peace to the Southwest and Western territories. He was well respected by his Indian competitors who nicknamed him the “Grey Fox”. Crook became a great proponent for the rights and liberties of the American Indian. Crook often pointed out the atrocities and was outraged with the injustice being done to the Apaches in the Southwest.

Photo Courtesy of Library of Congress

Great Trips to see the World's Largest!

It is always a pleasure for me when I'm driving down the highway to see how creative towns can get in trying to attract tourists. I have been to a lot of these "Largest Wonders" and wanted to share some great sites to see! If you are near one of these towns you really need to check them out. It will make your day with a smile.


Here are ones to check out!

Alligator - Christmas, Florida
Artichoke – Castroville, California
Ball of Paint – Alexandria, Indiana
Ball of Twine – Cawker City, Kansas
Baseball Bat – Louisville, Kentucky
Basket – Dresden, Ohio
Binoculars – Venice, California
Buffalo – Jamestown, North Dakota
Bull – Audubon, Iowa
Goose – Sumner, Missouri
Chair – Fanning, Missouri
Coffee Pot – Stanton, Iowa
Cow (Holstein) – New Salem, North Dakota
Cow (Talking) – Neillsville, Ohio
Cross - Wickliffe, Kentucky
Cuckoo Clock – Wilmot, Ohio
Frying Pan – Long Beach, Washington
Gas Pump – King City, Missouri
Horse Shoe – Muleshoe, Texas
Jack Rabbit – Odessa, Texas
Lutefisk – Madison, Wisconsin
Muskie – Hayward, Wisconsin
Praying Hands – Oral Roberts University – Tulsa Oklahoma
Pumpkin – Circleville, Ohio
Raisin Box – Kingsburg, California
Rubber Stamp – Cleveland, Ohio
Shuttlecock – Kansas City, Missouri
Six Pack of Beer – LaCrosse, Wisconsin
Spinach Can – Alma, Arkansas
Strawberry – Strawberry Point, Iowa
Teapot – Chester, West Virginia
Turkey – Frazee, Minnesota
Walleye – Garrison, Minnesota

Marked Tree, Arkansas

In 1883, the railroad built a track through this area. The community was known as “Edwards” in honor of Jonathan Edwards, head of the railroad crew. When Edwards and the railroad crew moved on, he told the citizens to rename the town. The people decided on “Marked Tree” because of a famous legend. The legend starts with the Indians who lived here before the white man. The Osage and Cherokee Indians marked a giant oak tree in this area for transportation purposes to navigate up and down the nearby rivers. In the early 1800’s, the infamous Murrell Outlaw Gang marked the same tree with an “M” for rendezvous purposes after their bank robberies. So in 1883, the town was named after this giant oak tree. Later in 1890, the giant tree was swept away by a huge flood which devastated the area. However, in 1979 during a construction project, the trunk of a well preserved giant oak tree was excavated which was believed to be the famous tree. The town also claims to be the only community in the world with the name “Marked Tree” and the only town where two rivers run in different directions! Just in case you are curious, the two rivers are the Saint Francis and the Little. I have been there and the rivers actually run in opposite directions.

Toad Suck DAZE Festival - April 30 - May 2

Located on the Arkansas River, Toad Suck claims one of the most unique legends. Way back when, this is where the river captains and their crews chose to relax. Along with the river traffic came many questionable characters. Drinking was often the recreation for both the employees of the river industry and the shady people who hung out in this area. Early settlers to this area observed the excessive drinking going on and named the drinking patrons as “Toad Sucks”. They exclaimed “these people sucked on their whiskey and swelled up like toads”! The area became known as “Toad Suck”. Every May, a three day festival known as Toad Daze is held in nearby Conway, AR. Thousands of people attend and a good time is experienced by all. Events during the festival include various toad races, a Mardi Daze parade and a toad pageant. There is plenty of food and usually a major country western star performs on Saturday night. Also, you will find a lot of unique “Toad Suck” merchandise available for sale!