Anniversary

And the Winner Is...

by Rachel Dickinson

Who's Fooling Whom?

Big Whopper Liar's Contest
When: September 20, 2008
Where: New Harmony, Indiana

What happens: Each contestant gets four minutes to tell their story before the audience (usually a sellout crowd) votes for the best storyteller. The contest was started by Aubry Robison Jr. in 1989 as an opportunity to get people together who enjoy the art of storytelling.

Insider tip: Jeff Fleming, current emcee for the event, says that storytellers need to keep three things in mind: originality, exaggeration, and humor. "Draw on your own experience," he says. "And recognize that you're there to entertain."

Secret of success: Don't forget to be funny, says Fleming, who won the contest in its third year (although officials told him that inasmuch as it was an amateur contest, he was disqualified because he was a lawyer).

Judge's advice: Contestants need to remember that the audience is the judge and wants to be entertained.

Prizes: First prize is a bus ticket to Toledo, Ohio, and second prize is two tickets. (Just kidding.) You're actually competing for the honor of winning, although top storytellers receive humorous books and CDs, as well as gag gifts such as a screwdriver to tighten up their story or a sponge to clean it up. The 2006 winner was invited to tell his story on BBC Radio.