While the Gators were busy taking care of business in Kentucky this weekend, another group gathered to play a different kind of football in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. But in this game, the challenge was staying balanced on a single wheel.
The Gainesville Unicycle Unit, a branch of the Objects in Motion juggling club, hosted the second annual Gainesville Unicycle Fest on Friday and Saturday. Events included races, hockey, limbo, sumo wrestling, jousting and unibash, a cross between football and tag.
First and second place competitors received dollar store prizes for their success — a toy car for the fast race, a plastic chest plate for jousting and a Ninja Turtle towelette for the slow race.
“We had been to festivals in Atlanta and Tallahassee, and we were inspired to make our own,” said Shannon Crawford, a 22-year-old political science senior who served as the main organizer and the unicycle club’s spokeswoman.
Crawford has been an avid unicyclist since receiving one eight years ago.
“Our ultimate goal is to have a really big festival where everyone from the southeast U.S. comes,” she said.
The club hosted about 25 cyclists and some spectators who wanted to try unicycling and juggling. Though most of the cyclists in the club were current UF students or UF graduates, unicyclists came from Orlando and Tallahassee to compete as well. Most spectators were friends and family.
“No one unicycles in Orlando. I like the whole group,” said Mikhel Barkan, a 28-year-old University of Central Florida alumnus who drove up to attend the festival. “You’re not just riding by yourself. You’re with a group of friends, and that’s more fun.”
Arielle Walsh, a 21-year-old UF anthropology junior, said she was happy just watching.
“I don’t even like sports,” Walsh said. “But here I am, watching hockey and loving it.”
PJ Arroyo, a 24-year-old UF alumnus, believes anyone can learn to ride a unicycle.
“We love teaching new unicyclists,” said Arroyo. “Anyone can learn through sheer willpower, enough practice and enough falling off.”
A version of this story ran on page 4 on 9/30/2013 under the headline "Gainesville Unicycle Fest celebrates one-wheel wonders"
UF alumnus PJ Arroyo, 24, rides a unicycle down a slope with Florida State University senior Maria Vaccaro, 21, at the Gainesville Unicycle Fest on Saturday. The festival included events such as races, hockey, limbo and football, all balanced on one wheel.
