World’s Largest Boot - Red Wing Shoes Model 877
When my brother (seen here) invited me to the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach last month, I reluctantly agreed to go. What did I care about race cars? My limited exposure to racing came from having watched Speed Racer in the old animated series. Like many other girls, I had a little crush on Speed and was jealous of Trixie. Hey, don’t scoff at inter-dimensional love, it can happen! See that A-Ha video “Take on Me” for proof.
My brother’s enthusiasm for the Long Beach Grand Prix was infectious. He brought along two other male buddies, so I felt like the odd woman out but went along for the ride and for new photo ops. Little did I know what would be coming around the corner. I have to admit I found the VROOM VROOM VROOooM and the ZOOM ZOOM ZOOooM in surround sound an exhilarating aural experience. My brother treated me to a testosterone-filled day, complete with chicken wings and Hefeweizen at Hooters.
Adjacent to the races was a “Lifestyles” exhibit hall at the Long Beach Convention Center. Here vendors pitched everything from Disneyland vacations, to Meguiar’s car wax, to the most hideously modified Mini Cooper. The highlight for me was seeing and photographing the Red Wing Shoe Company’s “World’s Largest Boot.” Truly a fantastic feat of craftsmanship and a feast for the eyes, the Red Wing boot model 877 stands 16 feet high, 20 feet long, and 7 feet wide, weighing 2,300 pounds. If Paul Bunyan were 120 feet tall, he might fit this size 638 1/2 boot. The story behind the boot is pretty cool. Over 60 Red Wing Shoe Company employees and retirees volunteered 4,000 hours to construct it for the company’s 100th anniversary. What a great project! Would your boss get behind a crazy idea like this? Not sure mine would. They used most of the same materials and processes as in the manufacture of their regular-sized handmade work boots. Now they have this huge monument to be proud of and to show off at car shows and fairs and such. For shoe lovers, this display is as magical as Disneyland.
It looks as if the boot gets hauled upright around the United States in this truck parked here. Read the full story here.
Red Wing Shoe - Itasca (Saffron) - Men's |
Red Wing Shoe - Frisco (Black) - Men's |
May 12th, 2006 at 9:29 am
I want to be Old Mother Hubbard and live in that shoe!
May 12th, 2006 at 12:57 pm
That is a gigantic boot… but I wish they had it in 1 size larger. When I tried it on it was a little tight in the toes.
May 12th, 2006 at 2:09 pm
I just want to know where is the other boot?
May 12th, 2006 at 2:48 pm
I love you story, it is a ’shoe’mendously witty and informative article. Keep up the good work.
May 13th, 2006 at 1:09 pm
Very interesting stories! The personal touch in these articles and the histories behind these shoes make me want to keep reading. Thank you Yvonne and Team.