One Of The Most Bizarre Roadside Attractions In America Is Right Here In Colorado
By Annie
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Published June 27, 2018
Colorado is a weird state… there, I said it! While this can be looked at as a negative, I mean it in a good way, as our state is full of fun and eccentric people, quirky attractions, and colorful festivals that are Colorado through and through. Despite all the “good” weird we have to offer, we also have a few things/places that could be considered downright bizarre, like this roadside attraction that was just named one of the weirdest in America:
Recently published by Topix Passport was their list of the "29 Bizarre Roadside Attractions Around The U.S.," which named such places as the Jimmy Carter Peanut in Georgia, Mitchell Corn Palace in South Dakota, and...
...Mike the Headless Chicken in Fruita, Colorado!
Never heard of Mike? Then you're in for an egg-cellent treat!
Also known as Miracle Mike, this headless chicken became a sideshow sensation who earned close to $4,500 per month ($47,700 today).
How did Mike come to have no head? As you probably guessed, Mike was supposed to be the supper of Fruita resident Lloyd Olsen but survived his decapitation thanks to the axe missing a jugular vein, which also kept most of his brain stem intact.
The headless chicken lived for nearly 18 months without his head and ate a diet of milk, water, and small grains of corn.
Today, Miracle Mike lives on in Fruita, thanks to an intricate 5-foot-tall metal sculpture of the feathered legend.
You can find Mike in downtown Fruita, on the corners of Mulberry and Aspen.
(In addition to the statue, the town pays homage to Mike via the annual Mike the Headless Chicken Festival, which comes complete with Peep eating contests, a 5K, food trucks, and live music!)
Thanks for the memories, Mike!
Discover even more weird Colorado by reading one of our previous articles: Here Are 7 Museums In Colorado That Are Just Too Weird For Words .
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