SEATTLE — It's a battle in Seattle that has raged for decades.
"There's a lotta carnage with whipped cream. This is the 24th year of Pie Jousting. I invented it in 2001 and we've been doing it ever since," said Tim 'Sully' Sullivan who owns Sully’s Snow Goose Saloon on Phinney Ridge.
Every April 1st, he puts up some caution tape, rounds up some regulars, sprinkles sand in front of his establishment for traction, provides two bikes for jousters to ride, and invites anyone over 21 who signs a waiver to let the pies fly.
"It's a fun deal. Everybody has a good time and hopefully no one gets hurt,” Sullivan said.
There are rules.
"First of all, the most important thing, no ducking at the Snow Goose. We don't allow ducking, ducking will cause a disqualification,” Sullivan said.
Also: “You must take the pie in the face.”
There are strategies, a couple of competitors, including one guy in an Evel Knievel costume, explain theirs:
"I think you gotta ride straight, have a true heart, I think that's the key to it. Only a true heart will win this,” they said.
But mostly there are flying pies....and happy chaos. As onlookers drink beer from red solo cups and cars slow down to see what all the whipped cream is about, it feels like a bit of old, unsanctioned Seattle.
"No permit, the police have driven by and they just wave and smile when they go by,” Sullivan said.
Neighborhood kids help ferry plates piled high with whipped cream to contenders. Neighborhood dogs help clean up.
Then it's time for the final show down, and two time champion Bam Bam gets his third pie jousting win.
When his duties presiding over the two hour contest end, Sullivan gets a pie of his own, smeared into his face by a regular.
“I like taking a good pie in the face, keeps my head clear,” he said.
Finally the battle is over, and peace is restored to Phinney Ridge. Until next April first.
“Yeah, it's April Fools Day, we should make fools of ourselves I guess,” Sullivan said.
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