Monday, December 30, 2013

Project Cubbins: Hat 218 - State Traditions Edition

Me with Hat 218 - in Fryman Canyon Park, Los Angeles
Day 218 / Hat 218: Green, 100% cotton baseball-style cap with gold embroidered outline of the state of Vermont (edged in white embroidery) on front and additional gold embroidery on back that reads: "State Traditions" in all caps.

Purchased at the Orvis flagship store in Manchester, Vermont, during my recent return to the 802, this hat is actually by a company called "State Traditions" (the name also appears on an interior tag). Here's a brief background from the label's website:

Based in Birmingham, Alabama, State Traditions creates top-notch, state and country-inspired apparel and accessories that reflect traditions across America and the world. The brand is the brainchild of friends Keith Brown and John McElrath, who were looking for a creative way to showcase their state pride both around town and at the stadium in the summer of 2007.

Nonetheless, the name got my brain moving in a different direction (as my brain Is wont to do) and I started thinking about state traditions in general.

Just off the top of my head (almost literally), Vermont's state traditions might include town meeting day, mud season and the mischievous practice of cow tipping -- though, as I've said many a time, I spent 30 years there and never actually saw a cow tipped or heard an earnest first-person confession of same.

I'm sure other Vermonters (aka "you shoobs") have additional traditions to add -- if so I encourage you to share them in the comments below. Same for you folks hailing from the other 49 as well. What does your home state do that none of the rest seem to do - or do as well?

I tip this penultimate hat of 2013 to the great state of Vermont, "Stella Quarta Decima," and its traditions -- new and old.

Related:
PC 217: Spies Like Us
PC 216: Throwin' Devil Horns
PC 215: A (Tiny) Fez on the Crown

Q: OK, nice hat -- but what exactly is Project Cubbins, anyway?

A: One man's homage to Dr. Seuss and his second book, "The 500 Hats of Bartholemew Cubbins," which is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its publication in 2013, Project Cubbins is an attempt to document the wearing of a different hat or piece of headgear every day for 500 consecutive days. No do-aheads, no banking of hats, no retroactive entries. PC started on May 27, 2013 with Hat 1
Got hats? If you loan 'em, you'll get e'm back safe and sound!

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