Spectators Cheer on Competitors in First-Ever Florida Man Games

(PatriotPostNews.com) – The first-ever Florida Man Games took place on Saturday, February 24, attracting crowds of hundreds of participants and spectators at the mock sporting event.

The competition was intended to playfully make fun of the Sunshine State’s reputation as a home for wild incidents such as wrestling with crocodiles and drinking fights. Each event at the games was inspired by a real-life story that had taken place in Florida and was hosted at Francis Field in St. Augustine.

Competitions ranged from food eating contests, fencing with makeshift weapons out of duct tape and pool noodles and a relay in which teams simulated a robbery with an array of equipment like bikes, catalytic converters, and copper pipes.

Sumo wrestling with beer pitchers, fleeing from real-life law enforcement through a field of obstacles, and retrieving floating bills in recreated hurricane winds were also included in the events of the day.

To watch the competitions, visitors paid a minimum of $45 per ticket. Pete Melfi, the event’s organizer, said that he was surprised he was the first one to come up with the idea of the Florida Man Games, which he anticipated would earn profits from more than 5,000 tickets.

He added that the motivation behind the event was to provide individuals “an opportunity” to live one day as a “Florida Man” but avoid potentially “ending up in a cop car.”

Although only one event for women was held during the inaugural games, judge Lor Fetrick said the public can expect a separate but similar competition for women if the Florida Man Games remain a popular concept and feasible event. Fetrick, who was previously a competitor on “American Gladiators,” endorsed the idea of the Florida Woman Games, an idea that was met with cheers from the crowd.

According to its website, the Florida Man Games began at 10:20 on the morning of the 24th and ran until at least 10pm. Participants were able to register as teams and also compete individually in a variety of activities held throughout the day.