| Florida Man Games | |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Annually |
| Location(s) | St Augustine, Florida |
| Inaugurated | February 24, 2024 |
| Founder | Pete Melfi |
| Website | thefloridamangames |
The Florida Man Games is an athletic event which parodies the "Florida Man" internet phenomenon. It features a selection of parodic sports events including "A Catalytic Converter, Two Bikes and a Handful of Copper Pipes: Race Against Time", the "Evading Arrest Obstacle Course", and "Beer Belly Florida Sumo".
Intended by its founder Pete Melfi to be an annual event, the inaugural Florida Man Games took place on February 24, 2024 at Francis Field in downtown St. Augustine, Florida, gaining significant national media coverage. The second Florida Man Games is expected to be held on March 1, 2025 at the larger St. Johns County Fairgrounds in Elkton.
The event is organized by Pete Melfi, who runs the local media outlet The 904 Now. [1] Melfi had already organized a half-kilometer beer run in 2023. [2] He has stated that he came up with the various events in the Games by "reverse-engineer[ing] years of ‘Florida man’ headlines." [3] He has also said that he was told to tone down some parts of the Florida Man idea in order to receive a permit for the event, stating that "the city frowned on it when I asked for drugs and nudity." [1]
The inaugural 2024 Florida Man Games were first announced in October 2023, touted as "the most insane athletic showdown on Earth" by organizers. [4] Two former stars of American Gladiators, Dan "Nitro" Clark and Lori "Ice" Fetrick, agreed to serve as referees, [5] and organizers stated that athleticism was not required for competitors to enter. [4] Ripley's Believe It or Not! were initially billed to be sponsoring the games. [5]
The event took place on Saturday, February 24 at Francis Field in downtown St. Augustine, Florida, with spectators paying $45 [1] or $55 per ticket. [2] It was sponsored by Florida apparel company FloGrown, [1] as well as a car dealership and a gym. [2] It benefitted the Jimmy Jam Community Outreach nonprofit. [6]
Competitors formed sixteen teams in which they would compete, [5] each making up exaggerated personas to gain supporters. Team names included the Red Eyed Gator Huggers, the Cooter Commandos, and Hanky Spanky. [2] In the run-up to the event, teams posted on Facebook, including one team chugging Pabst Blue Ribbon beer and jogging in jean shorts and mirrored sunglasses. [1] The games were introduced with "The Star-Spangled Banner" played on an electric guitar. [1] Team Hanky Spanky received the championship belt for the 2024 Games, [6] as well as $5,000. [2]
Organizers accepted video applications for the 2025 Florida Man Games until September 2024. Requirements were added for teams, including the requirement of at least one woman per team. A "scouting combine" was to be held on 17 November 2024, hosted by wrestler Sam Shaw at Hatchet Pro Wrestling. [8] The Games are expected to be held on March 1, 2025 at the larger St. Johns County Fairgrounds in Elkton to accommodate more space, a covered arena, and a dedicated "RV tailgating area". Many of the events are to be retained with the addition of lawnmower racing, alligator shows, "Human Beer Pong", a "Hellzapoppin Freak Show", "Florida Woman Bonus Challenge", "Hurricane Party Prep - Grocery Aisle Brawl", and "Midget Wrestling Warriors", alongside professional wrestling matches. [9] Additionally, each team is newly required to have a woman, and there is also an all-women's team. [10]
Jeremy Clarkson compared the games to British game show It's a Knockout ., humorously proposing the Henley Man Games, Ascot Man Games, and Cheltenham Man Games Gold Cup. [11]