Today’s Spotlight is on Fruitcake. Well it’s more about getting rid of un eaten fruitcake.

 

Here is a quick survey (post your answers in the comments):

1. How many Fruitcakes did you get this past holiday Season?
2. How many do you still have left?
3. What the heck are you going to do with them now? (if you are like me you are probably dieting).

 

Today is Annual Fruitcake Toss Day.

Fruitcake Toss Day is an annual holiday that takes place on January 3. The day celebrates fruitcakes by tossing them in an empty space. The goal is to get rid of unwanted fruitcake. On Fruitcake Toss Day, people toss any leftover or uneaten fruitcake into the air. Some people prefer the classic arm toss, while others use a fruitcake slingshot or pneumatic weapon launch.

In Manitou, Colorado, hundreds of people gather to compete to see who can throw their fruitcake the highest or the greatest distance.

To compete, you must bake your own favorite recipe and bring it down to the toss between 1-1:30 p.m. the day of the event. Your cake must have flour, nuts, and fruit to qualify.

Fruitcake Toss Day is usually the third weekend in January. Occasionally, it’s listed as occurring on the first Saturday in December.

 

A Little Background

In English slang, the word “fruitcake” is an insult that means someone is strange or crazy. It can also mean that someone is deluded, zany, nuts, or psycho.

Fruitcake has a long history:

• In ancient Egypt, fruitcakes were placed in pyramids with deceased royal dignitaries to sweeten their afterlife.
• In the 19th century, fruitcakes became traditional wedding cakes in England.
• In the Middle Ages, fruitcakes were a royal tradition served at festivities like holidays, weddings, and christenings.
• In the United States, Americans inherited the British tradition and called them Christmas cakes or plumb cakes.
• In England, unmarried wedding guests would put a slice of fruitcake under their pillow to dream about their future spouse.

So why are you holding on to these darn things now? Why not give them a toss and have some fun doing it.

 

Celebrating Fruitcake Tossing

Fruitcake Toss Day originated in Manitou Springs, Colorado. A group of locals decided to make a competition out of tossing their old fruitcakes in a public park. The first Great Fruitcake Toss was held on January 3, 1996.

The day has been celebrated every year since, except for a few canceled editions. Manitou Springs has become so famous for its annual toss that it’s even been mentioned in Wikipedia and other publications.

 

Here are some ways to celebrate Fruitcake Toss Day:

• Toss a fruitcake: Pick up any fruitcake and throw it in the air.
• Host a competition: Invite family members to join you outside and take turns tossing their fruitcakes. You can also make hot chocolate and prizes.
• Play Catch the Fruitcake: Divide into groups of three and catch fruitcakes tossed by your own devices. The fruitcakes must be at least 1 pound in weight.
• Hold your own Great Fruitcake Toss: Get your friends together to compete for longest range.

You can share your celebration on social media using #FruitcakeTossDay.

 

Tossing Fruitcake Records

The all-time Great Fruitcake Toss record is 1,420 feet. In January 2007, a group of eight Boeing engineers set the record using the “Omega 380,” a mock artillery piece powered by compressed air from an exercise bike.

The current record is 1,500 feet, set by a team of Boeing engineers. They broke their previous record of 1,450 feet.

 

Here are some rules for tossing fruitcakes:

• The winner is the person who can throw the fruitcake the farthest.
• The distance is measured at the final resting spot of the fruitcake, not where it first hits the ground.
• One cake per throw.
• Fruitcakes must be at least 1 pound in weight, be rectangular in shape, and contain glaced fruits, nuts, and flour. They cannot contain anything inedible.
• Fruitcakes must be visible to the inspectors.

 

At the Great Fruitcake Toss in Manitou Springs, Colorado, competitors must:

• Bake their own favorite recipe.
• Bring it down to the toss between 1-1:30 p.m. the day of the event.
• Have flour, nuts, and fruit.