Redneck Games Continue With "Safety Changes"

((HT: WMAZ-TV/Jennifer Bellamy))

Hundreds of people headed out to East Dublin's Buckeye Park for the 2009 Redneck Games ((pictured, thanks WMAZ-TV)).

People crowded around and answered the call to do battle in the 'mud-pit belly flop', 'bobbing for pig's feet', 'redneck horseshoes' challenges. 'Redneck horseshoes' uses toilet seat covers as horseshoes.

"Redneck games once a year and Christmas once a year. That's my two favorite things," said Barbara Bailey, better known to some as the 'Redneck Grandma,' She says she's attended the event for 12 years bringing along children and grandchildren for some summertime fun.

An accident at last year's games caused a young boy to lose his arm, and the event to lose WQZY as a radio sponsor, leading to some changes at the event.

This year people had to show photo IDs to get a yellow wrist band that allowed them to drink at the games.

Freddie Baugus, President of the East Dublin Lions Club, the group that hosts the event, says they also had about half a dozen more police on hand for extra security, as well.

"People have to be careful, and if you're careful then most of the time you'll come out, but I mean accidents happen," said Baugus, and people at the games seem to agree.

Karen Lawler said mixing hot weather, water, fun and music can make a dangerous combination with a large number of people.

"People are forgetting we're all here to have fun and that we're actually here without a lot of supervision and you get a lot of people together without a lot of supervision some people get a little crazy," she said.

"If people watch their children like the should things like that, I mean you can have an accident anywhere," said Bailey.

Baugus says the even usually see around 10,000 people. He says funds raised by the games goes to local charities.

Here's coverage from our friends at Fox24 in Macon...Kendall Herold drew whichever-sized straw you think she drew for the assignment



Those of us at OSG HQ agree that, yes, you can lose an arm anywhere...
Just look off to the side somewhere, and there's obviously someone's appendage looking for an owner...