Darwin, Minnesota: Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota

The late Francis Johnson's famous giant ball, now the centerpiece of the town. There are four giant twine balls in America, but this is the only one with its own song.

A tip for twine ball visitors: if you can't find the caretaker to let you into the museum and gift shop, just walk into any of the 5 or 6 businesses on the main street in Darwin. We found him across the street at the tavern/restaurant. We asked real nice and he also opened the door on the gazebo so we could take a photo not through the blurry plexiglas. Warning -- opening that door unleashed the largest whiff of pure allergens I've ever experienced. I'm still sneezing! The Darwin twine ball rules, and remember, all the others are fakes. Made by one man!

I just got back from the twineball and I just had to inform you that Twineball Day is the second Saturday in August not the second weekend. It was pretty cool and the people in Darwin are verrrrrrrry friendly. I had a beer at the Country Tavern and some fried bread at The Twineball Inn. Between myself and two other people, we spent $120 on souvenirs including t-shirts, bumper stickers, miniature souvenoir balls of twine, shot glasses, magnets, cup coolers and coffee mugs. Also if you happen to be on your way to Darwin on the 14th of August, it also happens to be Corn Day in one of the nearby towns.

As RA fans, we always make it a point to visit sites in RA at least twice. So when we went to Darwin, MN on August 4th, 1998 to see the Largest Ball of Twine Made By One Man, as it is now known, a little gift shack had opened up next to the plexiglass-encased ball. The woman who 'works' there was kind enough to let us in to see, touch and smell the ball. She talked our ears off about Francis Johnson. More interestingly, at the Twine Ball Inn across the street (kitty-corner to the park), they have amassed Francis' belongings, including "a plier" (direct quote from the friendly Darwinian) that he carved out of wood that unfolds to make over twenty smaller pliers. The handles are like a large puzzle of pliers. There's a saloon next to the Inn that also has some of Francis' collection. He must have never thrown anything away. We highly suggest visiting the ball when the happy, ultra-friendly tour guide is there.