More Contestant Controversy!

(gp: January 29, 2010)

Yet more controversy out on the pond of the Great Gnome-out!



This morning the crowds all identified that we had a potential 5th contestant out on the ice. As this reporter and the Great Gnome-out event officials approached, we realized that there was something amiss with this very, very small entrant.

Apparently the somewhat Santa-looking gnome, who has identified himself as Zwielbell is astride a rather duck looking entity who Zwielbell identifies as his "snowman".

The event Judges became considerably concerned with this pair. Per the Great Gnome-out rules, Zwielbell cannot be mounted on his snowman / duck and be a legal contestant. The two were encouraged to come inside for discussions of legalities. Our photographer was able to get a shot of the pair up close during this time.

The Great Gnome-out Rules state: "Spacing between participants must be maintained as a minimum of 24”, and must be directly on the ice. Intermediate objects (ex: snow piles, boards, sleds, pontoon boats, etc.) cannot be used. " In this case the snowman / duck could be considered and intermediate object.

In addition the rules state: "Participants are encouraged to be 6” in height or length as a minimum, and cannot be naturally floating (ex: inflatable, made of Styrofoam, wood, or wearing water wings). " Duckysnowman "(as he is now dubbed) could potentially be a floatation device.

This last point is not firm in this case. Duckysnowman proved that he was neither wood or Styrofoam after he bit a judge that was prodding him to check what he was made off.

After a protracted discussion, the judges rulled that Zwielbell could NOT participate per the rules. As the crowd reacted volubly to this announcement, the Judges went on to say that Duckysnowman, however, could participate as there is nothing against carrying things on your back.


In this photo, Victoria Dickenson (also famously known as Vickie Dickie of the tabloid Gnational Enquire) is seen congratulating the pair on their entrance to the event.

In other news, several of the media helicopters covering the event have reported being harassed in the air by an unidentified object, some to the point of needing to land due to turbulence.




Gerald Putzny for Gnome Press International.