UPDATE: Due to the weather forecast for Saturday, Family Farm Day has been rescheduled for Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
By LISA CAPOBIANCO
STAFF WRITER
Alex Bernier of Bristol Central High School never expected his pair of Adidas to be labeled as the most worn out, smelliest sneakers during Family Farms Day at Roberts Orchards last year.
Now a high school freshman, Alex was the winner of the 12th Annual Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest, which serves as a major highlight of the Family Farms Day. The contest, which allows children ages 5 to 15 to enter, includes a team of judges or “odor-ologists,” who choose the most worn out and smelliest pairs of sneakers they can find. Each contestant struts on the stage wearing their sneakers, which are judged based on odor, condition, and the child’s verbal account of why his or her shoes have the worst smell.
The winner of the regional contest received $200, Odor-Eaters products, and the Golden Sneaker Award. Besides winning those prizes, Alex had the opportunity to enter the national contest held in New York City, where he came in second place.
Formed in 1974, the Rotten Sneaker Contest started as a promotion created by a Montpelier, Vt. sporting goods owner who wanted to advertise a new line of athletic shoes, according to the Odor-Eater’s website. The owner found a perfect pair of rotten sneakers at the Montpelier Department of Recreation for the store ad, as the story goes. At that moment, the recreation director invented a new contest that entailed the search for the worst rotten sneakers, reported Odor-Eaters on its website. The makers of Odor-Eaters products became the official sponsor in 1988.
Alex said he was surprised he won the regional contest in Bristol, as the competition was fierce.
“I was definitely surprised,” said Alex, adding how he discovered the contest last year for the first time ever. “[The contestants’] sneakers were definitely bad, but mine were a lot worse.”
Although he only wore the sneakers for six months, Alex said he wore them out by “going outside like crazy,” where he rode his bike and played a variety of sports, including football, basketball and soccer. He even used his sneakers as a brake system while riding his bike.
Alex said advancing to the national level was an interesting experience he will take with him for the rest of his life, adding how he enjoyed seeing what the sneakers of the other contestants endured. As Alex wore out his sneakers even more in preparation for the national contest, his family, peers and teachers cheered him on.
“The experience was definitely awesome,” said Alex, who now has a new pair of sneakers and tossed his old pair in the attic. “People were getting excited for me, but they didn’t know what they were excited for.”
The 13th Annual Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest will return again for Family Farms Day, which takes place this weekend. Hosted by the Imagine Nation Museum, the all-day event offers a variety of activities, including hayrides, pumpkin decorating and face painting, stage performers, and more. The event also will feature a “Build a Scarecrow Shindig,” where families can bring clothes to decorate their own scarecrow or choose from bins of clothes donated by Savers of Bristol.
Doreen Stickney, director of Imagine Nation, said the turnout was great last year for Family Farms Day, which has existed in Bristol for a long time. Stickney added that other children and families will look forward to many of the hands-on activities, including Touch-a-Truck, as well as walk-around characters.
“It has been a long-lasting event for families to come outdoors,” said Stickney, adding that the event also will feature a number of booths.
“We’re excited to have it again this year,” said Linda Arbesman, who helps run Roberts Orchards. “It’s nice to see families come together.”
Both Arbesman and Stickney said the Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest serves as the event’ popular festivity, which has drawn anywhere from 20 to 40 participants.
The winner of this year’s contest will have an opportunity to enter the national contest at New York City’s Ripley’s Believe It or Not in March 2015.
“It’s all good humor,” said Stickney.
“That’s always a big event—they get some awful sneakers in that contest,” said Arbesman with a chuckle.
Family Farms Day will take place this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with afternoon hayrides scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. “Build a Scarecrow Shindig” will take place from 12 to 3 p.m., and registration for the Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest will take place from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. The Roberts Orchard store will be open to buy pumpkins, homemade pies, and breads, as well as apple cider donuts. The Bristol Exchange Club and the Imagine Nation Museum also will have food for sale.