New Purdue Pete World’s Largest Drum Bobblehead Unveiled

New Purdue Pete World’s Largest Drum Bobblehead Unveiled

Limited Edition Bobblehead featuring Purdue Pete standing on the World’s Largest Drum with an American flag is now available exclusively from the National Bobblehead HOF and Museum.

MILWAUKEE, Wi., November 29, 2019 – This morning, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled an officially licensed, limited-edition bobblehead featuring Purdue Pete standing on the World’s Largest Drum with an American flag. Since 1921, Purdue’s Big Bass Drum and the “Purdue All-American Marching Band” have been symbols of pride for the University and one of the best traditions in college sports. The bobbleheads were produced exclusively for the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum by FOCO, an official licensee and manufacturer of Purdue Boilermakers merchandise.

The bobbleheads, which are individually numbered to only 1,000, are $40 each plus a flat rate shipping charge of $8 per order. This is the second bobblehead to incorporate the historic drum, as the first version was released in 2018 and quickly sold out.

The World’s Largest Drum has a storied history that makes it one of the best tradition in college sports. In 1921, Purdue University Marching Band Director, Paul Spotts Emrick, came up with the idea to have a bass drum bigger than any other in the world which would be taller than those who played it, would excite Purdue fans and bring worldwide attention to the band and university. Since then, the drum has been the center of Purdue’s “All-American” Marching Band on the football field as Purdue fans watch the band crew run it across the field making it “dance” by twirling it in a circular motion. The drum also sounds off for every touchdown and its crew does push-ups corresponding to the number of points Purdue has scored. Over the years, the drum has experienced many adventures and even been “drum-napped” by Indiana University students. Another tradition is to invite famous people to hit the drum and sign its heads.

For more than 50 years, the Purdue Band has been engaged in a friendly, but heated controversy with the University of Texas over who really has the biggest drum. In 1961, members of Purdue’s Kappa Kappa Psi band fraternity challenged their Texas fraternity brothers to a drum showdown at the fraternity’s national convention in Wichita, Kansas. Purdue kept its promise, but Texas students failed to bring their drum, leading the Purdue students to declare their drum to be the “World’s Largest Drum.” Since then, the exact measurements have been kept secret to preserve the mystique surrounding it.

“We were blown away by the excitement for the first World’s Largest Drum bobblehead and with fans asking for a new version on a regular basis, we designed this one to incorporate the proud tradition of the Purdue All-American Marching Brand,” said Phil Sklar, Co-Founder and CEO of the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum. “This bobblehead will become a cherished collectible that is passed down to future generations of Boilermakers.”

About the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum:
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, which is located at 170 S. 1^st. St. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, opened to the public on February 1^st, 2019. The HOF and Museum also produces high quality, customized bobbleheads for retail sale as well as organizations, individuals and teams across the country. Visit us online and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About FOCO:
FOCO is a leading manufacturer of sports and entertainment merchandise celebrating more than 20 years in the industry. The company’s always-growing product lines includes apparel, accessories, toys, collectibles, novelty items, and more. FOCO is licensed with all major sports leagues including the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, MLS and over 150 colleges and universities as well as entertainment properties such as Disney, Warner Bros/DC Comics, Nickelodeon and WWE. Please reach out to Matthew Katz, Licensing Manager, P 848-260-4315 – mkatz@foco.com for more information. Follow @FOCOusa on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more exciting news and new product releases.