World's Largest Ball of Twine
A colossal community effort, Cawker City's legendary ball of sisal twine was started by Frank Stoeber in 1953 and continues to grow. Visitors can even work with the local twine commissioner to add their own strand. It sits proudly under a public canopy on the town's main street.
- Admission
- Free
- Hours
- Open 24 hours
- Duration
- 15-30 minutes
- Parking
- Free street parking available directly in front of the attraction
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible paved viewing area on a flat sidewalk
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Started in 1953 by local farmer Frank Stoeber, this colossal sphere of sisal twine began as a simple way to clean up his property. By 1961, Stoeber gifted the massive creation to Cawker City, where it has remained a symbol of community pride and rural ingenuity ever since.
Today, the ball sits under a protective outdoor canopy along Cawker City's main street, making it easily accessible to travelers at any hour of the day. Unlike static monuments, this attraction continues to grow each year, currently weighing well over 20,000 pounds with millions of feet of twine wrapped into its frame.
What truly sets this roadside icon apart is its interactive nature, as visitors are actively encouraged to add their own length of twine to the structure. This collaborative spirit is celebrated annually during the town's Twine-a-Thon, ensuring the ball's legendary status continues to expand one strand at a time.
Ratings
attractionVisitor Tips
- ◆ Stop by the local library or designated town businesses to ask for a free length of twine to legally add to the ball.
- ◆ Follow the painted twine line on the sidewalks of Cawker City, which serves as a whimsical path leading directly to the monument.
- ◆ Time your visit for late August to witness the annual Twine-a-Thon, where the community gathers to add mass and officially measure the ball.
- ◆ Bring a camera for the perfect perspective shot, as the scale of the ball is best appreciated with a person standing next to it.
Heads Up
- ◆ The attraction is an open-air pavilion on a public street, so there are no dedicated public restrooms or indoor facilities directly on site.
- ◆ Avoid pulling or picking at the twine, as damaging the structure is strictly prohibited.
Common questions
Can you actually add your own twine to the ball?
Yes, visitors can add twine to the ball to help it grow. You can obtain a free piece of twine and have your contribution officially recorded by visiting the nearby gift shop or contacting the local twine custodian.
Is the Cawker City ball of twine open for viewing at night?
Yes, the ball of twine is located outdoors under an open-air canopy on Wisconsin Avenue and can be viewed 24 hours a day.
How does this ball of twine differ from the one in Darwin, Minnesota?
The Cawker City ball of twine is the largest built by a community and continues to grow, while the Darwin, Minnesota ball is the largest created by a single person and is no longer being added to.
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