Quirky Roadside Attraction in Arkansas Turns Heads
Have you ever been traveling down a road in Arkansas and you come across some quirky roadside attraction that makes you say, Did you see that?
Did you know an Arkansas town has one of those quirky roadside attractions? This town has been declared the "Spinach Capital of the World."
The Allen Canning Company of Alma, Arkansas makes about 60 million pounds of spinach annually and accounts for around 65 percent of spinach in the United States. The small town located near Fort Smith has even built a new bronze Popeye statue with a water fountain in the downtown square to help capture the fun calling it "Popeye Park."
Visitors who drop by can get a picture standing in front of the Popeye holding was is supposed to be the "World's Largest Can of Spinach."
In addition, there is a gazebo, gardens, and park benches for relaxing.
The new statue has been around since 2009 while the original Popeye statue which was created of fiberglass and paper mache by a couple from Mountainburg has been moved to an indoor location according to Fun in Arkansas.
People who visit the Popeye statue also enjoy the painted adjoining mural wall of old Fayetteville Avenue. The town of Alma is also home to the annual Spinach Festival that happens every April.
How to Find Popeye Park
When traveling I-40 exit 13 onto Highway 71 South go through a traffic light stay left, and turn right onto Fayetville, Avenue (HWY 162) stay on the road until you get downtown you can't miss seeing the massive statue.
This is just one of several quirky roadside attractions in Arkansas. Have you ever seen the largest can of Budweiser? Now that's what I call a whole lot of drinking.
Hey, I didn't see Popeye's girlfriend Olive Oyl! What's up with that?
LOOK: Route 66’s quirkiest and most wonderful attractions state by state
Stacker compiled a list of 50 attractions--state by state--to see along the drive, drawing on information from historic sites, news stories, Roadside America, and the National Park Service. Keep reading to discover where travelers can get their kicks on Route 66.
Gallery Credit: Kery Wiginton