Over the weekend, hundreds of people who share the name Josh gathered at Air Park in Lincoln, Nebraska, to battle with pool noodles over their shared name as a result of a joke from last year becoming a larger-than-life event.
via People:
According to the Lincoln Journal Star, the idea initially came from Josh Swain, a 22-year-old Arizona college student who sent a Facebook message last April to dozens of other people who shared his first name.
After Swain informed the other Joshes to meet at a location in Lincoln on April 24, 2021, for the fight, the group message went viral on Facebook, which led to Swain taking his idea seriously and posting details about the event on social media several months ago.
While Swain was unsure if Joshes would actually show up, hundreds of fellow Joshes followed Swain’s instructions and arrived with pool noodles at Air Park for the fun battle, which raised money for the Children’s Hospital and Medical Center Foundation. Swain also used the event to host a food drive for the Food Bank of Lincoln, Swain shared on Twitter.
Photos and videos from the event that were shared on social media and by the Lincoln Star Journal showed the participants, most of whom wore face masks, gathered in crowds while yielding their pool noodles. Some were even decked out in themed costumes like Star Wars and Spider-Man.
The event was also attended by people not named Josh who sat on the sidelines and wore T-shirts and held signs that had messages of support like “Team Josh” and “I’m with Josh.”
Ultimately, 5-year-old Lincoln resident Josh Vinson Jr. was named the winner of the “Battle of the Joshes,” and received a Burger King crown, the Lincoln Journal Star reported.
Vinson Jr.’s father, Josh Vinson Sr., spoke to Channel 8 ABC at the event and said of his son, “He’s going to remember this for the rest of his life.”
Swain later shared a statement on Twitter after the event and thanked all the participants involved and the “great city” of Lincoln for allowing them to hold the spectacle.
“Still in disbelief at the moment but amazed at the incredible support,” said Swain.
The world can be so heavy at times — but good, random, wholesome fun like this makes us smile. We need more of this!
In case y'all don't know, this is what the #JoshFight thing is about. I saw it as a joke on Tumblr, but I didn't think people would actually go through with it. Beautiful. pic.twitter.com/oWo4LJelZE
— Peppers | ??| ???| ??? (@PinchofPeppers) April 24, 2021
https://twitter.com/YousefKLKN/status/1386032578000478211?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1386032578000478211%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpeople.com%2Fhuman-interest%2Fbattle-of-the-joshes-pool-noodles-showdown-nebraska%2F
Josh Vinson Sr. on his son #LittleJosh and his victory in the #JoshFight:
"He's going to remember this for the rest of his life!"
Full recap of the #JoshFight – Tonight at 6 on @Channel8ABC pic.twitter.com/tjPZMu1JM2
— Yousef Nasser (@YousefNasserTV) April 24, 2021
