On Saturday, behind the big white tent at the Artisan Market in Sonoma Plaza, scores of people volunteered to spit in public, all vying for a place in our history books. Okay, some of them might have been after the gift baskets awarded in three age categories, too. But still.
There were displays of technique and bravado. There were challenges thrown down. There were grown men and women with strangely serious game faces on. And there were three winners.
From Sacramento, and on a first date, was Dean Dake. Recruited by KSVY 91.3 Sonoma personnel outside our studios the day previous, Dean won tickets and placed first in the practice session. He’d simply been across the parking lot, minding his own business when staff interfered, dragging him across the lawn with reassurances. Yeah, it’ll be fun. Nah, your boss won’t mind. When he bested all the others in the ages 18-106 category with his 31foot three-inch winner, his date batted her eyelashes and asked if the competition was rigged. Some girls are too easy to impress, we think. But Dean, we were happy to help.
In the teen category we had Stephen Brooks, a handsome strapping local boy. Innocently riding his bike through the Plaza he was lassoed by Mornings in Sonoma host Veronica Torres who clearly knows a winner when she sees one. Smiling, he agreed to give it a go— because he’s just that kind of kid— and wowed the crowd with an 18 foot eleven-inch missile. Fathers, lock up your daughters. This boy can pucker.
And all the way from Boston, in the ages10-13 group comes Lauren Sampson. Sugar and spice and capable of sending an olive pit 14 feet ten-inches with a single mighty blow. Further, it must be noted, than her brother, who really really wanted to win. So Beantown’s got the Sox, the clam chowder, and now Lauren.
Spit the Pit. A weird way to get your fifteen minutes, it’s true. But a heck of a lot of fun. Thanks for playing, Sonoma.
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