An incident last week in Dawson City, Yukon, almost became a one of national security when the famous toe from the Sourtoe Cocktail was stolen from the Downtown Hotel in Dawson City.
Luckily, the toe has now been returned. Because of this tragedy Tourism Yukon is on the lookout for a backup toe to ensure the Sourtoe Cocktail can continue on should this happen again. The person willing to part with it will win a free Yukon getaway for two.
The legend of the first “sourtoe” dates back to the 1920’s and features a feisty rum-runner named Louie Linken and his brother Otto. During one of their cross-border deliveries, they ran into an awful blizzard. In an effort to help direct his dog team, Louie stepped off the sled and into some icy overflow -- soaking his foot thoroughly.
Fearing the police were on their trail, they continued on their journey. Unfortunately, the prolonged exposure to the cold caused Louie’s big toe to be frozen solid. To prevent gangrene, the faithful Otto performed an amputation using a woodcutting axe (and some overproof rum for anesthesia). To commemorate this moment, the brothers preserved the toe in a jar of alcohol. Years later, while cleaning out an abandoned cabin, the toe was discovered by Captain Dick Stevenson. After conferring with friends, the Sourtoe Cocktail Club was established and the rules developed. Since its inception, the club has acquired (by donation) more than 10 toes.
So before you apply to donate, ask yourself: Does your toe exude a delectable aroma? Is it a fragrance that begs to be shared with the world? Is your toe ready to tell the story of all the trials and tribulations it has endured to keep your foot afloat?
Then that toe deserves to win a free trip to the Yukon, where it can be immortalized in the famous Sourtoe Cocktail.
To win: Upload a photo of your mouth-watering digit onto Instagram
Tag @travelyukon
Add the hashtag #makeatoenation for a chance to win a free Yukon getaway for two.
“The Sourtoe Cocktail is a one-of-a-kind experience that you can only get in Dawson City, Yukon. The toe is something that locals hold near and dear to their hearts and love sharing with visitors from all over the world,” says Paul Robitaille, marketing and events manager at the Klondike Visitors Association. “We take pride that, in the Yukon, strange things done under the midnight sun are celebrated and the Sourtoe Cocktail is one of these things that toe-tally makes us an authentic place to experience, anytime of the year.
Hotel manager Adam Gerle says people who drink the Sourtoe Cocktail and experience their lips touching the toe become an official member of the Sourtoe Cocktail club, which now has more than 70,000 members.
“We’re delighted the toe has been returned and this contest will help ensure the tradition of the legendary Sourtoe Cocktail will continue for many years to come”.
All the toes people are willing to donate will be displayed on makeatoenation.com. The selected winner will agree to donate their toe postmortem. And yes, this is a real contest. Big toes are preferred. Full contest rules here.
@sthomas10
