Hall of fumes

MONTPELIER, VT – Seven kids, ages eight to thirteen, from across the country, descended on the small town of Montpelier today wearing sneakers so decrepit and odorous, even the town dump wouldn’t take them. Why? To participate in the annual National Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest. Each has won a regional contest and, therefore, earned a place in the national finals. In the end, thirteen-year-old Katharine Tuck took home the grand prize with a pair of one-year-old sneakers that nearly caused the judges to pass out.

Celebrating its 32nd year, the National Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker contest is the ultimate test of just how offensive sneakers can get when they’re not taken care of properly. Sneakers are judged on the conditions of the sole, tongue, heel, toe, laces or velcro, eyelets/gromments, overall condition and most important ODOR, by a panel that includes NASA “Master Sniffer” George Aldrich, Chemical Specialist for NASA space missions, and Dr. Joel Goodman, founder and Director of The HUMOR Project.

This year, Katharine Tuck beat out six other contestants, from, Worcester, NY, White Plains, NY, Montpelier, VT, Eagle River, AK, Berkeley Heights, NJ and Las Cruces, NM to take home the grand prize of $2,500.00.

“My sneaker got dirty and smelly by just wearing them everyday to work in her yard, play sports, and just playing” said Katharine.

Katharine also received the Golden Sneaker Award trophy, plus an all expense trip to New York City to see The Lion King, and a much-needed supply of Odor-Eaters® products to kick out the odor from his/her sneakers. Although the maker of Odor-Eaters products sponsors the contest, it’s clear that the contestants keep the product far from their willfully worn and torn warriors submitted for judging.

Katharine’s sneakers will also be enshrined in the Odor-Eaters “Hall of Fumes” in Montpelier, VT.