14.5 pounds of boysenberry pie

Just a quick blurb about our trip to the first day of Knott's Boysenberry Festival: We decided to renew our passes and headed to the opening day of Knott's boysenberry festival. What a cool event! We got a nice passholder perk of early entrance to the park that allowed us to tackle five coaster rides before the park opened to the general population. Tom was able to try out Silver Bullet for the first time three times in a row. It was fun, but I really wish I could wear my glasses!

We purchased three tasting passes for the festival, which gave us samples of eight boysenberry dishes. That being said, we didn't realize that a ton of other dishes were also available for purchase separately. But in all, at $25 each, they were a really good deal. And delicious stuff: boysenberry BBQ wings, which were inhaled, meatballs, dessert flautas, short ribs, panne cotta, and alligator bites. It was more food than we could eat and snagged a take out container on our way out.

We staked out front row spots for the boysenberry pie eating contest and were treated to an up-close view of one of the most disgusting and fascinating "sports" around: professional eating. The fith place contestants each put away 8 and a half pounds in 8 minutes. Joey Chestnut won with 14 and a half pounds. Let's say you were a hearty eater and put away two pounds of food every day. There's a weeks worth of food in 8 minutes for you right there. Amazing. Horrible. Well worth the price of admission. Not sure if you'll be able to see the video, but just in case: https://www.facebook.com/janfrederick.hurd/videos/10208319068234971/

On our way out, I also grabbed a potted boysenberry vine to plant along our back fence, which I hope takes. What a great souvenir right? How often do we get to buy plants at a theme park?

In all, the event was great. The lines for the food were long, but moved quickly. We saw tons of folks there for the festival. I overheard guests mentioning their preference for Knott's over Disneyland. They certainly seem to know their market. Now I'm wondering if they'll try something similar at the other Cedar Fair parks.

IFOCE 4 LYFE!

You don't get the nickname of "Jaws" by nibbling... :-P

http://micechat.com/122082-boysenberry-festival/

Scroll down to Pie Eating Contest, first picture. I'm the guy in the blue hat just above and a little to the right of the hat of the photographer in the foreground. ;)

I see you!

And oh my god, count me in for next year. As a fan of all berries, I find the boysenberry to be the most delicious. An entire festival devoted to it would be awesome, and the tastings sound tasty. I could totally pig out on some pie, too. (I may not give Mr. Chestnut a run for his money but I'd give it the good ole college try.) Maybe a trip to California next spring is in order. Disney, Knotts, Universal, Magic Mountain, and Palm Springs. I think yes.

I suppose a boysenberry plant would grow in Ohio... We have no end of blackberries and raspberries.