Craig, Iowa, goes nuts
Testicle festival challenges stomachs with the other, other white meat
By WEEKENDER STAFF | 07.12.07
“Put what in my mouth?” is something that will probably be overheard Saturday in Craig, Iowa, a Plymouth County town of 89 residents.
What began as a joke at the local bar has grown into a festival attracting up to 700 people to the town northwest of Le Mars, Iowa.
If you castrate it, people will come, as the residents of Craig have learned over the past six years at the annual Test Fest, short for Testicle Festival.
The Saturday event features a parade, a queen contest, softball tournament, hanging of Christmas decorations and n the biggie n a feed of the delicacy called Rocky Mountain oysters.
Wait … a Test Fest queen? Yep, and in 2006 the honor was bestowed upon Rhonda Grasz.
“It’s the biggest fundraiser for the city,” Grasz said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
As reigning queen, Grasz will lead the three- to four-block parade at 5:30 p.m., sporting the Test Fest tiara and sash. She’ll then circle back to crown the new queen and cheer her on as she rides regally through downtown Craig.
“The testicles are darn good,” said Karen Paulsen, a Craig resident.
“It’s a meaty taste,” added Kelly Plueger. “I’ve had them for years. I grew up on a farm.”
“I’ve been here five years and I’ve never tried them,” said Bailey Otto. “I’m way too shy.”
The meal follows the parade, which follows the softball tournament. A street dance wraps up the celebration.
But before calling the folks in Craig crazy, it’s wise to know that testicle festivals are not all that uncommon.
Rocky Mountain oysters, prairie oysters, Montana tendergroin or swinging sirloin are all culinary names given to bull testicles. It’s a well-known novelty dish in parts of the American west and the Canadian prairies where cattle ranching dominates. The dish in most commonly served at festivals, such as the many that are held annually in Montana and Phoenix, Ariz. Eagle, Idaho, claims to have the “World’s Largest Rocky Mountain Oyster Feed” during its Eagle Fun Days festival in June.
Craig’s all-volunteer festival collects donations which fund a variety of projects throughout town. Test Fest funds, for example, paid for supplies to Sheetrock and insulate the interior of the Craig shelterhouse. Test Fest proceeds helped pay for new playground equipment, bought lumber for renovated picnic tables and allowed residents to buy new Christmas decorations.
“We hung the Christmas decorations on the street lights last year during our Test Fest, so people could see how we were using the money,” DeBoom said.
What does the future hold for the Test Fest? DeBoom said the committee would like to build a massive city grill for the 2008 festival, a unique Siouxland celebration that seems to be growing year by year.
So, how does one become
Test Fest royalty?
“Three guys got this whole thing started seven years ago, and they don’t want their names out,” said Rhonda Grasz, reigning Test Fest Queen. “They decide on that day who gets to be queen. Usually, it’s someone who helps out quite a bit.”
Grasz helps the testicle cause by storing donated calf fries in her freezer throughout the year. “Right now my freezer is full of them,” she said.
Added Connie DeBoom, one of the event organizers, “The Rocky Mountain oysters are saved by our local veterinarians. It started as a joke in the local bar.”
Grasz also helps prepare testicles for the feed, which runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The tasty morsels (or so we are told) mostly come from cattle, are thawed, breaded and fried. Organizers also roast four hogs for those who prefer more traditional fare. Craig residents make salads, too.
The details
What: Craig Test Fest
When: All day, Saturday, July 14. Testicle feed begins at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Downtown Craig, Iowa
Cost: Donations are accepted
