Ah, Metropolis: the small town with the big-city name. I've always found it very interesting that a town with a population around 5,000 people somehow landed a name that means "a very large and densely populated industrial and commercial city".
Although it's simply a blip on the map, to the people that were born, raised, and still live there, Metropolis is everything. It truly is a quintessential small town, and the people there truly care for each other.
But how do you know you're from Metropolis? Here are 12 signs that might be able to help you determine whether or not you are.
1. You remember when Bob's Bowling Alley was still a thing.
And while the Super Bowl is alive, well, and looks ultra cool, you remember a better, simpler, time.
2. That time when Big John losing an arm was a bigger deal than Superman ever will be.
This was a crisis for the city of Metropolis. Built in the 60's, Big John is the sacred guardian of the grocery store named after him, and he's even bigger than the Superman statue. So when his arm fell off back in 2014, the whole town was in uproar. Seriously. I'm not joking.
3. The Superman Festival? Nah. True Metropolis citizens get hyped for the Fort Massac Encampment...
While the Superman Festival is a really cool time to join together as a community and make fun of people that come from out of town to cosplay their favorite superhero characters... the Fort Massac Encampment is the ultimate showing of community camaraderie.
With cool war re-enactments like those pictured below, you're bound to have a good time reveling in Massac History.
4. ...Not for the history, but rather for the food.
I mean, yeah, sure, the importance of Fort Massac in the French and Indian War is cool and all, but we've all been hearing the same thing every time we go for years. The FOOD is where it's at, the real reason to go to the Encampment every year in October.
My personal favorite is the Old-Fashioned Root Beer, served in real glass bottles. You haven't really lived if you haven't had your own glass bottle full of root beer.
5. People think you're playing tricks on them when you tell them where you're from
"But isn't that Superman's hometown?"
"Haha, you're totally joking... right? Right?!"
No... I'm not kidding. Metropolis is a real town, I promise!
6. Sonic Drive-In is THE place to be after dark.
Everyone goes to Sonic. Everyone. Who can resist the pressure of belonging to the community... and milkshakes? Especially when they're half-priced?
7. You have gone "muddin' in The Bottoms" more than once.
Don't ask me what that means (hell— I hardly know what that means) but this is what it looks like:
8. You remember when KFC was in operation.
A moment of silence for our fallen brethren.
9. Meet the Patriots is one of the biggest community events of the year...
only behind the Encampment. It's time for some foobaw!
10. You were in FFA in high school and became a part of the popular crowd as a result
It's like an introduction to a super secret club!
11. At least one of your senior photos was taken in a field or with cowboy boots.
Bonus points if it features a tractor and/or a horse.
12. .... And you haven't taken a normal picture with the Superman statue...
What is the obsession with Superman's junk, ladies and gentlemen?
Bonus points for this awesome Dumbledore/Voldemort duo.
