Kooky Nebraskans Will Be Launching Avocados in Hopes to Win $3,500

Holy guacamole. $3,500 for sending avocados through the air at a target? It does sound like fun, doesn't it? It's the second annual event, you should be there.

It's just under four hours to drive to North Platte Nebraska from Fort Collins. You could, feasibly, make a day trip out of this adventure. It's the  National Avocado Launching Championship, and I for one, am eager to see one of these events go down.

What road trips have you ever taken, that when you get to where you're going, you're going to see people compete in something weird? Not many, I'm guessing. I'm definitely guessing that none have involved the hurling of avocados.

SO, THEY'RE DOING WHAT WITH THE AVOCADOS?

Teams of up to three will be "launching" avocados towards big tank targets that are about 200 feet away. They'll use slingshots, water balloon launchers, resistance bands, etc.

No air guns, potato guns, flames, laser beams, or booster rockets. "Laser beams; booster rockets?"  I wonder what happened with year one of this event.

HOW MANY TRIES TO THE AVOCADO LAUNCHERS IN NEBRASKA GET?

Three per round. They will get 30 seconds in between the three launch attempts.

WHAT IS THE PRIZE POOL FOR THE NATIONAL AVOCADO LAUNCHING CHAMPIONSHIP?

• FIRST PLACE - $3,500
• 2ND PLACE - $2,000
• 3RD AND 4TH PLACE - $750

Does is it all seem worth it? I can see where many hear/see about the event and say, 'Challenge, accepted." It's kind of a "Hold my beer" thing. I can see where it's not really about the prize money, it's about building something that works.

HOW MUCH ARE THESE TEAMS PAYING TO BE A PART OF THE EVENT?

$100. Well worth the shot at bragging rights, and $3,500.

WHEN/WHERE IS THE NATIONAL AVOCADO LAUNCHING CHAMPIONSHIP?

• Saturday, September 9, 2023
• Wild West Arena, North Platte, Nebraska.

National Avocado Launching Championship 2022 Highlights from Play North Platte on Vimeo.