World’s Largest Ball of Twine

We stopped on our way back from the Sturgis SD motorcycle rally. I was a little more impressed than my wife, but we both felt the incredible joy of being so close to one mans super human accomplishment. One more major check off of our bucket list!

All and more I hoped it to be. I called the day before and the nice lady set a time to meet me the next day — otherwise there may not have been anyone to open the excellent gift shop and museum. The only negative is that the glass is reflective and makes it hard to get a good picture during bright sunlight. Might even be better at night.

If you are going to see the twine ball, try to see it on Twine Ball Days. Park well before the parade start time. Parking was surprisingly difficult as folks flocked to see it. The parade was a homespun affair, featuring local businesses and lots of candy tossed into the street. The festival also has handicrafts, pronto pups, ice cream sundaes, and other usual festival food. You can also see a Minn-​e-​rods competition. They are not kidding when they say bring earplugs. We were fascinated by the spectacle and the construction of the vehicles, but the noise eventually gave us headaches.
The pictorial museum happened to be screening a new film, «The World’s Largest Ball of Twine.» It was especially fun because of the additional commentary provided by locals. At the museum you can see pictures of Weird Al embracing the ball of twine, plus the multiple attached wooden pliers that the twine ball creator Francis Johnson made out of a single piece of wood. The museum of course also has T-​shirts, postcards, and other souvenirs.
Darwin is a relatively easy and fun day trip from the metro area. If I have out of town guests during twine ball days, I might take them there.

On our cross country road trip my husband was the most excited to see the World’s Largest Ball of Twine. I couldn’t understand it as hard as I tried. It’s JUST a ball of twine! But being there in Darwin, peering into the pagoda to see the twine ball in its splendor, just got me somehow. I stood there with my mouth hanging open like an idiot. Only one man made this? Really? Amazing! Something clicked, I just got it. Somehow that silly twine ball, on a sleepy street in the middle of Minnesota, won me over. Amazing.

Weird Al Yankovic glorified the World’s Largest Ball of Twine in song as he made an epic roadtrip across America to see this man-​made wonder. Every lyric he wrote speaks true to this small town’s legend.
Located in Darwin, Minnesota, a city which boasts a population of 276, the Twine Ball is the focal point of the community. Local resident Francis Johnson began rolling a ball of twine in his basement in 1950. He would roll for four hours a day, every day for the next 29 years. Upon Johnson’s passing in 1979, the Twine Ball measured 40 feet in circumference and weighed 9 tons.
In 1991, the Twine Ball was relocated from the Johnson property to it’s current location at town square. A gigantic, enclosed gazebo was built to shelter the Twine Ball from the elements. It even has it’s own souvenir shop and museum!
While visiting the Twine Ball, you will be able to walk into the gazebo and touch, hug, smell and/​or take photographs with it. The museum tells the story of Francis Johnson, shows pictures of his project in progress as well as a collection of newspaper articles written about the Twine Ball. A photo-​collage of Weird Al’s visit is also available for viewing. The museum also houses many historical objects from the City of Darwin and tells about the town’s past.
Of course, no trip to the World’s Largest Ball of Twine is complete without a visit to the gift shop! Here you will find all sorts of souvenirs with Twine Ball insignia:
— tee shirts in a variety of colors and sizes
— postcards
— yo-​yos
— shot glasses
— miniature ball of twine magnets
— pens
— earrings (metal, not made from twine… but twine ball shaped!)
— twine ball starter kits
— mugs, waterbottles, coozies
— bumper stickers and keychains
— frisbees
— playing cards
…and much more! Be sure to sign the guestbook, located in the mailbox out front.
The Twine Ball is open daily in the summertime, 11:00am-7:00pm. Admission is free. Since the Twine Ball is outside, you can still drive past and get a look in the off-​season. The shops will just be closed.