Insane Traditions

  During the 1989 4th of July Summer Season, there were ongoing activities used to promote the business. Marketing campaigns, games, contests, and other discount programs were implemented to bring in business and support customer experiences. Along with those campaigns came the annual SPAM toss.

  The SPAM toss was a contest to accurately throw the gelatinous mystery meat at a target with a bullseye painted on it. The closest to the bullseye won prizes that ranged from firework assortments, T-shirts, to coupons. And of course, the illustrious SPAM Trophy was given to the winner of the event annually.

  The game began while cleaning out one of the fireworks trailers, where a lone can of SPAM sat triumphantly behind the counter. It was seen as a testament to the sacrifices made by workers during high traffic hours and the inability for them to break away for a bite to eat. As the discussion began on what to do with the free can of SPAM, a friend helping out to clean out the trailer, challenged Mike to a distance contest. “I bet I can throw that further than you” was the original challenge. Of course, that was never the end of any conversation between the group, so rules were created. The first and foremost rule was that it must be taken OUT of the can first.

  In the corresponding years, the rules were consolidated and improved. A target was developed to make the throwing more about accuracy than distance. The first season that saw the initiation of the SPAM Toss was the 1990 summer season and the first SPAM Toss was a monumental success with over 25 people attending. Over the years, the event grew and during one event there were over 200 people on site for the challenge. During the event, professionalism was at a minimum, however traditional aspects were implemented such as video replay, play by play commentary, record keeping and rule posting. The final set of rules were simple:

• SPAM must be removed from the can
• You must provide your own SPAM
• No SPAM substitute was allowed (ie Treat or other mystery meats)
• In the event of a close call, Judges were implemented to measure the final distance from the center of the bullseye to determine the winner

  As the business grew in size, demands on the workers and owner caused the event to eventually be phased out of the annual fireworks season and in place of it was a large fireworks show open to the public at the end of the season. So here’s to the memories! Perhaps one day it can be brought back from the depths of youth and inexperience to make its triumphant return. So, keep your eyes out for any announcements in the future. You never know what might be in store!