Friday Finds shares a piece of media content I’ve recently experienced.
You may have read my post earlier in the week about my drive across the country, from New Jersey to California. Here is a different type of advertising medium – the old-time roadside attraction to get you to stop in a town or at a store. We tried to stop at all of “the world’s largest…” attractions we could find, and had time for stopping.
The capital of the “world’s largest” things appears to be a small town called Casey, IL. Here we captured quite a few items. Sadly, Casey was mostly closed up on a Sunday afternoon – so while they got us off the interstate, they didn’t make any money from us.
World’s largest golf tee
World’s largest wind chimes
World’s largest rocking chair
A very large pencil
World’s largest mailbox
World’s largest wooden shoe
World’s largest pitchfork
World’s largest birdcage
Another stop was an old Route 66 landmark in Foyil, OK. This is supposedly the world’s largest totem pole – by appearances, by circumference if not by height. This was way off the beaten path and just a piece of folk art rather than bait to shop.
World’s largest totem pole
The world’s largest praying hands are in Oklahoma City, OK, at a likely location – Oral Roberts University. These are aimed more at redemption than retail, of course.
World’s largest praying hands
Perhaps the world’s largest steak giveaway is at the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, TX. A 72 ounce steak and all its fixings (2 shrimp appetizer, baked potato, and dessert) are free – if you can eat ALL of it in 60 minutes or less! We skipped the challenge but we did buy dinner there that night.
World’s biggest steak giveaway
Last to be featured here is the world’s largest pistachio, located on the outskirts of Alamagordo, NM. Sadly, road construction prevented us crossing lanes to get a close-up picture or stopping in their store.
World’s largest pistachio
Time constraints prevented us from visiting other monumental monuments such as the largest quarter (PA) or largest gavel (OH). It leaves me wondering what our town of Scotch Plains, NJ could feature as an attraction. Playing off our name, perhaps something Scottish- the world’s biggest kilt? Bagpipes? Bottle of whisky? What about YOUR town?
David Tice is the principal of TiceVision LLC, a media research consultancy.
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