World’s Strangest Food-Related Press Release
This actually ran on the wire service. I’m not sure who thought it was worth spending the money to run it on the wire, but hey, here I am extending the publicity…! I think this may be the strangest press release I’ve ever read!
Seattle Cheese Festival Kicks Off With a ‘Rolling of the Truckles’
SEATTLE, May 18 /PRNewswire/ — Tomorrow morning, hundreds of fans will gather around the Pike Place Market’s famous bronze pig, Rachel, to cheer on a race like no other race Seattle has seen. To launch the Third Annual Seattle Cheese Festival off on the right wheel, a “Rolling of the Truckles” will pit men against cheese on Saturday, May 19 beginning at 10:00 a.m. A truckle is an 18-pound barrel-shaped cheese that’s taller than it is wide. Rolling one of these cylinders requires a special cheese spatula and, perhaps, a sense of humor.
John Maynard, Seattle radio personality, will announce the play-by-play for this event as the competing participants test their skill and coordination.
Competitors include:
— Seattle’s Granite Curling Club
— Chef/Owner Thierry Rautureau, of Rover’s restaurant
— Kurt Beecher Dammeier, of Beecher’s Handmade CheeseThe race will debut on the brick street at Pike Place Market. The race starts at the market’s famous bronze pig, Rachel, and finishes outside of Beecher’s Handmade Cheese.
*****PHOTO OPPORTUNITY*****
WHO:
— Chef/Ower Thierry Rautureau, of nationally-renowned Rover’s restaurant
— Kurt Beecher Dammeier, of Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
— Several members of the Granite Curling Club
— John Maynard, a Seattle radio personality, will announce the play-by-play for this eventWHAT: Rolling of the Truckles Race — requires skill, talent, coordination and a good sense of humor. Hundreds of people will be cheering on the teams as they attempt to “truckle and chuckle” their way down the cobblestone streets of the Pike Place Market.
WHEN:
Saturday, May 19, 2007
9:45 a.m. — Contestants begin stretching for cheese race
10:00 a.m. — Race begins
10:15 a.m. — Winner indulges and devours grand-prize, cheese!WHERE: Pike Place Market on the brick street between Rachel the pig and Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
bizarre news, cheese, pigs, strange
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:11 am
This is a beautiful example of how a fun contest that kicks off a special event can generate valuable publicity.
And the event organizers were very smart to pay for worldwide distribution through a press release distribution service.
I didn’t know about this until I read it here. And I, too, will be giving this group more publicity when I write about it next week in my free electronic newsletter, “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week.” (You can sign up at my website at PublicityHound.com from the box that bounces down from the top of the screen).
Publicity stunts are terrific ways to generate media coverage, not to mention bloggers like both of us. Thanks for calling this to our attention.
May 24th, 2007 at 3:03 am
I have recollections of there being rolling-of-the-cheese things in Europe a few hundred years ago. If I ever rememember where I saw it, I’ll chase it up and let you know. It’s the difference between rather silly and dignified by the weight of history.