Summer Nationals Slingshot Tournament
In January of 1976 I attended the Fourth Annual Saunders Slingshot Tournament in Las
Vegas, Nevada where I participated in the tournament, displayed my slingshot collection,
and met with many people interested in slingshots and archery. In May of 1976 I also
attended the World Championship Slingshot Tournament at Carrizo Springs, Texas.
There I participated, displayed my collection, and met with more people having similar
interests in slingshots. The tournaments were both great fun and informative to me about
the world of slingshots.
I had hoped for a tournament
closer to home but could not find one. It was at this time I decided the best way to have
a slingshot tournament closer to me was to hold my own tournament. The Toulon Chamber of
Commerce was interested in having such as event during the Stark County Old Settler's
Celebration. They also hoped it might draw in more people from out of town. It took about
three months of planning to prepare for the tournament.
The first slingshot
tournament had 59 contestants in five divisions, a prize drawing of slingshots and related
equipment, trophies, and the opportunity to purchase the first Summer Nationals Slingshot
Tournament T-Shirts.
The Summer Nationals Slingshot Tournament was held in Toulon from 1976 to 1987. The number of contestants ran from 35 to 172.
Over the years participants came from Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, and of course Illinois.
The events at the SNST were many, varied, and lots of fun. Some of the events besides
the regular completion were Tin Can Alley, Silhouette Shoot, World's Fastest Shot, Family
Feud, Team Shoot, Tub Shoot, Glop Shoot, Hillbilly Shoot, Caveman Silhouette Team Shoot,
and Texas Shoot.
The stuntman, TV Star, and Movie Star, Jock Mahoney, appeared at two tournaments and was a big hit with everyone.
The
SNST was also a time when the National Catapultry Association members could get together
to visit, swap slingshots, enjoy friendly competition, and get to know each other.
I will be writing more about the SNST in future issues of Slingshot the Magazine.
I am considering a revival of the SNST. Let me know if you would be interested in attending.
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