Earlier this month the Reading Phillies brought back a popular promotion: a SPAM-carving contest. Upping the ante, the Altoona Curve are performing some unspeakable acts with luncheon meat this Wednesday, as the team's "Livin' La Vida Lunchmeat" is unveiled to a largely unsuspecting world, complete with a soundtrack of recorded tunes from Meat Loaf. What could be next?
First the Reading Phillies (Class AA; Eastern League) brought SPAM into the ballpark as a promotional item, and now the Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League) are upping the ante with a "Livin' La Vida Lunchmeat" promotion this week.
In Reading, the R-Phils opened the SPAM-carving contest to all comers: fans could pay $5 to enter the contest in the food court. Fans were be able to use knives and toothpicks, which are provided by the Reading Phillies, to carve their creations. SPAM carvers may also bring their own carving tools.
Not to be outdone, the Altoona Curve are hosting "Livin' La Vida Lunchmeat" this week. Here is a list of things planned for the night, while some other items are sure to be done “off the hoof”:
Red Meat vs. White Meat = Total consumption by Curve fans for the night will be tallied and a winner will be declared once and for all. Hmmm…hot dogs and hamburgers vs. chicken and pork…smells like a landslide of 1984 presidential election proportions.
Rally Mascot Switch: Hot dog character “Frank” will come back and make a cameo as the Curve’s run-celebrating mascot and “Al Tuna”, the fish character will stay out to sea. After all, fish isn’t meat…or is it?
Meat Eaters’ Derby: Eight participants, three rounds (quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals) with Chicken, Hot Dogs, and Lunchmeat the fare to be gorged upon. The winner of the eat-off will receive free lunch for a year featuring lunchmeat from Kunzler, bread from Pacifico Bakery, and snack chips from Herr Foods.
Lunchmeat Launch – Making Turkey Meat Fly: “WKRP in Cincinnati” Owner Arthur Carlson was unsuccessful with his turkey drop. Can the Curve right a wrong? Maybe a better question is “Will fans want to catch falling lunchmeat?”
Bringing Home the Bacon: Post-game, pig-catching contest among selected fans will be held on the field. Contestants’ hands will be greased to increase the challenge. The winner will be the proud recipient of a pig to roast compliments of Holland Brothers Meat. For those wondering, no, it will not be the same pig that is caught in the contest.
Canadian Bacon vs. Ham Jousting Contest: The red and green jousters, who are gaining fame in Curve, Pa., will battle it out to determine if there’s any difference between the two meats. There isn’t, right?
Lunch Lady Land: Adam Sandler’s cult favorite will be the featured song in the M&T Bank “Finish That Tune” promotion. Hoagies and grinders? Navy beans, navy beans, navy beans? Meatloaf sandwiches?
Share your news with the baseball community. Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.
Subscribers to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter see features before they're posted to the site. You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.
Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!