Corey Perrine | Photojournalist

Essay: Redneck Games

A celebration of heritage.

Embracing southern roots.

In 1996, when the Summer Olympics came to Atlanta a group of folks created their own version of southern competition, The Redneck games. Events include, armpit serenade, bobbing for pig's feet, belly flop and seed spitting competitions. This year marks the 16th annual hosting of the event It has attracted thousands over the years and has been featured on TV, in magazines and newspapers around the globe. Over 2,000 came to enjoy friends, food, music and more.

Frank "Freight Train" Mills of Cobbtown, Ga. displays his enthusiasm at the start of the games July 10 at the Redneck Games in East Dublin, Ga. "Where did my teeth go?" Mills said. "Brass knuckles."
   
Lauren Perkins, 3, center, is consoled by her mother Lauren as she watches the bellyflop competition July 10 at the Redneck Games in East Dublin. Perkins was okay after a few people flopped into the pit and her mom explained what was going on.
   
Eric Autler pulls out a pigs foot using his teeth during the bobbing portion of competition July 10 at the Redneck Games in East Dublin. Autler failed to repeat as champion from the previous year.
     
  
Jacob Hayes, center, of Savannah, Ga. enjoys a beer as opening ceremonies begin July 10 at the Redneck Games in East Dublin, Ga.
  
Michael Tucker of Boaz, Ala. tosses a toilet seat while competing in the redneck horseshoe event July 10 at the Redneck Games in East Dublin.
  
Brian Anthony, left, and his wife Julie, kiss in the Occone River July 10 at the Redneck Games in East Dublin.
     
  
Katie Barry of New York, NY competes in the seed spitting contest July 10 at the Redneck Games in East Dublin.
  
A family flies the Dixie flag in various ways.
   
Patrons avoid getting hit on a makeshift mud slide into the Occone River July 10 at the Redneck Games in East Dublin.
     
  
Patrick Young of Twiggs Co. steps out of the Occone River July 10 at the Redneck Games in East Dublin.
  
A police officer uses a cliff to overlook the crowd in the Occone River below July 10 at the Redneck Games in East Dublin, Ga.
   
Vicki Hickey of Dallas, Tx. has beer cans shoved into her bikini top by daughter-in-law Marie Simpson of Augusta, Ga.
     
  
A girl is mummified in mud for a split second and a man saves his beer in the belly flop competition July 10 at the Redneck Games in East Dublin, Ga. Over 2,000 came out to enjoy the games, music, food and swimming. This year marks the 16th annual hosting of the event since the 1996 Summer Olympics came to Atlanta. It has attracted thousands over the years and has been featured on TV, in magazines and newspapers around the globe. Popular events included, redneck horseshoes, armpit serenade, bobbing for pig's feet, belly flop and seed spitting competitions.
   
Mallory Robinson of Warner Robins, Ga. adjusts her bikini bottom while watching others make their way down a mudslide into the Occone River July 10 at the Redneck Games in East Dublin, Ga.