[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 98 (Tuesday, July 13, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CELEBRATING THE 31ST ANNUAL SPIVEY'S CORNER HOLLERIN' CONTEST

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                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 13, 1999

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a unique event 
in the Second Congressional District of North Carolina, the Spivey's 
Corner Hollerin' Contest.
  Every third Saturday in June thousands of people from across the 
globe travel to the town of Spivey's Corner in Sampson County to hear 
and participate in the National Hollerin' Contest. June 19th marked the 
31st anniversary of this special event. Each year, the event is held 
for the benefit of the Spivey's Corner Volunteer Fire Department.
  The now-famous contest originated from a chance comment made by 
Spivey's Corner resident Ermon Godwin, Jr. in 1969 on a weekly radio 
talk show that he co-hosted. Mr. Godwin mentioned the tradition of 
hollerin' in Sampson County to the radio show's other host, John 
Thomas. Mr. Thomas half-jokingly suggested that the two hold a 
hollerin' contest. Much to their surprise, about five thousand people 
showed up on that June Saturday in 1969.
  The Hollerin' Contest has evolved into a daylong event, featuring 
live music, food, and five separate hollerin' events. They are: the 
Whistlin' Contest, the Conch Shell and Fox Horn Blowin' Contest, the 
Junior Hollerin' Contest, the Ladies Callin' Contest, and the National 
Hollerin' Contest, the main attraction. In addition, many also 
participate in the watermelon roll, in which contestants attempt to run 
barefoot carrying a watermelon across a distance of about 20 yards as a 
member of the Volunteer Fire Department tries to knock the participant 
off his or her feet using a high-pressure hose.
  Winners of the different events has garnered national recognition 
over the years, including appearances on The Tonight Show and Late 
Night with David Letterman. Sports Illustrated, The Voice of America, 
and documentary films have all featured the contest and its winners. As 
would befit its local roots, 30 of the 31 winners of the National 
Hollerin' Contest have been natives of Sampson County, including this 
year's champion. Tony Peacock, who now resides in Chapel Hill, North 
Carolina.
  To further honor this unique event, I have sponsored the Spivey's 
Corner Hollerin' Contest in the Library of Congress Bicentennial Local 
Legacies Project. I am hopeful that the colorful tradition of hollerin' 
will now be preserved in the American Folklife Center of the world's 
most reknown library so that everyone can have a chance to celebrate 
this North Carolina unique cultural event.




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