Recently in Ohio Category
So I don't know if this would actually be considered the world's largest hot dog, but it's pretty big...and it comes with fries and a shake...and did I forget to mention that it also flies? OK, so this is most definitely the world's largest flying hot dog that's accompanied by fries and a shake. Take that Wienermobile.
This silly American jumbo-sized meal was original served up by the band Phish. Way back when in 1994 they began a New Years Eve Concert by declaring their hunger and soon after this feast descended upon them. The band members climbed inside (it seats four) and floated out over the audience.
Nowadays the jumbo hot dog et al. are housed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. The Rock Hall itself is filled with a plethora of silly wonders: everything from Michael Jackson's sparkling glove to Pink Floyd's wall. Unfortunately the museum doesn't allow photos, so I can't share anything from inside, but I was able to snap that one from the balcony of the lobby. I mean, how can you not take a picture of a giant hot dog?
Site: Jumbo Hot Dog/Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Location: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, 1100 Rock and Roll Boulevard, 751 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44114 (East Ninth Street at Lake Erie)
Cost: General Public: Adults/$22, Greater Cleveland residents/$18 (with proper ID), Seniors (65+)/$17, Children ages 9–12/$13, Children ages 8 and under/FREE with purchase of adult admission, Museum Members/FREE
Hours: Open 363 days a year, every day from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Wednesdays until 9 p.m.), Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Date: August 18, 2007
Did you ever have something that you wanted to give away? Did you wish you had a stamp so that could easily mark it as "free"? Did that thing you wanted to give away happen to be 28-feet tall?
If you answered yes to all of those questions, I have the silly site for you! The World's Largest Rubber Stamp may be just what you need!
The stamp rests just minutes from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. And...well...it is what it is...a GIGANTIC rubber stamp marked "FREE" (or, at least a backwards free).
Like many silly American sites there is a lot of controversy surrounding the stamp. The idea for the sculpture was originally concocted by Standard Oil and after many ideas were thrown around, the idea of a "FREE" stamp was born. However, soon after these plans were finalized, management changed hands and work on the stamp was halted and the completed parts were put into storage. Several years and another change of hands later, amidst concerns over paying for the storage, interest in displaying the pop art stamp was renewed. Willard Park was chosen as the new location, but, of course, it now met with government opposition. Luckily for the artists and silly Americans everywhere an election brought on new government officials who embraced the piece of art and let it be displayed in the park. Officially inaugurated on November 15, 1991, the bright red stamp still stands at a whopping 28-feet tall and 48-feet long and is FREE for all to see.
Site: World's Largest Rubber Stamp
Location: Willard Park, Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland, OH
Cost: FREE
Hours: Always visible.
Date: August 18, 2007
It's Christmas time once again, and you know what that means...yes, the tree is up, the presents are wrapped, the cookies are out, my Norad Santa tracker is up, and 24 hours of A Christmas Story are rerunning on my TV. I find that every year I can fall asleep to one point in the film and wake up the next morning in the exact same place without skipping a beat. I call it the true Christmas Miracle.
If you have never seen the movie, it is about young Ralphie Parker, a boy whose only Christmas wish is to receive a BB gun for Christmas. More specifically, an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. Of course, his family, teachers, and even the department-store Santa are against it, famously proclaiming "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out." In the end he finally gets his wish and his gun...and only manages to prove everyone right.
It's a Christmas classic.
While the movie itself takes place in the fictional town of Hulman, Indiana (based off of Hammond), the Parker's house actually resides in Cleveland, Ohio and is open for tours.
The house itself was only used for exterior shots, but the owner has done a spectacular job of transforming the property both inside and out. Back in 2004 a Californian names Brian Jones won the house on eBay. He had been a fan of A Christmas Story since childhood and even created the Red Rider Leg Lamp Company to manufacture replicas of the famous prop (major award) used in the film. The property wasn't in movie-form when he bought it, with newer windows and siding, but Jones took intricate notes and fixed it up to transform the property back into film-condition. Although the inside wasn't used in the movie, he also fixed it up (as best as possible as the interior wasn't the exact layout) to reflect the family home: from portraits over the mantle, a turkey in the oven, comic books on the bed, and, of course, a leg lamp in the window.
Across the street, Jones bought another property that was converted into a gift shop and mini-museum that showcases movie merchandise and costumes.
If you love the movie it's a great place to tour since every nook of the home contains something you'll recognize. But even if you don't love the movie you have to admit, this is one silly American abode.
Site: A Christmas Story House
Location: 3159 W 11th St, Cleveland, OH 44109
Cost: Adults/$7, Children 7 to 12/$5, Children 6 & under/FREE, Seniors/$6
Hours: Thursday–Saturday: 10am–5pm; Sundays 12pm–5pm (closed, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, New Years Day, and all other Major Holidays.)
Date: August 18, 2007
