Purdue News

August 6, 1999 Indiana State Fair attracts cricket spitters WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue University's racing roaches will share the spotlight with catapulting crickets at the 1999 Indiana State Fair. On August 14 from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. and August 22 from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., selected fairgoers will have the opportunity to measure their cricket spitting prowess against the world record of 32 feet 1 and 1/2 inches, as sanctioned by the Guinness Book of World Records. Historically, crowds have swarmed to the state fair exhibit and Purdue University's Bug Bowl to watch the cockroach races at "Roach Hill Downs." But since its 1997 Bug Bowl debut, cricket spitting has become so popular that Purdue entomologist Tom Turpin decided to feature it at this year's Indiana State Fair. According to Turpin, people find the idea of spitting crickets for distance intriguing and fun. When the cricket spitting contest was first introduced to Purdue Bug Bowl, so many people wanted to participate that names had to be drawn out of a hat. "People who weren't picked were really distraught," Turpin said. There will be four divisions and 25 openings in each division; junior and senior men, and junior and senior women. The junior divisions are for competitors ages 13 and under while the senior divisions will feature participants ages 14 and older. Awards will be given for the top three places in each division. Prospective cricket spitters can sign up for a chance to compete at the Purdue Information Booth inside the Pioneer Hi-Bred Our Land Pavilion. The event will be held in front of the pavilion. CONTACT: Tom Turpin, (765) 494-4568; tom_turpin@entm.purdue.edu Source: Tom Turpin, (765) 494-4568; tom_turpin@entm.purdue.edu Writer: Naomi J. Haley, (765) 494-8396; news_students@aes.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page