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Arizona is the only state in the union that has adopted an official state neckwear and a state reptile, and the only place in the world to prosecute a man for murder by gila monster. It's home to the world's largest sundial, world's smallest museum, world's only teacup-as-art project, and dinosaur sentries who stand guard along an interstate. Learn even more as you laugh your way through the pages of Arizona Curiosities.

Arizona Curiosities is your round-trip ticket to the wildest, wackiest, most outrageous people, places, and things the Grand Canyon State has to offer. Popular humor columnist Sam Lowe has combed Arizona for one-of-a-kind gems that make his home state truly unique.
You'll meet John Shaw, a minor-league thief who posthumously drank a shot of whiskey; you'll see Arizona's special brand of roadside wildlife; you'll experience competitive Arizona sports such as worm racing, cotton-bale rolling, outhouse penny-pitching, and ostrich riding.
Whether you were born and raised in Arizona or are a recent transplant, Lowe's home-grown humor will have you laughing out loud as he introduces you to the neighbors you never knew you had and takes you to places you never knew existed - right in your own backyard.

Sam Lowe has lived in Arizona since 1969, which puts him into the loosely regulated "near native" category. He worked as a columnist for The Phoenix Gazette and Arizona Republic for more than 25 years and was named "Humor Columnist of the Year" by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists in 1988. After retiring in 1999, he became a freelance writer. He and his wife Lyn live in a two-bedroom house in Phoenix. There's nothing unusual about them or the house. Well, maybe the billboard-sized circus poster plastered across one wall in the garage.

Hi Yo Wormie
Alpine
It's not quite Olympic Games caliber, but worm races are one of the major summer events in this White Mountain community. They're run on the second Saturday of July and are preceded by a short (naturally) worm parade.
The races are held behind Ye Olde Tavern on a piece of plywood painted with rings. It's not head-to-head competition, however. Each worm is placed in the center ring and given two minutes to crawl. Worm breeders can urge their steeds on by misting them with water or by yelling encouragement like, "Win or you'll be sleeping with the fishes!"
According to local legend, the first races also featured the coronation of The Robin, who ate the losing worms between shots of tequila. The practice has been discontinued, allegedly because it gave the tequila a bad taste.
Worm fans and handicappers interested in more information may call 928-339-4330.