The Insane Florida Man Games

Hustlers, fugitives, million dollar hucksters, hair brained thieves and Armani drug traffickers all congregate and scheme in the Sunshine State.

Florida today has 22 million residents, the third largest population of any state and they share roads, beaches and timeshares with more than 130 million tourists every year.

This cast of characters provide a luckless counter narrative to the salt and sun-kissed Florida that tourists spy from their beach towels.

If the rest of America is going to make Florida the punchline, then those who call it home might as well be in on the joke.

Promoted as the most Insane Athletic Showdown on Earth the Florida Man Games pokes fun at the state’s reputation for bizarre stories that involve brawling, drinking, gunfire, reptile wrangling and other antics carrying a risk of time in jail or intensive care.

Games that let participants seemingly get an adrenaline rush, minus any jail time.

In Florida weirdness is not only acknowledged, but celebrated.

A ripped from the headlines idea for a spoofed sporting event.

It ain’t the Olympics!   It’s themed competitions to the collective antics of the beer loving,  gator possessing, rap sheet and heavy mullet headed crowd.

Spectators sipping canned Pabst Blue Ribbon beers in tank tops with cut off shorts behind the metal barricades, cheered and trash talking as dozens of teams battled in contests inspired by real events from America’s most surreal state.

One event had contenders dueling in muddy water in an inflatable pool, pummeling each other with weapons made from pool noodles and duct tape.

Another was a theft simulation relay in which competitors race while towing a pair of bicycles, copper pipes and catalytic converters,  living a day in the life of Florida Man headlines.

Beer Belly Wrestling Sumo style, while holding pictures of beer.

The Evading Arrest obstacle course where you jump over fences, through  backyards, running away from actual Deputy Sheriffs to earn your freedom.

Fight Night Brawl of the badges, where police officers take on firefighters.

Eat the Butt Challenge, where hungry competitors wharf down a pork butt platter in the fastest time.

Teams named Hanky Spanky, Cooter Commanders and the Red-Eyed Gator Hunters, all with an absolute disregard for self-preservation.

Spectators paid real money,  $45 per ticket or more to watch the games on Francis Field in downtown St Augustine.

There was a $5,000 prize for the winning team and they confirmed the games will return next year.

Yes craziness seems to thrive along Route 1 in Florida.