The Redneck Games - A New Southern Tradition

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Modern rednecks have been finding unique ways to settle their differences and celebrate their common cultures. One of the newest is the Redneck Games, held annually in Atlanta, Georgia. Begun by WQZY radio personality Mac Davis as a humorous answer to jokes about the "redneck" aspect of Atlanta's Olympics in 1996, the games have grown from a surprisingly strong 5000+ turnout to over 15,000 attendees each year enjoying a variety of traditional games and family fun that's skewed to the redneck side of life.

The Redneck Games are held around the Fourth of July every year, and you'll find pretty much what you might expect when a bunch of rednecks get together and let it all hang out - albeit in a family sort of way. Fifteen thousand people come annually with kids and dogs to participate in a variety of redneck-themed games, eat good food, watch a few unique events (like the kid who taught himself to play Dixie on his armpit), and just generally have a good time.

The most popular events at the Redneck Games include:

* The Hubcap Hurl, a unique version of the Olympic discus

* Bobbing for Pigs Feet - pigs no longer attached

* Redneck Horseshoes, using toilet seats instead of horseshoes

* Mudpit Belly Flop, which is self-explanatory

* Seed Spitting using a variety of different fruits - because no redneck event would be complete without a barrage of watermelon, apple, and orange seeds.

Besides regular events, you'll find all kinds of things redneck: dancing and music of course, pretty girls and boot-stomping excitement, beer (in moderation--it is a family festival), and plenty of good food. Often car shows will be held in conjunction, and you always find the other necessity of car shows: scantily-clad girls. All kinds of redneck gear is sold as well, from buck-tooth baby pacifiers to outhouse artwork. In short, it's a festival devoted to the endearingly tacky life of the redneck - and the just plain tacky as well.

The Redneck Games are kicked off by the running of the Propane Torch, carried by L-Bow, which is used to light the ceremonial barbecue grill, and at the end of the day they're closed by a fireworks extravaganza (without any of the Hey-Y'all-Watch-This performances that can make ordinary fireworks so exciting).

While the Redneck Games do turn a profit, every cent is turned over to local charities, proving once again that ordinary American rednecks are among the most generous people in the world - and really know how to have a great time. To quote Propane Torch runner L-Bow, a redneck "works hard, plays hard, and dies broke." The Redneck Games, between organizers, participants, and generosity, fulfill all three criteria to be truly redneck.