From the Editor: Terry Hazlett
Some of the most enjoyable aspects of our annual family vacations are those impromptu interstate diversions to break up the blacktop monotony of the long drive home.
We especially seek out small towns that have found innovative ways to be relevant in the 21st century, if only by thinking out of the box. In this instance, a very, very large (mail)box.
Returning from a Branson, Mo., vacation earlier this summer, we noticed numerous signs for “World’s Largest” items – not attractions that would typically interest us. Nonetheless, nearing the Illinois-Indiana border on Interstate 70, we needed a restroom/ice cream break and the town that boasted the “World’s Largest” collection was just ahead – Casey, Ill.
It was late Sunday afternoon, and I held out little hope that anything in the tiny town of 2,744 would even be open – if indeed there were any businesses in town at all. Nonetheless, as with most interstate exits, golden arches were visible and would suffice.
First, though, we decided to take the bait and check out the “World’s Largest” collection – and were in for a “big” surprise in addition to the picturesque charm of a town that seemed to have been plucked out of a movie. We first came upon gigantic wind chimes – at 54-feet high, very imposing and a unique, aesthetically-pleasing center ornament for a beautiful garden as well. Across the street was a real “yikes!” moment – a 56-foot tall rocking chair in front of city hall. You can supply the punch line.
Even more impressive than the towering attractions was the fact that on a sultry Sunday summer afternoon in Middle America, dozens of people were wandering a downtown, many with cameras in hand.
Also visible was the next big thing – a mammoth teeter-tooter still under construction.
Elsewhere in town, we found:
• A 30-foot, 6,659-pound golf tee at the country club
• A 60-foot pitchfork outside Richard’s Farm restaurant (specializing in a one-pound chop)
• An oversized birdcage in which guests may sit on the perch (swing) for selfies
• A 32-foot long No. 2 pencil
• A 32-foot high mailbox which you may climb inside for photos – and drop off mail at the same time
• 13-foot needles and a 6-foot crochet hook, both operable, at the The Yarn Studio
• A pair of Dutch wooden shoes that the Jolly Green Giant would love
There’s more, including a gigantic rocking horse and softball bats, with more livin’ large pieces to come. We’re told the man who created the first attraction of wind chimes plans to stop when an even dozen of his creations are accepted by the Guinness Book of World Records (currently, eight qualify – the wind chimes, golf tee, knitting needles, crochet hook, rocking chair, pitchfork, mailbox and wooden shoes).
I’m not certain what the main business of Casey, Ill., was in the past, but there’s no doubt that tourism trumps that industry now. People were everywhere in the two-block center of town. The ice cream shop had a line that snaked over to the mailbox and the candy shop in which the wooden shoes are housed was busy as well, bagging up specialty saltwater taffy, fudge and postcards. Up the street, a variety store across from the bird cage – with a bright yellow magnified minion outside – had its share of customers, too.
As we headed out toward the restaurant, a tour bus was pulling in, weighted down with people with full wallets and empty stomachs.
We indeed found an open restaurant, and enjoyed a very reasonably-priced meal. On the way out of the door, a middle-aged couple asked where we were from in Pennsylvania (they had seen our license plate) and asked how we enjoyed their big attractions.
“Thanks for coming to Casey,” they said. “We appreciate you stopping by.”
In a town that thrives on tourists – and evidently gets plenty of them – I’m certain they were sincere with every word they said.