The 49th Best Small Town in America
and other tourism slogans that entice and entertainThe Sausage Capital of Nebraska
The people of the US have a rather delightful tendency to bestow upon their hometowns and cities worldly titles, crowing of mighty achievements, products and produce. Read on to find out where to go when you want to schedule a vacation to finally pay proper homage to socks, carrots and fire hydrants in the Sock, Carrot and Fire Hydrant Capitals of the World! I’m saving up for a visit to the Sausage Capital of Nebraska.
Eustis, Nebraska, Sausage Capital of Nebraska (Appetisingly, there are also Sausage Capitals of California, Texas, the United States and the World. The World title goes to Tuatepere, New Zealand, a logging town of 582 on the Waiau River. Thirty-five seconds research does not reveal why they won the Sausage Crown. Our Nebraska contender has been officially Sausage-centric since 1993 and their city site informs me that, “Although farming and cattle raising are the main industries of the area, this friendly town offers an attractive and progressive business district with many young business people.” Plus sausages. Awesome.)
Kenedy, Texas, Texas Horned Lizard Capital of the World
Odessa, Texas, Jackrabbit-Roping Capital of Texas
Albertville, Alabama, Fire Hydrant Capital of the World
Fort Payne, Alabama, Sock Capital of the World
Holtville, California, Carrot Capital of the World
Windom, Kansas, Covered Dish Capital of the World
Dubach, Louisiana, Drogtrot Capital of the World
Farmington, Maine, Earmuff Capital of the World
Berrien Springs, Michigan, Christmas Pickle Capital of the World
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Cherry Pit Spitting Capital of the World
Braham, Minnesota, Homemade Pie Capital of Minnesota
Washington, Missouri, Corn Cob Pipe Capital of the World
Rumney, New Hampshire, crutch capital of the World
Franklin, New Jersey, Fluorescent Mineral Capital of the World
Elba and Florida, New York are both allegedly the Onion Capital of the World
El Reno, Oklahoma, Onion Fried Burger Capital of the World
Lebanon, Tennessee, Appalachian Square Dance of the World
Anthony, Texas and Anthony, New Mexico are both Leap Year Capitals of the World
Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin, Snowshoe Baseball Capital of the World
Manly Maryland
Or Marylanders can opt for this more unofficial motto.
Maryland has softened down the translation of its motto from “Manly deeds, womanly words” to “Strong deeds, gentle words.” The old one was just not PC enough, said many a Marylander.
I’d have picked “Boy stuff, girl talk.”
Great Destinations, Tasty Potatoes?
Idaho, home of “Great Potatoes, Tasty Destinations.” I like potatoes as much as the next person, but don’t usually base holidays round ‘em. Perhaps this is where I’ve been going wrong. If you are a potato enthusiast, however, Idaho definitely is the place to go.
If you really want to butter up the potato enthusiast in your life, make your way to Idaho Potato Museum or World Potato Exposition in Blackfoot, “World Potato Capital” where, allegedly, contentiously, the World’s Biggest Potato awaits. This styrofoam colossus is only one of a number of carbtastic treats at the Expo; Roadside America also reports a tribute to Mr. Potato Head, Idaho’s first Potato Commissioner’s tuxedo, the world’s largest potato chip and a gift shop selling potato ice cream. Mmm, tasty.
Spud Drive-in, also home of the World’s Biggest Potato, in Driggs, Idaho, is another do-not-miss potato possibility. “Old Murphy,” as the gargantuan concrete spud is known, is only one of the potato-themed photo ops at the drive-in. Potatoes of character wait on benches for you to whisk out the camera. The bible of roadside oddities, Roadside America has got all the info for making potato plans.
North of the border, Prince Edward Island also boasts a Potato Museum. The museum’s site pertinently asks, “Have you ever seen a giant sculptured potato?” Someone always has to ask. It goes on to declare, “Collectors of the curious will be pleased to find the giant sculptured potato at the entrance to the museum.” That would be pleasing. You can also watch a video called “International Year of the Potato.” Turns out 2008 had that honour.
A friendly kind of place?
Warm Springs, Georgia, wasn’t that friendly. Only kinda. Nobody really seemed to want to talk to those of us not from around here, but I did eat a killer pulled pork sandwich in some divey, wee den on the Main Street, with a couple of mismatched formica tables and a pumpkin larger than John Mayer’s ego… so they get extra points for that.
An amenable peninsula?
“If you are seeking an amenable peninsula, look about you.” That’s the Michigan State motto and I love it. I often look for amenable peninsulas. They’re harder to find that you might think.
The 49th Best Small Town in America?
Top slogan of all time:
Grand Rapids, Minnesota… The 49th Best Small Town in America. Not “one of the ten best,” not even “one of the top 50,” but the 49th best, slightly better than Rockland, Maine, and just a barely discernible sliver worse than nearest rival, Yreka, California, according to 1995′s The 100 Best Small Towns in America and trumpeted on the tourist board site for some time after that.
