Why? Seven words my friend, The World's Largest Ball of Sisal Twine!!
Just let that sink in . . .
Sights:
• The World's Largest Ball of Sisal Twine: So in 1953 some guy started to ball his scraps of sisal twine and in 1961 he gave it to Cawker City. People continued to add to it and eventually, a roof was built over it. There is a placard that describes all the details.
-If you are lucky (like we were), The Twine Queen may happen by, to answer any questions the placard doesn't.
-She carries twine with her, but recommend you bring some of your own, so you can be sure to add it to the ball yourself (Congratulations, now you're the world record holder!).
>>> Note: when I added my twine I felt much like Lou Gehrig must have felt on Aug 17, 1933, when he broke he broke the longest consecutive games-played streak, then held by Everett Scott. I knew the record I just set was a powerful reminder of a man's ability to face repeated obstacles such as broken bones, lumbago (whatever that is), and being knocked unconscious, but still persevere and set a new record. I also knew that the record may be broken, but that just setting it, in and of itself was an honorable accomplishment.
-Twine-A-Thon: Just when you think it can’t get any better . . .
Facilities:
• Restrooms at the Cawker City Public Library.
• Competition:
- I know what you're thinkin': How can I get more twine ball? Well, there is another famous ball of twine. Possibly the largest ball of twine wrapped by one man. It is located in Darwin, MN and very well may have killed the man who created it.
- There are also two other competing balls. See Wikipedia for all the details.
Misc:
• Twine is a strong thread, light string or cord composed of two or more thinner strands twisted, and then twisted together (plied). The strands are plied in the opposite direction to that of their twist, which adds torsional strength to the cord and keeps it from unravelling. This process is sometimes called reverse wrap. The same technique used for making twine is also used to make thread, which is thinner, yarn, and rope, which is stronger and thicker, generally with three or more strands.
• Natural fibers used for making twine include wool, cotton, sisal, jute, hemp, henequen, and coir. A variety of synthetic fibers are also used.
- Sisal (sī-səl,-zəl), with the botanical name Agave sisalana, is a species of Agave native to southern Mexico but widely cultivated and naturalized in many other countries. It yields a stiff fiber used in making various products. The term sisal may refer either to the plant's common name or the fiber, depending on the context.
• Required Listening: "Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota"by Al Yankovic.
