DISCOVER
CHICO'S NATIONAL YO-YO CONTEST

It's the longest running National Yo-Yo contest in the world, and it
takes place right here, in little ol' Chico, California!

The contest premiered in 1993 thanks, in large part, to the efforts of the Malowney family - owners of Bird in Hand and the National Yo-Yo Museum.

While you're planning your trip to Chico for the National Contest, be sure to use HotelsCombined to book your hotel:

Chico Yo-Yo Club

You'll find newcomers, as well as experienced players, working side-by-side to practice and improve their yo-yo-ing skills.

The Club also hosts a regional contest on one of the first Saturdays
in June (the first day of summer break for most of the area's schools) to showcase local kids who come from Chico and other Butte County towns, as well as from places like Redding and Yuba City.

National Contest, Chico's Downtown Plaza

But the really big event is the Nat'l Yo-Yo Contest, which is held on the first Saturday of October every year. There's a National Championship crown for the winner in each of 5 styles of yo-yoing.

And a little added treat: the National Spin Top Contest is held in conjunction with the Yo-Yo Contest. People vie for the title of Best Spin Top Player in the United States.

Participants in either event can range in age from under 10 to over
45 (with no upper limit!). The youngest person to win the World Yo-Yo Championships was 12, and the oldest was 54.

Here's what the National Yo-Yo Organization has to say about the contest judging:

"Todays contests have developed new formats. At the National Yo-Yo Contest, there are two competition levels, the highly competitive Championship Division and a more recreational Sport Division.

The Championship Division encompasses the 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, and 5A styles of play where competitors perform a freestyle routine made up of tricks of the players choice.

1A division competitors use one long-spin yo-yo to perform intricate trick manipulations of both string and yo-yo.

2A division competitors use two looping yo-yos simulataneously in looping tricks that require quickness and timing.

3A division competitors use two long spin-yo-yos to perform intricate string tricks simultaneously with both yo-yos.

4A (Offstring) competitors use a yo-yo that is unattached to the string but still is able to return to the hand.

5A (Freehand or Counterweight) competitors use a weight on the string instead of attaching the string to the hand."

And here's a video of 2010's Division 5A winner, Miguel Correa, in action - this is really exciting stuff!

Now that you're psyched up to come to Chico for the contest, book your hotel at:

Here's more information that you'll want to know about Chico,
California. Take a look and plan your trip to Chico!

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