The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

EGG CRACKING CONTEST

WE HAVE A CUSTOM IN OUR FAMILY CALLED THE EGG-CRACKING CONTEST.
EVERY EASTER SUNDAY MY UNCLE AND HIS FAMILY WOULD HOLD THIS CONTEST.
THE CONTEST WOULD DETERMINE WHICH PERSON HAD THE HARDEST OR STRONGEST
HARD-BOILED EGG. (THIS CONTEST USED TO BE HELD AT MY GRANDFATHER'S
HOUSE BUT HE PASSED AWAY ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO.) THE CONTEST STARTS
OUT WITH THE PLAYERS HITTING AND CRACKING
COLORED EGGS AT THE POINT OR SHARP
END OF THE EGG. THE WINNER OF A SKIRMISH IS THE PERSON WHOSE
EGG DOESN'T CRACK. THE LOSER MUST GIVE HIS CRACKED EGG TO THE
WINNER AND TRY AGAIN. THE COMPETITION TAKES PLACE IN THE LIVING
ROOM AND MANY CHALLENGES ARE MADE TO THE OWNER OF A WINNING EGG. THE
GAME CONTINUES UNTIL ONLY ONE EGG IS LEFT UNCRACKED. THIS EGG IS
THE WINNER. THE OWNER OF THIS EGG IS THE WINNER AND USUALLY GETS
THE PRIZE OF ONE DOLLAR. WHEN A "POINTS" WINNER IS DETERMINED,
THE GAME BEGINS OVER AGAIN. THIS TIME THE BOTTOM OR FLATTER PART OF
THE EGG IS USED. A "BUTTS" CHAMPION IS REWARDED WITH A DOLLAR
ALSO.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GAME

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR