DAILY DIRT: Too bad you can’t drive to Italy

June 19, 2025 | By Steve Eighinger, Muddy River News Minister of Culture and Doctor of Love

Daily Dirt for Thursday, June 19, 2025

Meal worms, anyone? … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,319 of The Daily Dirt.

1. So, you’re in the mood to do some traveling, eh?

And you say you like to eat, too?

If those are both the case, here are some food festivals I’ve selected from around the world you might like to try and attend:

Bugfest, Raleigh, N.C.: Obviously, insects are the stars of this extreme creepy-crawly extravaganza. Roasted crickets, mealworm tacos and moths are just the tip of the proverbial insect iceberg regarding what attendees can try. We are told that Insects are high in fiber and protein. That’s great, but just give me a Big Mac, please.

Spam Jam, Hawaii: This Waikiki festival celebrates the Hawaiians’ love for Spam. The canned-meat product will be offered in all sorts of Spam-themed dishes, ranging from Spam sushi to Spam tacos.

Monkey Buffet Festival, Thailand: This is one grand gathering you simply go to WATCH. A lavish feast is prepared once a year, usually in late November, for the monkey population in Lopburi. Tables are set with fruits, vegetables and sweets, attracting thousands of monkeys. The festival is designed to honor the monkeys, who are believed to bring good fortune and prosperity.

Garlic Festival, Gilroy, Calif.: This celebrates all things garlic. Attendees can sample ample garlic-infused dishes, including garlic ice cream, garlic bread and garlic fries. There are also garlic-themed crafts … whatever those might be.

Pizza Fest, Naples, Italy: Billed as the world’s largest pizza festival, this event celebrates the city’s most famous culinary invention. Featured are pizza-making competition and pizza tasting. I am told this is a pizza lover’s paradise. This is the only one of these items I would seriously like to attend, except I don’t fly, especially over large bodies of water. Too bad you can’t drive to Italy.

Asparagus Festival, Schetzingen, Germany: The festival honors white asparagus, known as “white gold” in these parts. Asparagus-themed dishes are plentiful. There’s also the crowning of the annual asparagus queen. Apparently, that’s a huge honor.

2. Did you know (Part 400)

That New Zealand has more sheep (27 million) than people (5 million).
That Australia has more kangaroos (43 million) than people (23 million).
That The Netherlands has more bicycles (23 million) than people (17 million).
That Mongolia has more horses (5 million) than people (3.5 million).
That Seattle Mariners catcher/DH Cal Raleigh recently became the first MLB player in history to drive in six runs, hit a grand slam, steal a base and outhit the entire opposing team.

3. While the entries in this week’s Great Plate Debate IV competition were entertaining and interesting as usual, none quite merited a spot on our medal stand.

Here are the best of the personalized West-Central Illinois Northeast Missouri license plates over the past week:

SUN N 2
TEACH 22
REV GIFT
GATOR 9
MARS BG 10
T BOWS 97
TATER P

The top three for a second straight week are:

Gold medal: DR FUNN

Silver medal: U BABE 1

Bronze medal: LA D DA 2

Steve Thought O’ The Day — When you and your wife are ready to leave for some public function, or simply a night out for dinner or a movie and she says, “You’re wearing that?” … do not try and defend your fashion choice, simply go and change. Trust me on this.