Florida is a wonderfully diverse state. The subtropical climate means warmth and sun, but it also means hurricanes and alligators. The world's third largest coral reef is in Floridian waters, as are the elusive Manatees, Mahi Mahi and hundreds of other endemic species. The people of Florida are just as varied, in culture and ideals. The region is home to some of the country's oddest attractions, a few of which we covered in the part one of this series. Now let's continue.
Parisian McDonald's
In Orlando there is a little fast food restaurant you may have heard of called McDonald's. The restaurant chain's brand is fairly well known, showing a gold colored 'M' on a red background. Do you know it? Well this normally Americanized establishment has chosen to fashion this location after a French caf. The iconic Big Mac is called Le Big Mac, French fries are Les French Fries and a few unusual items added to the menu. Italian Amaretto Spumoni and Portobello Eggplant are just two to choose from. There are even rumors circulating that the staff speak French!
Boat n' Trailer Racing
Move over Monster Truck Rally and NASCAR, the trend in Florida is Boat n' Trailer Racing! In Bithlo, Florida there is a specialized track on which drivers hitch their loaded boat trailers to any vehicle they can find and run amok on the track. Tricks and crashes are the name of the game, the bigger the better. After the boat trailers have been cleared, it is time for the school buses to arrive. Not for transporting convicts back to prison, the buses also race around the tracks! Skilled drivers race their buses in various directions creating surprisingly concise figure 8 patterns on the asphalt. It is truly a sight to behold.
Gibsonton
Gibsonton is a little town off the beaten path in the northwest region of Florida. There aren't any big amusement parks or animal reserves here, in fact the place is quite plain. That is until people begin to go about their daily business. During the days of the traveling circus Gibsonton was the main town for carnival sideshow performers to spend their winter. Such infamous performers as the Lobster Boy, Siamese Twin Sisters, Monkey Girl and the Anatomical Wonder lived and worked in the little community. Since the area had unique zoning laws, animal tamers were permitted to keep their exotic animals on their front lawns. In 2000 the census reported the Gibsonton population as just over 8700, with an unusually high number of little people.
Oddities in Florida are most definitely plentiful, and there are many theories put forth trying to explain why. The most popular one seems to put the blame on migrants from the wild west state of California. There may be some truth in that, but most likely there are several factors at play. For example, the Parisian McDonald's is a marketing ploy. Gibsonton gained its out of the ordinary status simply through the migratory habit of traveling performers. When you visit Florida, enjoy the odd and the weird. Marvel at it. Even bring a little weirdness home with you!
Parisian McDonald's
In Orlando there is a little fast food restaurant you may have heard of called McDonald's. The restaurant chain's brand is fairly well known, showing a gold colored 'M' on a red background. Do you know it? Well this normally Americanized establishment has chosen to fashion this location after a French caf. The iconic Big Mac is called Le Big Mac, French fries are Les French Fries and a few unusual items added to the menu. Italian Amaretto Spumoni and Portobello Eggplant are just two to choose from. There are even rumors circulating that the staff speak French!
Boat n' Trailer Racing
Move over Monster Truck Rally and NASCAR, the trend in Florida is Boat n' Trailer Racing! In Bithlo, Florida there is a specialized track on which drivers hitch their loaded boat trailers to any vehicle they can find and run amok on the track. Tricks and crashes are the name of the game, the bigger the better. After the boat trailers have been cleared, it is time for the school buses to arrive. Not for transporting convicts back to prison, the buses also race around the tracks! Skilled drivers race their buses in various directions creating surprisingly concise figure 8 patterns on the asphalt. It is truly a sight to behold.
Gibsonton
Gibsonton is a little town off the beaten path in the northwest region of Florida. There aren't any big amusement parks or animal reserves here, in fact the place is quite plain. That is until people begin to go about their daily business. During the days of the traveling circus Gibsonton was the main town for carnival sideshow performers to spend their winter. Such infamous performers as the Lobster Boy, Siamese Twin Sisters, Monkey Girl and the Anatomical Wonder lived and worked in the little community. Since the area had unique zoning laws, animal tamers were permitted to keep their exotic animals on their front lawns. In 2000 the census reported the Gibsonton population as just over 8700, with an unusually high number of little people.
Oddities in Florida are most definitely plentiful, and there are many theories put forth trying to explain why. The most popular one seems to put the blame on migrants from the wild west state of California. There may be some truth in that, but most likely there are several factors at play. For example, the Parisian McDonald's is a marketing ploy. Gibsonton gained its out of the ordinary status simply through the migratory habit of traveling performers. When you visit Florida, enjoy the odd and the weird. Marvel at it. Even bring a little weirdness home with you!
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