New Book - Hometown Celebrations

Hodag Capital of the WORLD!!

Rhinelander, Wisconsin


What is a Hodag? The people in this town know. It is a legendary creature with horns and was finally captured by a local lumberjack in the late 19th century. According to legend, they grow here to be over 6 feet long and are pretty scary. When you visit this community, you will find the town is covered with statues of this creature. They take their Hodags seriously. By the way, if you believe in Jack a lopes you should believe in Hodags!

Alma, Arkansas - Spinach Capital of the World

Alma, AR Spinach - Capital of the World

The Allen Canning Co. is responsible for this town claiming to be the “Capital of Spinach”. This company is one of the major leaders in the canning of spinach. One of its spinach brands is Popeye Spinach. The town takes its spinach seriously. You can find two huge green water towers here featuring Popeye. The Popeye tower claims to be the “Largest Spinach Can in the World”. In downtown Alma you can see the Popeye water fountain. Since 1985, the community has hosted a spinach festival in April. The festival features a spinach recipe contest and also a spinach eating contest. I don’t know about you but I think I will pass on the spinach eating contest!

World Capital - of HOBOS????

Britt, Iowa

The Hobo Convention has been going on in this community since 1900. In 1899, the town leaders were able to convince the leaders of Tourist Union #63 to move their convention permanently from Chicago to Britt, Iowa. You see, Tourist Union #63 members were real hobos. In the 19th century traveling migrant workers were often arrested for vagrancy when not employed. However, if you were a member of a union, you were given free passage on a train to your next destination. These workers used this loophole, created a union, and were able to travel free across the United States to find work. These types of union workers became known as hobos and there was a very large number of them. So for the town of Britt to land a big convention from Chicago was a big deal. In the late 1890’s, it was estimated there were over 500,000 hobos in the United States. Today, the tradition is more of a family affair which is held in August. This weekend event includes a parade, crowning of a Hobo King and Queen, and serving mulligan stew in the city park. Real hobos still come here to celebrate and exchange stories with the locals. If you venture downtown, you can even visit the one and only Hobo Museum!

Mustard Capital of the World

Middleton, Wisconsin

Barry, owner of the National Mustard Museum has been doing mustard big time since the late 1890's.  You will find over 5,000 varieties of mustard here.  You can sample till your taste buds are numb.  This place is just outside of Madison, Wisconsin.  I consider it a treasure to visit.

Remember, Friends don't let friends eat catsup!

Pretzel Capital of the World

Reading, PA


Pretzel Capital of the World

There has been a long tradition of pretzel making in this community. In 1884, the Bachman Pretzel Company opened and grew to become a giant in the pretzel industry. The Spannuth family came here in the 1920’s. Their operation became a success overnight and is known as the Unique Pretzel Company. Later in the 1940’s, the Tom Sturgis Pretzel Company opened and became another legendary giant pretzel manufacturer. Today, the town is still world renowned for its pretzels. There are dozens of pretzel companies in the community. If you are ever honored with the “Key to the City”, you will find a pretzel on it.

Colon, MIchigan

In 1926, the town really got into the magic business. Harry Blackstone, a world renowned magician in the 1920’s and 1930’s, came to visit the town. Harry was looking for an off season home. He purchased a local island here and brought his more than 20 member stage crew. Later, Harry joined up with fellow magician Recil Bordner. Harry and Recil started a magic business selling magic tricks. The relationship ended badly after only 18 months due to a business transaction. While Harry was on the road doing his magic show, he purchased an illusion from another magician. Recil thought the company now owned the illusion and sold it. When Harry found out about this transaction he was furious at Recil. The two never talked to each other after the quarrel. Recil later met Percy Abbott, another magician. Both went into business together and formed the Abbott Magic Manufacturing Company. This company went on to become the world’s largest manufacturer of magic paraphernalia. The company is still in business today. The community celebrates for a week and the event is called “Abbott’s Magic Get-Together”.